The Gift of Shibori: Naturally Dyed Napkins as Gift Wrap with Kelly Lane

About this event

Create a beautiful, dual-purpose gift while learning about the Japanese arts of shibori and furoshiki.

The Gift of Shibori: Naturally Dyed Napkins as Gift Wrap with Kelly Lane

Date: Saturday, December 12

Time: 1PM-5PM

Description: Create a beautiful, dual-purpose gift while exploring the Japanese art of shibori (the traditional practice of folding and binding fabric to create patterns on cloth) and furoshiki (the art of wrapping objects in cloth).

We’ll explore two seasonal colors using natural dyes: reds from madder root extract and golden yellows from marigolds. Using an iron solution, we’ll transform the marigold yellow into a beautiful olive green. Together, these colors capture the spirit of the holiday season.

You’ll leave with two napkins – one red and one green – featuring one-of-a-kind patterns, along with the skills to fold them into reusable, beautiful gift wrap.

Learning objectives:

– Learn to dye with natural dye extracts.

– Learn to dye with whole plant materials.

– Learn how to modify your color using iron.

– Learn folding and binding techniques to create resist patterns.

– Learn traditional furoshiki-inspired ways to fold and wrap gifts in cloth.

This workshop is part of the CC Studios’ Gift Guide Suite of Workshops! Learn a new skill and create a gift—all in one afternoon!

Tuition: $75 + $25 materials fee

Materials: All materials provided.

Registration: Register via Eventbrite. If you are viewing this listing via the Contemporary Craft website on your phone, please click this link to visit the Eventbrite registration page.

Scholarships: We really want you to join us in the studio! Partial and full tuition scholarships are often available—with some limitations—to offset some of the financial burden of attending a class..

Please fill out the application here! You can expect to hear from someone on the CC staff within 2 weeks.

If you have any questions, email Jamie Boyle, Senior Education Manager, at jboyle@contemporarycraft.org, or leave a voice message for them at 412-465-1628.

Location: Contemporary Craft, Timmons Studios (5688 Butler St., Pittsburgh, PA 15201). Note, this workshop will take place in the Beth Wainwright Dye Lab, which is located on the second floor of the Timmons Studio building.

There are 2 entrances to the Timmons Studios.

• One entrance is facing Butler Street. To access the second floor from the Butler Street facing entrance, there are a total of 32 stairs to ascend.

• One entrance is facing 57th Street. This entrance is accessible by ramp, with no stairs to ascend. There is a lift inside the building to access the second floor.

If there are accessibility accommodations we can provide, or if there is anything you would like us to know before you arrive, please feel free to call Jamie Boyle at 412-465-1628 or email jboyle@contemporarycraft.org.

Cancellations and Refunds: Workshop cancellations are decided three business days before the start date. If workshops must be cancelled due to insufficient enrollment, the entire class fee will be refunded through Eventbrite, or you may leave your workshop fee in your Contemporary Craft account for future workshops.

Refund Policy: Student refund requests must be made at least three business days before a class begins. There will be a $25 cancellation fee. No refunds will be given without three-business days notice. Processing of refunds takes approximately three weeks.

About the Artist Kelly is a natural dye and mixed media artist and educator. Her work is inspired by our innate connection to the natural world and the wellspring of wisdom that surfaces when we slow down and tune in to our surroundings. As an artist, she taps into this connection to create work that is an intermingled reflection of landscapes within and without.

For each project, Kelly thoughtfully forages plants to create botanical palettes that imbue both formal beauty and conceptual depth. In addition to plant-based dyes, she also incorporates sustainable or rescued textiles in her work. With over 15 years of experience as a sustainable clothing designer, Kelly has a deep appreciation for natural fibers and the warmth they radiate.

In addition to her artistic practice, Kelly loves sharing her passion for creating color with plants through teaching natural dye and ink-making workshops.

From Contemporary Craft