Stitch, bind, fold

Some snaps from the latest experiment on shibori techniques

This week I made some of the Indun and Cakra shawls again. But I kinda bored with the dyeing techniques that I've been use for millions of times. I used to do the marbling techniques, well I must say its my favorite dyeing result, but some people start to compare my works with one of the well-known designer that getting famous for her dyeing  works, which is sucks.. because some people think I'm copying her, despite the fact that when I start dyeing, I don't even know her, nor her work :(..

Well, anyhow, I start doing some more research in dyeing techniques, and again, I stumbled upon the shibori techniques. If you remember, I have been try to do one of the technique in my collection, and it went pretty good. So again, I decided to do some shibori experiment, this time I do the pole wrapping in PVC and the a simple rubber band technique. Actually I also do the stitching technique, but it went horrible, because I use a new kind of textile that I haven't been familiar with, and apparently the fiber's gap are bigger than I though. By the way, here are my two most successful results, what do you think?

Oh yeah, if you also interested in doing your own shibori project,  here's one of the tutorial I use in making my own project. ejoy :)

Love

Kiki

Nesting

Some studio update

About a week ago, my room was finally finished it renovation, so I finally move all of my stuff and start to tidy up the place. But, thanks to my lazy butt, even after a week it seems like I could never get it together. The problem is certainly because there are things I still need to make it more neat, like I still need to buy some nice container for my fabric, also some shelf, jars for my sewing appliances, and off course a pinboard! Not to mention a desk lamp...
Nope, I'm just lazy, that's the problem. 

Oh, by the way, the cat sketches and the wood painting were from my dear friend Atit. Amazing talent. If you wanna see more of her work, go see her shop.

Love 

Kiki

Home

"Home is where the heart is"... Yikes.. It does sounds cheesy isn't it?.. Sorry, that's the only phrase that comes in my head right now, in this one crazy hot mid day in Jogja, phew..

Anyway, this is the post I've been talking about lately, regarding to the reason of why I put draoupads in a hiatus moment for some time, and recently some of you might confuse why I start to sent Draoupads product from Jogja (again). Well, this.. is people, I must say 'a confession post'. And yess, if you're guessing that I have came back to Jogja.. then you, my dear, are just.... definitely, correct. :)

About a year earlier, I've decided to go move to Bogor along with Draoupads. Well, I must say, I don't have enough option to stay in Jogja, despite how much I love the city. My impulsive decision to quit my day job and start my own label without having enough consideration, in terms of financially and strategically, made me have to accept the fact that I don't have enough fund, even just to support my life. So there it goes.. I packed my bags, my clothes, all of draoupads production items, I even sent some of my furniture to Bogor. But one thing for sure, I still left a big piece of my heart in the city. 

And then I start to live my life, in Bogor (and Jakarta). I though it won't be that hard to, again,  adapt my life in that two cities, since I was born and raised in Jakarta, and Bogor is not far from Jakarta and Depok (the place where I use to live for my 6 years of college. Oh yess, you read it right, six years.. What can I say..I love being in college! Hahahaaa..). So I start to sew again, and dye-ing, designing more draoupads product, I even start my new job as a researcher, while still doing some translating job. And things are going pretty smoothly, I found myself captivated in the researching field, and  finally able to gain my financial freedom back. But then.. something is still missing.. I can't seem to enjoy my existence in Jakarta nor Bogor. I can't figure out why, most of my friends are in Jakarta, and I can meet them anytime, so does my family, especially my nephews and nieces. Call me dramatic or melancholic but I can't lie,  I still feel this hollow feeling inside. And yess I know its weird, since it had nothing to do with any real romantic feeling in terms of real thing, such as...people.

And then, there comes the decision, it starts with my consciousness that, anytime, whenever I was out of town, especially when I go to some place where I'm doing my research, one place I always thinking about going home is Jogja, not Jakarta, nor Bogor. Until finally I decided that I will going back to Jogja. I kept this  to myself, while I'm saving some money for my moving and start again draoupads in a more sustainable spirit. Off course many people were pretty shocked, but those who know me well, such as my mother and some of my best friends just instantly understand. Oh, one more thing! You won't believe this.. but Dinda is happen to be just accepted in UGM (Universitas Gajah Mada)!! It's official then. 

