When Kathy Hattori signed up for my Teaching Art Online class I realized that this course is not just for artists, it’s great for suppliers too. Hattori is the owner of Botanical Colors, an online store offering vibrant natural dyes and pigments made from plants and other natural materials.

Cochineal dyed fibers

Textile, paper, basket and fiber artists interested in environmentally sound colorants for their art quickly discover that Botanical Colors is the go-to shop to purchase historic dyes that have been used for centuries by artisans.

Aquarelle liquid natural dyes

Based in Seattle, Kathy travels around the world visiting suppliers to ensure that their working environments and processing methods are humane and socially responsible. She brings to market high-quality products that are not only sustainable and environmentally friendly, they also support farming communities and small producers.

Sneakers (love them!) from last year’s Woad dyeing workshop

Hattori also hosts workshops, locally and around the country, teaching artists how to use the natural dyes and pigments (there are a few spaces left in this May workshop for Woad dyeing with master dyer Denise Lambert – check it out!).

“The colors are beautiful, rich and glowing and each color can be linked to a fascinating tale of discovery, ritual and use by different peoples throughout history. Every color in the natural dye palette has a story. Every purchase of our natural dyes benefits a small producer or community and helps maintain a traditional way of life.” Kathy Hattori

Artist Deena Schnitman uses Botanical Colors dyes to create wonderful paste papers and loves the results she’s getting: “If not for Botanical Colors I wouldn’t be nearly as far as I am using natural dyes in my work. Love, love, love the colors I can get with the naturals dyes/pigments.”

Paste Papers by Deena Schnitman

So why did this successful supplier with a compelling product line and a roster of workshops across the country sign up for the Teaching Art Online class?

Because online tutorials will allow Hattori to teach people around the world how to use her products.

Because Kathy understands this small investment has the potential to increase sales significantly. Simply put, when you show people how to use a product it generates excitement and sales. Though she’s already doing this with face-to-face workshops, adding digital download tutorials and possibly even interactive online classes gives her the opportunity to reach a much larger customer base.

Brilliant.

I can’t wait to see the tutorials Kathy Hattori creates for her customers!

Kathy Hattori

Botanical Colors website

Deena Schnitman

Woad Dyeing workshop

Paste Papers

Teaching Art Online – There is still time to sign up! Class begins on Monday, April 23rd. Students have unlimited, lifetime access to the online class and class materials. See you there?