Last year, I shared a month-by-month account of my year with natural dyes. It was a gratitude exercise for me—a chance to reflect on my accomplishments. My inner critic often diminishes my efforts, and my memory is fleeting, so taking a moment to appreciate the beauty of the results and the connections I've made is the best antidote. That is why I want to do the same exercise again, so join me as I look back at what happened at Dekel Dyes in 2024, and let’s celebrate these successes together—I could not have done it without you!
January
In January, I taught a natural dye course to two designers who wanted to incorporate natural dyes into their collections. I love working with small, focused groups that have a clear vision of what they need. We explored dyeing techniques for cellulose fibers, which was a rewarding challenge.
A highlight of the month was a surprise visit from my mom, all the way from the Netherlands, for my birthday. It was her first time seeing my studio from the inside and sharing it with her was incredibly special.
February
February was a month of studio experiments. I worked with print pastes and dyed shirts for my wardrobe. I also tried using kakishibu (fermented persimmon dye) as a wood finish—highly recommended! Additionally, I experimented with a variegated yarn dyeing technique that turned out beautifully. If only I knew how to knit—the yarn would make such a nice shawl!
That said, February and March were tough months for productivity. My head was in different places, and I had to give in to a slower pace.
March
In March, I focused on testing onion skin extracts and adding them as a product to the webshop. One special visitor to the studio was Nachum Ben Yehuda, an expert in biblical weavings and flax. Our collaboration began then, and I’m excited to share more about it soon.
This month was heavy for my country, and I sought solace in my indigo vat. Tinkering with it brought peace and clarity. Reflecting on the decade since I began natural dyeing, I’m profoundly grateful for how this journey has changed my life—not just with color but with the incredible people I’ve met around the world.
April
April was a vibrant month! I created a rainbow series on silk embroidery yarn for a curriculum presentation. Irit Dulman, the eco-printing master, visited the studio with friends, and we worked on achieving the perfect madder red.
For a time, I tried recreating Pantone colors with natural dyes. While the process was fascinating, it proved too labor-intensive for the lukewarm response it received, so I’ve shelved that project for now.
Another delightful surprise: a flurry of postcards from Indonesia arrived at my door. Thank you, friends!
May
May was a whirlwind of activity and joy! Here’s what filled the month:
A workshop on natural dyeing leather in the studio.
A woad dyeing project with Nachum Ben Yehuda, exploring different vat types.
A weekend getaway at the Sea of Galilee for some much-needed relaxation.
A trip to the Netherlands to teach two wonderful workshops at the Katoendrukkerij de Volmolen in Amersfoort. Working with fresh weld there was a first for me, and the luminous yellows we achieved still make me dream.
Being in the Netherlands also allowed me to spend time with my family—a wholesome and rejuvenating experience.
I finished the month of May with some wood-finishing experiments for two furniture designers and a new marbling technique for indigo, looking back I do not know how I fit it all in.
June
In June I was commissioned to dye wool Londrins Seconds (replica French broadcloth) for upholstery, to create a unique piece of furniture to be showcased in the yearly curated art manifestation 'Fresh Paint' in Tel Aviv. Not a small feat as the designers wanted a particular color and I went through several versions before we got it right.
I never knew yoga pants were a thing until the owner of Malaika Padma came to the studio to learn how to dye them.
July
Opening night of the Fresh Paint Art Show, where my collaboration with Baalot Melacha was showcased, and then straight after that I flew to the Netherlands a second time to teach. The colors (and the weather) made me sing.
August
Usually, I make sure we go somewhere for August, to run away from the excruciating summer heat we have here. This year my plans were ruined by a total lack of flights so we stayed put, which now has only made me more adamant to never ever do that again. I can not say I got anything useful done, but I can tell you about my new bed-sheet storage system if you want...
September
Hurray! My youngest son back in school meant I could have guilt-free time in the studio and I went straight back to work.
A beautiful commission for a prayer shawl (tallit) on wool created sheer magic when opened.
I also dyed four meters of handwoven silk and cotton in a deep purple, and a shirt madder red for my mom. Then I took my fabric to a seamstress and she designed a classy but modest dress (check out the pictures).
And then: more flying.
