Like the title indicates this is a sample of some of my favorite baskets that I made during three months this winter while I lived in Asheville, NC and interned with artist Matt Tommey in his River Arts District studio…
I have a special place in my heart for birds and have collected many beautiful feathers over the past several years from all over the country. Almost since the beginning I aspired to do watercolor paintings of these treasures, but…
Since graduating from college with my BFA I've been looking for ways to continue my education in the fields that I love the most--- natural dyes, basketry, and working with natural, wild crafted materials to make fine art. Well, for…
Last year I posted a recipe for making dye with Stinging Nettles. to check out that post click here. The dye bath from last year turned out to be a lovely, yet light color. I had harvested in the late spring once the nettles…
Processing Basswood Bark for Making Cordage and Baskets Having a boyfriend who makes his living as a tree climber definitely has it's perks. Dave co-owns a small business that focuses on permaculture and conscientious tree care called Back to the…
This past month I was lucky to be able to take a workshop on Mycopigments-- or using mushrooms for dyes. If you want to schedule one for your town or learn anything about mushrooms for dye then go to the…
As I prepare for the new growing seasons, sow my natural dye seeds and research recipes it seems like the perfect time to share photos from my experiments with Japanese Indigo from last summer. It was my first time growing…
In honor of this year's first annual Nettle Fest, being held at Lifebridge Foundation in Rosendale, NY this upcoming Saturday May 11th, I spent yesterday enjoying the beautiful sunny weather and dyeing yarn with freshly harvested stinging nettles. Nettle Fest…
A FIRST TIME GARDENER The title says it all. I realized as I set out to plan and create a natural dye garden this winter that I have never successfully grown a plant in my entire life other than the…
Have you ever marveled at the rich color of the dark blue water that is left over after soaking black beans? Or wondered if some of the food waste that ends up in trash cans and compost can be re-used…