It’s been a busy summer getting the new studio and shop set up, and I’m looking forward to opening up the studio for workshops again this month. Check out our list of upcoming creative classes in San Diego, and sign up to join me in the studio to learn about block printing.
printmaking
Fabrics printed in the USA
I loved partnering with LA-based Robert Kaufman to create Arroyo, my first fabric collection. They have a fantastic network of US-based printing partners that they were able to coordinate with to print the entire collection domestically. The result is a beautiful collection of overprinted fabric, which looks just as bold and vibrant as my hand-printed fabrics.
One of the advantages of partnering with a US-based printer is a smaller carbon footprint, which works towards to my goal to strive for a greener studio environment. While international printers also create beautiful quality fabrics under ethical conditions, I feel confident that pushing for local manufacturing and production could create a big impact in terms of the textile industry’s effect on global warming, and I hope that I’ll get to partner with more USA production partners for future collaborations.
Stenciling on Fabric with The Crafter’s Box
This month, I’m thrilled to be partnering with The Crafter’s Box, to bring you another fun workshop: Stenciled Linen Throw Blankets! This is my second time collaborating with The Crafter’s Box for an online workshop, and I still love their format: you receive a box of high-quality craft materials in the mail, and log-in to enjoy the online workshop at your own pace. If you’ve been curious about stenciling on fabric, or creating your own large-scale designs on fabric, this is the workshop for you!
The Crafter’s Box is different than a lot of other creative workshops out there. They focus on workshops led by experts, who guide you through every step of a creative project, and provide live feedback during a monthly maker chat in their forums. The materials they send for each project are always beautiful — this month, we’ll be sending a gorgeous flax linen throw, which will look beautiful with the vibrant cobalt blue and black inks we’re including for the project. It can be used as a blanket, or a tablecloth for all your summer adventures!
I hope you’ll join me for this workshop! You can sign up from today through June 20th — after that, enrollment closes, so they can pack up your boxes, and get them delivered in July. It’s a short sign-up window, so don’t delay. I can’t wait to see what you’ll create!
Learn How to Screen Print
Screen printing is at the heart of everything I do with Cotton & Flax. If you’ve been curious about how to screen print at home, I’m excited to share my expertise on how to silkscreen your own designs in my new screenprinting class for CreativeLive.
DIY screen printing can be intimidating to creative business owners, but it’s an amazing tool that can allow you to apply your designs to new materials, and see your work come alive. With this introductory online screen printing workshop, I’ll walk you through the entire screen printing process with a DIY workflow, making it accessible and approachable for anyone. You can watch this class anytime, anywhere — once you sign up, you can stream or download the class and learn at your leisure.
I get so much joy from sharing my love of printmaking. I hope you’ll join me for a three-hour overview of the silk screen process, where you’ll learn all about how to silkscreen at home:
- how to create a bold design and transparency that will translate well to printing
- the best materials and tools for beginners
- how to create a dark room in your space
- and best practices to prepare for screen printing at home
When you sign up for my class, you’ll receive bonus content, including a resource guide with sources for all my favorite screen printing supplies and tools. This is the resource list I would have loved when I was first starting out; it will save you tons of time as you search for screenprinting supplies to build your own print studio.
If at this point, you’re wondering, “What is screen printing?” this quick screen printing video will show you the process. These are the same screen printing techniques that I use to create all the patterned fabrics for Cotton & Flax!
Sign up for class here — when you sign up via one of the links here on the blog, you help support Cotton & Flax and encourage me to continue to share my love of printmaking. Don’t forget to tag me on social media when you take the class — I can’t wait to see what you’ll print!
Creative Hobbies + New DIY Projects
It’s been a creative whirlwind in the studio lately! After four years of designing and producing textiles for Cotton & Flax, I’ve been branching out in 2016 by taking on projects that are stretching my creative muscles. While I’m still creating lots of new work for Cotton & Flax, this year I wanted to spend time learning some new skills. I love taking up a new creative hobby — it brings fresh ideas to all my creative work!
One way I’ve been trying out new techniques is through a new creative subscription box called The Crafter’s Box. I was introduced to this company last year, and I’ve tried three of their craft projects: Rya Weaving with Maryanne Moodie, marbled clay pots taught by Emily Reinhardt, and this giant arm knitted blanket taught by Elise Blaha.
The quality of the materials in every Crafter’s Box has been amazing. Supplies and materials are sent along with instructions for each project, and they source materials from some of the best manufacturers around. The wool roving and yarn was particularly gorgeous, and I’ve been saving up the leftovers from my projects to use for something special.
I’m excited to share that I am partnering with The Crafter’s Box this month to teach block printing! When you sign up for a subscription to The Crafter’s Box, you’ll receive all the materials and supplies you’ll need to create a gorgeous block-printed linen table runner. You’ll gain access to an exclusive video tutorial showing you how to carve a linoleum block, and print a repeat pattern of your own design.
Sign up to receive this block printing kit today, it will only be available to purchase for a week or so! This box is an incredible value, so if you’ve been dying to take one of my classes in LA, now’s your chance to have me beamed into your home studio.
Art Print collaboration with Schoolhouse Electric
Before I founded Cotton & Flax, I worked primarily as a fine artist, selling my prints, drawings, and collages online under my full name, Erin Dollar. Since then, Cotton & Flax has taken up most of my free time, and I haven’t released new artwork for sale since 2011. This week, I can finally share an awesome collaboration I did with Schoolhouse Electric, a fantastic lighting and home decor company based in my hometown, Portland, Oregon. They just released their new Fall catalog today, and guess who has a print featured in their new collection?
This is an image I created back in 2011, when I was exploring imagery surrounding old stratigraphic charts, and the mysteries of what’s buried underground. You can see that I was also developing some patterns in this image, as each layer features a different tone and pattern.
If you live in Portland, stop by the Schoolhouse Electric showroom to see all the art they’ve added to their collection. I am excited to be featured among talented artists like Becca Stadtlander and Shanna Murray! If you don’t live near Portland, you can check out all their new art offerings online!
