To Dye For!

Unlike a great movie with Nicole Kidman, this is does not involve murder of any kind!

I think I am becoming obsessed with dyeing. Or, thought of dyeing. I recently bought a very expensive white sweater with the sole purpose of dyeing it. Now, I am a little afraid of actually doing it! I stopped and realized I don’t have a ton of experience and perhaps I should experiment a little more before I have to chuck the thing. 

As the fates would have it, I acquired a pair of brand new pants that were well, basically, nude. Thus, I would look nude in them. I also remembered that I needed to practice dying fabric, so why not practice on them.

(I'm sorry about the blurry self portraits in a not very well light hallway. I will try to be better about getting good afters in the future!)

The before

 The inspiration

The after!!

The thread wasn't cotton and did not dye at all, thus became a contrasting stitch. I like it. There was even a decorative panel in the calf and it calls attention to it. 

I even had socks that matched the purple at the ankle. OCD, much?

I’m super happy with the way these came out! I used regular RIT liquid dye in purple and it was (fairly) easy to do. I took a PVC pipe and wrapped the legs around the pipe, starting at the bottom/ankles. I dipped the top/waist into the dye bath and unrolled the legs into the bath as needed. I did learn a lot and I’m glad I decided to practice. I actually think I’m going to do more tonight!

A few things: I was worried that the pants would shrink too much if I did a boiling hot dye bath the whole time I soaked them. They have a little spandex, but I was still worried, as they are a skinny pants style. So, I boiled the water and the dye, turned off the burner and then proceeded into the dyeing process. I did add some liquid dye to the bath while it was going, which is a usual no-no, but who cares, it looked too light and they are my pants. ;P I timed it about 60 minutes, turned the pipe a little to create a softer fade of dye, not lines.

I LOVE the way they look! I was concerned that I might not have a lot to wear with them, but as a purple lover and a clothes horse, I actually have a ton of tops that will match a little too perfectly. My guy saw me today, with my purple laptop and purple cell phone case and joked that I was wearing my ‘gang colors.' Yes, but with my tie dye shirt, my gang is full of artists!

The pants actually wore well today, even bagged out a little in the butt after sitting a bunch. I'm sure I can get them to shrink a little in the wash. They are the prefect length for flip flops and a tank top later. 

 

What are you doing to rehab some clothing you like but don't love?

Off to dye more! ~Jen

Studio sitting times at the Torpedo Factory Art Center

Starting this coming Saturday, May 4th, I will be studio sitting a few times a week at the Torpedo Factory Art Center! I'm excited for several reasons:

1. Hello! I got juried into a nationally recognized art center. That is pretty exciting! :)

2. The center gets thousands of visitors per year, which is much more exposure to my work, and  I will have more interaction with other artists and techniques that I have been wanting to try.

3. It is closer to the metro DMV area, in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. Fairly metro accessible. Lots to do and see around the Factory.

4. I get to studio sit for a very talented painter, Jennifer Brewer Stone. She loves to work in color in hyper saturated, surrealistic arrangements. Being around her work makes me happy. You doesn't love that?

5. I will still have my studio at the Workhouse Arts Center and my building mates will be able to open it, if you would like to visit it while I'm not there.

6. I will have set times and days there! You will be sure to find me, unlike now, as I am more flexible with my times at the WAC.

Here are the days and times I'll be at the Torpedo Factory Art Center:

Saturday, May 4 10am-5pm

Monday, May 6 10am-6pm

Tuesday, May 14 10am-6pm

Saturday, May 18 10-5pm

Sunday, May 19 10-6pm

Tuesday, May 21 10am-6pm

Sunday, May 26 10am-6pm

Monday, May 27 10am-6pm Memorial Day!

