Last year, I collected pine needles… I watched YouTube videos… I talked to and messaged a few friends for tips… And, nothing happened. No basket was made. Flash forward to two days ago and another wave of basket making desire welled up in my chest and I started talking about it again. I started asking … Continue reading
Filed under natural fibers …
Creativity and the Handmade Life
“…”I love my creative life more than I love cooperating with my own oppression.” If we were to abuse our children, Social Services would show up at our doors. If we were to abuse our pets, the Humane Society would come to take us away. But there is no Creativity Patrol or Soul Police if … Continue reading
Cotton: an exploration of texture and primitive fiber arts
A crafter friend of mine and I meet up every other week or so. Our kids play together and we always end up getting into something. We share the joy and enthusiasm of working with plants and other treasures of the natural world. One week I showed my friend’s kids a large, tangled bush of … Continue reading
Cordage and a Worthwhile Hand Cramp
I did get a hand cramp. But, it was worth it. Let me back up a bit. Working with my hands has always been healing. And, recently, I had the chance to learn something new…something I had been wanting to learn…basic cordage making. My first imprint of the process was at a Chumash Cultural Day … Continue reading
Brand Names and Small Crafters for Clean Threads
Something shifted in me around the time of my pregnancy back in 2017. Even though I had owned my share of hemp and organic cotton clothing…and steadily sifted through the endless racks of thrift and consignment store shops for second hand threads…fibers…all of a sudden…became more of an interest for me. There was something about … Continue reading
Kitchen Scrap Color, Plant Dye Explorations
I’ve been exploring plant dyeing lately and it is so much fun. I think I’ve dyed everything cream, white, or off-white in our house. My husband is considering hiding some of his boxers that are white. It has become a bit of an obsession, I admit. As an herbalist, I often looked to plants to … Continue reading
Growing Color, Plant Dye Explorations
I’ve been working with plants ever since my permaculture design certificate course that I took in San Francisco in 2003. The course made me look at my world in an entirely new way. Where did my water come from? What was the watershed I was in? Where did the water go? Which direction is east? … Continue reading
Medicine Wheel Practices
I finally have the medicine wheel bandanas in my hands. These mobile, contemplative, folk art pieces were printed with soy-based ink (dark teal) on organic cotton bandanas (natural color). In my last post on the medicine wheel, I didn’t include information on the handout that comes with each bandana. I’ve written out a few practices … Continue reading
Traveling, Contemplative Art: Medicine Wheel Bandana
(Scroll down to the bottom to find out how to order) A project I’ve been working on for at least a decade has finally come to fruition. After years of exploring wheels of life or medicine wheels, I’ve created a piece of folk, contemplative art for the times, printed on 100% organic cotton (natural color) … Continue reading
Fibers That Won’t Choke The World
With the little one on its way…I’ve been obsessing about fabrics, textiles, and yarns. As an herbalist and plant-worker, I’ve always been drawn to natural fibers and plant dyes, but this nesting season has taken it to a whole new level. In addition to this, my increasing awareness of microplastics has deepened my commitment to … Continue reading
