Into the Blue: The Extraordinary World of Indigo

Instructor: Sally Blankenship

Day & Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025

Time: 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 1:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Olive's Porch believes that the classes, experiences, and skills we offer play a meaningful role in everyone's well-being. To make them as accessible as possible, our workshops are offered at three pricing levels, so each participant can choose the rate that feels right for them.

Tuition is a Sliding Scale Choose What Rate Fits for You:

·        Sponsorship $175 - For those who have enough to share

·        Standard $125 - Reflects the standard cost for this workshop

·         Scholarship $75 - For folks who would not have access to this workshop without sponsorship

Ages: Adult (18 and Up)

All levels are welcome. No experience required.

Location: This workshop takes place on the John C. Campbell Folk School Campus in the Wet Room Studio located in the ground floor of Davidson Hall. It is number 4 on the  Campus Map

Students Please Bring:

• Note taking materials.
• (Optional) A snack and/or water bottle.

Chemistry or magic? Experience the wonder of natural indigo and learn what makes indigo so special in the world of natural dyes. Hand-dye functional pieces in an indigo vat, and try simple resist techniques to give visual interest. In addition to a bit of history, indigo recipes and resources will be discussed for making a dye vat at home.  If time allows, explore color from fresh leaves as well as indigo watercolor inks. Students will dye four hankies, four napkins, one kitchen towel, and two bandanas.

An additional fee for materials provided by your instructor for this workshop is estimated at $25.00 THIS FEE IS PAYABLE TO THE INSTRUCTOR at the time of the workshop. Material fees may change depending on the number of participants and price of materials at the workshop. *Payment by cash or check is required for materials fees. 

If time and vat status allow, students can choose to purchase additional pieces for dyeing for sale by instructor. (This would not be included in the standard materials fee for this event.)

 * Workshops are subject to low enrollment cancellation if the minimum number of 4 students is not reached. If you have any questions, you’re welcome to call Olive’s Porch for up-to-date enrollment information.

About Instructor: Sally Blankenship's life was transformed by her first visit to the Folk School in 1986, and she has been an avid student of craft since that initial visit to learn white oak basketry. One thing led to another, and she now considers herself a fiber dabbler, with a particular interest in natural dyes, and a passion for indigo. She has recently developed an interest in the creation of paints and inks from natural dyes and has been pursuing studies in that field.