My journey to eco dyeing
People often ask me how I started on my journey into creating botanical products. Honestly, there was no one thing in particular; I've always enjoyed the creative process.
After I retired from my career as an instructional designer, I tried my hand at glass bead making, watercolor painting, and decoupage. With decoupage I could combine various types of media with flowers, Having always been an avid gardener, finding additional ways to work with flowers and leaves came naturally. In searching for ideas, I found an online course in eco dyeing, taught by Irit Dulman from Tel Aviv. Until that course, I had no idea that so many colors could be produced using plant-based materials. I was hooked!
Ever since, I continue to soak up as much knowledge as I can. I was introduced to and learned the Dirty Pot method from an online course taught by Nicola Brown in Northern Ireland. I learn valuable new techniques and methods of dyeing through online courses taught by the wonderful professionals of the Maiwa School of Textiles. Another of my go-to sources for instruction and guidance is Botanical Colors in Seattle, WA.
I couldn't create my own beautiful gallery of items without the benefit of the wonderful people that promote, teach, and value the natural way that cloth has been dyed for centuries.