Custom Orders

 I love getting custom orders!

My most recent was from a friend who is working in a chocolate store. The store is brightly colored and she wanted tie dyed shirts that matched (as close as possible) the color theme of the store. 

Matching colors from a photo is really hard. The lighting, the exposure, the camera, the skill of the photographer all play into the factors of the quality and realism of the image. 

She sent me these images. 

Orange, hot pink, green and purple. Where is the purple?

She wanted four shirts, all the same with these colors. That is easy enough, but wait. Where is the purple. 

I studied the pictures and told her I would have to play mad scientist and try and custom create that "purple" because it looks gray. She said not to worry about that purple, go with something brighter. Thank goodness!!!

My biggest concern is what am I gonna do with that green. Now that I have the ok to use a different purple, the purple can go next to the pink. They will co exist perfectly. The orange and the pink will play very well together. But that green. It will make mud if it mingles with the purple or the orange or the pink. Well, now that the purple will be darker,  I might be able to get away with the green and the purple  but still, in the pieces of the pie, that green is going to touch something and it has the potential to be ugly. 

I try to explain this to people who want custom colors. While the colors look great together in a design or even as complementaries on the color wheel, there is not a boundary or boarder between the colors in tie dye and they will mix with each other. Not all colors are meant to mix. they make browns, grays, and ugly muddy colors that can ruin a color pallet for a tie dye design. 

We are going to lean into it. I'm going to make one shirt, see how it turns out and go from there. If we have success, I'll continue on with the order. If it makes mud, I'll send pics and explain what is happening and see if we can revamp this order. 

For these shirts I used dye powders from Dharma Trading Co. The colors I chose were tangerine and dragon fruit mixed at full strength and chartreuse and lilac mixed at half strength.  I used a 100% cotton Gildan HD shirt that was soaked in soda ash solution 20 mins or more and then spun out in the washing machine until damp. I used a spiral twist on the shirt and laid down the colors in a pie pattern for distinct spiral arms. 

Here was the outcome:

Success!!

My biggest concern was the green and where it landed next to the orange or the pink, and it didn't get muddy at all!!! What I had meant to do was change the spiral color order on each shirt, as you can see I did on two of them.   

*sigh* 

Regardless, SHE LOVED THEM!

I am very grateful that she was so happy with her shirts, the colors are gorge! I will be adding this color palette to my inventory for sure!

Thanks for hanging out!

Till next time!

What Was I Thinking!!

 I have been at this a long time! 20 years in fact. I have had a lot of fun over the years and had my share of recognition when this medium was new.  Last year things changed. All of this that I loved turned into a grind and I entertained the idea of retiring.  I dumped most of my social media, didn't renew any of my items on Etsy, didn't apply to any shows and I got a job!!

That lasted about five months and I got the itch again. I have a studio full of tie dye, jewelry, crochet and I just couldn't let it sit there. I didn't know what to do with it all. I crept back on to social media, but at a different pace this time, on my terms, where I wasn't in a grind. I think all the social media pressure is what pushed me over the edge. I was already in burn out from family care and loss and I didn't let myself grieve, I just kept pushing, kept creating. 

So here I am, back at my blog, dusting off the keyboard and settling back in to where it all started. Does anyone blog anymore? Let's bring it back shall we!

I want to use my blog to share with you my latest projects, where I am showing, what is the newest items in my stores (yes plural, I have three), vacations, ups and downs, just all of it. 

Back to the title, "What was I Thinking" I have accepted the challenge of separating my Etsy store into three stores of my work. My original store JustATish Designs for jewelry will stay the same. I have also added JustATish Tie Dye and JustATish Crochets. I found having all of my items in one store was just to cluttered and hard to navigate. I also got feedback from shoppers that conveyed the same.  I honestly feel like I can breathe a little easier and I am not as overwhelmed by doing this. (Well overwhelmed re posting all of the items, but it is a labor of love, right??)

