Jerusha Costello

As a child, I would always draw, paint, or sketch something. In school, I doodled, and was told many times to put my art supplies away and focus on school work. I, at one point, was called by one of my friends the "Crayola Kid." As I got toward my high school years, I started thinking that I wanted to be a fashion designer, and soon started sketching a child's clothing line. During high school, I started finding other interests such as music and traveling. In my travels, I was exposed to the Grateful Dead. From there, I met my husband. I saw a couple different styles of Batik at the shows and fell in love with them.

In 1995, my son was born, and my husband and I wanted to find Batiks like those we saw at the shows for our son -- we had a hard time locating them. In 2000 a friend of mine, Jenni, showed me how to make Celtic Batik Knots on muslin. I was hooked. From there, I started thinking back to when I couldn't find Batik children's clothes for my son and soon decided that I wanted to be able to provide families with fun, unique, Batik clothing for their kids.

I began experimenting in 2003 as much as I could. I started selling my Batiks at the Artisans Market, and to friends. As I got the hang of each step, I began to teach my husband; he too enjoyed the art of Batik and soon began helping to create designs and clothing. We decided that it was time to sell our batiks at music venues, where we could reach more families. Our first show was in Ohio, and we couldn't believe the reaction we got from the people there. It was great! So now we travel during the spring-fall months to sell our Batiks.

I created a website where people can easily order online. We have some of our items in stores and in a Yoga studio. We are having so much fun learning new ways of batik and can't seem to stick to just a few designs. I thought my dream of becoming a designer was lost, but little did I know that it would come back as Batik!!

My friend turned me on to Dharma, and I've been hooked ever since. I use the cute children's dresses, infant rompers, infant lap tees, leggings, and of course the doggie tees. I love the Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes. I've tried others and haven't been happy. I order the Tjanting tools from Dharma and they seem to hold up really well where other companies Tjanting tools break.

The staff at Dharma has been nothing but super friendly and helpful. I love the music they use too when your placed on hold!! Keep the good vibes flowing!!! You can check out all our styles and designs at www.treetownbatiks.com. Thanks Dharma!!!

Tree Town Batiks
3450 Richard St.
Ann Arbor,Mi 48104
734-975-2307