Natural Dyes!

When I was studying for my masters it was so difficult to come across up to date articles on natural dyes. But since I've been back in the states working, in almost 2 years so many organizations and talk about natural dyes has sprung up around me. Check out this article in the New York Times about natural dyers around the USA.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/05/garden/a-new-generation-discovers-grow-it-yourself-dyes.html?pagewanted=1&_r=1&smid=fb-share

Also, the Textile Art Center in Brooklyn has classes on growing natural dyes in a space in brooklyn as well as classes on dyeing your clothing with them.
As for my natural dyeing ambition? It's..coming along. Ha, not really. I've been collecting onion skins and am looking for places to buy organic cotton fabric. Hopefully I can take out time and go visit the fabric stores in NYC so I can get the ball rolling.

The Green Knit by Vedika Aggarwal

Green Knit, created by Vedika Aggarwal of Gaziabad India, features hand made products utilizing waste material. Vedika works with waste production material to embellish home furnishing and accessory products. She has come a long way from her days in London as a Master student knitting for days to make products for her MA exhibition. Vedika now works with a creative team of women whom she has trained to knit and create products for sale in the current market. Visit her Facebook page to see her products. She sells at craft fairs all throughout India and online at ItsHandmade. Have fun shopping!

Always necessary - Tea

Vedika Aggarwal

Kerala, India. God's Own country. Someone said it's because of all the churches, mosques, and temples within blocks of each other. As you'll see in the pictures, that's quite true. I can't wait to go back. :)

Crafts all around

Durrie weaves in Jodhpur, Rajasthan

Natural dye block prints

Beautiful Kantha embroidery scarves from Calcutta for sale in the etsy shop. Made by women artisans who decorate these silk fabrics with geometric patterns, giving it a very fashionable look. I fell in love with them at first site. :)

 Following up from a previous blog about the kantha embroidery from Bangladesh, see the video below showcasing a trailer of movie based on her story.

http://vimeo.com/26952516

Simply beautiful. 

New Silk Curtain are up for sale in the Etsy shop! 

They blocks are inspired by the skyline and adornments on buildings in the city of London. The patterns are twisted and twirled around on the fabric to give the design a contemporary edge. 

I can't wait to go back and design more products using silk. It was exciting and surprising to see the results of the natural dyes on silk fabric. 

We'd like to see you again.

Tis the time for a jolly jolly day.

Christmas is almost here and what better way to prepare yourself for the joyous holidays by stopping by at The Creek and the Cave to check out the food and say hello to the local vendors.
It'll be the 2nd time for Ich-cha to be part of the Queens Green Drinks event at the Crafted at the Creek, where talented artisans come together to showcase their handmade and local products. Visit the Queen's Green Drink page to see who else is going to be selling what.
We hope you can stop by at our table to see what we have to offer and to say hello.

See you next weekend!

Ichcha products featured in blog

Thank you to Schulman Art to feature my window panel on her blog. Check her out at: http://schulmanart.blogspot.com/

Photos from the Market

Lots of good artisans around! Great day to shop!
If you like anything you see, email me at info@ich-cha.com or check out my Etsy shop. :)