Rayela Art

Hello, there!  I'm a fiber artist living in Kentucky who has had a passion for world crafts for a couple of decades.  I grew up in Brazil, went to college in Minnesota, then spent 20 years in inner city Chicago.  Still love alot about that city, but not the traffic, congestion, cost, and all that.  In 2005, I moved to Paducah, Kentucky, where there is a sizable artist's community.

My business, Rayela Art, focuses on ethnic textiles and fiber supplies.  I also make stuff (hats, bags, quilts, etc) and often use materials that would end up in the garbage.  I sell on 1,000 Markets, Etsy, eBay and have a booth at 212 Broadway (downtown Paducah).

My blog, Fiber Focus, explores the contributions fiber art makes to our various world communities.  I am especially interested in how any craft can effect economic development for people, whether those have historical traditions or new approaches to an old technique.  I am always looking for guest writers, so if you would like to share your work or experience, please contact me.  The blog led to creating a Ning site with the same name, the Fiber Focus Group, which has attracted fiber artists from all over the world. 

Rayela Art is on Facebook, too.  I do the occasional twitter and can be found in cyber space all over the place, but focus my time mostly on Facebook and Fiber Focus.

I launched TAFA: The Textile and Fiber Art List in January of 2010.  It has grown into a wonderful community of fiber artists and textile businesses.  Do visit, and if you have a fiber/textile business, consider joining us!

Well, that's probably enough.  Do contact me if you have any questions!  I love the concept behind this Art House and look forward to seeing it grow!

Rachel Biel