AMBATALIA

Fibershed and Rowland Ricketts

2012-01-15T16:59:00.000-08:00

I realized while walking down this beautiful dirt road in the Nicasio hills on the Marin Carbon Project Land. Excited to Meet Rowland and ready to begin a day of hardwork to help build Fibersheds Indigo compost floor. In this Video that I share Rowland talks about the importance of working together. Thats something that I crave in my life. That was one of the key reasons for opening Ambatalia years ago. Looking back I know it was steps towards that dream. I truley believe if you do what you love its not always an easy or clear path but hopefully one day something happens and all of a sudden it makes sense.
I definitely had one of those ah ha moments that day.

I just ordered 200 Polygonum tinctorium Japanese indigo seeds from the Fibershed Market place. I am married to a gardener but I wouldn't consider myself one. I am about to sign a lease for a new studio

( crossing my fingers) that happens to be a green house, so I figure I better start growning Indigo as a part of the Fibershed. I'm actually obsessed with it and have been for a long time, I am so grateful to be a part of this Fibershed community I deffinatly feel a part of something really important and meaningful. I feel like its an extention of my self.

Go over to A verb for kleeping warm for a step by step guide of what we did that day.

Nicasio, California

Beautiful Rebecca, with out her we wouldn't be here.

This indigo compost house ( NEDOKO) would never be a reality with out John Wick and Peggy Rathmann.

John built it with Help. We are forever grateful.

John drops sand over the Gravel.

Every step we all have to get in to press it down( tamp) by walking all over it.

This is a Japanese tool that helped, can't remember what its called.

Rice hulls are put in ( man those were bouncy little dudes)

Ah.... Lunch and what a feast it was!

Rowland showing us how to separate Indigo seeds.

Every thing kind of blows away while you shake them.

Rise Above Plastics Holiday Shopping Tips from Surf Rider

2011-12-17T07:39:00.000-08:00

Bill Hickman wrote this article for Surf Rider. I deffinetly learn stuff from them all the time and I hope it helps you too.

The world's population is currently using 50 percent more resources each year than the earth can sustain, according to the latest Living Planet Report by the World Wildlife Fund. And that figure is projected to rise to 200 percent in the next 50 years if we don't change course. The amount of plastic produced from 2000 - 2010 exceeds the amount produced during the entire last century and the ocean is turning into a plastic soup but there are ways to turn the tide on plastic pollution. The holiday season is an ideal time to lead by example with gifts and actions that show your dedication to a sustainable earth that’s free of plastic litter.

No one wants to give up on the holidays or the sense of abundance that the season bestows. The only question is how to be generous without bankrupting the earth. Here are some thoughts to consider. Give things people need and can use, rather than products plucked from the shelves simply because they look good.

Choose gifts made of sustainable materials; hemp and organic cotton are good choices for clothes, post-consumer recycled paper good, natural cosmetics along with organic, fair-trade chocolates and coffees are good options. Recent reports show that microplastics are migrating from clothes through our washing machines then through water treatment plants to our waterways and ocean so you probably want to avoid trendy clothes made from recycled plastics in addition to traditional nylon, polyester, etc.

Buy locally made products whenever possible, as the energy used to transport goods to the stores is one of the huge, hidden environmental costs of the holidays.

Look for used things with a provenance. Old books and maps, retro clothing, antique jewelry and the like are one-of-a-kind gifts that collectors and aficionados will appreciate.

Avoid excessively packaged products. The packaging wastes resources without adding value and, if made from plastic, can release toxins after being discarded.

Give tickets for concerts, shows, museums, sporting events, outdoor activities or parks. Consider a donation to your favorite non-profit organization such as the Surfrider Foundation!

Give a party rather than presents -- and tell your guests that the party's giftless.

Give of yourself. Promise a shift of babysitting or dog-walking or a service that uses your special talents or skills, such as a webpage, a surfing lesson or home improvement help.

Most important, remember that the greatest gift of the season is the holidays themselves. It's the one time of year when society permits you -- indeed, encourages you -- to escape from the daily hurly-burly and experience the meaning and poetry of life. Don't miss the chance.

Thanks to our friends at NRDC for inspiration and some of these tips.

A few of my favorite local things

2011-12-15T23:15:00.000-08:00

My sister Colleen Hennessey's hand thrown everyday ware. You will be able to find them at Canele's next Atelier in L.A this coming Monday December 18th.

Maria Schoettler's Seasonal Calendar

Japanese indigo seeds/ Lagunitas grown

Fibershed

Felted fibershed bangles by Tisha Thompson

Cardigan knit kit by Heidi Iverson

Fibershed Handwoven Jacob wool throw by Robin Lynde

Another gorgeous peice from Fibershed

by Dyan Ashby

Sid the squid by Fibershed

Beautiful Rag doll by Jess Brown

My dream linen sheets by my freind and mentor Trisha Rose from Rough Linen

If your in to Local color a must have Rebecca Burgess book

Happy holidays to my freinds out there. I hope you can spend time with loved ones and are able to celebrate lifes gifts.
Peace and love to you, Molly

