About a week ago we were in a creative mood. So, we ventured forth to Park Slope's newest creative retail space, Hiho Batik, where children and adults alike have the opportunity to design their own pieces (think t-shirts, pillowcases, hoodies,etc) using hot wax & dyes then watching it all come to life in the shops design studio. Pretty cool, no?
Hiho Batik, an art studio of sorts was born in Boulder, Co in 1994 where Julia Silver Gordon first set up shop. It later, migrated to Miami in 2003 and recently settled in Brooklyn, NY where Julia teamed up with fellow Sloper Robyn Stylman. Together, they opened Hiho Batik's flaghsip store on Brooklyn's 5th Ave-a good fit for the artisans & lovers of all things local and handmade.
So, back to feeling creative-I took a friends daughter, on a Friday, to design her first masterpiece, a pillowcase, as part of a birthday present. What better gift to give a child then that of creativity...and what better way to keep them entertained on cool fall day when Brooklyn''s hustle and bustle seemed to be on hiatus-since the well loved parks & schools were temporarily closed due the wrath of Hurricane Sandy. Hiho Batik's design studio was large, clean and oh so sleek.
Here's how it all went down:
1. The designer is given a choice to use designs already made or create their own work with pencil on tracing paper. Once happy with their design they trace over the pencil with permanent sharpie. (They need to fill the entire tracing paper to make it large enough to transfer.)
2. Next, they place the final drawing underneath the clothing piece to be traced and transferred using the hot wax. *Please note, that little ones get help from an employee when transferring for safety purposes.
3. The designer then uses the dye to paint their work using the wax as lines like when coloring. They also choose a color for the background.
4. Finally, the finished piece before it goes into the whole dying/making process-almost like a tie-dying. This process can take up to five to seven days to complete. You are contacted once your piece is ready.
Voila! Easy as 1,2,3,4. And my friends daughter loved it. What a wonderful way to unleash ones creative juices and to make a keepsake they can show off and be proud of.
Now, with the holiday's fast approaching, an arm lengths away really, this is a great gift giving idea where you can add your own personal touch. Prices range from $30 and up. And fret not, non New Yorkers, Hiho Batik also has an online retail shop that will help you find that unique something. Enjoy & create away.
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