In 2020, Nicholas was watching a YouTube tutorial for creating rugs with a tufting gun: a yarn stitching tool that looks like a handed drill. Then he decided to order one and started his own experiments. The videos of his creations became viral very soon, and the requests of custom rugs brought to life his shop under the name of RUGSODA. If you haven’t been hooked by these fancy DIY rugs yet, we challenge you to resist them!

What’s behind the choice of the name RUGSODA?

I like rugs and soda! I really just wanted something unique and catchy that rolled off the tongue so I came up with RUGSODA, I thought it just sounded right!

Your rug making videos are truly hypnotic and satisfying. Does rug tufting have the same effect on you?

Sometimes after doing tons of rugs it can get a bit grindy, but when it’s all done and finished, it’s the most satisfying feeling to see the final masterpiece.

“‘’I’ve always wanted to create and share my art & ideas with the world since a child, so being able to do that with phsyical items people can have in their homes is truly a great feeling.’’”

Among your rugs you gave life to a Flat Tom, from Tom&Jerry, a red Converse, and a Grateful Dead dancing bear. How did copyright owners react to your videos on TikTok?

When starting the business I had no knowledge of copyright use or licensing, so I just made rugs of things i liked. Right after creating the Tom&Jerry rug, it started getting an insane amount of attention, I received a DMCA Warning from Warner Bros. Basically, they were warning me to stop selling the product, so now I am a bit more cautious when making and selling designs based off copyrighted works. On the other hand, some companies like Converse, and Market have worked with me and used my rug videos as promotion which is awesome!

You also give life to your own abstract designs through your rugs. Would you give more space to your own designs in the future?

Definitely, I’ve always wanted to create and share my art & ideas with the world since a child, so being able to do that with physical items people can have in their homes is truly a great feeling. Nothing beats getting a picture of one of my rugs in another person's home.