Lives in Queensland My studio is the single garage of my small home in Brisbane, however the making often extends out into the living areas and backyard. It is usually tidy, however I do count the floor as working space, so books or textiles are piled up there in their various stages. Can't live without.. (not necessarily in this order): Cups of tea Books Plants Sumptuous textures Daughter’s laughter Husband hugs Supportive pats with little dog Charli Rachael's Fibre Arts workshop details here
9 Comments
Ema
24/11/2021 09:15:33 am
Woooooo love seeing your hands covered with indigo dye!
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Francie Mewett
24/11/2021 09:20:10 am
Love those blue hands. I hope you can get it off easier than I could dye/ink from silk painting. 🤪💛
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Lynne B
24/11/2021 09:25:27 am
Those blue hands may make for an eye catching image, but they are an OH&S nightmare and send all the wrong messages to the beginner dyer. (just my honest opinion)
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Ema
24/11/2021 09:34:18 am
I’m not a experienced dyer but I have seen experienced Japanese Indigo dyer’s hands and I know the dye won’t come off that easily. That man has to live with his dark blue fingers, finger nails and hands. I just wound like to respect Rachel’s dye process which she might choose to self absorbed into the feeling of materials she loves.
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Sherry Cook
24/11/2021 10:02:20 am
I agree with Lynne B regarding the OH&S practice; gloves would be much better for your safety and health, long term, as well as the condition of the skin on your hands.
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24/11/2021 11:12:44 am
Thanks so much for taking the time to enjoy the studio stories and to comment. My hands were so blue after several days of dyeing with a sugar based, natural indigo, dye vat, as taught by master dyers from Mali and Indonesia, specifically because it is not harmful. If dyers and artists, beginner or otherwise, are using any chemicals which may be irritating or harmful to the skin then of course it is best practice to use gloves. I often wear gloves for cosmetic reasons, as it does take a while for the dye to wear off the finger nails.
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Nancy Batenburg
24/11/2021 01:36:01 pm
Looking up the ingredients on a friend's natural indigo dye powder and it certianly doesn't present initially as toxic. It can apparently be used for some medicinal purposes. The additives, sugar and yeast, are also not toxic in themselves. Considering how ugly I can get with acrylic paint or ink sprays, while gloves might be useful, sometimes you need that tactile input into colour changing fabric and wools. I just loved the studio and seeing the blue hands holding the dyed fabric up? Loved it. Want some. Want some other things on your wall and bookcase too. LOL :-)
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Chris
24/11/2021 02:50:48 pm
Love the colour gradation in the piles of fabric !
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Rachael Wellisch
24/11/2021 08:45:12 pm
Thanks so much for your comments, and especially to those who have emailed me directly. As an artist, it can sometimes feel isolated working away in our studios, so its nice to hear some direct feedback. Please dont hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions.
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