A GOOD READ

2011-11-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

The weaving of textiles is another of the more ancient crafts of mankind, and another of those essential to a pioneer society. Its origins are lost, along with those of many other crafts, in the deep shadow of Time. Simple fabrics are made by weaving threads in and out across a layer of other threads at a right angle. An obscurity has fallen over the details of this once common process today when the average person has little or no contact with the means by which his cloth is manufactured. Also, it is a far cry from the miraculous efficiencies of industrial weaving to the simple methods of the hand loom. Yet the mysteries of warp and woof, heddle and shuttle, are not very profound and may be easily understood. The warp is the lengthwise threads. These must be the strongest and are usually of a better type or grade of thread than the crosswise threads, called the woof, or weft. A loom is a frame upon which the warp threads are vertically stretched. These threads are passed, at top and bottom, through tiny loops of string or wire on small pieces of wood, called heddles, which resemble minute piano keys. At the top of the loom every other heddle is attached to one crossbar, while the intervening ones are attached to another. Thus, when one crossbar is pushed out every other thread is separated from its neighbor. When the other crossbar is pushed out the action is reversed. In weaving this permits the easy separation of every other warp thread so that the woof thread, attached to a shuttle, has merely to be tossed through the intervening space, after which the separation of the warp threads is reversed and the shuttle is passed back again. The above process is for the weaving of simple, unpatterned textiles. When patterns are desired, more than two sets of heddles are necessary, for threads of different colors. The foot-loom, with various pedals to work the crossbars, thus leaving both hands free to manipulate the shuttle, came in the early 17th or late 16th centuries. To produce still more intricate patterns the draw-loom was invented. This was a method whereby the many sets of heddles were operated by cords which were pulled by a skilful small boy who had to swing about precariously, monkey-fashion, atop the large loom. Read on!

More Fibershed Creations

2011-11-13T23:38:00.000-08:00

PRETTY SWEET AND COZY

photos by Michael Keefe

Ambatalia Holiday Linens

2011-11-13T21:01:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited about offering holiday linens at the Marin Country Mart farmers market on Saturdays. I have a collection of hemp, vintage, reclaimed and linen hand mades for your tables. Come say Hi and see what I'm up to..

Dont forget Ambatalia creates textiles to be multi purpose. Furoshikis kitchen towels turn into aprons, bento origami produce and bulk bags turn into bread bags.

Modern cutie ( original Ambatalia design) made out of recaimed light blue denim on gorgeous Amber.

New designs from Maria Schoettler for Ambatalia. Tea towels on the most beautiful organic cotton grown in the states and woven in the states. Made to resemble kitchen cloth from Lyons France a hundred years ago. The hand and integrity in this cloth is heirloom quality. Will be screen printed in Oakland in the next couple of weeks. Can't wait to have them in my hands.

Tea towel design by Maria Schoettler for Ambatalia.

FIBERSHED MARKET PLACE OPEN NOW!!!

2011-11-02T22:37:00.000-07:00

The Fibershed Market place being open is such a huge deal for me and our community and I believe for people around the world. I contributed a few things ( more to come) . For now a Hand constructed winter tee with overlock seems and hand stitch hems and a smock/ apron both my original designs. Made out of Sally fox organic color grown cotton. If you have not visited the new Fibershed website.... GO NOW to discover a new world of local fiber, local dye and local artisans. You have never seen anything like it. My model happens to be my best friend that is probably the most gorgeous woman I've ever laid my eyes on (ANNA).

The New Fibershed Website and Market Place.

2011-10-20T22:54:00.000-07:00

One of the videos I found on Fibersheds new web site. For the most part people seem so removed from the process of how things are made and the work and care that goes into that. This is so exciting. I'm working on projects now for the market place launching November 1st. This is where its at!!! So loving being a part of a community so meaningful, caring and authentic. THANK YOU REBECCA!!!

Fibershed A Local Textile Economy in Northern California from John Kokoska on Vimeo.

Fibershed in October, Marin County

2011-10-04T21:20:00.000-07:00

Indigo and coreopsis on Mt. Barnaby

Yikes! What kind of spider is that? When your picken flower heads all gentle and soft and this pops out!

Lots of good talken about creating a better world together.

Furoshiki at its best

Pretty gorgeous day.

2011-09-30T21:22:00.000-07:00

Hey friends,
Would you mind liking me ( of course only if you do) at my face book page... Please. It helps me a lot!! Hey I would love to connect with you more too and it's easier over there.

Furoshiki in the garden

2011-09-29T14:02:00.000-07:00

If you look at my blog you probably know that I'm obsessed with Furoshiki. I specialize in the kitchen Furoshiki as seen below keeping my chemex coffee warm (mom and dads wedding gift 50 years ago) I've often thought of making a furoshiki for the garden inspired by my husband that does it with out using the fancy word, really its a multi purpose cloth and of course the Japanese made it an art form.

So here it is a garden furoshiki, shown as a table cloth.

same cloth picking up leaves, of course you can use it in many ways.

My husband showed me this furoshiki knot trick. So that you can get the knot out easily, you fold one of the ears when you tie it. Does that make sense? I will come back later with more detail.

Eat Real Festival in Oakland California

2011-09-26T10:49:00.000-07:00

I participated this weekend in the Eat Real Festival collaborating with Maria Schoettler . We had such a wonderful time together. Bringing Maria's 2012 seasonal Calenders and Ambatalia's innovative work aprons, produce, bread, market bags and multi purpose kitchen Furoshiki to Oakland's local food celebration. This event founded by

Anya Fernald I believe has brought real change to the local food movement that you can really sink your teeth into and it taste so freaken good. She purchased two Ambatalia/ Fibershed Aprons dyed in Local California Toyon and Woolly distaff thistle. She is one smart gorgeous lady.

Honored to make uniforms for Belcampo Meats. Every one looked so great.

Fitting El Taco Bike with their custom apron made out of White Oak denim gold and leather lacing.

New apron I designed called MUCA( Modern Urban Craft Apron). Made creating no waste using the cut out for the pocket. Floating apron for ease and comfort.

Every day smock made in French blue Hemp and organic cotton. Two huge secret pockets on sides.

Plastic bags info

2011-09-21T23:21:00.000-07:00

* According to the Wall Street Journal, the U.S. goes through 100 billion plastic shopping bags annually. (Estimated cost to retailers: $4 billion)

* Only 1-3% of plastic bags are recycled worldwide.

