FAQ
Q: How do you get the designs on your shirts?
A: For the hand dyed apparel ... The shirts are folded and tied with various types of binding. I use all types of materials to get the fabric bound the way I want it. I use a combination of rubber bands, kite string, artificial sinew ( a waxed polyester string), hemostat clamps etc. When the dye is applied, how the fabric is folded controls the flow of the dye and the combination of the two yield the final design.
A: For the Batik apparel ... The item is prewashed and soaked in fixer before line drying. This can take a few days because the item needs to be fully dry before the next step. Then I sketch the design on the fabric so I have a guide and I draw the design on the piece with hot melted wax. Once the wax it hardened I apply the dye and the hard wax acts as a resist. The wax is removed during the washout process.
A: For the Twisted Tees ... I design the graphics using computer software and cut the design out of HTV Vinyl on my cutting machine. I use a heat press to bond the HTV vinyl to the shirt. The bond created is permanant after 48hrs. I may inclose a card with your order to wash after a certan date so the bonding process will complete.
Q: How do I take care of my tie dye shirt (or other item)?
A: All of my hand dyed items have been washed a minimum of three times in hot water to remove the excess dye. However, some colors like turquoise take a bit longer than others to remove the excess unbonded dye. The washing and drying process helps to remove any additional excess. I recommend washing your item separately the first time or two, in warm water and your basic laundry detergent. I don't recommend bleach or oxygen brighteners. There are also "color catcher" sheets you can buy at most retailers to catch any loose dye in the wash. Line dry or dry in the dryer on low heat to help preserve the shape.
Q: Do you prewash your blank items?
A: YES! Prewashing is very important. Sometimes items come from the mill with oils and dirt that can repel the dyes.
Q: I have some shirts in my closet I don't like. Can you dye them?
A: If the items are 100% cotton, rayon or bamboo - possibly. I really need to see the condition of the garment and how it was put together to determine that.
Q: Do you offer classes or parties?
A: Yes, if you are in the Front Royal / Winchester/ Harrisonburg Virginia area I can book a party with you. Please note I will need access to electricity and water at your location. An extension cord from the house and a garden hose is fine. If you have tables or access to them - great! Parties are priced by the number of participants, the number of items to be dyed by each participant and if I am providing the blanks. Use the Contact Us form to get more information.
Q: How do you get your colors so bright?
A: Using professional grade dyes and the strength has a lot to do with it. I make a proprietary solution to mix my dyes with.
Q: Didn't I see you at ( insert festival or event here)?
A: Quite possibly! I took a break from vending in 2020-2022 but now I am back on the scene in full force. Canopy in tow. Want to add us to your vendor list? Use the Contact Us form to send a message.
Q: How long have you been dying?
A: I started playing around with dyes in 2007 or so.
Q: Is there lye in your soap?
A: No and Yes. All true soap is made with lye and oils (either animal or plant oils). Even the melt and pour glycerin soaps are made with lye - the process has already been done for you. So yes soap is MADE with lye, but after the soap has been made and sat for a few days there is no more lye left in the soap. It's kinda like making a cake combining flour, oil and eggs. By the time the cake is baked, there's no more individual ingredients left because they have become cake! Same with soap making. They lye and oils combine and undergo saponification to become soap. I measure my oils to have a minimum of 5% superfat ( extra oil) to create a buffer against the lye amount. This extra oil is also good for your skin and helps moisturize.
Q: Do you make soap without coconut or nut oils?
A: YES! I recently released a Castile soap line made with 100% Olive Oil.
Q: Your fancy soap bars with the frosting are all soap?
A: Yes my soap bars are 100% useable soap.
Q: How long does it take for you to make a shirt?
A: It depends. For a standard tie dye shirt, I could have it folded and dyed in an hour. Then it needs to sit with the dye on it for several days before washing out. It's cold in my basement studio ( especially in winter) and that can slow down the dye bonding with the fabric. I would say the average make time for an item is about a week. Batiks take several days longer, as the item needs to be prepped and line dried before the hot wax can be applied.
Q: Would you make me a ( dress, hoodie, pair of pants)?
A: Yes I take custom orders! Please send me a message through the Contact Us form. Please note, for items like dresses they are not inexpensive which is why I don't make many of them. Base pricing for most dresses start at 100$ due to the cost of the dress itself.
Q: Do you do the dyes with ice cubes?
A: I have done some ice dying and even snow dying. I love the different effects that can be achieved. The ice slowly melts and causes they dyes to split into different colors. Often these are softer more muted shades. My primary method is liquid dying however.
Q: What brand shirts do you use?
A: I prefer the Gildan brand shirts (G500) for the basic tees. They are generously cut, unisex standard sizing and they wear like iron!
Q: Where do you get your dyes from?
A: I source professional grade dyes from various online wholesalers.
Q: Do you have any pets?
A: Yes I do! I have a dog, three budgies, a hermit crab and two aquariums of african cichlid fish. Add in a husband and it's like a little zoo some days lol.
Q: How does the BYOC thing work?
A: Great question! My BYOC ( Bring your own container ) line is exclusive to my local area. I offer a once a month - year around- stop and refill delivery service. If you are in the local area ( Front Royal, Winchester, Luray, Strasburg, VA) I can come to your location on the day, pick up your containers from the front porch, refill them on site and leave them for you. The amounts are pre-paid for here on the website so I know how much to bring to fill everyone up, and so I can plan my route to save time and fuel. OR you can see me at the DL Community Market in person. Details about the market are on my Facebook page.
Q: What is your most popular BYOC product?
A: Customers are really liking the dish soap and bubble bath. The best selling fragrance for the BYOC line is Mermaid Tears!
Q:Can I visit your studio or shop in person?
A: No, not at this time
Q: Do you have a storefront?
A: No, not at this time. I would like to eventually if sales will support it.
Q: Are your soaps suitable for sensitive skin?
A: I started making my own soaps, so I would have something safe for me to use with all of my allergies. While I can not guarantee my soaps won't irritate you, what I would recommend is trying a mystery sample box. Or you can try a castile bar. I offer a castile bar named Nude, that is made with only olive oil and lye water. No colors or fragrance. I regularly get requests for nut free and coconut free soaps and I know first hand how hard it is to find soaps without! I have plans to launch more fragrance and colorant free soaps in the future. If you need a soap without a certain ingredient just let me know! I might be able to help you out.
Q: Are your soaps latex free?
A: Yes, I have a latex allergy myself and I only use plastic and silicone equipment for soap making. After curing the bars are shrink wrapped and a paper sticker is applied to label the bar.
Q: Are your soaps gluten free?
A: I also have a gluten intolerance / allergy. I don't use any gluten containing ingredients and my soap making equipment is dedicated. However the sources I purchase oils from do not have GF certification on the packaging. If cross contamination is a concern ( say with cornstarch or oats) I always opt for gluten free labeled products.
Q: How should I store my handmade soap to prolong its life?
A: Our soaps last a very long time, thanks to the curing process. Curing allows the extra water to evaporate out of the bar and allow the bar to become hard. This significantly prolongs the life of the soap in the shower. However I do recommend you USE THE SOAP within a year of purchase. Life is too short to not use the pretty soap. Allow the bar to dry out between uses, and keep it out of the direct spray of the water. My husband and I have had bars last for months - with both of us using it daily. A far cry from some of the store bought brands.
Any more questions? Send us a message via the contact us form!