“I used to think there were four elements to creating something. The first being skill, then knowledge, experience and finally a sense of beauty. Not until later in life did I realize there was a fifth element: “love”.  We cannot produce large quantities.  We try out new things, sometimes we succeed, other times we fail.  Everything we produce is diligently made by hand, in our fast paced society.  So if you wonder why I do what I do, I say: Because I love to create.  Too many of the products nowadays are made without those 5 elements.  But I believe in this day and age there has to be someone who passionately creates by hand.  I hope you will be able to feel our values in our products.  Every piece is unique, every surface feels different. Out of time, skill, knowledge, experience, our sense of beauty and love we create forms, colors and patterns.” 

Hiroyuki Murase

Blue like the Sea and the Sky

 Just like the hands of an indigo artisan, the color of blue derived from the tade Japanese indigo plant is said to show its own variety. “Japan Blue” was coined in the 19th century by a British chemist as a catchall for the 48 different hues that somebody can produce from the sukumo dye. It is a remarkably versatile medium to work with, and I would like to introduce you to my fiber workshop studio in Stuart, Florida.

The Aya Fiber Studio is in Stuart, Florida. The owner, Suzanne Connors, has been practicing the art of aizome indigo dyeing over the last 13 years, and she opened the first dyeing workshop at the Fish House Art Center in Port Salerno back in 2014. The studio recently moved to North Stuart at 170 NW Dixie Hwy. Suzanne produces stunning textiles, but the studio also serves a secondary purpose. This goal is to educate locals and travelers about traditional Japanese craft and other fiber art genres via LIVE studio workshops by renowned artists.

There are several common ways of performing the aizome dyeing process. One method uses hand-cut katagami stencils to apply a thick dye-rice-resistant paste to the fabric and then cover it with sawdust. Dipping this in the indigo dye leaves a design that maintains a high level of detail. The print is called katazome. Another way to create a design on the textile is to paint it freehand using wax. This Japanese method of batik is called rozome

The most popular process for visitors at the Aya Fiber Studio is called shibori and is remarkably like the tie-dyeing we have all seen. Students can use strings or rubber bands to bind a folded cloth. Others by folding and clamping with wood blocks. When applied in evenly spaced intervals or a more random approach with creative overlaps, these resist bindings will produce patterns on the cloth. An inexperienced dyer may be unable to read the design made as they bind the fabric correctly, so part of the fun is the element of surprise. Another is experiencing the magic of indigo!

Visitors to The Aya Fiber Studio Workshop can experience 1 to 5-day fiber art workshops. The studio offers shibori and indigo classes monthly. After binding their cloth as they please, the dipping process begins. Submerging the bundle into a vat of indigo and kneading and squeezing it is a highly satisfying tactile experience. The first dip will turn the cloth a rich green color, but successive plunges push the color to a much darker hue. When the desired shade is achieved, the finishing process occurs. The dyed fabric is rinsed and neutralized with a vinegar solution, and then the textile is dried for you to take home.

Taking an aizome workshop at The Aya Fiber Studio is a great way to gain a hands-on appreciation for a unique and traditional Japanese craft. The studio also hosts natural dyeing, surface design, stitching, and other textile workshops throughout the year. It also features a boutique gallery where you can buy various indigo-dyed and art-to-wear items in many hues of blue. The Aya Fiber Studio Workshop remains one of Stuart's most popular hands-on activities, as it appeals to students of all ages. Reserve your seats early, as space is limited and space sells out fast!