Unique Handcrafted Silk from Washington
Silk from the Hartz is a family business in the small town of Index, Washington, USA, in the Cascade Mountains.
Warren Hartz, the artist, hand dyes each item to create unique pieces of wearable art.
Our silk is hand painted with dye, not paint. Dyes blend with the fabric, leaving it soft and silky with a sheen that sparkles in the light. Warren has experimented extensively with resists, dyes, and techniques to create original designs on silk.
Silk is stretched on a frame and dyes are applied with Sumi brushes. Resists are applied with sponges, leaves, or fine line applicators. Wet dyes are often sprinkled with salt, creating a pattern as the dyes dry.
The silk is steamed for 3 hours, then rinsed, to set the dye and bring out vibrant colors and wonderful softness of the silk.
The finished silk is hand washable in cool water and colorfast.
Silk Painting on YouTube
See my Art of Silk Painting YouTube channel for videos on dyeing and wearing silk, such as dyeing a salt pattern scarf, painting orchids on a black tie time-lapse. or how to hold a scarf in place with magnets.
Warren has been an artist all his life. In 2000, he began dying silk while teaching art to youth in Skykomish. Having a red/green color deficiency, he often consults his wife on colors. He mixes dye colors with formulas he’s developed, using over 30 colors in some items. Blending art and science, each piece is individually hand dyed so you are wearing a unique work of art.
We no longer do street fairs. Thank you to everyone who supported us at craft fairs in the past!
Contact Us for Questions or Special Orders
Call or Email us if you have questions about what’s in stock, how long an item might take, or for custom orders.
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