Meet the Maker: Sara Ashford of Culler Studio
Wed, Dec 20, 1-6pm, 2017
Talk to Sara Ashford about her work with natural dyes and shop a wide selection of hand-dyed scarves and other beautiful wearable art.
In her TwispWorks studio, Ashford is literally surrounded by endless possibilities for inspiration. Her diaphanous dyed and painted silks float on hangers, scarves and shawls are draped on mannequins, and luscious skeins of hand-dyed yarn spill out of baskets.
Glass vials containing vibrant powdered pigments are arranged on shelves. Other tools of the trade include bristly Japanese brushes for applying soy milk, and wispy ones for painting with pigments.
Ashford mixes the pigment in delicate ceramic bowls made by her husband, Don.
Plastic bins are stuffed with pieces of linen, bamboo, silk and rayon that have been dyed, silk-screened, or printed with woodblocks. Many of these pieces are still works in progress but, as Ashford goes through them, she becomes animated by areas of gorgeous color or unexpected shapes.
In the studio’s large kitchen, indigo cures in large cauldrons below shelves lined with jars of dried flowers. Plastic baggies contain labeled color samples—bits of fleece stained with osage orange or red cochineal. Another room contains several looms threaded for weaving.
“I love being surrounded by all this in my studio. I get excited,” said Ashford. “There’s always something to do. If I’m bored with one thing, I get excited by another.”
READ MORE about Sara in her Featured Artist article HERE.
DATE: Wed, Dec 20, 1-6pm. At the Valley Goods Gift Shop, Door No. 3, TwispWorks Campus, info@doorno3.com or 509-449-1081
Sara’s Meet the Maker event is part of the Valley Goods Gift Emporium which continues through Christmas Eve. Shopping for gifts during the holiday is a reminder of the scope and talent brought to us by the artists and artisans of the Methow Valley. This year you can see a bounty of hand-crafted, locally-made goodies by heading over to TwispWorks for Valley Goods: a holiday shop brought to you by the folks at Door No. 3 Print Studio.
With shop hours every day starting December 7 and continuing until the day before Christmas, Valley Goods will feature wares from more than thirty local vendors. Robin and Laura of Door No. 3 are also planning a series of ‘Meet the Maker’ events as well as art-making nights for kids of all ages.
“We’re really excited to have the opportunity to host a similar event to Handmade for the Holidays,” says Robin Doggett, “it’s always a nice time catching up with neighbors and shopping some beautiful hand-made things – it’s a big part in spreading the holiday cheer.”
LOCATION/HOURS: Valley Goods is located in TwispWorks building 9, right next to Door No. 3 Print Studio and is open Dec 7-24, 10am–6pm, Monday-Friday, and 10am–3pm during the weekend. Enjoy a cup of Blue Star coffee and a treat while you shop. info@doorno3.com or 509-449-1081.