* Industry figures show 90% of all grocery bags are plastic.

* Plastic bags are made of polyethylene which is a petroleum product. Production contributes to air pollution and energy consumption.

* It takes 1000 years for polyethylene bags to break down.

* The amount of petroleum used to make 1 plastic bag would drive a car about 11 meters.

* Plastic bags don't biodegrade, they photdegrade- breaking down into smaller and smaller toxic bits contaminating soil and waterways. They then enter the foodweb when animals accidently ingest them.

* 86% of all known species of sea turtles have had reported problems of entanglement or ingestine of marine debris.

*  Approximately 1 billion seabirds and mammals die each year by ingesting plastic bags. Not only that, these poor animals suffer a painful death. The plastic wraps around their intestines or they choke to death.

* Less than 5 percent of US shoppers use canvas, cotton, or mesh bags. Please change that number by choosing reusable bags when you shop.

Thank you for collecting info love your earth

Bridget

2011-09-07T11:13:00.000-07:00

Bridget is my dear friend and favorite Ambatalia Model. She goes to art school in Chicago, when she comes to town I usually get some time with her. We have so much fun together. Take a peak at these photos of the last night Ambatalia was open. We slept in the shop ( never forget it )

Wearing Issey full apron

Bistro with leather lacing

Sexy Server ( made these for Small shed in Mill Valley)

Denim Bistro with organic twill and moon pockets

My friends John and Anna at Mattarello make the best Pasta ever. If there is one thing I come home from the market with its this stuff and he is enthusiastic about supporting my non-disposable ways and quite good at it, you can see the care given in his hands. The sauces he makes are crazy good, but sometimes just butter and a little salt and pepper do the trick.

CLOTHES THAT WORK

2011-08-29T14:14:00.000-07:00

I'm loving working in my new studio and I'm definitely moving beyond the typical apron or at least how we have thought of aprons in the last 30 years. Always loved the history of textiles and there utilitarian function in our day to day lives and to be honest I love the way they look, there is something so humble about a working apron. I'm also very interested in making CLOTHES THAT WORK. Throw it on and your ready for construction, yoga, shopping, gardening, canning, plum picking or cooking. A modern day uniform?

A new design I've been wanting to make for a while of course finally came to me right in the middle of a pretty hardcore deadline ( happens to be how my best ideas come to fruition). The idea started with a pinafore and I brought the line of my standard apron down the sides and the connected it to the back if that makes any sense. I love it and haven't actually taken it off for several days and I figure if it looks this good on me it will look fabulous on anyone.

My favorite part of it is the secret pockets sewn on the inside of the u-shape at the hips. I'm thinking about making those super big to carry all that is needed.

My next thing is making the perfect jeans for myself from my 30"denim.

For now I'm rompin around feelin pretty sassy and ready for anything.

Who's that model?

Making more apron dresses for Belcampo

I offer all of my aprons with leather lacing or organic cotton twill.

This was a mistake, but most of my work comes from finding the beauty in what accidentally happens. I really love the two tone thang.

Sorting Beautiful dried Indigo leaves from their stems

Indigo and Coreopsis growing on Mt. Barnaby in Lagunitas California thanks to Rebecca Burgess that created Fibershed.

Indigo stems

My new smock had to take a break, such hard work

My favorite color is Indigo

Coreopsis

Gorgeous Mt. Tamalpias seen from the ICB in Sausalito

Always movin

2011-08-19T11:13:00.000-07:00

Been wanting a studio at the ICB building in Sausalito for years. I put myself on the waiting list back when I still had the Shop. I finally said yes and just moved in. Man I have a lot of stuff. I am simplifying constantly and and yet there is a balance of having that perfect thing when you need it, Hmm. Looking forward to a lot. My plan is to ride my bike to work and focus on my work during the day then totally being there for my kids when they get home from school.

This area of sausalito has held up some of its funk, charm and humbleness. The building has tons of history, for me it does too. My father lived on sail boats for years and this area has always been one of my favorite places to go as a kid. My father has been gone for years now , but I can't tell you how soothing it is for me to breath in the salt water air and the sound of the clanking lines on the boats surrounding me. My father was a great man and I feel like he is a part of me more than ever. This building is massive chalked full of artist, and I know half of them, its pretty cool. Sorry about my hipster photos, kind of was havin some fun with it.

beautiful Camille

If you look closely my Dad ( nick name Pooch) is the sailor left to the golden Gate bridge print.

Heath happens to be next door. I also grew up eating off heath ceramics plates. Coming from a family of 9, my Mom would pick the bone yard. We had a stack of the simple blue and white.

My kids helped a lot with the move, that was super sweet.

30" cone denim GOLD. Tell you about that lata

Two new (old sewing machines) that deserves a post in itself.

Spirit Matters

2011-07-21T21:03:00.000-07:00

So excited that Spirit Matters is carrying my Celebrate Everything Flags. I have been making these for years but never pushed em any where subconsciously waiting for the store they were made for.

FINALLY A ZERO WASTE GROCERY STORE

2011-07-16T00:23:00.000-07:00

IN.GREDIENTS

The goal isn’t to be negative but to be compelling. We can be smarter, simpler.

The US fills 63,000 25-ton garbage trucks every day; about 700,000 tons of garbage is placed in American landfills on a daily basis.
Packaging makes up about 40 percent of that. The packaging we throw away, then, annually totals nearly 39 million tons of paper/paperboard, 13.7 million tons of plastics, and 10.9 million tons of glass.
Meanwhile, 30 million tons of packaging was recycled annually from 2005 to 2010.
The total amount of packaging wasted from 2005 to 2010, however, grew 1.8 percent annually.

