Pebble and Palm
I am married to an Active Duty Soldier. When we were stationed in Hawaii, I took a Shibori dyeing class at the Honolulu Museum of Art using traditional indigo on cotton. I fell in love with the process and the variations of patterns, and I've continued to improve my craft over the years. When we moved to Huntsville, my neighbor, Elaine, asked for me to teach her the process and from there we grew our business. We currently sell hand-dyed, handmade gifts and home goods at local craft shows and farmers markets around the area.
Shibori is a dyeing process which using items found around the home to create a resist on fabric. Items such as rope, poles, clips, and blocks are used to bind the fabric and then dipped in dye. Once the items are removed from their binding, a unique pattern is revealed. Natural indigo is the traditional dye used in shibori dyeing but other dyes can be used to create other color options.
As a local maker, what does it mean to you to be part of a flourishing community in Huntsville?
Hand-made items are made with love and dedication. These types of items are difficult to find in stores so are unique finds. Highlighting local artisans educates the Huntsville/Madison consumer of these small vendors and helps to support these passion projects. Local markets are where we launched our business. Being able to meet our customers face to face is priceless. We get direct feedback and product requests that we may not have considered. It also enables us to educate the public about the Shibori technique and its history. We love living in an area where markets are plenty and the people of Huntsville/Madison appreciate shopping small.