Sunday, September 4th: 9am-3pm
Barbara and I are so honored to teach this workshop at the Alabama Folk School for their September Sampler at Camp McDowell. We have developed this collaborative workshop to teach you the basics of natural dyeing and metal smithing in a relaxed environment where we encourage conversation around the creative process. In this 6 hour workshop (including a one-hour lunch break) you will be creating a plant-dyed silk bandana and a sterling/turquoise pendant bolo.

I will guide you through the dyeing process as you transform plants and flowers into vibrant dye patterns on a silk bandana. You will be introduced to common native dye plants that you can forage to create your own dyed fabrics following the workshop. You will learn how to prepare your fabric for dyeing (mordanting) and how to shift colors on your dyed fabric with acid and alkaline modifiers found in common household ingredients.

Jewelry designer and metalsmith artist Barbara Birdsong will teach you the basic metal smithing skills required to make a sterling/turquoise pendant bolo. You will get a taste of soldering, joining, and stone setting to finish your project.

Together we’ll inspire each other, share our knowledge, and honor our individual creative process.

To read more about the Alabama Folk School September Sampler and register for the workshop follow this link:

https://campmcdowell.org/dates-rates/september-sampler#metalsmithing