Featured Artist : Christy TooheyHummingbird Batiks

I have been playing with the Batik process for over 30 years! Like many others, I took a class in college, and I was hooked. I started out doing wall hangings and pictures with multiple dips. Then, in 1992 I discovered Dharma Trading Co, and I started putting my designs on clothing. I loved the selection of clothing and fabrics, and I wanted to sample everything. The colors of the procion dyes are amazing, and I loved the way the wax crackles and adds to the design.

I started a business called "Hummingbird Designs" with my husband, and we "hit the road" for many years doing music and art festivals around the country. With the birth of my 2nd child, I decided to "quit" batiking to raise my children and didn't do my art for 10 years!

When I started again in 2007 an explosion of designs and pictures came out of me and I realized how much I had missed it. I was ready to form a new company and follow my dream to be more sustainable. I was delighted to find that Dharma Trading was also thinking like me. I ordered their new "soy wax," samples of hemp and organic cotton fabric, and new Tjanting pens from Bali. It took a while to figure out the new wax, but I love a challenge and am very pleased with the results.

My new company is called "Hummingbird Batiks," and I am using soy wax, hemp and organic fabric on my tote bags, prayer flags and clothing. I may still have to use some of the great Rayon clothes from Dharma as they are so soft, take the colors of the dyes so brilliantly, and everyone loves them. Thanks to Dharma Trading for inspiring me all these years.