change of season

New Fall/Winter hemp jersey scarves and linen wrap skirts will be in my shop next week. 

Until then, you can visit me and the entire collection in Ardmore, PA this weekend 

at Clover Market. Sunday from 10-5. Hope to see you there!

lake life

arrival of the geese

morning water lilies

baby Heron

maybe a new textile pattern

fairy garden I made with my niece (this is the al fresco dining area)

possibly my favorite creature on the lake

It’s been a quiet summer on my blog. There’s been a lot going on and a great deal of contemplation as well. Most of you know that I left my New York apartment in the spring without a new home to move into. I wanted my next step to unfold in its own time and I can’t tell you how glad I am that I didn’t rush things. I’ve been staying with my family for the past six months, mostly at my parents' lake house in Pennsylvania where I have my make-shift studio set up. I always knew that I loved visiting the lake but this was my first extended stay here. I’ve been going for kayak rides every day and watching the family of Great Blue Herons that live here. I’m becoming quite a bird enthusiast which has really surprised me. These blessings, being connected to nature and living more simply, is now a way of life that I can’t see myself giving up. I’m looking for a place of my own at the lake and I have just the little cottage in mind. Hopefully, I’ll have some news and photos to share soon. In the mean time, Autumn is on the horizon and it’s time for a friend’s wedding, a few concerts, starting a new class and holiday market season! Embrace change, indeed.

christmas in july

I'm eagerly anticipating cooler weather for one reason and one reason only - my new cashmere mitts. They're from the beautiful collection of Gris Handknits by beautiful creator Nicole Dupuis. I love her subtle colors and elegantly simple designs. 

Lose yourself in the photos and stories on her wonderful blog coco knits, I bet it will make you wish for cooler days too.

renegade

It's finally here! Renegade Craft Fair Brooklyn is this weekend and I'm giving a little sneak peek at a few new hand dyed and hand printed items that will be in Untold Imprint's booth. 

From top: cotton gauze scarves, hemp napkins, hemp canvas and leather satchels, cotton wrist wraps with african brass beads. 

Stop by to see me, I'll be in booth 71 all day Saturday & Sunday.

bundling

I finally had a chance to do some bundle dyeing this weekend. It's so satisfying creating pattern and color from all natural materials. It was my first attempt and I'm completely hooked. Would love any tips or suggestions from more experienced natural dyers. 

Below are the simple steps that I took in order to create the fabric you see above.

Step 1: collect flower petals, leaves, berries, moss

Step 2: wet fabric and lay flat

Step 3: sprinkle or arrange your natural findings on the fabric.

Step 4: roll fabric tightly and wrap with twine

Step 5: let sit in a warm sunny spot for several days or steam in a pot for 1 - 1.5 hours (I steamed because I was eager to see the results)

Step 6: let stand and cool as long as possible (as long as possible for me was approximately 45 minutes)

Step 6: unroll, rinse and let fabric dry 

* You may also mordant the fabric prior to these steps in order to set the color and increase lightfastness.

old souls

Amara necklace

Akha necklaces

Esha necklace

 Dessa necklace

While naming my latest jewelry this week, I came across the name Amara, which means immortal in Sanskrit and eternal in Greek. I loved this. Since I had been thinking of one of the necklaces as being an 'old soul', I knew the name Amara would definitely be used. The more I thought about it, the more I realized that I actually think of much of my work in this way. Old souls have an understanding of the world around them, they are intuitive, mindful, wise and gentle.

The necklaces above and many more are in my shop now...

may

 Gossypium Natural Towel

 Mai Natural Towel

 Kamma Natural Towel

Dew Natural Towel

New Spring / Summer collection is unfolding in the shop, just in time for my favorite month.

ludid ryu

Little happy house art print. Ludid Ryu

Life of threads wrap. Ludid Ryu

Hand painted card. Ludid Ryu

Hand painted bookmark. Ludid Ryu

A few weeks ago I learned of a Craft It Forward Project from artist Ludid Ryu’s inspiring blog. I immediately added my comment to her post and was thrilled when I received an email saying that I’d be one of the five to continue the project and receive something handmade from Ludid. A package of thoughtful creations arrived in my mailbox shortly thereafter– I’d been admiring Ludid’s Little happy house print since we met on Etsy last year and am now searching for a frame worthy to display it. Her Life of Threads wrap is already around a small vase on my desk and her handpainted cards and bookmark are tucked in several books by my bedside table. Her work is sincere and heartfelt, beautifully recognizing the inherent comfort that lives in handmade and at the same time her layers of paper, paint and thread are boldly raw and fearless. She is an artist who is truly authentic and she generously allows us to share in her discovery of self. Thank you, Ludid.

. . . . . 

So, now it's my turn to Craft It Forward! I will send something handmade to the first five

people who leave a comment below. Once you receive my package, you will write a blog

post about what you received and continue the project by sending something handmade to the first five who comment on your blog post. You may send anything at all as long as it is handmade by you and sent before the end of 2012.