Packaging waste is a big deal – especially when we’re consuming energy to produce, consume, and recycle things that aren’t always necessary. The way we do things now is damaging the environment at our own cost. That’s why we’re taking ourselves out of that loop altogether. And, perhaps to your advantage: packaging usually makes up around 10 to 20 percent of the cost of the non-produce items you buy. At in.gredients, we don’t charge for packaging. There is none to speak of.

We’ve dedicated a full blog post to facts about packaging use to give our customers a perspective of how they’re helping fuel the cultural shift toward a more sustainable, healthy way of life.

http://in.gredients.com/

workin on

2011-07-11T20:33:00.000-07:00

I'm lucky enough to do projects with live culture and this is an apron dress I'm working on for them.

I used the other side of cone mills denim and my own kind of wash where I put alot of denim in a hot washing machine and then I let it sit for a long time all tangled leaving some indigo streaking and wrinkles. You can't totally see it here but looks fab.

I'm interested in offering goods sewn purely by hand. There is something about it that is so genuine and its a natural way I can work and be with my family. One of my favorite things to do. This is a 30" Cone Mills denim. I used a sturdy bright orange stitch. The pockets are from the underarm area of the apron. I call it my no waste pockets or moon pockets. There a little bit more love in this one.

Being at Dwell on Design was a lot of fun. Three days in L.A. Maria Schoettler joining me made all the difference in the world. She makes my Ambatalia aprons look soooo good.

We are collaborating on textiles together. Our first Project was the baguette bag and now we are doing produce bags together. All of the textiles are made with real French seams and Maria's art work is amazing. If you haven't seen her eat local calenders. Put it on your list for must have this holiday season. I 'v never seen any thing so beautiful and useful. She also does native plants calenders and greeting cards. Screen printed in Oakland Ca. You can purchase ambatalia textiles.

Go to our NEW WEB SITE TO SHOP.

The performance art piece showcased Japanese artist SASAKI, clad in a silver jumpsuit, listening to a donor’s heartbeat and tracing the pattern of the rhythm in red paint with an airbrush. Each hexagon in the series represents one minute’s duration of the donor’s heartbeat. The art is being created as an effort to raise money for Architecture for Humanity’s relief and rebuilding efforts in Japan.

yep that's me, my heart beat was pounding on a loud speaker. It was pretty cool. Every heart beat has a different sound and rhythm uniting all of us in the big honeycomb.

working on a new bag, hemp, French seams in side out with hand cut and sewn leather handles.
Sturdy, Sassy and Sustainable.

Maria

Happy customer with apron dyed by Rebecca Burgess

for Ambatalia in Toyon, native to California

Launching Ambatalia Local Plant Dye Collection at Dwell On Design 2011

2011-06-21T09:37:00.000-07:00

I have had such an exciting week starting off with the amazing Green Gala fashion show at the Berkeley Botanical gardens last Saturday to being a part of the Dwell On Design through Remodelista at the LA Convention Center opening this Friday the 24th. Amongst other designers such as Glassybaby, Heath Ceramics, Studio Patro and Atelier de Troupe just to name a few but it's pretty exciting line up.

If you are in LA and want to come, you do not have to purchase a ticket to enjoy the market.

Launching my local plant dye line there at dwell with two summer colors Toyon Red and Distaff Green.

I am also collaborating with Maria Schoettler on bread and produce bags.

Toyon

Native California Chaparral species,

habitat for songbirds.

Wooly Thistle Distaff: Carthamus Ianatus

Invasive species that whose removal saves our

wildlands from unnecessary chemical sprays.

The UC Botanical Garden Green Gala

2011-06-20T00:06:00.000-07:00

This show was first class ( I heard a gentleman say that behind me in the audience). My pieces are on the two Brunette cuties Mogana and Hanna. They were truly amazing. My pieces were called READY FOR ANYTHING Apron dresses. Hanna is wearing a reclaimed Cone Mill denim halter dress (hand stitched) with a reclaimed dip dyed in Distaff produce hat and Morgana is wearing a hemp tunic with three pockets on the front and back with a distaff fade and a Furoshiki reclaimed knit also dipped in Distaff.

There was such beautiful work there that I cried at one point. The combination of The Botanical Gardens, the incredible designers and models to of course Sasha Duerr, Christine Manoux and Deepa Natarajan that put the whole thing together. Every designer had such a flare of their own from outrageous and elegant to simple chic. Go here to see what I did at the first Gala. This is going to be a wonderful tradition that I know will only get better year by year. So if you could not make it this year, put this in June for next year and enjoy an amazing day that raises funds for one of the most beautiful and important Gardens in the country. Thank you Paige for the beautiful Photos. There is also a nice post at Ecouterre.

Ambatalia

Cassidy Wright of

THE MOON

Sasha Duerr and Casey Larkin of

ADIE + GEORGE

Ambatalia Girls

Nicole Markoff of

NICACELLY

Mariah Carlson and Alice Wu

of FERAL CHILD

Amber Elandt

Arial Bishop of SPIKIT

Cory Gunter of

THE MOON

Ambatalia Produce hat

Sky Schuchman

Sarah Borruso of

STARS + RAVENS

Angelina DeAntonis

of OCELOT

The colors of summer

2011-06-14T15:57:00.000-07:00

Getting ready for the Green Gala Fashion Show at the Berkeley Botanical Gardens, it all starts off with a walk in Nicasio at Marin Carbon Project. My daughter Camille and her friend Morgana volunteer to come harvest with me. Rebecca Burggess brings us on this journey to save these prickly dye plants, an invasive species whose removal saves our wild lands from unnecessary chemical sprays from unnecessary chemical sprays. This is my process of dying with Wooly distaff thistle, Pretty exciting!

Jullian is my assistant, obviously he is doing all of the work and loving every minute of it.

