Eco Fun ......

My friend Nat and I ventured up into the hills at Upwey last weekend to do an eco dyeing workshop with Jude Craig of Naturally Dyed.  What a fantastic day!!!!
Jude is a very talented and generous person,  sharing her home, her art, her supplies and her passion for eco dyeing with us.
The picture below is of Jude beside her piece "Miss Havershams Dress" (click for a closer look), it is wonderful in real life..... and the dressmakers dummy beside her is adorned with a rusty piece of metal (I think part of a wire base of an old bed).  This is Jude's inspiration for work she is doing for an upcoming exhibition later this year with a couple of sculptors from her area. 

We spend the first part of our morning being inspired by pieces of Judes art in her home and studio and then after Jude does a quick demonstration of her process we are let loose in the studio.  Bundles of various eucalypts, wattles, prunus.....all types of flora there for our use.  Wonderful rusty objects  to be used.....coils, copper pipes, old car bits...a great collection.  I am afraid I havent been able to upload most of my photos because blogger is playing up at the minute.  Pop over to Nat's blog,  she has lots of wonderful photos from the day!

 One of the best parts of the day was when we gathered to unravel our bundles....to see what surprises awaited.

My piece on the left and Nat's on the right....drying on some metal pieces out in the garden.  Glorious colours from onion skins, prunus and carrots (the dark piece on mine is from the metal it was wrapped around).  This picture makes me think I might make some prayer flags out of some of this fabric.

So much fun and a very inspirational.  We each made many, many bundles so I have a whole new stash of fabrics to use in my latest cloth.  I dyed up silk velvet, silk lining from old kimono's, silk organza,  wool flannel and felted wool (thank you Jillian) and some lovely threads....I'm all set for a while.

If you are ever in Melbourne check out if Jude is having a workshop.....Such fun!

IF  SHE  GOT  REALLY  QUIET  AND  LISTENED,

NEW  PARTS  OF  HER  WANTED  TO  SPEAK.

-SARK-

Enjoy your week!

Jacky xox