Summer course bookings are open, and the trip to Indonesia is going ahead this May.
Hello Everyone, Hello Everyone, It’s been warmer and colder in succession, the bulbs are poking through the soil very hopefully and it was warm enough to put my 4-year-old potted Christmas tree back outside the house last week. I’m impressed with its longevity and hope it does another couple of years.
Celebrating Natural dye course showcase at Ditchling Museum in December 2024
After a very full 2024, I’m embracing a different sort of year in 2025. Due to family commitments, I am teaching less this year. Once again, I will be based mostly at Sussex Prairies where it's gone Wild! Paul and Pauline McBride are transitioning the garden and 32-acre farm into a wonderful rewilding project. Over time, the whole landscape will be rewilded, embracing native flora and fauna, restoring, protecting and sustaining biodiversity to support the planet. I’m excited that the two courses I’m teaching ‘Natural Dyes for Fabric & Yarn’ and ‘Ecoprint on Paper’ completely fit with the Prairie Wilding project. If you’d like to know more about what’s happening at Sussex Prairies Wild see their news at the link here
Last year, I discovered which Prairie plants were good for dyeing fibres. Running the Natural Dye course over two days was of great benefit, and the colour results achieved by course participants were fantastic. This year, with changes on the Prairie, my courses will run from 10 am to 4 pm with a lunchtime break. I hope it will feel more relaxed than the earlier times in past years and better for those who travel a distance.
Natural dye colours from the left Buckthorn Berries, Weld, dye pot storage and Common Reed
Natural Dye 2 day course at Sussex Prairies
Random natural dye fabric samples, getting the brights these days
I also made changes to the Ecoprint on Paper course to include more about preparing and mordanting paper, giving participants more choice for experimentation at home. The Ecoprint results never fail to impress, and everyone took home a wide variety of outcomes.
Ecoprint on Paper at Sussex Prairies Wild
Exoprint on Paper course at Sussex Prairies Wild
The courses ‘Handmade Natural Art Brushes’, ‘Playful Paper Pots’ and ‘Creative Visible Mending’ went well last year. I wish I had time to run these courses this year and hope to reintroduce them in 2026. There will definitely be a course for making Natural Inks for paper in 2026. Do let me know if this idea interests you.
Natural Inks for Paper proposed course for 2026
After a good few years getting closer to the plant world I feel even more committed to using natural or repurposed media wherever possible in my studio work and my teaching. You can see progress at my Open Studio as part of the Steyning Arts trail at the end of May. I’ll be solo this year so that I can use more room for sharing my work in progress. and prepare for an exhibition with zero 3 Textile Artists at the Oxmarket Gallery in October.
Trip to Indonesia planned for May 2025
I’m so excited that the creative and cultural tour to Indonesia with Aahilya Holidays has been confirmed today. 9 people have booked so far, If you would like to see the details for this trip see the link here. After a wonderful couple of weeks in Nepal last October, I can’t wait for this new Aahilya adventure to Indonesia featuring Batik dyeing, a visit to Borobudur, the largest Buddhist temple in the world, the Mount Merapi volcano and Ikat weaving in Bali, to name just a few visits on the tour. From a textile point of view, Indonesai is famous for its Batik which is characterised by its diverse styles and patterns, reflecting the country's rich cultural heritage. Here are some of the most prominent types. You can see some examples at this link to the Batik Museum in Pekalongan, Java. If you are interested in the trip do get in touch and I’ll endeavour to answer your questions and you can always visit the Aahillya website here
Holiday Dates: 01 May - 16 May 2025
Twin Sharing Room: GBP 2990 Per Person
Single Private Room: GBP 3790 Per Single
Above price does not include international airfare however if you would like us to book your flights then Aahillya can assist you with the airfare. Here is a last little video for you outside a temple Outside a Temple
i’m leaving you with a photo taken in the exhibition I’ve just seen at the V&A, see the link here it was a really great show that’s on until May. I’ll be in touch in the early summer with photos from the trip to Indonesia and any course updates for mid- summer, do get in touch and let me know how you are, and feel free to ask about anything in this news.
V&A museum January 2025