Saturday, June 1 10am-6pm 

Tuesday, June 4 10am-5pm

Sunday, June 9 10am-6pm

Tuesday, June 11 10am-6pm

Saturday, June 15 10am-6pm

Sunday, June 16 10am-6pm

Tuesday, June 18 10am-6pm

Sunday, June 23 10am-6pm

Tuesday, June 25 10am-6pm

Sunday, June 30 10- 6pm

These dates might still ebb and flow as the needs of Jennifer and I might change over the next two months. I hope a few of you might be able to stop by and say hi! I would love to see some friendly faces around.

**I will be in Studio 227, on the second floor, tucked into the corner at the top if the spiral staircase.

Thank you once again for your support during my journey! ~Jen

Green Tip~ Take metro and use the FREE trolley in Old Town Alexandria

There is a free hop on, hop off trolley service that operates from the metro to the river, where the Torpedo Factory is located. The trolleys are hybrids that were especially designed for Alexandria. They are wheelchair accessible and have bike racks on them too. If you are looking to bike the GW parkway, this is a great option too! I plan to use the trolley to save on parking fees!

For more information about the trolley, click here.

Happy Earth Day!

I *love* that Earth Day has expanded into Earth Month! I would love it even more if it expanded into Earth Year, with people finding simple everyday ways to work celebrating and respecting the earth into their lives. We'll all move toward that, one step at a time...

For now, I'm excited and almost overwhelmed with all the events that April brings with the focus on Earth Day. I'll be participating in two great events this month, where you can find fun goods made from recycled materials or with a nod toward the eco friendly.

On Friday, April 12 there will be an Artists Reception at A Show of Hands with several craftspeople that work with recycled materials. In the cute neighborhood of Del Ray, A Show of Hands carries mainly local artisans in a variety of media, from paintings to ceramics to photography. I love the shop and the people who run it! This is a perfect time to come check it out.

A Show of Hands is located at 2301 Mt. Vernon Ave, Alexandria VA. Receptoion is from 6pm to 9pm. Get more details here.

On Sunday, April 21, I will be a part of the Eco Art + Design Depot at the new Union Market in DC. I'm so excited, because I've never been! There will be a group of crafters, organizations and demos all day. The event is planned for 10am to 4pm.

Union Market is located at 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002 and has some awesome vendors there all the time. I can't wait to have some gelato and get some local produce! More details about the event here.

In the meantime, what are you doing to make every day Earth Day? A simple change that you've made in last last few months to create a cleaner environment? Leave a comment and share it with others!

Happy Spring!~Jen

Green Tip~ Old PJs into Rags

Cleaning out the closet? Putting away the heavy flannel pjs for lighter sleepwear? Take a true look at the items. Do they have holes? Rips? Be realistic, we all know that the most comfy lounge pants probably have one or two holes in them! 

Instead of tossing them, cut them up for rags to use around the house. While some spills need a paper towel that is disposable, there are plenty that a washable cloth is fine. I use old t shirts, towels and ripped up flannel pajamas for most things and they have pretty much replacement paper towels in my house. Little waste and no money spend on an item that you are buying just to throw away.

Think this idea is way to simple and need to bring it to the next level? Try reusable toilet paper made from those same flannel pants! This video clip will give you a look into folks that use it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olWArpqK3F0

Featured Artist of the Month

Join me in celebration of many things! 

For the month of March, I will be the Featured Artist at the Workhouse Arts Center in Building 9. With a return to making clothing, I will be debuting a line of fun, functional and funky one of a kind skirts. In keeping with my eco friendly business, they are made from a variety of recycled, vintage, new and hand dyed fabric that has been uniquely pieced together.

It is my birthday month!

This is my 9th year in business and I want to be able to THANK the people that have helped me make it this far. Let me give you a hug!

There are many other buildings with a massive amount of great art to explore!


The opening reception is on Saturday, March 9, 6-9pm. 
Workhouse Arts Center, BUILDING 9
9601 Ox Road, Lorton, VA 22079

  If you are not able to make the opening, please feel free to drop by from March 6 through April 7 during open business hours to view the collection and try one on. The Workhouse Arts Center is open Wednesday- Saturday 11am-7pm and Sunday 12-5pm.

Come bring your own reason to celebrate! Let's party!

