Angel of Love Tapestry Throw

The story of Manual Woodworkers & Weavers traces its roots back to the entrepreneurial spirit of Thomas Lemuel Oates. In 1932, Oates founded the company, but the origins of the business can be found in his and his brother's experiences growing up in the mountain areas of Bat Cave, western North Carolina. The brothers used to help their mother find materials for her crafts, and they began making their own wooden whistles, buckets, and birdhouses, which they would sell alongside her creations to the Charlotte-bound travelers passing through in their horse-drawn buggies.

Later, Thomas Oates worked at the Ashville Postcard Company, but when the Great Depression hit, he lost his job. This inspired him to start a business selling crafts, such as cornhusk dolls and woven pieces, produced by local women. Leveraging the knowledge he had gained in the wholesale business, Oates built a waterwheel to generate electricity at a mill, began manufacturing products, and opened his own shop.

Over the years, Oates expanded the company, and his son, Lemuel Oates, who would eventually take over the business, recalls working in the family enterprise from a young age. Lemuel explains that the products were made from cotton scraps left over from sock-making, with half-inch circles being looped together to create a variety of items.

After attending college, Lemuel Oates settled in Richmond, but in December 1973, he returned to Bat Cave to take over the company. In 2007, Lemuel's son, Travis, and his daughter, Molly Oates Sherrill, assumed control of the business.

Today, Manual Woodworkers & Weavers offers a range of products, including the Inspirational Theme Fringed Tapestry Throw. This generously sized (50 x 60-inch) piece can be used to cover a bed, drape over a couch, or adorn a comfortable chair. The throw features a shining angel in a blooming garden, with wings unfurled, and is made in the USA. Customers are encouraged to search for matching pillows and other decor items from Manual Woodworkers & Weavers to complete their home furnishings.

The enduring legacy of Manual Woodworkers & Weavers is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and craftsmanship that has been passed down through generations of the Oates family. From the humble beginnings of wooden whistles and birdhouses to the modern-day Inspirational Theme Fringed Tapestry Throw, the company has continued to evolve and adapt, while staying true to its roots in the mountains of western North Carolina.

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