Rustic Elegance

Rustic elegance. This eco printed felted outfit is absolutely so fun and comfortable to wear.  The felted dress and vest are layered over leggings and a long sleeve tie dyed sheer tank.  A lattice scarf and hand warmers complete the felted the look.

All of the felted pieces started off with white merino roving

Wrapped in eucalyptus and other goodies

Three days in the pot

Happening in Hollywood

I am so excited about next week's event which is the launch party for our newly formed arts collective which will feature the hand made creations from us nine founding members.  I will be featuring my felted work, my eco dyed scarves and metal smithed jewelry.  There's going to be a silent auction, an awesome raffle for a basket of our creations valued in excess of $1,000.  Plus artisan food and wine and a DJ - the whole nine yards.  Hope to see some of you there.

I'd love it, if you'd LIKE us on Facebook at:

https://www.facebook.com/CrossroadsArtsCollective

A windfall for sure

A windfall for sure.  On my dog walk to Recreation Park, I was able to score a lot of eucalyptus that had fallen from the trees.  But trying to manage three dogs, bundles of eucalyptus, and a little baggie of you know what is a feat in itself!  In India Flint's workshop she had advised us to choose windfalls over wild harvest and a windfall is what if got for sure.

 Wrapping my bundles with eucalyptus and onion skins

 Securing the bundles with string.

 This bundle I rolled around a stick.  Added a rock to weigh it down in the dye pot.

 My fragrant dye pot.

 The steam and smell of eucalyptus is heavenly and opens up the sinuses. 

I'm so pleased with the results of my eco dyeing.  

Creating this eco dyed nuno felted scarf is a windfall for sure.

The Amazing India Flint

India Flint

I was so fortunate to be able to participate in the three day workshop with India Flint at Grau Haus in Hollywood.  Claudia Grau has been devouring India's books for years and when she found out that India's Santa Barbara workshop was already full, Claudia contacted India about doing a class in LA.  Well the dogs were with us (an India phase) and so it came to pass.  And what an experience it was.  India is an amazing woman who's lived all over the world but hails from the land down under. Her web site describes her as "maker of marks, forest wanderer & tumbleweed, stargazer & stitcher, botanical alchemist & string twiner, working traveller, dreamer, writer and aspiring sax player".  She definitely lives and breathes her art. 

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The magical alchemy of eco dyeing with eucalyptus, onion skins, veggies, bark and other eco friendly elements.  And as an added bonus we basked in the fabulous scent and fragrance of steaming eucalyptus.  

Always time for tea.  Tea shown with some of the eucalyptus we used for dyeing.

No, it's not a wonton or spring roll.  It's my silk bundle wrapped with plants and other organic material.  That bead on the top marked it as mine. 

The amazing India Flint describing something.  She's wearing one of her eco dyed dresses. 

Claudia Grau and her sister (standing) along with Claudia's assistant Leah.  Thank you Claudia for putting this workshop together.

Hand dyed with purple carrots and their tops.

More magical alchemy below.  Can't wait to try it at home.

India Flint and Claudia Grau