This week, we’re featuring Erik Sandoval, the creative force behind Rugs by Less. Originally from Morelia, Michoacán, and raised in Stockton, California, Erik has been tufting since July 2021—but his journey started long before he picked up a tufting gun.
Follow his journey and see more of his incredible work at @rugsbyless.
From TikTok Inspiration to Full Dedication
Back in 2020, Erik stumbled upon tufting videos on TikTok, and something just clicked. “I immediately saw myself doing the same thing,” he recalls. That initial spark turned into an itch—a drive to not just tuft, but to become very good at the craft. Since then, he’s been honing his skills, pushing his creativity, and making rugs that bring him—and others—genuine joy.
A Personal Piece with a Powerful Meaning
The rug we’re featuring this week isn’t just a design—it’s a concept, a story, and a challenge Erik set for himself.
“This was a drawing I created back in 2020, and I really wanted to see it as a rug to challenge myself. The idea is about connection and duality—there’s the shadow version of yourself and the light side of you. They’re reaching out to each other to connect. There’s an energy in you of both the good and bad, but accepting and connecting them as one is important. That energy is projected inward, but they are two sides of the same coin. It leaves ripples, and that spreads out to the world.”
The Creative Process—A Lesson in Patience
Though the tufting itself took only a week, finishing this piece took a full year. Erik put it aside to focus on commissions but always knew he would return to it when the time was right.
“I never wanted to give up on it, but I wanted to give it the time it deserved. Eventually, it felt right to finish it, and I couldn’t be happier.”
The biggest challenge? Trusting that it would get done.
“There were times I didn’t know when I would ever have this finished, but I trusted that the time would be right. Faith in the work is all I relied on.”
Tools, Materials, and Future Upgrades
Erik used a tufting gun, acrylic yarn, carpet trimmers, and scissors to bring this vision to life, finishing it with rubber felt backing. If he were to remake this rug, he’d add more textures to emphasize the design.
“I would incorporate more textures like loop piles and high pile!”
