inTERVIEW WITH LINDSEY FOUTS OF LAST CHANCE TEXTILESHow did you get started working with the medium of wax batik? It was actually a candle making project that led me to batik. I made beeswax candles as Christmas presents one year, and we had some left over wax. I found the wax medium so satisfying to work with, I decided to explore what else could be done with it. I was already working with fabric dyeing and painting around that time so it just made sense to experiment by incorporating the leftover wax into my process. What kind of designs inspire you the most? I’m inspired by textile designs from other mediums, like traditional quilting patterns, for example. I start thinking about how they could be put through the lens of batik. The batik adds so much organic texture, it is exciting to see how even very simple patterns can be transformed. How do you create all of your designs? Once you have penciled in a design on white fabric, you can begin applying hot melted wax to the surface. (We'll explore several application tools and techniques in the class.) Next, the entire waxed piece is submerged into a dye bath. The areas that have wax will remain white and everything else will be dyed- this is when you start to see the design come to life. The most exciting stage comes at the very end; it isn't until the wax is completely removed from the fabric that you can see the final effect and appreciate all the sparkling details. What are the most fun applications for batik? Once you know the basics, what can you do with it? So many possibilities, but I’ll just list a few: Batik is a great way to breath life back into old clothing or fabrics. The residual wax left in the fabric creates beautiful glow when used as a window or lamp treatment. It can be a fun project to share with children as the tactile process is a fun way to learn the concept of working in resist. Finally, as a fine-art medium- batik has a lot of possibilities- for example you can choose to leave some wax in the cloth to create a malleable material for sculpture. What exciting discoveries have you seen unfold during your batik workshops? The wax medium is very responsive to an individual's hand and the application can be manipulated in countless ways. Because of these unique properties, I have never seen two people's batiks look the same, even though we are all using the same set of tools! It is exciting to see how many different results and styles are revealed at the end of class. I hope you enjoyed this brief interview with Lindsey. I can't wait to learn new wax resist techniques from her in just a few short weeks, maybe even up-cycle a few pieces of clothing with that new knowledge. I have been very into, creating a custom wardrobe these days, and workshops like this, only serve to further inspire me. You can follow more of her work @lastchancetextiles. Be sure to stay in the loop about workshops and other textile related info my signing up to receive monthly updates below!
0 Comments
Q & A on Hosting A successful Airbnb experience
Today, I am sharing a Q & A, which is my second post in a series about how to host an experience with Airbnb. I became an Airbnb experience host in 2018, as experiences are relatively new to Airbnb and I wanted to share some tips with you. You can read the first part here: How to Host an experience with Airbnb. One of my workshop guests, is now starting up an experience of her own in Venice Beach, CA and she had a few questions for me. I realized that many of her questions, I did not cover yet, so I am sharing them here with you. For me the benefits of hosting an experience has been threefold: I have gained exposure to new international clientele, and I have developed new textile designs. I even get asked to do private corporate workshops due to my work as an experience host. To find out more as this hosting series evolves, be sure to join my mailing list and receive monthly workshop updates. Read our full Q & A below!
Have you ever thought about hosting an experience, workshop or activity? I began hosting experiences through Airbnb this year as a way to spread the word about my Natural Dye Workshops and also connect to a wider audience. To get started hosting through Airbnb, you need to apply. Here, I will break down the steps that I took to apply, so that you can bring your unique experience to the community. One thing that I liked about being an experience host was that many locals and travelers attended my event, which gave my teachings a global reach!
