Fashion & Fabrics Blog

You’re invited to stop by my new studio this coming Saturday, April 27, from 12pm-3pm.  It will be a work day at the studio, so you may catch me dyeing fabric, sewing applique shapes onto T-shirts, prepping Xmittens gloves, setting up a retail display…who knows?

Come interrupt me anytime between 12pm-3pm at 5258 Butler Street in Lawrenceville, 2nd floor. We’ll have a great time and eat shortbread cookies!

Hope to see you!

Amber

Spring grass!

I love spring. The other day Adam and I took a walk in our woods and saw 2 turkeys, 2 woodpeckers, 2 snakes, 1 hawk watching over the nest and numerous bugs, cardinals, robins and other small birds. It was amazing,

Spring is also the time of year when I want to start new things. I mean, the Earth is starting all sorts of new things…I should, too.

So, this spring I have scheduled a whole bunch of classes either to take, or to teach. Here are some updates on my offerings and what I am learning about, too!

yellow bubble scarflette Xmittens

What I am teaching:

April 20: Sugar & Shibori class- it’s running and has 3 spots open. You can sign up here.

April 24: Open Studio: Fabric Dyeing (includes free Intro to fabric dyeing lesson!)- Sign up here.

May 5: Natural Bundle Dyeing Experimentation Workshop with Rose Clancy and myself. This class is being held at the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts. Spots are still open- sign up here.

May 8: Open Studio: Fabric Dyeing (also includes a free Intro to dyeing lesson!)- Sign up here.

May 22: Sugar & Shibori- needs some peeps. Sign up here.

June 1 + 2: Shibori Weekend! Join me for a lovely weekend deeply exploring various fabric dyeing methods. Limited to 6 participants. Sign up here.

June 8: Sugar & Shibori- it is running and has 2 spots left open. You can sign up here.

June 9: Advanced Etsy- take your Etsy shop to the next level! Registrations just opened today, but it is limited to 4 spots. Sign up here.

P.S if you take more than one class at my studio in a season (spring, summer, fall, winter), then you are eligible for discounts! I encourage you to explore and experiment in textiles with me.

Multimedia surface design by amber coppings

What am I taking?

For almost a year now I have been taking a class called “The Art & Business of Surface Pattern Design”. It rocks! It is also really intense and takes more time than I can give it right now. However, they make it really easy to save and/or print lessons, etc… It is invaluable to anyone who may want to digitally design products of any sort. Check out Module 3…the module I start later this month.

Then, I am taking a short version of a similar class, but with a different approach. I have just discovered Skillshare, an online education platform, and LOVE it to pieces! You can sign up for this class here and Save $10 (and if you do, then I save $10, too!- Thanks!)

AND I am taking another class on Skillshare on how to create wicked cool T-shirt graphics from designers from Johnny Cupcakes, INC Do you see a trend here? I guess I am getting into digital design hardcore!

What classes are you teaching, or taking this spring? I would love to know! Leave a message in the comments.

**Usually Open studios include no teacher instruction, and have prerequisite requirements.  However, the April 17 Open Studio includes a FREE lesson on how to create your own dyebath. Perfect for fabric dyeing novices. 

Do you have some experience with fabric dyeing, but don’t have the facilities at home to cleanly do it?

Have you always been curious about fabric dyeing, but don’t know where to being?

Or, do you have something that you cheaply want to re-color?

Then, Open Studios are going to be a good choice for you to get your hands wet (though we will try not to dye your hands!)

Open Studios are drop-in style…stop by anytime in a 4 hour window and make a dyebath. You can even leave and come back. Arrangements can be made for you to come back later in the week to fetch your stuff for you to wash, or you can bring a container to take your fabric home later on the same day.

Good to know: The dyes in my studio are Procion MX fiber reactive dyes that dye cotton, rayon, wood, raffia, most silks and some wool blends only. Who can sign up? Currently, classes are adult classes.

Some details, FAQs and rules for potential attendees to follow…

Current Open Studio Dates:

April 17, 2013 5pm-9pm

**Special** April 17 Open Studio includes a FREE lesson on how to create your own dyebath. Perfect for fabric dyeing novices.

Example of a photo with a great composition for online sales items.

Etsy Success Workshop for Artists   offered by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Pittsburgh, taught by me, Amber Coppings.

April 7, 2013; 12:30pm- 4pm; $20 for Guild members, $25 for non-members-

Are you an artist or craftsmen who has said, “I know I need an online shop, but don’t know where to start?” It’s easier than you think to crack the online sales market using Etsy.com.  I’ll show you how to get your Etsy shop up and running in no time. OR if you currently have an Etsy shop and feel that your sales should be greater, come to this hands-on workshop.

“Your encouragement empowered me to go out into the community and see which venues were the right “fit” for the gloves I made.”- Rhonda Pegg, former student.

Want to attend? Click here to go to the Craftsmen’s Guild website and see all the details. For additional information and to register contact Sandy at sasabrbi@aol.com or 412.372.8044

Knit the Bridge is a textile enthusiasts dream! Knit the Bridge is an awesome project that is working towards yarnbombing one of Pittsburgh’s infamous bridges (WOW!).

From the Knit the Bridge website:

What is Knit the Bridge, Pittsburgh?

Knit the Bridge is a vision for a grassroots, community-led arts project that would bring the many diverse communities of Pittsburgh and Southwestern Pennsylvania together to create a large-scale, aesthetically stunning, fiberarts installation on a bridge in downtown Pittsburgh.

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In conjunction with Fiberart International 2013, the intention of Knit the Bridge is to celebrate the history of Pittsburgh as a city of bridges and steel as well as celebrate the region’s thriving, contemporary arts scene. As accessible craft forms, these community-engaged fiberart traditions will knit together strong, healthy, creative communities.

What is Yarn Bombing?

Coming out of the street art and contemporary craft movements, yarn bombing is a fun, bright,
beautiful way to celebrate public space. Unlike graffiti, yarn bombing can be done without any
damage to historic structures and is temporary and easily removable.

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At my Open House this Saturday I will have some work-in-progress panels ready for attendees to work on.  (for those who know how to knit and crochet). If you want to really get your Knit On there is an official Knit-Ins throughout the city and Allegheny County. Check their site for the schedule.