FROM THE LAND
MADE BY HAND
Traditionally handcrafted materials are essential for the organic look of Sera Helsinki's designs, making each rug unique and charming. The wool thread is handmade by using ancient traditions in the highlands of Ethiopia. These rural mountainside villages are very poor, and the wool production and spinning offers a good income, making it possible to raise the artisans and their families out of extreme poverty.
SHEARING
Wool is sheared from sheep in large batches. Black and brown fibers are separated from the natural white, for an evenly colored thread for the rugs designs & patterns.
CARDING
The carding of the fleece is done entirely by hand, without any electricity with wooden and metal tools. The process cleans and fluffs the wool preparing it for spinning.
SPINNING
After carding, the wool fibre is hand-spun into thread. Spinning one kilogram of wool thread takes two days, using a wooden foot pedal spinning wheel.
WASHING & DRYING
After the wool is spun, the thread is washed with water and soap. Stomping makes it possible to handle larger batches at once. After this, the thread is hung to dry.
SPOOLING
Wound onto spools, the thread is then formed into tidy balls of wool ready for the loom. Spooling allows women in the villages to work from home and care for their families.
FINISHED THREAD
The finished thread is natural and chemical-free. The shade of each color varies according to the sheep’s natural color, therefore each Sera Helsinki rug is unique.
Subheading
Using only very gentle cleansers the wool is not stripped of its natural oils and protection from the elements and the insulation that it provides the sheep. With the natural lanolin of the wool retained and very tight dense method of weaving, a super durable and very stain resistant rug is created. Woven rugs, even pure white can be placed under dining tables and rooms used by pets and children. The rugs are suitable for commercial use and can be done in custom sizes.