Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Buchanan.
Thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, how did you get started?
I was introduced to the soft home furnishings industry when I began working at a local upholstery shop. I worked there for several years, learning and practicing the trade, from cushion making and stuffing to patterning, cutting, and sewing fabrics for furniture and window treatments. While there, I learned about the art of carpet binding from the shop owner, who offered binding services to customers who purchased carpet from them. He began passing the knowledge and opportunities down to his son, with whom I was in a relationship, so naturally, I helped and learned, too. Years later, I became a stay-at-home mom and eventually a part-time student. He was still doing upholstery full-time, and I was eager to generate my income, so I began tackling the carpet-binding jobs independently and fell in love with them! I got so much enjoyment from taking something that would otherwise be thrown away and turning it into something functional and beautiful. As someone passionate about environmental stewardship and sustainability, this was making a big difference, and more people needed to know they had the option to repurpose their leftover carpet remnants and repair their damaged rugs instead of replacing them. I learned a business like this could keep vast volumes of material out of landfills and reduce the demand for newly manufactured rugs. 2021, I bought the portable carpet binding machine and other tools and supplies and began Creative Edge 2021. I am so happy to be able to save homeowners time and money and prevent waste by repairing their beloved rugs and using their carpet remnants to make functional throw rugs. It’s cool that I can help with unique flooring needs like fringe replacement, unusual shapes, sizes, or cut-outs. The possibilities are truly endless!
It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been a few struggles along the way, one of the biggest of which was finding an affordable commercial space to operate the business. For over 2 years, I ran the business out of my home. It saved on expenses, but it took up a lot of space. Rugs can get significant. Many of the rugs I worked on were more important than my workspace, but I found ways to make them work. For some projects, I could work on one side at a time and keep the rest of the rug rolled up. , I would complete the work on-site for extra large rugs or seek out a bigger space to accommodate the project, such as a family member’s garage. I found the perfect space at the right price a few months ago and jumped on it immediately! The change has benefited my business, giving me storage space and ample room to work on oversized rugs and improving my efficiency.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Creative Edge Carpet Binding is a local rug-making and repair service on a mission to positively impact the community and the environment, providing customized flooring solutions to help you decorate and maintain your floors affordably and sustainably. We help homeowners repurpose leftover carpet remnants into custom area rugs, throw rugs, and repair, resize, or modify any existing ones. We cut the carpet or rugs to the desired shape and size, remove damage as necessary, and then use a heavy-duty sewing machine to sew on a durable border for an elegant finished edge that won’t fray or unravel. With several edge styles and hundreds of colors, from low-profile polyester to intricate oriental fringes, our customers can get the exact rugs they want, tailored to their space and specific needs. We offer in-home consultations, measuring and design assistance, and a satisfaction guarantee to provide a service and product far exceeding the limitations of big-box stores’ pre-made rugs.
We’d like to hear your thoughts on luck and what role, if any, you feel it’s played for you.
I feel fortunate to have been introduced to this trade when the community and world need it. Ten years ago, I didn’t even know carpet binding was possible. Still, now I can share my expertise and make a difference in customers’ lives, homes, and the environment. We are one of the only businesses offering binding services in northeast Florida.
Pricing:
- Pricing starts at just $5/ linear foot of binding and varies based on the type of carpet and the binding style.
Contact Info:
- Website: creativeedgecarpet.com
- Instagram: creativeedgecarpetbinding
- Facebook: creativeedgecarpet
Image Credits
Personal Photo: Kellie Boston, Boston Photography, Alexis Buchanan
