Black Horse Floorcloths

No sooner did I step foot inside the shop this morning, than the sky opened up and proceeded to dump two inches of rain on Big Valley in a matter of two hours! Some may think that sounds like soupy dismal weather, but it's just the kind of morning I like while working in my shop.

   After I finish running around placing empty paint cans under the four places that the ancient ceiling leaks, I can settle in and listen to the sound of rain on the tin roof as I begin the slow focused work of drawing layouts for yet another round of Mariners Compass rugs. I like this part of the process. Though a little tedious, I like the precision of it. I like that when the phone rings I'm only putting down a pencil instead of a loaded painbrush  (that inevitably rolls all over clean canvas because I'm in too much of a hurry to be careful). I like that when it's done, it's done, and I'm not looking at dots of paint and countless tiny imperfections that only seem to mulitply the more I touch them up.  

    I know that it will be a slow day with few customers, and though it's bad for business, it's great for relaxing! I turn up the radio, and take an extra long lunch break. I think about straightening up the shop, but I hate how I can never find what I need when things are actually where they belong. I decide instead to post a meandering blog entry, more to help me appreciate the moment  than for any other reason.

    Yes, this is just the kind of day I like, a rainy day at the shop, great for procrastinating and just doing those jobs that I'm in the mood for. Regardless of what the weather is like where you are, I hope that you get a day like this for yourself soon!
  

   Hello all! Kristen here. The late summer lull is here. I'm well stocked at the shop, and I've just unpacked the last box in my new house. All this means that I'm officially out of excuses, and it's high time I start paying attention to my poor neglected website!
   I suppose I'll start by introducing the two of us that make up what is known as Black Horse Floorcloths. First, allow me to introduce my mother, and mentor in craftsmanship, Sandy Dunlap.
   As a mother of six, you can imagine that her days were full to say the least. But in addition to homeschooling several of us through our elementary years, she managed to find ample time to pursue a wide variety of the traditional arts ranging from basket making to quilting to folk art painting! In addition to these areas of interest she's also very knowlegable in the area of historical textiles, and will be found at all the local auctions and flea markets in search of her next quirky treasure. Thanks to my father (who is more than a little eager to free up some of her storage space in their house), much of her collection will be moving to the shop shortly. So if you're in town, feel free to stop in, and in addition to our collection of floorcloths, you'll also be able to view many of her latest finds, and perhaps hear a story behind whatever catches your eye!
   You can guess what follows. Being one of my mother's elementary school students, I quickly learned that though math, english, and science were important, what was crucial were history and the traditional arts. There wasn't an historical landmark within a two hundred mile radius that wasn't graced with our presence during those years(multiple times). And we were always making. Birds made out of milk weed pods. Candles out of old crocks.  Potpurri made out of dried apples (this is still a joke between my sisters and i. Who else had a mother that had them slice apples with thier fingers along a razor sharp edge and then dip them in a salt and lemon juice mixture?)

   So when I got married, and had to decide how I was going to contribute financially while my husband was in school, the only natural choice was to find something to make. During this period of time, while I was throwing around the ideas of some sort of painting or perhaps candles, my mother and I were walking thru and antique store in the Danville area, and we came across and older floorcloth. (By older I mean thirty years or so. The truly old ones are extreemely rare as they were used into extinction.) As she explained to me what a floorcloth was, how it wasn't just decorative, but equally functional, I was sold! I loved the idea of being able to walk (or better, eat) on art!

  That was in 2008. We started small, selling on ebay. And right away I met the most amazing people. One of the first was Susan Hougleman who was just taking over ownership of The Tavern on the Square in New Wilmington, Pa. She ordered a small version of my placemat for use on her restaurant tables, and they can still be found there today. If you're ever in that area, by the way, you have to stop there for dinner! Susan herself is one of the warmest people I've ever met, and the food! These people know how to feed you, so come hungry!
   Through Susan I met Jan and Clair, the lovely ladies of James Creek Gallery, and they offered me my first spot at their colonial festival held every June. They've also been a wonderful support from the very beginning! Their sincere warmth and encouraging words have meant a great deal since then.
   From there we tried a few cash and carries to get the wholesale end of the business started. And in January of 2010 we attempted our first Market Square show which was a wonderful success. I wish I could name all the folks I've met who have been such a support as we've gotten things off the ground since then, but that would take take a book, not a blog.

   Looking back, it's hard to believe how far the business has come in such a short period of time, but it's all due to you. The amazing artisans, shop keepers, and traditional art lovers that have made this such a wonderful niche to be a part of.
   
  

Check back soon to find out what's been happening with Black Horse Floorcloths. Feel free to ask questions or comment in the meantime.

  Black Horse Floorcloths

~