The distaff plant is prickly and the color that it gives is a very bright yellow, I wanted it to have more green in it. Rebecca advised to put copper in the pot.

Soaking the fabric in water.

My first piece for the fashion show is called Ready for Anything! Using reclaimed denim, I am dying the pockets and some accent pieces on the back with distaff and then the sewing is done by hand. I'm making this a tradition even though this is only my second year of being in this show. I love to feel the real time it takes to make something useful excluding the time it took to grow the cotton, mill it, spin it and then weave it. Oops, there are a lot of steps even before I start to sew. I think we forget how much time and effort actually goes into making something. Always bragging I got it for $9.99 at Target. YIKES!! I think I would rather live with less.

The beginning idea

After a long boil, I had to remove some plant to make room for fabric, hemp webbing and twill tape.

My other piece is reminiscent of an apron that is the same on the front and back and ties on the side. I creating my version with a distaff yellow fade, working on it here! oh ya!

Annabel, Jullian and I watched as the soda ash from Rebbeca's stash instantly brings out this amazing Brighter color. Do you see the beautiful reflection of the redwood trees in the smaller pot?

I see the plastic

2011-06-09T23:31:00.000-07:00

photo by Camille Tupper

TESS FELIX

Both Tess Felix and Judith and Richard Lang's art work can be seen at 142 Throckmorton in Mill Valley until June 30th.

FROM HERE TO ETERNITY

Judith Selby Lang and Richard Lang

Plastics collected off Kehoe Beach, a remote stretch of the Point Reyes National Seashore, in Northern California. Both Tess Felix and Judith and Richard Lang's art work can be seen at 142 Throckmorton in Mill Valley until June 30th.

Plastics sold at California Academy of Science

I find this hypocrisy disturbing.

All this effort to teach us about our environment and how to protect it and then turn around and sell products that are part of the problem. Kids are going to catch on smarties.

Costco plastic

Nature colour Indigo

2011-05-31T08:09:00.000-07:00

SWEET

2011-05-25T16:27:00.001-07:00

My friend and head baker at Marge Meagan Gordon wrote a sweet something about Ambatalia over at Bay Area Bites. I was super excited when I went to read what she was up to on her blog. I didn't want to stop reading. She really has a gift of baking yumminess and telling story's.

MODERN TROUSSEAU

2011-05-06T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have been working on the modern trousseau for a while now. Creating what I think are the essential textiles needed to avoid plastic bags, packaging, virgin trees and the overall wasteful conveniences of our modern times. The trousseau was a very important part of having a home Jess Flood and Kate Webber created an amazing visual celebration with goods from Ambatalia and other local artists, Heath from Sausalito and my dear friend Trish from Rough Linen and more. Go have a LOOK....

Ambatalia Furoshiki Kitchen Towels

Fibershed

2011-04-21T19:44:00.000-07:00

My Life is so full right now, actually overflowing. Finally I feel like there is a community building around something I have been dreaming about for a long time and it's because of Rebecca Burgess's idea of the Fibershed project that has brought all of the different elements needed to create a strong enough movement to bring some change round how we think about fiber, fabric, clothes and how their made and who makes them. Every day I breath in new inspiration looking at native plants wondering if they will dye fabric, or dreaming of hemp, cotton and flax fields right here in California. I feel blessed to be a part of this and excited to bring this concept more and more into the Ambatalia collection.

One woman that has made this a reality is Sally Fox. If you don't know who she is... Go forth and learn as much as you can. I met her only on the phone when my shop was just opening. In 2003 when I was researching organic fabric and where to get it for my shop, that's who came up on the Internet "Sally Fox". I called her directly because I had to have her color grown cotton in my store. She was lovely to talk to and her story and fabric had so much integrity and such beauty. Of course most of Rebecca's wardrobe is made out of the colors of nature all because of Sally fox. Unfortunitly there is not much out there in the way of milled organic cotton( I hope that will change soon). I made some under garments and a dress out of sally fox's color grown jersey for Rebecca's wardrob. I hope she loves it as much as I loved working with this amazing fabric.

Sally Fox

Table cloths I made for the event

Nancy Ottenstein's hand spun and plant dyed wool

Katherine Jolda ridin her wool carding bicycle.
This bike is so cool! I think she even sells kits.
Just think working out has a whole new purpose!

My favorite pieces by Dyan Ashby
love the colors!!

Flags I made for the event, you can kind of see
them in front of the Tibetan pray flags.

Harmony friends having a great time.

The quilt that I made got sold, this was hard for me to let go of, all the linen and hemp I collected and some fabrics I just cherish and then put them all into one quilt.

I hope the lady that bought it really enjoys it.

I bought Rebecca's book Harvesting Color and cherish every word. The pictures
are amazing all done by Paige Greene. The first thing I did was walk down to the corner and got some fennel. I want to know all of the plants in my area that I can use for dying.

This made me cry, Thanks Ashley

2011-04-21T19:38:00.000-07:00

Love L.A

2011-04-21T08:01:00.000-07:00

2011-04-19T16:43:00.000-07:00

Joshua Tree

2011-04-16T21:08:00.000-07:00

hopespring

2011-04-10T11:42:00.001-07:00

Life is changing for me in a bigger way then the usual. More and more I realize every moment is precious. I strive to be less self centered and more giving centered if that makes any sense. Lots goin on for me, obviously to much to freaken blog about it. The good news is with the help of friends and colleges i am simplifying my life in a huge way, so more and more life is becoming less stressful and less complicated. I will fill you in on the events coming up.

Studentsrebuild

Julian working on my products. Big story and will go in to detail at a later date.