So here I am, safe and sound, back in Jogja, in a place I can happily say as my 'home'. :)

Oh shooh.. I almost forgot!  this is some peek of the new draoupads studio. I can't gave you more, since there are still a lot things to be done. Most of draoupads fabric and production items are also still in Bogor. I share the place with my friends. Its a big and nice place, good lighting, and it have this rustic and historic feelings in it. Its a love at first sight indeed: 

- This is the room that I'm going to use, this is one of the four rooms they got, and for me, this is the best one

- And this will be some of my 'spot', can't wait to fill it!

- Some of my friends stuff, he's a photographer and this is some of his brilliant work

- Mr. Piggy! (Or Miss..I'm not sure) along with Avo (my bike) and a shelf I bought in an extremely reasonable price at Ace Hardware. We plan to use the spot as our showcase spot for some of our products and works.

So, there you go! BIG Love from Jogja

Kiki 

Sh*t Happens

Sometimes, things we planned could turn into something different than we expected. In terms of life.. or dye-ing, it could mean two things: First, it could  turn out to be one supreme unintentionally awesomeness, and second, it could end up as a one huge total failure, which.. exactly what was happen to me earlier yesterday when I was trying a new method in coloring. 

Well, lately I've been doing some experiment in batik methods. Apparently, I did good on my first attempt ( I'll post about that later on). So I try it on a different fabric, and thanks to my stupidity, I forgot the first rule about doing your own coloring, which is: 'Always pay attention the nature of your fabric'. Because each fabric has its own unique character, and it will affect the result of any coloring methods you use.
So without thinking further, I just stroke down the malam (the batik's paraffin) on to the fabric of my sample dress, and just like that... I can't get rid of it, I boil it for hours, but I still can't manage to remove all the malam.. like, ever.

So, there you go folks.. shit just happens. 

Note: I am soooo new at this batik methods, I promise to myself I'll take a REAL course on it. But meanwhile, is there any of you who can figure out what's wrong, and perhaps inform me, what should I suppose to do, regarding doing batik method in a thin and sheer fabric? Big thanks for the info!

Love

Kiki

The Desk Job

Just wanna share some of my (almost) everyday view :)

In some way, flowers somehow always makes me feel good.. Hey I'm a cancerian okay! We love pretty things..(although sometimes we hate to admit it). The Monalisa can is a gift from my friend when he's visiting Netherlands, it actually contain nine small rose scented soap (I've only just using one).

Oooh yeah the desk lamp.. Its one of my favorite item. I bought it on the flea market in Jogja, and its only cost me 15.000 IDR. And guess what... it still working! like, seriously.

My favorite vintage poster, this is also a gift, its from my dear friend Mba Dian, whom non other than the person behind Napaktilas. You should check her product! She's one of the person who'll give a fashion forward in travelling. Oh and the sketches, its also from a friend of mine, I've met him at a bazaar, he produce such beautiful batik with natural dye, too bad he hasn't had any product link that I can show to you now.

So, there you go! My favorite work space. How about yours? I would looooove to see your favorite work space! :)

PS: The orange leaves pouch you see in the first picture, were made by Ojanto, one of my favorite brand from Jogja. They produce such a sophisticated yet fun piece with their unique fabric design, love them!

PS #2: Just a sharing session, bllaah, I really hate the wallpaper... Its my sisters choice off course. Maan, how I want to just ripped it off, or just paint it black, I'm sure that'll be much cooler..

Few Things from The Studio

The mess and rage from my studio, bllaahh...the mistery of why is it harder to clean things up than messing it..

This is what what-so-called  "solitary designers" use to do to entertain themself.. O yeah, I have tons of similar pictures indeed.. Yess, we're lack and shamefully beg for social interaction, hahaha... By the way, meet 'Kuciliu The Doll' it is made of socks, my sister Lily gave it to me, and my dear nephew Ayoube named it

The sling bag dummy. In the process I accidentally found a

new dyeing method, but it needs more tests before I can use it for draoupads collection

We usually do the photoshoot at morning, not only because the good lighting, but also because we have to catch up Dinda's work hour. And yess Dinda is fresh from the bed, that explain the nightshirt 

Some shawl shoot, really love the colors! :)

Buitenzorg

  After almost a week in Jakarta, I finally reach Bogor. And as soon as I got here, the first thing I do is looking for a nice background for draoupads catalogue. Off course nothing compares Lila n Abu's front house spot. And yess, a bit hard here to find a perfect background that still maintain draoupads image. Sooo.. I did some photo test with some background elements I can found. Tell me.. which one's do you like most? 

And here some peek from my current place slash  su su studioo....:)

  Not bad huh.. And all it need is just a little Kiki's touch! ;). 

I hope they brings good spirit!

Salam Hangat

Kiki