In 2014 I ran an Etsy shop where I restored old picture frames and turned them into gallery wall sets. I spent a lot of time cruising thrift stores and purchasing any picture frame that was worth saving. This was when I first starting selling other vintage items as well. Since I spent so much time in thrift stores sourcing picture frames, it only made sense to start looking for other valuable items that I could resell. One of these sourcing trips took my husband, Jesse and I on a road trip down to Eugene, Oregon. I still remember the look on Jesse’s face when I pulled a GIANT wall hanging out of a big blue bin that had just been rolled out from the “backstage” area as I call it of Goodwill. Jesse’s response was definitely “NO.” But something about this wild and interesting wall hanging was calling to me. I gave him a shrug that meant “trust me babe, I can make some money on this” and told him someone was going to love it. In my experience, the weirder the item, the quicker it sells! I also had a fondness to the wall hanging because I grew up with a similar piece of artwork in my living room that featured Geese flying over a lake with tall cattails covering the waters edge. I always loved that piece and still smile every time I see a flock of geese today.
This was my introduction to Don Freedman and that fiber art wall hangings were about to become all the rage on Instagram. This one was unsigned and I hadn’t done enough research. That next week I listed it on Etsy for $120, wondering if my pricing on this piece was too steep. It sold, almost immediately. With the order, the buyer sent a message saying she had been looking for that exact Don Freedman piece for years and was so excited to have found such a great deal on one. I immediately googled Don Freedman and learned that his pieces were very collectable and his signed pieces sold online for upwards of $400-$500! So, I may have not made as much profit as I could have but I was so happy for my customer and was grateful to learn about a new artist. Also, it was kind of nice to prove to Jesse that it was a “cool” piece and that I’d make money on it (I bought it for only $6.99).
Here’s one that looks identical to my first Don Freedman find!
My Nebraska Junk Jaunt Don Freedman Find! 💃 $20!!!
When I went to the Nebraska Junk Jaunt back in 2019, I flew there and told myself that I would only buy jewelry and small textiles I could fold up in my empty suitcase. I always travel with all my clothes fit into my carry-on so I can bring an empty suitcase to fill with treasures. So, I had good intentions on this trip. But the first day picking in Omaha I came across not one… but 2 incredible Don Freedman wall hangings. They had just been put out on the floor so they weren’t even priced yet and I was a bit nervous when I went to the counter to ask the price. She said $20 for the large one and $25 for the lion one! 🥳💃💃💃Even though they wouldn’t fit in my luggage there was no way I was leaving them behind. Luckily I already had a FedEx account so it was easy to just drop them off and have them package and ship them back home for me. Even with shipping they were a steal and I will cherish them and that trip forever ❤️
Wall hangings are one of my favorite things to decorate with because they can fill up a large empty wall without it feeling cluttered like a gallery wall. They also add warmth and texture to a space.
If you are afraid of decorating with color, textiles are a great way to introduce color to your home. They are easy to move from room to room and are less of a commitment than wall paint or large furniture pieces.
A signed vintage Don Freedman piece currently available in my shop. This one has a trio of large cranes woven in silk.
You can still find unopened vintage latch hook rug kits on ebay and Etsy. I spent a lot of time working on cross-stitch pieces as a child (mostly of white tigers or other awesome critters) but I have yet to try out a latch hook rug! Have you ever completed one? I’d love to hear more about it in the comments below =)
Many vintage designs have been copied by modern companies, including this piece that is an almost exact replica of the original 1970s Don Freedman Tree of Life design. Even I was fooled by this one! The best way to know for sure you have an authentic Don Freedman is to have the original tag on the backside or the clay signature piece attached to the front with D.F. signature. Although, many authentic Don Freedman pieces have had the clay signature removed by previous owners. I spend a lot of time on eBay and Etsy looking up designers that I am into, to get a better idea of all their different designs they have out there. This is what helped me know that I had spotted the REAL DEAL in Nebraska =)
Here’s an example of full retail price on the wall hanging I found in Nebraska for $20 💃
Although the DF in my bedroom is the one you see most often on my Instagram, this lion one of my all time favorite finds! I found mine for only $25! It pays to thrift my friends 😄
You don’t just have to buy vintage to get your hands on your own wall hanging. Over the last few years fiber art has become popular again and there are some really amazing fiber artists out there. The above picture is a piece by the amazing artist Lauren Willams. You can also find many talented makers on Etsy. When you buy from a small business or artist you are supporting their dream too and that is a beautiful thing!
WANT TO GET YOUR HANDS ON YOUR OWN WALL HANGING? My FAV Wall Hangings from eBay!
This Goose wall hanging is exactly like my first Don Freedman find!
This gorgeous Crane Don Freedman has already sold, but is spectacular.
A classic “FACE” design Don Freedman, and another face here , and here.
MY DREAM Don Freedman PIECE
It’s not designer but this Small Wall Hanging is nice.
This Round one is cool
Round Silky Don Freedman goodness here
A Jean-Pierre wall hanging?!?!?!
Want to learn more about Don Freedman? Here is a wonderful interview with him from back in 2016.
Have YOU ever made a fiber art wall hanging? Or sold something you didn’t know the true value on? Share your stories in the comments below! =)