Experiments with pre-reduced indigo dye.
The best thing about summer is that it’s the ideal time to dye fabric. This was my first time setting up an indigo dye vat. I love watching the fabric coming out of the vat with it’s strange green tint, then slowing changing into indigo as it hits the air.
Once a month many talented persons gather at Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria, VA. Part of the meeting is show and tell of new work. We also exchange ATCs, (2.5″ x 3.5″ artist trading cards) before the meeting. This month’s ATCs use the stitch and slash technique I found here. It was fun and a good way to use some of the fabric pieces I’ve collected.
WHO AND WHAT:
I’ll be at this Holiday Market.
I’ll have some paper dolls like the ones above for sale as well as many of my handmade gel pen drawing books. Lot’s of talented people will be selling their artwork and the shop is a definite must see for anyone who creates or for someone looking for unique ribbons and dyed fabrics for decorating. The shop is packed with remarkable mixed media supplies, unique quilting supplies, Bernina sewing machines and is the only WonderFil™ Threaducation Center on the East Coast. Check out their about us page online HERE.
WHEN:
Fri. December 1 10am – 5pm
Sat. December 2 10am – 5pm
Sun. December 3 12pm – 4pm
Artistic Artifacts & Batik Tambal, 4750 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22304, United States (map)
The place is jam packed with unique gifts, a friendly atmosphere and lots of eye candy.
From the Artistic Artifacts website: Join us for our Annual Holiday Market: we will have handcrafted items from 15+ talented artisans for sale: fiber art, knit and silk scarves, mixed media assemblages, metal, beaded & clay jewelry, fabric totes, greeting cards, ornaments and more! (Perfect for the upcoming gift giving season — or treat yourself!) All on one level and plenty of free parking for visitors. Throughout our Holiday Market weekend, we will have several local artists on hand for book signings of their recent publications, in addition to demonstrations from several of our staff and instructors. Don’t miss this fun event… and this is also the perfect time to fill out a gift wish list for yourself (we’ll drop the hint to your family and friends).
I use the book Color by Accident as a guide for dyeing in mason jars in the summer time. I was introduced to this by Judy Gula at Artistic Artifacts who regularly has Dye Days at her place. I prefer to dye at her warehouse (big space!) but sometimes I dye at home on my own. Taking advantage of the heat we’re having, which helps set the color, I have dyed some fabrics and tea bag papers. Like the name of the book implies, the results one gets are not repeatable because it doesn’t require a scientific, exact approach. It’s just right for me, and I always get results that are varied and pretty. Different textures and fabric types make for some neat surprises.
A couple of times a year Judy Gula of Artistic Artifacts in Alexandria VA holds a Dye Day Class. It’s 3 hours of fun. For a small fee for the class, Judy provides a great space to work, the dye and chemicals AND she mixes the dye for you. I highly recommend it. Her shop is special too, and she carries a wide selection of gorgeous wooden printing blocks that are also available online. I’m not affiliated with the shop in any way other than to be a big fan of Judy and Sharon who run the place with heart.
For now, the dyed fabric is percolating in the warm sun for a day or two. I’ll show you the results when it’s all done.
theresa mARTin 