Dress I made for Annabel. Pretty fulfilling. I hand stitched every thing and made it by holding up the fabric to her body and then just cutting out the shapes; I know shameless. So much fun and she looked so beautiful in it.

THE POTTERY STUDIO IN BERKELEY, CA

2011-02-11T08:31:00.000-08:00

Driving over to the Gardener to deliver some Furoshiki, I took Gilman so that I could drive through the industrial area where there is some hard core working going on . I love the sights and the smells of machinery. It reminds me so much of my dad. I drove super slow to take it all in. I'm realizing that I am so drawn to using vintage machines and tools. The last few days I have fantasizing about a workshop stocked with industrial sewing machines, tools and a beautiful well lighted space to create. I hand set my grommets right now on my aprons, but looking into buying some machines to do that for me and some other toys. Any way driving through that area in Berkeley so reminds me of how much I love all of that stuff. Growing up my dad had a Machine shop that he made all sorts of stuff from wooden yoyos , racket ball paddles and brass buckles to furniture. The smell of the ocean reminds me of my dad as well cause he lived on a sail boat for years. All his clothes smelled like that musty sea salt smell. It makes me miss him and it makes me happy at the same time. I think he influence what i love to do so much more than I am aware of.

As I slowly turned the corner I saw THE POTTERY STUDIO. I had a few minuets to spare and a strong pull to go in. I found a very special place inside. It felt like I was back in the 70s. The people so welcoming and the programs so easy and accessible. I knew I would be back. They welcome kids, but it doesn't have that cater to kids vibe that I can sometimes do with out. I'm looking forward to making time to go throw a collection of plates, cups and bowls for my house. I grew up with heath and inherited 6 classic blue plates from my Mom. I would love to make something that compliments that esthetic. I know I make it sound so easy right? I'm dreaming about giving it a shot. My sister Colleen is a great ceramicist. she is taking classes and working in a studio in L.A producing some stuff that I can't wait to see. She is a huge inspiration to me. Sorry about the crappy photos, I had to share with you any way.

2011-01-30T12:23:00.000-08:00

Yea, I created a tumblr site, because some times I get stuck and this gives me freedom. I get so much enjoyment and inspiration from looking at so many images at one time and then some how, at some point all of that randomly edites somewhere in side of me and it all comes together in an one very important idea( to me). Is there such a thing as a creative orgasm. It kind of feels like that, super satisfying . I figure my friends can go here when their fed up with me not posting for so long. I guess I could of done the same thing here, but it just feels so right posting one lovely thing after another with no rhyme or reason when ever I feel like it. I hope you like.

Hey I'm about to give away a huge collection of non disposable life goods at My plastic free life
I'm actually really excited to be apart of Beth Terry's world formerly known as fake plastic fish. I am totally grateful to her and her followers. I believe my giveaway brought more than 30 challengers to see how much plastic they use in their lives. Mostly courageous lovely people who deeply care about our lovely earth.

Ambatalia brings in the love from friends

2011-01-11T00:59:00.001-08:00

Ya man, I don't want to be that gal any more. I have been deeply inspired by my new friend Danielle from It starts with me. Her commitment is contagious. I really want to start something up either at Muir, point Reyes, Stinson or Bolinas? She is the one that inspired me to do my 5 min at Drakes at the Fibershed seaside. I know it was only 5 mins, but I knew I was starting something. Thinking of Danielle and who ever inspired her and hopefully you and so on and so on and so on.....You know what I'm saying. Any way I have some sweet goods at my market store including my Friend Tisha Thompson's crochet market bags. I supply the hemp and she supplies the talent. Come see me some Saturday.

Lovely new friends and gorgeous fresh delectables

fibershed sea side

2011-01-04T22:28:00.000-08:00

It's because of Rebecca Burgess that we are building our local fibershed again as a community, you have to go see her site for incredible pictures of this day. Seriously, go see the pictures, they put mine to shame. I feel honored to be a part of it. So many amazing connections to people that I have dreamt of having in my life.

What a magical day at Drakes beach, Point Reyes. Just the drive alone got my so excited, I could not believe that I live a hour away from this place. Did I forget? Annabel, Jullian and I arrived and the first thing we saw were three sleeping elephant seals, scattered on the beach. It made our day!!! We only experienced more and more beauty as the day went on. To see more beautiful pictures please jump here.

Sweet Rebecca giving a toast.

Mom, a tree

Toyon and sage

Salt water bath

Annabel playing with Shibori of rocks and string .

my salt water soak( just doin my own thang over here)

A friend cooking venison for us to eat. Delicious

Katherine sharing her home brew of honey mead and a smile.

Jullian made a natural bottle and cork out of kelp. He was so excited to find that by pumping it, he would have a water gun. I think he learned more in that invention than he would of learned in school that day, oops.

I had started a basket with kelp, learning from my friend that you always have to warp your basket with an odd number. So I took that even number and started the weaving and then it became a community basket.

Annabel's masterpiece of Native Toyon and Shibori

Different mushroom dyes created by Dustin. On the drive out in my mind I was creating a mushroom dyed cloth bag as an alternative to that paper bag we use in so many ways. Perfectly I met my teacher.

The copper used as a mordant, the steam and the fire was magnificent

Native Toyon

What we brought home

Happy New year

2010-12-30T16:46:00.000-08:00

Good Morning friends and Happy New Year,

There is such a strong feeling of transformation for me on New years morning. Its so exciting. I'm grateful this year for so many different things. My beautiful family, friends, my sweet home and work. My life is a work and progress. Every moment a new chance to grab what I want and leave what I don't.

As usual I've been a bad girl about my blog. Please forgive my infrequent posts.

Here are my resolutions for 2011, I do them because its a way to really put intention in what I really want for my self in life. They all ultimately support me being present in my body and with my family and friends.

