PLANT DYE

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Pure Beauty. Skillful Hands. 100% natural, hand-dyed bags and scarves.

Skillful Hands Studio—where everyday people make extraordinary things.

Formed by local women in Nantou, “Skillful Hands Studio” was established to help rebuild the community after the devastating 921 Earthquake. The artistry of their one-of- a-kind bags and scarves is achieved by a process that was wildly popular in the American ‘60’s and ‘70’s known as “tie-dyeing,” or what the Taiwanese women call “cloud-dyeing.” Today, in the American 2000’s, tie-dyeing is definitely back in style.

How It’s Done.

Excluding chemical materials, and without damaging stems and roots, the crafters produce naturally beautiful dyes by using local plant twigs, flowers, and leaves.

With a specific coloration and design in mind, the artisan then string-wraps the fabric before dipping it into the dye. As you will see, from a clear-cut star to a cloud of hues, the results are striking.

Women in Action—rebuilding the community through arts and crafts.

On September 21, l999, two hours past midnight, the tranquil county of Nantou, in central Taiwan, was brutally shaken awake by a 7.3 Richter scale earthquake.

The quake killed more than 2,000 people, and injured more than 8,000, with estimated financial losses around 9 billion US dollars.

Amid collapsed houses, cracked streets, and crumbled school classrooms, several arts & crafts studios, including “Skillful Hands,” were formed to help rebuild the community. Their project is to transform local natural materials into artworks and handicrafts, and thus generate needed income for the county.

(Reference materials from the Skillful Hands Studio and the Earthquake Museum of Taiwan)

Plant Dye Pouches (100% cotton)

These subtly colored drawstring bags are designed in the “A-Shin” style of Japan, after a character in a famous Japanese soap opera.

Green-Tea Bag

Dyeing material: Common garcinia (100% cotton bag, leather drawstring)

Soft-to-the-touch, this pouch is perfect for those little things you don’t want to lose track of—like jewelry, loose change, business card holders, cosmetics, perfumes, and cell phones. Pop it into your purse or travel bag, and go.

Available in three colors: soothing green, happy peach, and romantic purple.

US $15 - Size: 4”H x 3.75”W

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Cookie

Dyeing material: Botree (100% cotton bag, leather drawstring)

The slightly larger pouch holds hard-to-locate or precious items like your keys, cell phone, coins, jewelry and cosmetics in style. Cookie can be used as a bag inside a handbag or backpack, or throw it into a carry-on on your way to the airport. (Cookie can also hold cookies.)

Available in three colors: soothing green, happy peach, and romantic purple.

US $25 - Size: 5”H x 6.25”W

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Carry-All

Dyeing material: Common garcinia (100% cotton bag, leather drawstring)

Big and stylish enough to carry all the bare necessities on your jaunts across town, the bag has a 36” shoulder strap, as well as a drawstring closure. Luscious color too.

Available in three colors: soothing green, happy peach, and romantic purple.

US $35 - Size: 8”H x10”W

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