Here is the first of many posts that may take a minute for me to get into a rhythm on when to post, but I am excited again, and that feels good. While I am working out my schedule, check the links to the right for links to my store, my social media and where I will be showing. 

In the meantime, check out my latest "Tie Dye Along With Me" upload to my YouTube Channel!

And remember. Be peaceful. Be kind. It's important!

Talk to you soon!!! 

Corner Burst Tie Dye Tutorial - DIY

12 Color Spiral Tie Dye Tutorial

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

Tie Dye Tuesday! - Spiral Tie Dye How To

The Color Green and It's Many Meanings

Green is the color of nature, it is all around us and one of the easiest colors for our eyes to see. 

Green is a secondary color, meaning it is a mixture of two other colors. 

In this case - blue and yellow. 

With green being born from two other colors, it carries the energy or magic lets say of those two colors and then it has its own. 

Let's talk about those energies :)

Green has a foundation in happiness, mental clarity and optimism from yellow and calm, tranquility, communication and truth from blue. That is a proper foundation!

Green itself has its own magic of harmony and balance - think of it green is everywhere! Green is also the heart, the center of our body therefore it promotes promotes love. Love of nature, of family, of pets. . Green represents growth. Look outside at all the green around you, nature is a great representation of growth with all the green. 

Green is hope. For me it is easy to see, especially during the winter when there is no green around, there is anticipation of hope for the spring to come. 

Have you every heard green with envy? That may come from property of green that makes us feel we need to possess things. We need material objects to make us happy. 

Color is all around us and can affect our moods and thinking. Because of this, 

color is used in advertising and psychology because of the impact color can have on us. 

Why do you have a favorite color. What do you feel when you see that color. Is it green? Are you a nature lover? Are you loyal to your family and friends? Are you the one that is always looking on the bright side? 

Ever wonder?

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore.

It's Festival Season Ya'All!!!

Festival season kicks off for me on April 18, 2020 at Bond Brothers in Cary!!

My calendar is quickly filling up, and I will have links to the right, where you can find me locally, so you can stop by and say hey!!!

I am busy in the studio, organizing and getting ready to churn out some new awesome designs!

 

You can't miss my booth, full of so much color, and don't the world need more color!!

Hope to see you soon!!!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Although I do live a lifestyle that is richly enhanced with healing crystals, crystal energy, and universal energies, some do not, and that being said, I must say - Crystal meanings, metaphysical and spiritual healing lore is lore for inspiration, folklore, reference, and entertainment only. Crystal and spiritual healing lore is not a prescription, diagnosis or healthcare information. See a doctor or other healthcare practitioner for all health issues. By using this site and associated materials, and accessing this metaphysical and healing lore information, you acknowledge and agree that you personally assume responsibility for your use or misuse of this lore. 

Tie Dye is Not Just for T Shirts!!

In a world of a higher consciousness,  re purposing, recycling and up cycling are in the forefront of so many peoples mind. 

I am more aware now of what I do, what I waste, what I use, where it is sourced and so forth. 

In doing so, to do my part to limit manufacturing and waste, I have committed to buying "used" when at all possible. Even with my jewelry and tie dye business!

These shirts for example, are in great condition, bought from a local thrift shop and re purposed to give them a new life and more color!!!

I mean really, who wants a boring white dress shirt :)

There are so many cotton clothes that I can get a rubber band around, and that means, I can dye it :)

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Give It Up For Orange! Tie Dye!

I love orange. I don't think it gets the credit it deserves. I rarely hear anyone say orange when they are asked what their favorite color is. 

To be honest, my favorite color is blue, it always has been, but lately (in the last few years) I am really starting to gravitate to orange. 

Orange and blue go so well together, it does seem like a perfect progression. 

Did you know orange is the color of courage and creativity? Encouragement and fascination?

So many spirals

But it is not a bad thing.

Doing it over and over is called perfecting your craft.

i have to start somewhere so I can get to where I want to be.

