Michelle Brusegaard

My name is Michelle Brusegaard, and I make all kinds of art. I received my BFA in Painting and Photography, but took several surface design courses and have continued to develop those skills.

My first love of fiber started with batik. I started off with muslin, making banners and hangings. I moved to silk and fell in love with it. The idea that something so delicate can be slathered several times over with hot wax and return to its initial delicacy still fascinates me. I start with Dharma's scarves in 8mm habotai, chiffon, crepe de chine, flat crepe and velvet. I then use a mixture of paraffin and beeswax to create the design. I use a number of different application techniques; most often I use traditional tjanting tools, and for fine details, my electric tjanting tool that I have only ever seen at Dharma- it's very handy. I also apply wax with bristle brushes. I used successive baths of Procion MX dyes, setting them with soda ash.

I also enjoy screen-printing hand-dyed fabrics, using speedball inks and screens. I have had lovely effects screen printing on velvet and dharma's woven cotton scarves. I've also been using this technique to create cloth dinner napkins. I sell my scarves at various shops, and also online at www.michellebrusegaard.etsy.com. My website is www.michellebrusegaard.com.