Quality Creations

Wearable Art to Last a Lifetime - Each piece of art is created using the highest quality of products and methods. I take the time to ensure that the fibers are saturated with color and that the dye is completely bonded. This means that the vibrancy will remain for years to come. It also means you can wash your clothes with ease and confidence that all the dye will stay where it is supposed to – in the fiber! As a result of the time-intensive process and quality of the clothing, you will be able to wear it, wash it, and love it for decades and beyond.

Unique Creations - Each piece is a one-of-a-kind piece, handcrafted with care, intention, and love. When you invest in a hand-dyed tapestry, shirt, or other wearable art design, you are guaranteed a distinct piece like none other. Most of my work is conceptualized, tied, and dyed in Asheville, North Carolina. I feel that these ancient mountains, botanical diversity, wildlife, and artistic culture are often infused into the designs. Sometimes, I take my work to special places in the region and find that new environments influence the patterns and colors of the art. For example, while staying at The Farm in Tennessee, where the history of midwifery inspired me to bring in feminine vibrancy. Or when I spent my birthday along the Oconee River at Earthsong Ecovillage in Athens, Georgia where the browns of clay and blues of water colored the work. The changing landscapes bring fresh inspirations that are infused into my art and then carried out into the world.

Slow Fashion Methods - I value the slower processes because they ensure that the quality of the color will last for years to come. By the time I post a new creation on my website, it has been through multiple stages of processing that have spanned over 10 to 30 days! The slow fashion method means the integrity of the fiber is stronger, the color won’t fade, and it will retain the depth and design.
In comparison, there are more expedient ways to make tie-dye, but it is at the expense of quality. Many of the tie-dyes on the market are not actually dyes; they are stained, meaning the dye is not chemically bonded, and thus, the color will bleed and fade. Fast fashion tie dye is printed and not dyed at all. These are mass-produced, often in large factories overseas. Lastly, there are common methods that allow for faster turnaround times. For example, microwaves are used to warm the fiber and help the dye to “set.” The immediate result looks fine, but the fiber was cooked, and the integrity is compromised.

One way to think about slow fashion tie-dye is like a spaghetti sauce. The best ones are those that have had time to simmer. It takes longer to let something sit, but the taste is much better than what you get by tossing the ingredients into a bowl to be microwaved. My goal is to achieve the quality of a well-balanced, complex creation that is a delight for your senses.

The Rarity of Reverse Dyes - Only a few artists are creating reverse dye art. I am one of them and only do a couple of batches a year. The process is laborious, extremely technical, and comes with a higher probability of failure butI love the outcome. The jewel-toned colors and dark lines of a reverse dye evoke a different visual sensation. These shirts are often the ones that even those who “aren’t tie-dye people” fall in love with and want to wear or have on their walls.
Achieving the aesthetics that accompany a reverse dye requires several extra processes. These additional steps are the reason the price of reverse dyes is typically more expensive than my other creations. They also require more skill, planning, and time than some of my other designs. The final creations are truly some of the pieces I am most proud to create.