This was the day for orange!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

The Blues Have It - Tie Dye

I just got done with a huge batch of tie dye. 77 in all.

I have finally learned after all this time, do your shirts in color batches!

This doesn't mean that every shirt has to be the same color, like blue and black.

What this means is work in a color majority.

Here's why!

Up until now, when I do my tie dying, I just let the magic happen. I experiment with color combinations to see what is new and exciting, and know I can always fall back on tried and true color pairings for beautiful, vibrant shirts.

Sometimes I just don't pay attention, and when it is time for the wash out, I have six shirts that are in a blue family, and one that is yellow. I can't wash that one yellow with all the blues. It will come out dull and 'muddy'. That means, I am using my washing machine, for one shirt.

Not efficient.

This last go around, I broke it out into groups.

If I did rainbow spirals, I did seven to ten of them. That makes for a good load in the washer
If I did blues, I made sure I did enough shirts in blue, and blue compliment colors to make it worth my time use my washing machine.  And the same for all colors.

It worked out so much better this time - AND - I worked with colors I don't normally work with, like green!!

So here is to the blue group!!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Spiral Tie Dye Long Sleeve T Shirt Tutorial

and remember!!!

Be peaceful and be kind! It's Important!




All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Pantone Fall 2018 Color Report

Going into Sept every year I always take a peek at the Pantone choices for fall colors.  I know the colors are announced a season ahead, which makes sense because of the timeline needed for creation and production, but I think it is fun to wait and look. 

I love this year!

Red pear, valiant poppy, nebulas blue, ceylon yellow, martini olive (yum!)

Russet orange, ultra violet, crocus petal, limelight, quetzal green

What is fun, without even looking at the fall colors until I wrote this post, I almost feel I am in tuned to what is going on this year, based on the color choices of my new tie dye shirt I made yesterday!!

I dont' think i was that far off do you??

More tie dye to come!

Thanks for stopping by, and remember - be peaceful, be kind it is important!!!

Tie Dye Powder Haul!

I am so excited!!

I am browsing Instagram the other day and I see a post from a local artist that is destashing. She is getting rid of a lot of her tie dye powders and a few other things. 

I sent her a message because I am extremely interested. 

I went to her house and she loaded up these three bags with powder tubs. 83 of them. Several of them were still sealed, and most of them had only one application used. The majority of them are the Dharma Trading Co. brand, which I am really familiar with. 

I am just giddy about this haul!!

I now have to go through them all, catalog them, and I am making a 'swatch' page with the names of each of the colors, and a little sample of what the color looks like on heavy water color paper. I can hang that on the wall, and at a glance have an idea of what the colors look like. It will help when putting together color combinations for new scarves and shirts. 

What a blessing this was, and I am just so grateful for it. 

I'll post some pics of the new scarves next week!!!

Thanks for stopping by, and remember - be peaceful, be kind it is important!!!

The Diversity of a Spiral - Tie Dye How To!

Who knew that the classic spiral tie dye was so diverse!

Who knew that the placement of the dye on the spiral created all of the awesome spiral effects that you see on tie dyed shirts!

AND even if you do all the dying the same way, how each spiral can vary!

This shirt was done with a three color stripe on one side and a solid color on the other side, and see the differences of this shirts!

This one is done, with one color on one side, and one color on the other. Very dramatic and bold look!


                                      

I have done a tutorial on two different dye placements on a spiraled shirt here on my YouTube channel . Tie Dye Tutorial .

I have more tutorials coming!

Thanks for stopping by! Have a blessed day, and always create!



All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Lasting Impressions Fine Art and Hand Made Gift Show

Hey Raleigh!!!! Here is your chance to see my tie dyed scarves up close and personal!!! I will be at Lasting Impressions in Fuquay, 11/24-26/17!!

Lasting Impressions is a locally run artist fair and show for the holidays. You can find fine arts and crafts ranging from oil and watercolor paintings, pottery, wreaths, jewelry, fused, stained and dichroic glass, Holiday ornaments, baked goods, candy, scarves, doll clothes and more.

