Stewing and brewing--India Flint part 2

Bundles in the stew, day 1

Day 2 bundles retrieved

First bundles had to be made without benefit of a rod or dowel to roll on.  I had trouble getting my bundle tight and thus the first sample was wimpy.  I plan to redye it later.  This pot became the designated iron pot once we were allowed to incorporate iron pieces into the folds or actually bundle around a piece of iron.  By the last day this water was black as we just kept adding to it.
 

India demonstrates a loud sharp call used to coax the cows home from the pasture OR get our attention in a pinch.  The buzz of 16 people working and the constant hum of nearby computer servers made it difficult to hear sometimes in this large L-shaped room.  Having grown up on a dairy farm, I was well acquainted with the call, albeit with an Australian twist.

At her feet lays the first day's pile of greenery.  We had no need to take windfall walks because of the generosity of a florist at the Flower Market on LaSalle and several workshop participants who shared bounty from herb and flower gardens, and shrub and tree clippings too. 

India explained the importance of knowing the plants you work with--especially learning the scientific names to avoid the possibility of handling something poisonous or otherwise irritating.  Also good to know what color yield you might expect.  Very practical advice.

On the 2nd day of the workshop India wore a linen dress designed and made by an Australian artist with whom India is contemplating a collaboration. The fabric had an incredibly soft hand.  India eco printed the ready made dress and fashioned pockets from a double layer skirt.  If memory serves, I believe she said the artist grows her own flax.   In future she'll eco print the fabric before construction.  *Correction:  the flax is grown in Latvia, a place India holds dear in her heart.

Show and tell was a treat.  India had an assortment of her beautiful samples to show us, identifying leaves and flower prints.  My camera simply couldn't capture them adequately.

Nikki strolled in after a lunch time one day with a bundle of greenery over her shoulder.  Down the street some landscapers were getting ready to cut out these plants.  She stepped in before they were destroyed and shared them with the class.

Part 3 coming soon!

 

Nikki Jackson of Louisiana