First to the Netherlands for a family reunion, then straight to Boston and then Nashville for the red carpet premiere of 'Let Them Be Naked', the groundbreaking documentary about toxic fashion, by designer Jeff Garner. My first time in the United States (outside of an airport)!
October
What a whirlwind October turned out to be! My journey started in Bogor with visiting Nisa and Masrur from the Arae team, one of the best ecoprinters in the world if I may say so. Masrur taught me how to improve my prints on leather and we had an amazing time. Arae creates beautiful ecoprinted clothes, bags, and more, and their shop feels like an ecoprint candy store.
Then a car ride to Jakarta, and had the pleasure of FINALLY meeting Inen Kurnia and her team in person, which was a moment that has been years in the making. I was a guest at the Indonesian Eco Print Festival, joining 350 incredible Indonesian printers. The energy was wild—a buzzing hive of talent, creativity, and enthusiasm, unlike anything I’ve ever experienced. I am hoping for other countries to follow suit and start organizing themselves in cultural and social events.
Australian ecoprinter and dyer Penny Jewel was also at this festival, providing much-needed valuable information about Indonesian culture from her vast traveling experience. I met so many wonderful, loving people, and I 100% came out of this experience a better person.
From Jakarta, a small group of us embarked on an unforgettable road trip to Pekalongan and Yogyakarta. Along the way, we visited my friend Eyster’s indigo workshop, where she cultivates her own indigo plants, and creates indigo batik textiles.
For lunch, we were hosted in the Bemberg studio by the elegant and generous Bu Fitri, who gifted me linen/bemberg fabric printed with teak leaves. I am so afraid to waste any of it, that I can not decide what to make from it! We saw a demonstration of real shibori (not the kind of rubber band nonsense they try to sell off as the real deal) and had a look at the impressive dye studio in the garden.
In Pekalonggan we visited CraftDenim, a remarkable sustainable fair trade initiative weaving hand-dyed indigo into beautiful denim fabrics. Our journey was crowned with a stay at the most stunning Sidji hotel.
Before our next flight, our group spent a whole day with Bu Evi, for leather printing on goat skins. with beautiful colorful results. I am looking forward to the shoes and sandals created from all these stunning materials.
November
Our adventure continued as we flew from Java to Bali, and then to Sumba, where we immersed ourselves in the rich traditions of natural dyeing and weaving.
A surprise visit to Ikat artist Kornelis Ndapakamang was the icing on the cake, we could see how indigo paste is made, and how he creates his masterpieces.
The experience was nothing short of transformative. Witnessing the dedication and artistry behind Indonesian textile crafts deepened my respect for these age-old traditions. I feel profoundly grateful to have been part of this once-in-a-lifetime journey.
From Sumba, I boarded another plane to Timor Leste, a young and vibrant democracy. Here, I joined the inspiring team at ReLoka, an NGO dedicated to promoting traditional crafts as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods. Together, we established a natural dyeing protocol, developed workflows, and introduced methods to track results. The team mastered creating diverse shades of natural dyes on cotton, working tirelessly to achieve impressive outcomes. Members of the team shared with me how they create black yarn by mud-dyeing and I will dedicate a separate post to this and Timor Leste.
December
Back to my regular life, digesting the events of October and November. I missed my husband and kids, and being away from home for a month is not only fun and giggles. Of course, there was tons of work waiting for me at the studio so that took a while to clear (literally: I cleaned everything and threw away lots of things that were redundant).
I am still looking fondly at the textiles I brought back with me, they will probably still need some time before I can decide what their purpose in life is. The most beautiful Ikat currently lives on the wall in my living room so I can look at it often to admire the skill set.
I wrote a blog about the Indonesian dyes I learned about and prepared a conference proposal.
A student came for a workshop and she learned how to dye rattan for her basket weaving, using natural dyes. The last week of december will be dedicated to planning the outlines of 2025 as I would like to see it, and creating better systems that outsource the nitty gritty of running the webshop - leaving me with more time to spend on what I do better: writing, photography and dyeing.
Looking back: I sure stitched my frequent flyer miles! I was blessed to spend a lot of time with my family, which is not a given when you live countries away, and under the 2024 circumstances of limited flights, it was a miracle. All of this would not be possible without the unreeling support of my husband, who holds down the fort with all the pets included, while I am away.
To those I met 'live' during travel, it was so much fun seeing you and speaking with you. My life is richer because of you.