1. Make lists ( less crazy talk in my head!)

2. I am starting Beth T erry's fake plastic fish challenge" show your plastic waste" Please join me. I will start posting a picture of all the plastic my family consumes weekly.

2. Make a inspiration board ( never really did this) I really am inspired by the people that keep a very clear and beautiful inspiration board. Mine will be both inspiration, design ideas and details.

3. Taking care of my body year, walking for pleasure and yoga.

4. Organize enough to delegate.

5. document and post more on my blog, ( this one scares me the most)

I am putting together a fabulous HUGE give away this month, but it won't be for a few weeks. keep checking in.

I hope you all have a beautiful, wonderful weekend!!!

Thank you Nicole for this connection from The Selby.

Albert and Gillian Maysles home in Harlem reminds me that beautiful living spaces don't have to be clean and modern.

bags for everything from bread and bulk to produce and snacks.

2010-12-03T23:03:00.000-08:00

Ambatalia Work and Play Aprons

2010-12-01T09:59:00.000-08:00

Ambatalia Dish Towel Furoshiki

2010-11-29T20:47:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited to be able to share my work with you finnally with an amazing eye behind the camera. I first met Paige Green working with Fibershed and fell in love with how she captures life. If you want a visual and heart felt treat visit her web site.

There are many ways you can use a square cloth. The Japanese call it Furoshiki but its been used around the world for centurys. I like to call it a square cloth. I find it very simple and very useful.

I have created a dish towel square cloth to add many more uses to it. It all about the fabric. These towels are made of Hemp, linen and organic cotton. Great for kitchen use.

Ambatalia twill tape tag for hanging on a hook. I throw mine on the oven rod thingy.

This towel is natural linen.

Tying and carrying lunch, becomes a napkin or table cloth.

Tying two knots on top of each other. With this tin, I put the first one through the handle.

This towel is hemp and organic cotton.

Two bottle wrap.

Pull them up to center and tye the first knot.

Second knot, tada!

I use this alot, for carrying casserole, gifting or transporting bread and so much more.

Two books. great for gifting, but there is no reason why you wouldn't want to carry them back to the library like this. I use this one the least, but it is so sweet.

Marin Country Mart/ Larkspur Landing

2010-11-14T08:02:00.001-08:00

I'm so excited to have a new little store front to share my work and inspirations every week. The Marin Country Mart Farmers market which is located at the old Larkspur landing site. This Market is open Every Saturday from 9-2. I am honored to be a part of it. The people are amazing and I really truly have enjoyed it the last three weeks its been open. Here are a few photos to introduce you to my new digs.

Celebrate everything flags for non waste partys.

$35.00 4 yards. Photo by Andrew weeks

Ambatalia furoshiki

Photo by Andrew Weeks

Origami bulk bags ( new natural linen ones coming)

Produce bags in reclaimed cotton, linen, vintage hemp and rafia.

waste not, want not proverb if you use a commodity or resource carefully

and without extravagance, you will never be in need.

New big ole market bag, inside out reclaimed denim and hemp webbing super strong straps.

Packing up Liberty Furoshiki.

Plastic state of mind

2010-11-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

Hey ya'll,
If you look real close you can see me. Kinda fun and right to the point.

Plastic State of Mind from Ben Zolno on Vimeo.

I love

2010-08-17T19:42:00.000-07:00

I am busy with a lot of exciting things happening in my life. I have three beautiful kids that need my love, support and just to be the Mama doing nothing is a huge gift to them and myself. I'm so passionate about my work, I forget the balance sometimes.

Things I'm up to.
I'm really excited to be apart of the new Marin Country mart farmers market in Larkspur ( used to be Larkspur landing). The best thing about it is they are modeling it after the Point Reyes Farmers market. That's pretty impressive!! It will be an all year market on Saturdays from 9 to 2, Starting October 30th. I'm looking forward to bringing some interesting projects and sharing ways to use textiles in shopping and of course I will have an array of bags, furoshiki, aprons and more to sell. It is a plastic free market, YEY!!!

I also will be doing a workshop at the next under ground market in San fran. It will be happening September 11th at somarts.

I will be at the Gardener in the Ferry building market place doing a demonstration focusing on the use of Furoshiki in wrapping and carrying and also using bags to shop in bulk and at the market. October 9th, 10:00 to 2:00. I would love to see you there.

I'm realizing as I'm writing this, that I am in a really exciting time in my life. I can't tell you hard I have worked to bring my passion to my community in a real way. I feel so proud of my self for sticken to it. My work gives me so much fulfillment, its hard to explain. I hope that shows out there.
Another beautiful connection is that I am participating in Fibershed with Rebecca Burgess. For her project I am making her under garments , a night/ day shirt, and she wants to weave cloth, so that I can make her a furoshiki. If you don't know about Fibershed, you have to check it out.

I'm signing off with some random pictures of what I love and little bits of my sweet life.

todays givaway winner

2010-08-06T10:41:00.000-07:00

Wow, what a wonderful experience for me to finally offer a set of my new Ambatalia,"to the market" origami reusable food bags as a give away. I sincerely want to thank Dana Velden at Apartment Therapy for writing such a wonderful post about my new bags and bringing attention to them. I feel like the true winner. Everyone had such great tricks and ideas. You all inspire me to really get my systems down. What I didn't realize was how hard it would be to pick one better than the other. I have been reading all of your comments over and over, again and again. Getting to know you through your blogs, learning what talented people you all are. I am seriously sitting here going crazy trying to pick one of you.
I have chosen Lorena , I just keep going back to her no nonsense system.
Thank you all for your patients and thoughtful impute.

As William McDonough, author of Cradle to Cradle, says, "the thrill is not getting to zero waste, but in unleashing creativity through a new vision of abundance."

