How do I care for my silk?

It can be handwashed in cold water with a mild detergent and hung or laid out to dry.  Wrinkles may be removed by spritzing with water and pressing with a warm iron.  If the pattern contains black or metallic resist, iron from the back so as not to damage it.

Avoid displaying or hanging the silk in the direct sunlight as it may fade the color over time.

What types of silk do you use?

I use habotai, crepe de chine, and charmeuse silk.  I most often use habotai silk because of its light, breezy consistency.  It is buttery soft and sheer.  Crepe de chine is a little heavier and has a matte finish.  I like to use it when depicting minerals and fossils.  Charmeuse is thick enough to be worn as clothing.  The front is shiny and the back has a matte finish.  It is very luxurious.

What process do you use when you paint silk?

The plain, white silk is suspended on a stretcher frame.  Dye flows like crazy on the silk so I must think ahead of time about how I am going to control it.  I use a variety of resists to block a pattern.  I hand mix the dyes and apply them with brushes.  The piece is left to dry overnight.  The colors continue to change and deepen during the drying process. I remove the piece from the stretcher, roll it up in newsprint, and let it spend and hour or so in the steamer to set the dye.  After that the piece is thoroughly rinsed, and then treated with Millsoft to restore the softness of the material.  From conception to completion the process can take days.

What is the difference between paint and dye?

Fabric paints lie on top of the fabric while dyes actually become one with the silk.  Because of this silk dye does not affect the feel or "hand" of the silk the way that paint does.  I use only silk dyes in my work.

When did you start painting silk?

Necessity is the mother of invention, and I was the mother of the bride!  I couldn't find the right thing to wear to my daughter's wedding in 2002 so I made my own dress, ordered some silk and dyes, and started painting.  The results were so good, and the project so fun that I was captivated and have been making silk creations ever since.

How can I order a piece?

Contact me with the name of the piece to verify it's availability.  We will send you an e-mail invoice which will allow you to pay with a credit card directly through paypal's secure service.  The money will be transferred to my account and the item will be shipped out as soon as possible.