I am greatly inspired by nature and textiles, and have been sewing all my life. I began sewing by hand, graduated to a small toy machine I got for Christmas, and then moved up to my Moms Singer. I was a self-taught sewer. Equipped with only the pattern instructions and the sewing machine manual, I made the clothing designs I had in my head come to life. I always desired to be a clothing designer, and "took the plunge" in 1987, when I started my own clothing line. I primarily specialized in coats created from vintage kimono, obi, and textiles from Japan. I do not use patterns, but prefer to drape the fabrics on the dress form, pin, and sew. I work very intuitively, moved by colors, textures, and drape...I play a lot when I am creating! Around 2000 I yearned to start creating my own fabrics and set about doing so. I was awarded 2 individual artist grants in order to do so. Believe you me, I got to know both the Dharma Trading website and catalog intimately! The final product of the second grant, titled "The Four Elements: My Journey into Surface Design" was, I would say, 98% composed of supplies found through Dharma!

Introducing my own original, hand dyed fabrics into my work has been extremely rewarding. I am a HUGE fan of Jacquard Acid dyes for my silk shibori work (I either order yardage or blanks from Dharma) for their brilliance and truth in color. I also utilize Dharma Fiber Reactives; discharging products, and have a GREAT time "playing" around with "Alter Ego" dyes! I costume for the ballet as well,so I can't rave enough about Dharma's products for all of that stuff, too (Jone's Tones ROCKS!) On a more serious note, Dharma has all of the equipment required to make it all happen safely!

Sincerely,

Caryne Mount
www.carynemount.com