Rag Art is owned by Mary Dayton and has been based in Dunoon, Argyll since March 2005

Mary has a long term interest in textiles, organic gardening and looking for talents among people. These have come together through the medium of rag rug making. Workshops were initially taken with Shirley Simpson, Ann Davies, Heather Ritchie, Louisa Creed and Cilia Cameron. It is a great way of using recycled materials and this puts the craft within the reach of most people. It is very rewarding when a gift for 'playing with colour or textures' is discovered amongst those who do not realise the strengths they have.

Mary is keen to share with occupational therapists, special education advisors and other professionals the potential rag rug making can offer. Using recycled materials encourages designs stimulated by the materials available rather than copying other peoples' work.

It also encourages a problem solving approach and Mary is known for being resourceful and full of surprises. However, she does value traditional skills very highly and is concerned that too many are being lost. She will encourage students to try a wide range of techniques so that they have a firm basis from which to experiment and find the best medium for their own personal development.

Mary spends more time making-up samples of different techniques than finishing large projects and is currently fascinated by working in miniature. Dolls house enthusiasts, embroiderers and fashion students are interested in a whole new area of textures they can obtain using a fine hook. Equally challenging is the chunky work that looks good on rustic floors - quick to complete, encourages spontaneous designs and uses up a wide range of those hoards of fabrics and yarns.