Handcrafted Rugs Use Rodents as Muses for Art That Imitates Life

Custom Rodent Rugs by BBRUG

This post may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase, My Modern Met may earn an affiliate commission. Please read our disclosure for more info.

Rug design used to be something that seemed unachievable for many artists. But thanks to a tufting renaissance (and the relative accessibility of tufting guns), numerous creatives have started crafting artsy rugs—many of them custom designs. Iana of BBRUG creates handmade custom rugs that have a variety of influences. But of them, designs featuring rodents have delighted the internet.

Iana created a rug that features two rats snuggling, their tails curved into the shape of a heart. It’s an adorable and sweet illustration that shows how bonded these two creatures are. Even better, the design has a special meaning for Iana, who has experience with rodents. “When I was a kid I had two rats and really loved them,” they tell My Modern Met. “Rats are wonderful pets, but unfortunately their life is too short.”

When Iana was older, they grew up and began making tufted rugs. “I thought it would be great to decorate the interior and at the same time preserve the memory of my favorite pets. That’s how it started, people liked my idea, and now they also want a rug with their pets.”

You can get your own custom rug from Iana when you visit the BBRUG Etsy shop.

Iana of BBRUG creates handmade custom rugs with rodents as their muse.

Custom Rodent Rugs by BBRUG

Here's a rug created for a client that's being enjoyed by the rats it depicts.

Custom Rodent Rugs by BBRUG

Guinea pigs are the inspiration behind this other rodent rug.

Custom Rodent Rugs by BBRUG

Custom Rodent Rugs by BBRUG

BBRUG: Etsy | Instagram

My Modern Met granted permission to feature photos by BBRUG.

Related Articles:

Artist Celebrates Smiling Pups In Adorable Needle-Felted Pet Portraits

10+ All-Inclusive Latch and Rug Hook Kits That’ll Have You Creating Retro-Inspired Designs

Quirky Designer Hand-Crochets Rugs in the Shape of Your Favorite Foods

Sara Barnes

Sara Barnes is a Staff Editor at My Modern Met, Manager of My Modern Met Store, and co-host of the My Modern Met Top Artist Podcast. As an illustrator and writer living in Seattle, she chronicles illustration, embroidery, and beyond through her blog Brown Paper Bag and Instagram @brwnpaperbag. She wrote a book about embroidery artist Sarah K. Benning titled "Embroidered Life" that was published by Chronicle Books in 2019. Sara is a graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art. She earned her BFA in Illustration in 2008 and MFA in Illustration Practice in 2013.
Become a
My Modern Met Member
As a member, you'll join us in our effort to support the arts.
Become a Member
Explore member benefits

Sponsored Content