Visit: http://threadsoflife.com/
Nestled in the rice paddy surrounds, just a little north of Ubud lies the nature retreat of Umajati (http://www.umajati.com/). I spent a nourishing four days with ‘Threads of life,’ and their wonderful team, learning the process of natural indigo dyeing and batik. Over a large basin, in the company of nine other women, we bonded and ‘brewed blue’ whilst dipping and dyeing our fabric samples. What a science! So fascinating to have had insight into a process that is such an integral part of the Indonesian Art and textile culture_the technique being disseminated out in order to be kept alive. The organisation facilitates business for local weavers and dyers throughout 80 communities across Indonesia, using only local ingredients and resources. We watched picked green indigo leaves, from the on site garden, turn water their signature potent blue overnight which felt almost alchemic. The bubbles on the surface of the water a record of the glorious reaction that had occurred. The local guys that taught us were so knowledgeable. People asked for exact recipes and scientific breakdowns, to which they replied ‘you must feel it.’ Play, experiment, and understand how the materials inter-relate and react. The course leader, Pong, was truly inspiring when he described how important it is to have a focus on what you’re passionate about. His shared pearl of wisdom – ‘to be fanatical about what you are exploring.’
Earth to Earth 