Category — Tie-dye

Canadian Museum of Civilization, Children’s Museum. “Break Away to Japan!”

Gatineau, Québec. March 7, 8, 14 and 15th. Saturday and Sunday; 1 hour shibori workshops are at 11 am, 1 pm, 2 pm and 3 pm.

Local to Ottawa or the Outaouais? Did you miss it last time? Don’t miss these fast and furious workshops for the kids. (my apologies to the grown-ups!) It was so much fun last time that we’re doing it again!

Workshops are bilingual, French and English.

Yes, I am. Frenzied, that is. If I’ve been a bad, quiet blogger, that’s why. It’s not just because it’s the middle of a very long winter that takes its toll on my energy levels either.

Twice a year I go through this. Dye every piece of silk I possibly can so my local dancers can get their pick of the crop. Try out new things, pull out some old but loved techniques. Run the gamut of every colour scheme possibly imaginable. By the time I hang every thing on the rack ready to go, I’ve bewildered myself with the available selection.

Last weekend, I had an attack of the oranges. Orange makes me happy. It’s not a colour that people first think of, but when you see it splayed out in an interesting combination on a fine piece of silk it can be more than a little glorious. In costuming, it goes through phases; a couple of years ago I spent 3 months solid dyeing nothing but custom veils that were orange based. I didn’t like orange for a long while after that. I do very little custom work now so I don’t get caught stuck inside the box. The whims of fashion can be creativity killers.

So yes, I love orange, and I love mandalas too though I haven’t made very many veils in this technique for a long while it seems. I only made a couple so far, but damn … I’m good at it! I needed a reminder it seems. Somebody on eBay started selling mandala veils and the like a few years back for a disgraceful pitance, so that pushed my interest away from this technique. A shame really. There should be more of these beauties gracing the stage. Done well, they look like stained glass rose windows; quite stunning really.

Anyhow, to make a long story short, if you’re wondering why the blog nor the for sale page are being updated right now with the new pieces : it’s because I’m busy making and hording. For those of you in the region, do please come and see me Sunday, February 22nd at the Ottawa Dancer’s Bazaar. There’s lots of other vendors and artisans too presenting their wares for your sparkly shopping delight. Just follow the “events” link in the navigation bar for the where and when details.

I brunched, I napped, I procrastinated and I made this instead of whatever I should have.

I don’t think this one is going anywhere out of my sight any time soon. I don’t feel so bad about not having worked my butt off instead.

Don’t be fooled by the simplicity of this. It takes nerves of steel, a steady hand and a very decent washing machine to even attempt to tie-dye a red pattern while keeping the background pristine white. You have to also be willing to make something else out of it should it not turn out, which is highly probable.

I’m quite liking the bleeding, exploding heart effect. I had it in my head so it had to be done; I had to stop thinking about it. Is it something that will sell? I don’t know; that’s not usually my big concern when I’ve just got to get something out of my head.

Short post today, sorry. I’ve got 14 more veils waiting to be ironed!

Too small to be a dance veil, but just perfect for a wall hanging, tapestry, or even a playful table cover. Grown-up playsilk; tell your kids to keep their hands off it!

 Lots and lots of positive energy.

Meet the Twins. Pure mandala magic. Not online yet. Should you want it in the meantime, just let me know.

45″ wide x 68″ long. (114 cm x 173 cm)

6 momme China habotai silk, all edges finished.