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The Rag Rug StoryLizzie and Charlie’s was established in 1929 by Elizabeth Sharp Wilcox Christensen (Lizzie) and Karl Christian Christensen (Charlie). In 1894, 11-year-old Charlie immigrated to Utah from Denmark where he had been apprenticed weaving rugs. When he grew up he started a weaving shop of his own, involving his wife and eventually his children.The fledgling shop expanded in 1934 when Charlie bought the building where the factory now stands. It operated here until his death.
Lizzie and Charlie made rugs for many years, and passed the art down to their children, and their children. Ron Bushman, Charlie’s grandson, has been weaving since 1960. He and his wife, Glenda Heaps Bushman, own the shop. Ester Tomney, eldest daughter of Lizzie and Charlie, and Ron’s mother, still gives direction and guidance.
Ron recently restored the building from which the rug factory operated from 1934 until Charlie’s death. The company now has eight antique looms as well as space for a quilting room and crafts display area. Each loom is set up with different colors and widths of material, making it possible to create a variety of hand-crafted rugs, all made from the best all-new materials. This gives Ron and Glenda ample reason to be proud of their slogan, We still make them like we used to.
Lizzie and Charlie’s, operating as a working museum, offers free demonstrations from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Saturday. |
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