New Year, New Skills?

New years resolutions are as cyclical and frustrating as cicadas. Wait, aren't cicadas considered lucky in the Provence region of France? And, don't we all want to be a little like the French? Except, of course, if you are already French, then you don't have to want.

What was I saying?

Yes, New Years Resolutions. Here it is, January 10th and you have already forgotten about them. Good, let's make better ones. Like, having good laughs, using your brain more and learning a new skill. Such as sewing. Oh, you've always wanted to learn how to sew? Great! I can teach you!

I will be teaching several beginner level classes this session at The Workhouse Arts Center, where I have a studio. Later in the winter, I will also be doing a few workshops and some more stuff. Don't you like to do stuff?

The French do.  ;)

Details:

Beginning Clothing Construction

All Skill Levels, Young Adults & Adults

Are you obsessed with “Project Runway”? Want to learn how to make your own creative and one-of-a-kind designs but have no idea where to start? This class will teach the basic skills of how to read a commercial pattern and make slight adjustments for your figure. You will make a simple skirt as a base for future creative fashion adventures. (Meets in W-9)
Winter Quarter (6 weeks)
Session A: Wed Jan 16 (6:30pm-9:30pm)
Session B: Sun Feb 3 (3pm-6pm)

Tuition: $200 (Friends) $210 (Non-Friends)
(Materials cost of $10, payable to instructor at first class. Students must bring a working sewing machine. This is not provided.)

 

 From Drab to Fab Workshop

All Skill Levels, Young Adults & Adults

Have an item of clothing that you just can’t get rid of and would like to re-invent? Love the fabric or color, hate the hem line? If so, come and learn the critical skills to turn that item into something FABulous. This class will cover basic and more advanced ways to rehabilitate your wardrobe. We will cover basic alterations, dying, surface design and other techniques. You will be able to reclaim your drab duds and make them FAB. (Meets in W-9)
Winter Quarter (1 day workshop)
Sat Jan 26 (12pm-6pm)

Tuition: $85 (Friends) & $95 (Non-Friends)
(Materials cost of $10, payable to instructor at first class. Students must bring a working iron. This is not provided.) 

 Fiber Photo Transfer Part Two

All Skill Levels, Young Adults & Adults
Pre-requisite: Fiber Photo Transfer One

This workshop will further explore a variety of techniques to transfer photographs onto fabric. These methods can be used for realistic photos, logos or abstract designs. This two day workshop will allow you to stretch your knowledge and techniques learned in Fiber Photo Transfer One. Learn to combine methods to create something truly unique. (Meets in W-9)
Winter Quarter (2 day workshop)
Sat Feb 23 & Sun Feb 24 (6:30pm-9:30pm)

Tuition: $130 (Friends) & $140 (Non- Friends)
(Materials fee $35, payable to instructor at first class, students must own and bring a working iron. This is not provided.)

More information about registering for the above classes that I teach and many more that I do not, visit The Workhouse's website.  Classes start soon, so take a peak and get working on something new. Or, nouveau, as the french would say.*

Happy New Year! ~Jen

*I don't speak French and you don't need to either. I will teach all classes in English. :)

Downtown Holiday Market

The weather today is frightful
but the art is so delightful.
Since the mall is no place to go,
off to the Downtown Holiday Market we go!

Featuring a rotating cast of artistic characters, the Downtown Holiday Market is in it's 8th year of bringing holiday cheer. (Ok, I'm done with the rhymes!) I've been doing it since the first year and it has only gotten better and better. If you've never been, this is the time to go!

I'll be set up through this Thursday, December 13 in space #56.

Where:  F street NW, Washington DC between 7th and 9th Streets

When: ME: Dec 7- 13
(whole market runs until Dec 23)

Who: Local and national artisans, handcrafted baked goodies, imported fair trade, lots of great music, good people watching!

Website: www.downtownholidaymarket.com

Come down and grab some fresh made donuts, walk around and buy directly from the artists. No shopping experience around like this!

Happy holidays! ~Jen