Before offering my workshop through Airbnb I was inspired to create a series of workshops called Creative Sundays to offer an array of professionals, creatives and parents an opportunity to connect while exploring a craft or a skill with their hands. As a parent, I longed for an outlet to connect with new people, energy and creativity beyond my day job. My Creative Sundays, series of workshops has helped me to grow professionally, explore new dye techniques, and hone my skills in natural dyeing so I feel comfortable with teaching! Which brings us to our first consideration, what area of expertise are you ready to share with a group? Read on down to find out more, and use this link to get started hosting your own event with Airbnb. areas of Expertise
In what area or subject do you currently have a wealth of experience or knowledge? This could relate to a sport or a hobby. All sorts of things come to mind: are you an avid hiker, photographer or maker of some sort? Do you know a lot about the architecture or history of your particular city? My background is in fine art, textiles, and interiors, so a natural dye class was right up my alley!
Join our Indigo Natural Dye + Aromatherapy Workshop!
In order to become an experience host, you will need to get approved by Airbnb.
You will want to consider what makes you an expert in your field before applying to host. For me, I own my handmade textile business, and I have taught fine-art for over 15 years. I felt comfortable teaching a group of artists. CHoose the Perfect location
Before I began hosting through Airbnb, I ran my first Creative Sundays workshops at my apartment. The apartment was a good place to start, I organized my art studio and I had professional photos taken and invited all of my closest creatives and friends to partake while I tweaked the first workshop! Another time, I rented out a light and bright room at a Beverly Hills community center- which had long rows of tables, a sink, and an outdoor space. You will want to consider your needs before you determine the place, do you need access to outdoors, water or electricity? Perhaps location is decided by the activity. For example, a site-seeing activity would need a specific meeting place.
To further grow and collaborate I partnered with a business and a vineyard to offer private indigo workshops! In this way, I was able to connect with a new people and groups! This year, we purchased a home with the perfect outdoor space and garden- then I new the garden would be the perfect place to host my Airbnb events. One thing to know is that when you apply, you need to put down an exact address where your experience will be held. Gather the Perfect event photos
Also, I recently read that a good photo will sell a workshop, whereas a bad image may actually deter participants from sign-ing up. When I started hosting these specific workshops about a year and a half ago, each time I made sure to take some pics. Especially if I offered a new location in the class. Often, my participants click and share an amazing photo or two and I use their photos (with permission) So be sure to pick out some of your best photos!
get it your date on the Calendar
For me, it's all about getting those dates on the calendar. I often do planning sessions 2-3 months in advance. I recommend that you publish your event at least one month beforehand. This allows allows people to browse, plan, and reach out with any questions in advance. Plus, if they are traveling to your city, then they can plan out a few fun activities such as your experience. Additionally, I got many last minute sign-ups prior to the day of the event.
be authentic to set yourself apart
My last tidbit of advice, is to be YOU! Think about what makes your experience unique and why people might enjoy it? I think that by being authentic, we naturally attract in the right participants and people to our experience. If you would like to see a bit more about what I mean, please feel free to visit my upcoming Indigo Horizons and Aromatherapy workshop that I co-host with Certified Aromatherapist Flin K. Grant. On Airbnb, there is a wealth of info and you can read through our experience description to get a feel for how we approach it. I hope to meet you at one of my workshops!
Lastly, please share your experiences and experience ideas with me. I would love to hear them! One way, that I awoke my inspiration, when I started this blog was through attending a woodworking workshop in Downtown L.A. That class really ignited my creativity and passion for design and craftsmanship all over again. You may be interested in reading about some of the other workshops that I offer along with one that I attended too: |
HI, I'M HILARY.
This is where I share inspiration for creative well living & following your dreams. With a love to sustainable conscious creation. You will notice that I offer workshops that inspire you to LIVE a soul-inspired life and manifest your dreams. I hope to meet you at one of my retreats or inside one of my group programs. I truly believe in the power of community and connecting with visionary femme creatives like you! For weekly inspiration -find me on YouTube Categories
All
FAVORITES
Archives
September 2023
BLOG COURTESY:
All layouts on this blog are created solely for, A Day in the Life. I enjoy sharing information and love when others enjoy my ideas enough to post the links on their own sites. I simply ask that you credit photos and link back to all original posts. Any comments that are inappropriate or spam will be deleted. All other rights reserved. |