Slowing down with Natural Dyes with Melissa Ptacek
We will be working with Marigold - Tagetes (Native to Mexico and Guatemala) grown locally in Melissa’s garden.
Making Natural Dyes from flowers and plants is a great way to slow down, while enjoying the process of creating beautiful colors for use on fabrics. In this workshop, we will use marigolds and other plants to extract color that will decorate cotton handkerchiefs.
A meditative experience of slowly simmering the flowers, then adding the fabric reminds us of the magic of plants, and provides a tangible way to hold onto the solar power of summertime. Marigolds have been used in ceremony and healing going as far back as the Mesoamerican times, and are now well known for use in ceremonies throughout the world.
This workshop represents the intersection of sustainability, herbal medicine, cross cultural relationship with plants, honoring the wheel of the year, 5 element theory, and meditative practice. As part of our Medicine Folk Mentorship Program - all proceeds will go toward scholarship options for future students.
We will be making handkerchiefs to catch our tears - which are a personal and collective grief response. You will take home a handkerchief and we will make extra for our DayDream Hankie Project.
Melissa Ptacek (she/her) is a textile designer and early childhood/museum educator. She brings life long experience in naturally derived textile design, demonstrating a mastery of color and abstract composition. Melissa is inspired by the work of many artists including Anni Albers, Hillma Af Klint, the quilters of Gee’s Bend, and landscapes from around the world. She uses sustainably harvested plants in the dying of her fabrics, creating textiles that bring visual beauty to any space. Melissa’s educational work centers on creating accessibility in museums for underserved families and young children. We are so grateful to have her as part of our community and one of our own Medicine Folk.