Leaving you with Beth Terry video on how she keeps it together.

To the market we go and I don't need no stinken plastic bags.

2010-07-27T22:59:00.001-07:00

So I'm super excited about my new line Ambatalia "to the market", so that you don't have to use plastic bags. This plastic bag plague that we have been in since the 50's is on its way out. Find out more about plastics and recycling at the Ecology Center in Berkeley where they are leading the way. I share my experience at my new blog, about how to shop with out plastic bags or packaging for my family. These bags I make are for buying bulk and produce, inspired by a vintage Japanese pattern. They are so useful and super cute and they support our local economy. I use unused reclaimed fabric that is right here in the bay area, no shipping across the globe. You will see my textiles at the new Marin Country Mart, every Saturday mornings 9am to 2 starting October 30th, the underground markets and of course my etsy shop.

I would love to give away a free set. Three big and 6 small. Leave a comment on your best trick to NEVER forget your bags for the market, produce, bulk shopping and all those little last minute purchases?????? I will pick who has the most practical tricks. I know its kind of a silly question, but so many people complain about it.. including myself

I will anounce the winner friday August 6th

Mama figuring it out.

My friend Christine styling away... check out this sweet interview and photos of her work.

My girl friend Lorain( my sewing angel), carrying fabric home in a fabulous Furoshiki

Fibershed project

2010-07-15T18:39:00.000-07:00

Rebecca Burgess from Fibershed is an amazing native plant dyer, teacher and fiber artist. My heart is racing with inspiration. I found her flipping through web pages quite a long time ago and have been following her since. I feel so grateful to have found her. I have met her once in person and plan to get over the hill between us and get to know her more. She is doing such amazing work. I hope she will allow me to be a part of it.

"Our fibershed challenge is to create a bioregional wardrobe that will be lived in for one year and made completely from fibers and natural dyes that are solely sourced within a geographical region no larger than 150 miles from my front door."

fibershed from Zoe Minikes on Vimeo.

Deepa and Gautam's wedding

2010-07-10T18:55:00.000-07:00

Check out Ashley's blog to see more beautiful pictures

designs in progress

2010-07-09T09:40:00.000-07:00

Ambatalia, making happy
Bulk

reclaimed denim, two pockets, french twill and gromits

hemp, organic cotton ticking, french twill, large all the way around pockets and gromits

garden (not limited to)

Foraging belt: plums, lemons, water cress and plants.

What ever you find this belt can hold, made from thrifted Ben Davis shirt.

produce bag made from tee shirt

2010-07-07T13:21:00.000-07:00

I know this has been done a jillion times. I was inspired by my sister Colleen at Taking the reins in L.A. She is doing a garden course with her students and was talking about creating a produce bag with her friend Raina, and her students. This is just one of many ideas out there. I did a simple photo tutorial. This is something that any one can do and its only one seam. You can either use a machine or hand stitch. I recommend useing a zig zag stitch if you are using a machine.

Use any tee shirt that you like.

Fold it in half. Cut sleeve off and cut neck in a half U shape, it dosen't matter if they are equal in depth.

You can turn inside out to sew or not. Be creative.

Sew bottom seam only.

Y

Birthday and best friend

2010-06-27T15:23:00.000-07:00

It was so lovely to see my friend Mol's work her at one of my favorite stores in the world.

I had so much fun on my birthday. I went with my daughter Camille for a day out at Point Reyes and Bolinas. We visited my best friend and son and had a blast. Anna and her family have been a main influence in what I like in a home. I grew up going to her house starting at the age of 12. I love her so much, when we get together its pure joy. This is her home in Bolinas that has been in the family for years. Her mother is Swedish and that area of the world has always been a huge inspiration to me. I hope you enjoy.

water shed project with Jullian's class

2010-06-03T23:47:00.001-07:00

I learned so much about the Mt. Tamalpias water shed from these kids. The process was so much fun. Using scrap fabrics gave the kids an awarness in using what we have and a freedom of creativity.

this moment

2010-05-21T22:52:00.000-07:00

Inspired by Friday ritual

Where I get crazy amounts of inspiration

2010-05-13T07:15:00.000-07:00

Kinokuniya books in Japan center is one my favorit places to go. We do family outings there a lot. We have food, crepes and Mama runs off to be alone in her wonderland.

Happy Mothers Day

2010-05-09T10:29:00.000-07:00

Mothers day is the best. Its 10:30 and I'm still in bed. I have lots to do, but not doing a thing. I do want to make Greek yogurt. My family came in with love, crepes, coffee and gifts. I had to share Jullian's ( 7) , because it was so sweet. Check out my stance. I look like I can take any thing on!!!! I love that he sees me that way and he has so much respect for sewing. So cool!!

After deciphering what the poem said, this is what it read.

She looks like star

She smells like lavender.

When I'm sick she takes care of me.

I'm a good sewer because I have her blood.

this moment:

2010-05-09T08:48:00.001-07:00

My boys building chicken coop.

Friday ritual posted on Mothers day

non disposable life

2010-05-06T14:50:00.000-07:00

I'm so busy with my new blog that I created with my friend Mary. It's a challange that we have created to live a non disposable life. I will leave you with some pictures of our new chickens that badly need a chicken coupe. I can see why she asked me to stop useing my iphone as a camera, ooops.

THE FABRIC SOCIETY, Paulistano Armchair, slipcover pattern and fabric

2010-04-27T10:40:00.000-07:00

This Week Remodelista will be doing thier first DIY Video. They have some great ideas to remake a slipcover for the Paulistano armchair. I will be selling this simple pattern with appropriate fabric on my etsy site. It's pretty dino!!! This is a sample in denim. I will also offer in natural hemp as well. I will let you all know when it's live!!!