fireworks and flags

Independence Day--July 4th--is almost here!  Time to celebrate!

with fireworks!

I love the patterns fireworks make!  The circle here is actually the moon!

more of the moon!  These fireworks patterns inspire me artistically to think of dyeing projects.

This photo was taken at a fireworks show after a Reds baseball game.  My friend Sammy's band plans to use this photo for the cover of their new album Live Forever! 

and with flags!

I just finished dyeing a bunch of these chamois (soft, very absorbent towels) for Kast-A-Way Swimwear.  This particular flag chamois is taken from the Dive Cincinnati/Springboards and More website.  (I cannot believe I didn't take a photo of a completed dyed flag chamois!)  Here ↓ are some flags just after they've been dyed.

Speaking of flag chamois, the Summer Olympics are coming up, so these are very popular right now. 

It would be so great to actually see one of my chamois at the Olympics!  Do let me know if you see them.  To the left and right are photos of some of my tie dye chamois for those of you who have been asking to see them.

Here ↓ is a cute little boy wearing a flag shirt I made.   (You can find these in my shop.)

And here ↓ is a photo from a tie dye session at a Girl Scout summer camp in 2009 from the blog post Red, White, and Blue!

 

I'm linking up with my favorite teacher, Ms Jenny Matlock, as we work our way through the alphabet.  Please do go visit the other students, for you never know what gems you may find--humor, poignancy, information, visions of far away places, stuff you've never even dreamed of!  Check it out HERE.  You may even wish to join in yourself!  This week our letter is "F."

photos by me and one by Dive Cincinnati © 2009, 2010, and 2012    all rights reserved

my "studio"

Let me be honest right from the start. There are so many crafts I love and they tend to take over most of the house.  Some parts of my crafts have permanent housing; others must be taken out and put away again.  There are 3 major crafts that I do most of the time--tie dyeing, jewelry making, and paper crafts.  

I will focus on tie dyeing here.  I have been tie dyeing for about 18 years.  Over the years I have developed my own processes.  I have sold in many venues--from craft fairs, wholesaling, commissioned work (team shirts, costuming, chamois, etc), to selling out of my own store.   Early on, I discovered that teaching others is such fun!

My tie dyeing studio can begin in my basement (sorry, no tours!) where all my tie dyeing equipment is stored.  There I mix up the dyes.  I also have a table under a window where I do the actual dyeing.

My kitchen table is where I plan and draw my designs.  I use actual dye to paint the colors.

Now it's off the the family room to tie up the items.  Here I am in the process of tying up chamois.  (These are soft absorbent towels that swimmers and divers use.  I custom dye them for Kast-A-Way Swimwear)



Here is Oliver, my special helper.  Actually, I think he is looking for an opportunity to sneak rubber bands!

Back down to the basement to check on the chamois which must "cure" for at least 24 hours.

some completed chamois are below

If I hand paint a design (with dye), I sit at my kitchen table.

Here is a dress painted with dragonflies and roses that was first washed, dried, soaked in a solution, dyed, cured, washed, dried, soaked in a solution, dried, painted, cured, washed, dried.

Sometimes, my "studio" is somewhere besides my home.  I teach the tie dyeing process in many places--homes, schools, churches, businesses, parks...wherever.

On the right is a Girl Scout camp where I taught this past summer.  See this post for more photos.  It was so much fun!

Below is a class taught at a school.  I rarely am able to take photos while teaching.

Here is a Girl Scout Troop proudly showing off the shirts I helped them make!

This post is for the etsy bloggers' carnival which will be posted on Monday, September 28 by Edi at Memories for Life Scrapbooks.
Here is  the direct link to Edi's post with links to all participants (actually quite a few!).

PS  Here's my blogging spot. 

photos by me © 2009 except last one which is also ©.