HICKMANDESIGNS

Hey all, I have been interested in marketing my creative works for some time now, I now feel like I have found a unique style that works for me and I am pleased to share with you all, so here goes...

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HICKMANdesigns first emerged when I handmade a couple of gifts for close friends (yeah, you two get credit <3). A few months later, I finally fell upon the art of natural dying and fell in love with the whole process.

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Here is a little insight into what I do...

• I start the dying process by extracting the dye from its natural source - for some colours this can take a couple of days! They say the harder the colour to extract the more beautiful it is!

• I use fabric mordanted in Alum, this has been found to be the safest and best product yielding mordant (the mordanting process enables the dye to take hold onto the natural fabric.) By folding the pre-soaked fabric in certain ways one can achieve spectacular results. One of my favourite is the age-old shibori method of resist dying.

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• Once the fabric has taken up the desired colour, it is removed from the dye bath and rinsed fully (being careful not to affect the pH of the water, it can result in some unwanted colour changes!) When I am happy with the pattern and colour the fabric is hung out to dry naturally. 

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• The dried fabric can then be turned into various soft furnishings for around your home.

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The possibilities really are endless! From wall art to cushions and even bedding! I am happy to take on challenges if you have an specific requests.

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Emily x

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