Lark Crafts

One of the great things about Lark is that I’ve been able to work with a number of incredibly talented artists. So today, I’d like to introduce you to the work of Barbara Zaretsky, an Asheville based textile artist and educator who, along with myriad other experiences, once designed books for Lark.

In her own words: “I’ve always been fascinated with textiles and the influence they have on our culture. Inspired by the things around me—color, movement, light, nature, architecture and design—I am moved to create art for everyday use. Functional textiles can enhance our lives in subtle yet powerful ways—from expressing who we are to communicating emotion.”

Such lovely work. Who wouldn’t want to live in an environment surrounded by such still beauty?

Barbara studied textile design at Northern Illinois University and the Art Institute of Chicago. In 2001 she moved to Asheville, became a member of the Southern Highland Craft Guild and continued her education at Penland School of Crafts. She has operated BZDesign for over 20 years. Her hand-made creations, which include a line of home furnishings and wearable accessories, are hand-dyed and block-printed and made with natural fibers, plant dyes and textile paints.

In her spare time (ha!)  she operates the Cloth Fiber Workshop, a textile arts learning center dedicated to the celebration of creativity through textiles. It’s been a great addition to the local arts community and to the larger textile community in general.

Here’s a sampling of some of their upcoming classes:

These two are taught by Heather Allen- Swarttouw, well known in the textile community for her architectural textiles.

Embroidery Sampler Book

Embroidery by Heather Allen-Swarttouw

Learn a wide variety of embroidery stitches and explore alternatives to the standard favorites. On white and black or navy cloth, you’ll embroider small samples of your own design and begin to develop a personal stitch vocabulary. These cloth “pages” will then be bound into an Embroidery Sampler Book to use for future reference and ideas.
Saturday, July 31

and

Thiox: Removing Color Using Pattern & Design

by Heather Allen-Swarttouw

Using a wide variety of surface design techniques you’ll explore taking color out of dyed cloth. Using Thiorea Dioxide (more commonly known as thiox) in a print paste you’ll discover the possibilities of removing color from a variety of prepared cloth and/or your own hand dyed. This is a great way to revamp and recharge dyed cloth and explore a reductive way of creating pattern and color.
Saturday, Aug 28

For a complete listing, check out their website.