Featured Artist : Kelly Mull | Kelly Mull Photography...and Batik!
Hello from Montana,
I'm Kelly Mull in Columbia Falls, Montana. I became interested in making tablecloths when I saw that someone had painted with acrylic paints on one that my mother had, and the paint was chipping off. Coming from an artistic family, I have always had several ideas and projects roaming through my head in the middle of the night, and I decided to take one of these ideas and run with it. I mentioned my idea to another artist friend and we got busy ordering our first set of dyes and resist, with no idea what we were doing. Instead of starting small, I charged headfirst into tablecloths, figuring it would all work out if I just committed to the idea. Shortly after, I ended up buying my friend out of her half of the supplies and set up my basement. After my first one (the blue one), my daughter needed 20 tablecloths for her Hawaiian themed wedding. She liked the blue one I'd done and wanted to do something similar for her wedding. So, we set out with 20 bedsheets and sudo-batiked them all for her wedding. All but four of them dissappeared off the tables. I embarked on the yellow one for my mother that following Christmas, which was my largest piece so far at 10' x 5'. Since then, my mother has had many parties showcasing the tablecloth and gaining many complements. Recently, I made a few more and decided to try our local farmers market to see what interest might walk by.
I am now looking for other ways to showcase my work and spread the word. I use procion dyes and have used both Jaquard Water Based Resist and Presist to hold lines. The fabrics I use are 100% cotton tablecloth blanks, and are treated with a water resistant ski jacket product to repel stains. The yellow tablecloth has been machine washed a dozen times, and is as bright as it was the day I dyed it. I offer custom designs and colors to suit any decor. I offer several sizes to accomodate different table sizes and offer napkins to match. I also do infant and adult shirts using the same technique, and have found that the dyes stay well on 90% cotton and 10% spandex, as well as the 90% rayon and 10% spandex.
where tablecloths can be viewed. Still looking to perfect the craft, I now have Dharma's number programmed into my cell phone. Wish they were closer.... Dye on, my friends!!
Phone: 406-249-4082
Email at kkmphoto@hotmail.com or www.kkmphoto.com
Dharma Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes
This is the #1 best dye we recommend for tie-dye, batik, dye-painting or screening, etc. on cotton, rayon, bamboo, Tencel®, linen and other natural fibers. Also for solid color dyeing and many other techniques!
Jacquard Clear Water Based Resist
Economical, odorless, non-toxic, washes out with warm water, and can be silk screened!
100% Linen Napkins, Placemats, Table Runners
Classy, high quality, and affordable! Matching linen items ready to be dyed and painted.