Vote for Griffin Dyeworks!

The Mission Main St Grants are open again, and I’ve entered Griffin Dyeworks! We can win up to $100,000 towards our business goals. Here are my goals for Griffin Dyeworks: Short Term: Increase attendance at our annual retreat and bring in “big name” fiber artists Book 3+ offsite dye workshops in a year Long Term: Read More

What the Retreat Means to Us

John and I started the Griffin Dyeworks Fiber Retreat because there was nothing else for small fiber groups in Southern California at that time. There were several Northern California conference and workshops, but not here. There were large conferences held around the state, but they were more formal and less hands-on. These many years later, Read More

Retreat Wrap Up

Our ninth retreat was two weekends ago, and I’m sure you’re all in the same boat as me – still processing everything you learned, uploading (and tagging!) photos, and maybe unpacking. Bjo put it best when she wrote on our email list: Wow! Our 9th Fiber Retreat was absolutely fabulous! It was very high energy, Read More

Caring for Naturally Dyed Fibers

Caring for your dyed fiber: 1. Rinse. 2. Wash in GDW Fiber Wash/Orvus, dishwashing liquid (without bleach or perfumes), or similar gentle product (NOT detergent) in tepid water. Work fiber, especially wool, 20 minutes to remove unattached dye & chemicals. 3. Final rinse: Rinse until water runs clear & soap is removed. 4. Neutralize: When Read More

“Mordants & Modifiers” book 100% free online!

Did you know Bjo Trimble’s book, Understanding Mordants & Modifiers, is available online, for free? For each of about 50 different minerals salts and chemicals, we provide: Common Name Chemical Formula Description/History Other Names Use Best On which fiber types Recipes Safety information Disposal guidelines (always follow local ordinances) Alternatives (for when you run out!) Sources Read More

Back to Blogging!

  After being distracted by Real Life and FaceBook for far too long, I’m attending to my own blog at last. Yeah, I know I’ve promised to do that before this. But I mean it this time. Really. Seriously. Honest. We’re gearing up for more dye workshops and fabric painting workshops in 2013. Plus adding Read More