Not Just Nat

My friends, Nat Palaskas and Jacky Williams did a workshop earlier in the year. When I advertised again, I included them but never expected that they would be coming back for more....but they did! And this time they invited some of her friends, Dot and Ro to come to my studio for another Naturally Dyed Workshop.

To say we had fun is not enough!

I have been trying to 'blog' about our day all week but a broken computer and work for the Naturally Dyed Wedding have conspired against me.
However, tonight as I sit with a glass of wine (well-earned), reflecting on a wondrous day at Grassroots Market in Upwey and leafing through the blogs of the week...I see a solution.

The ladies have documented their day better than I ever could.

So I direct you here...to Nat's blog....thank you Nat!

or here...to Jacky's blog....thank you Jacky

or here...Ro's blog....thank you Ro

and gorgeous Dot, didn't get your personal blog, if you have one and made a record of the day, I would LOVE to see it!

Til next time xx

Fun in the Sun

Well, Sunday was a glorious day and I was thankful. The studio space can be a little cold, due to the fact that I have two missing window panes from over exuberant young men with footy balls! But I was blessed, the sun warmed us up; in the morning, the smell of eucalyptus tickled our noses and in the afternoon we tolerated the red cabbage for the sake of our 'art'! Another great day at Bye-Ways and we all went away a little the wiser and a little more gripped by the world of natural dyeing.

This rusted chain is still working it's magic on the hand-felted scarf.

Some very experimental use of stamens from the Arum Lilies mixed with wild mint and red onion skins.

Who could ever tire of onion skins? The Navajo Indians admired the humble Allium Cepa as did the marauding masses in Europe for it's easily extractable colour...and we love it too!

My little Helper

Apart from sharing ideas, spending time with like minded people and creating some magical marks on cloth, another bonus in running workshops is the impetus to organise, cull and generally clean up the creative space.

I did alot of dyeing yesterday. Each piece; I considered the destiny of each piece...pot, sewing project, butterfly, already good and don't know then happily filed them in the appropriate basket.

Lobey helped....

........and then fell asleep!

END OF THE LINE FESTIVAL

I have many balls in the air, many plates spinning and (my favourite) my hands in many pots at the minute.
End of the Line Festival in Belgrave is just one of them and it's a totally exhilarating project to be part of. It's the inaugural year and hats off to CJ and Brent from Limerence, ably aided with their band of trusty organisers for instigating this.

Go to the website HERE of like on facebook HERE

But most importantly put it in your diary for

Saturday 24th November

This is the space I will be inhabiting for the day. It's the tranquil space, a place to take one's ease, a place to plan your next move, a place to chew the fat. Other artists will be there too, performing, playing and exhibiting, workshopping, teaching....just confirming who this week....super exciting.



Workshop Update

Only 1 space left for the 28th October...11th November and 18th November are still available.

Beavering away with Paul and Amanda's wedding, scarves to sell at an up-coming exhibition and a festival in Belgrave....spring really has sprung!

And who's decided to renovate the studio at space at this moment in time?
That would be me!

Spring Workshops

Naturally Dyed

Workshops

Explore the art of natural dyeing using locally sourced plant materials in this eco-friendly experimental workshop. In this workshop, we will share knowledge and investigate

·         Which fabrics dye well and why

·         How to get dye from natural sources

·         How to mordant (fix) the dye to the fabric.

Most importantly you will gain the knowledge to continue experimenting at home.

When                      Sun  14^th October 2012         

                                    Sun 21^st October 2012                                  

Sun   28^th October 2012  

Sun   11^th November  2012   

Sun   18^th November  2012

How much       $80

Where              My Studio,  contact          judecraig@gmail.com

    www.naturallydyed.blogspot.com

What to bring

·          Light coloured 100% silk or wool fabric - preferably second hand, like some of the old wool blankets you can get in op shops! 100% linen and cotton will dye but to a lesser degree. Fabrics can be in small pieces or long lengths

·          Interesting bits of old metal (eg, copper, iron) up to 30cm long - rust is great, as is texture

·          Cord, thick wool or metal wire to bind pieces Thread, assorted needles, bulldog clips

·          An apron, gloves, notepad and pen

Dyes, mordants and some suitable fabric will be provided. This list is not exhaustive.

If you feel inspired to bring anything else, please do... sharing and swapping of items encouraged!

This is a one day workshop running from 10.00 to 4.30.

Please email me with your preferred date.

Classes are limited to 5 students

Arrangements for payment will be offered once classes are consolidated.

Lots of fun for everyone. Last summer the workshops were as much about sharing and having a day to be free and be imaginative, as they were about learning a new skill. I have included two links from students (now good friends!) from last year which gives the best overview in the world

Nat Palaskas and Jacky Williams

The Wedding begins

Not the image you might expect from the title...some dyed fabric hanging on a clothes dyer, in my bath. What a pleasure...you see, I'm getting to use all fabric pieces from many past projects to create garlands to decorate the wedding venue. It's a process of sifting and choosing and stitching and is a delight, a sheer delight! Metres and metres of recycled silk creating magic staircases of wonderment