Tama Lutsko is the sole designer and weaver of the rugs sold under the name
Montana Loomworks.  

Coming from a long line of craftswomen, Tama originally learned to weave as a 12 year old girl.  She spent much time in her teen years
weaving rugs and selling them at local craft shows dreaming of someday making a living pursuing this passion.   Now that the dream has become a reality.

She weaves the rugs out of recycled textiles using hand-powered looms.  Textile remnants, t-shirts, sweaters and even old socks get a new lease on life in these rugs with sizes ranging from 2' x 3' to 8' x 10'. Color and texture combinations are scrutinized to create a useful, valued, artistic rug for today's home.

The sweaters and socks arrive at the studio by the truckload. They are sorted by color combinations (the fabric is never re-dyed) and taken to a commercial laundry for cleaning. The materials are next cut into strips which makes them ready for the weaving process.

The smaller rugs are machine washable and all are made to stand up to constant floor use (though some do end up as wall art).  Over a thousand rugs have been woven since the business came into being in 1998.

Tama still takes delight in the beautiful colors and designs that weaving involves - being drawn to clean lines, smiling at the beauty of simple stripes.

The looms she uses are over 80 years old and come from the era when looms were owned by communities and passed from farm to farm.  "Weaving is my connection to a simpler time in the not so distant past", reflects Tama.  "If the power goes out, I can still weave".

Recently married to an antiques dealer, Tama currently lives and weaves at the base of the Cabinet Mountains in Libby, Montana.

Find Tama at The Farm Chicks Show and on her website.