Zinnia-mania…
Hello everyone,
When I mentioned in the ‘autumn update’ newsletter that I was treading literally with fear, trepidation and great care in one little pocket of the garden…I wasn’t kidding! These bursts of pure, colourful joy are growing in their own enclosure, with a tiny gate through which I can just squeeze, in order to remove spent blooms! This year they’re all self sown, which means there’s hardly a space between each plant for me to tread…so I’ve had to use my very best twinkle-toe agility to manoeuvre between them! As a general rule, it wouldn’t matter so much, but this season…we have India Flint heading our way with a workshop like no other in the planning…and I’m terrified of losing even one potential flower!
PETAL POUNDING & PRESERVATION DYEING with INDIA FLINT will take place on SUNDAY 01 MAY and you are very warmly invited to join us. It will be a day of pure, intoxicating, colourful delight…of swirling thought, captivating beauty and pure immersion!
Whilst India is best known for her eco-dyeing with Australian botanical specimens; and this is where the focus has been on her previous visits to Glenmore (with spectacular and enduring results – I still wear the scarves from those workshops more than any other); that’s not to say they’re the only botanicals with which India works.
The inspiration for this workshop came about partly from something I drew enormous pleasure from taking part in some years ago (and that version will come to the fore as a significant component in the field of flowers workshops when they eventuate – hopefully later this year). But; when India posted something on instagram last year, it triggered an urgent desire do it now! And with precision!
That post set us off on one of our long chains of excited correspondence and this date for petal pounding & preservation dyeing is the result! ‘May Day has a sweet ring to it…for playing with flowers…’India said. ‘Would a Sunday work for you?’ You bet!
I swear that if you think you have not an ounce of creativity in your body, being in India’s presence will magically conjure it. No previous experience is required (or expected). In store will be a day of inspiration…of flower play, of poetry, pounding, drawing and colour. Oh and food of course…a garden-inspired, long table seasonal lunch almost goes without saying!
You will take away not just a surprise of your own making in a jar to unravel later (now that will require patience if you can muster it, or not, as the case may be!) as well as other little gems and treasures in various form.
In the meantime, please wish me well with the Zinnias…never before has such focus been placed on them! Down the back, they form a significant landing stage in my bee superhighway (so in fact they have a very important role to play) but usually I just admire their beauty en masse from afar, or as exquisite individuals, without actually doing anything specific with them. Some have heard me wax lyrical at their every stage (podcast or live!); from bud (like mermaid scales) through gradual petal opening, ’til at last they reveal a pollen-laden fairy ring at the centre of each flower. They may not be scented but I’ve yet to find someone who doesn’t declare Zinnias make them smile.
You will discover all the details for our splendid workshop with India here. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. India and I will SO look forward to sharing this glorious day with you!
With very best wishes,
Mickey