Open the weekend following Thanksgiving 2017:
Friday, November 24, 9am-6pm
Saturday, November 25, 9am-6pm
Sunday, November 26, 12pm-4pm

Find out more!!
@lastingimpressionsfac - instagram
https://www.facebook.com/lastingimpressionsfinearts/ - facebook

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

Can't Get Enough Tie Dye!

I can't get enough of tie dying! I have to dye everything. Doesn't matter what I look at, fabric wise - I wonder what it would look like if it was crinkled up or  rubber banded and loaded with color.

I recently went to visit my brother in Oklahoma City. What a blast! He is an artist, WONDERFUL artist, and shows his work at The Purple Loft Gallery.

Last year, I went out to The Paseo Art District and did a show of my jewelry, this year, I took tie dyed scarves.

I made scarves from cotton flannel, and cotton muslin for a lighter weight scarf. They were a hit!

 I love each design, and the way that I do it, I don't duplicate the design, staying true to my one of a kind philosophy.

I will be selling my scarves locally at The Green Monkey in downtown Raleigh, at Raleigh Brewing on 12/9/17, at Lasting Impressions Art Show in Fuquay-Varina over Thanksgiving, and will be at New E nuff in Bethany OK!! I am so excited at the doors this tie dye adventure has opened!

We all need more color!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!

I Got The Tie Dye Bug!

This is something I have wanted to do for a long time. I am a tie dye junkie, most of my clothes are tie dyed, and it is rare that I don't leave the house with at least one thing tie dyed on my body.

Back in the spring, we (me, my daughter, her bestie and daughter) tried 'staining' as tie dye. Using all the things that stain your clothes as the dye, ya know, coffee, red wine, mustard. It was a fun experiment, and the result were interesting. I think it would have been better if we would have let it sit several days, instead of an hour :)

A few weeks ago, my daughter hit me up, she had bought some liquid rit dye, and was going to re do her stained shirt. EXCITING!! We then devised a plan based on our limited knowledge of tie dying and the experiences we had had with rit dye. 

1. use vinegar and water to wet the shirt

2. rubber band it

3. dye it

4. let it set a week

5. rinse, wash, wear

Her shirt turned out awesome!

Well now I caught the bug. I used liquid rit, soaked shirts in salt water (which i have now found out doesn't work with rit) and set the color with vinegar water, that does work!

I didn't document my first process with rit, so I did it again with two shirts so I can do a comparison when my professional dyes come next week. Yes! I jumped in with both feet, and I am going to start tie dying!!!

This is my first attempt. This is a rayon type fabric? was done with rit dye, soaked in vinegar water, and let set for 1 week before rinsing - SLAY!

This is a cotton dress, done in salt water, and let set for 4 days, washed and dried. Pretty, but not as bold as I wanted. 

Here is one of my favorite shirts, stained of course. Gauze material. Soaked in salt water and rubber banded randomly. 

here is another fav shirt, of course coffee stained.... I did the crinkle style on this one. 

both shirts, crinkle on left, random on right

I put a rack over a plastic bowl and used squirt bottles to apply the dye. This way, I could pour the dye down the sink, and not make such a mess. 

welcome to the house of a creative! we have no shame in our creating game, and use the whole house :)

i learned my lesson from the last tie dye session and i hung these two shirts in the shower to air for a week before rinsing. The first time I did it, I had them on racks on the shower floor, but due to all the salt, there was tons of rust, and it ruined the racks. Now we wait a week!

Thanks Mr. Clean Magic Eraser! 

Tune in again next week for the reveal and the final vinegar setting process!!!

All of my jewelry creations are based on the metaphysical properties of the stones or the colors that are incorporated. Jewelry should be a window to our soul, a protector of our emotions and a companion to our spirit. All of my other creations come directly from my heart in hopes they touch yours as well. Celebrate yourself with healing jewelry, and other gift ideas made with love!