New links

I have added a new link category on the right of the screen called Tie-dye 'How to' information, along with links to 2 forums and a tie-dye 'wiki' which all have great information on how to create tie-dye patterns. I hope you will browse them, and if you are interested in learning how to tie-dye, become a member of the forums where you can ask questions and read posts on various subjects pertaining to the dyeing process. Have fun!

Change is coming...

This blog was originally created to showcase the work of members of the 'Stuck in the 60's Guild of artfire.com. Recently, artfire added a blog feature for its vendors, so each vendor is now able to blog directly on their own storefront blog.

I have decided to convert this blog site to one that focuses on tie-dye, since most of my visitors come here looking for information about tie-dye patterns. My hope is to create some 'how to' videos that I can post links to here, and I also plan to add links to other tie-dye sites, forums, etc., to create a clearing house of information on the tie-dye processes I have come to use over the years. I would also love to hear from other dyers as to what they are looking for in the way of information on tie-dye. Based on the kind of traffic I have had here this year, I know there is much interest in tie-dye as an art form, and I hope to help satisfy that interest as an active and avid tie-dyer. So stay tuned... I will be working on the transiton in the coming weeks -- great winter project when it's too cold to dye! -- and we'll see where this takes us!

Simple Accordion fold

I was doing some color experiments yesterday, and just wanted to test them on scraps of fabric. So I did a simple accordion fold of each piece, then accordion folded them again in the opposite direction to form a square, then rubber banded them to hold the folds together. I was testing two colors full and half strength, so I have 4 samples of the same folds:

This is such a simple pattern, and yet I love how it looks! The only problem with doing this on shirts is they are thicker than this muslin, and the patterns don't show up as well. But it's an easy way to create a dye resist for a quick tie-dye!

Spotlight on " Happy Hippie Chick"

Beverly is a self-taught artist of many different art forms who believes strongly in reducing our waste and preserving the planet for future generations. she uses many different items in her creations, especially items that would normally find their way into landfills. You can visit her shop here and will be amazed with what she creates out of every day items such as scrabble tiles, bottle caps, etc. And her prices are well within most budgets! Keep her in mind for gift shopping as well as for your own stash!

Spotlight on "GreeneGoddess Mosaics and Mixed-Media Art"

Betsy is a self-taught mosaic and mixed-media artist and designer from the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania. She is also Co-Founder of the PieceMaker Mosaic Artists. She offers a nice range of work in several mediums… great for home décor, and a great place to shop for unique
gifts!


You can see more of Betsy's beautiful work here!

Spotlight on "Kynd Kaleidoscope"

Adelaide of Kynd Kaleidoscope is truly versatile. Her charming patchies made from gently used vintage fabrics and her unique and interesting jewelry truly remind one of the days of Woodstock and Flower children. So if your Flower child is still alive and well, take a trip down memory lane and maybe come away with one of the delightful items you find there!

New Guild members

I have had such a busy summer! It's been nice, but I have fallen really far behind on my blog posts...
I would like to welcome several new guild members! I have posted links to their shops on my list of guild members (see right hand column), but I would also like to extend a warm welcome to them here: Crescent Moon Creations, Prossack Designs, Beeswax Candles and Handmade Soaps, Sleeping Wolf Creations, Michelle's Custom Jewelry and Crystal Wand Creations... what an incredible group of talented artisans and crafters we have in our guild! I hope to do some spotlighting of their work very soon, so stay tuned! Meanwhile, I hope you will take a few moments to visit our guild members' shops and see what they have to offer. ArtFire.com is such a great place to find unique gift items, and (dare I say it?) you know the holidays are going to smack us up the side of the head before we know it! Might as well get a head start on gift buying now!