Today, I had the opportunity to engage in an insightful conversation with a graphic designer from Germany. We found common ground in discussing the role of technology in the digital age. With applications designed for nearly every industry, technology has undeniably made work more efficient, streamlined, and faster. It solves problems, reduces obstacles, and enhances productivity.

However, as human beings, there's another essential aspect that must run parallel to technology: art and traditional craftsmanship. These skills, rooted in ancient wisdom, reflect the essence of humanity. They serve as a reminder of our cultural identities, diverse backgrounds, and unique heritage, offering a profound sense of pride and belonging.

In a world where many young people work closely with technology daily, it's important to seek opportunities to engage with traditional crafts. This not only helps in preserving these invaluable skills but also provides a balance for the mind and spirit, fostering a sense of stability and connection to one's roots.

I've found great joy and inspiration in connecting with individuals from various countries who come together here at Studio Chiangdao Blue. It's more than just a space for natural indigo dyeing workshops. It's a place where we exchange ideas and learn from one another, weaving together life's many stories through the lens of natural indigo.

I'm grateful that Studio Chiangdao Blue offers such an atmosphere—a place that welcomes and nurtures meaningful connections.

Yesterday, after a mother and son finished their indigo dyeing workshop, the mother asked to take a photo with my 90-year-old mother before leaving. Perhaps it was because, during the workshop, my mother had expressed her heartfelt gratitude to them for making the effort to rent a car and travel all the way from Chiang Mai city—a three-hour round trip.

Throughout the 3-4 hours of the workshop, my mother was also busy creating her own shibori patterns. Despite the language barrier, she tried to engage with the guests in Thai, and they could feel her genuine warmth and hospitality. After showcasing her unique, original shibori designs, the son was inspired to incorporate elements of her patterns into his own T-shirt design.

The atmosphere was cozy, relaxed, and full of meaningful connections. We had participants spanning four generations—from a 10-year-old to individuals in their 30s, 40s, 60s, and my 90-year-old mother.

If you’re someone who loves crafts, I invite you to come and experience this unique environment. You'll leave feeling energized and uplifted, with a deep sense of connection to others. It’s truly a heartwarming experience that stays with you.

Indulging in natural indigo dyeing is a wonderfully enriching activity, perfect for creating lasting memories. Not only does it offer a new and exciting experience, but it also encourages creativity, hands-on learning, and allows you to craft unique, practical pieces with your own two hands.

Just the other day, our neighbor, “Khun Pla,” a healing therapist and instructor, joined us to celebrate her birthday with a personal indigo dyeing project. She dyed a large shawl and bandana using the Ita-Jime technique and even revitalized a favorite old shirt with a fresh indigo shade.

In a similar spirit, a couple from the U.S. recently chose to mark their 50th wedding anniversary by immersing themselves in creative activities during their trip to Chiang Mai. One highlight of their celebration was exploring the art of indigo dyeing with us.

For special occasions, whether for yourself or with loved ones, activities like these offer meaningful ways to connect and create cherished keepsakes that hold both beauty and sentiment.

"Young Local Entrepreneur" program:: Studio Chiangdao Blue, as a learning station in the whole learning project organized by Makampom Art Space, is holding an engaging activity for local children and youth through an experiential learning project focused on sustainability. This hands-on learning experience introduces participants to the art of natural indigo dyeing under the concept "From Seed to Dye," a journey that Chiangdao Blue has been cultivating.

In a previous workshop, children explored the dye studio, learning about planting, color extraction, dye vat creation, and the process of designing and dyeing fabric with indigo. They experienced the full cycle of indigo's journey from nature to fabric, and with their hands-on creations, they gained a deep appreciation for the craftsmanship and wisdom rooted in traditional arts.

This time, we're excited to step up with a new activity, “Young Local Entrepreneur,” designed for local youth aged 15 and up. Beyond learning the dyeing process, students will now be encouraged to question, explore, and brainstorm ways to transform these skills into income-generating activities. Just reading about it sparks interest, excitement, and the thrill of new challenges.

As a part of the Chiang Dao community, Studio Chiangdao Blue constantly reflects on how we can give back to our community, especially to students and youth in their formative years. We aspire to provide a diverse skill set and inspire young people to discover their passions and strengths. Through this journey, they can gradually gain a clearer vision of their future and shape a path they have helped design themselves.

In her previous internship, Nok Yung practiced making paper stencils for use with Kata-Zome. During this school holiday, she will be learning the art of fabric patterning through shibori and Ita-jime techniques. Nok Yung is an ethnic Tai Yai girl whose parents migrated from northern Myanmar. Now 16 years old, she is in her grade 10 high school in Chiang Dao.

Nok Yung is a focused and determined young woman, gifted in craftsmanship. Her talent for intricate and detailed work is exceptional. She is welcome to take on part-time work at our studio. She is proud and excited to be able to earn money on her own and make personal purchases without relying on her parents' support.

Capture your meaningful moments through images in your own style, guided by your feelings. Whether it's a simple sketch with a few words or an illustration that brings back memories, expressing these moments and emotions with your hands is a special way of mindfulness. The drawing doesn't need to be perfect—what matters is that it's created by your hands and filled with your heartfelt emotions.

At Studio Chiangdao Blue, we practice a traditional Japanese weaving technique known as "Saki-ori." In this method, "Saki" refers to cutting fabric into long strips, about 1 cm wide, and "Ori" means weaving. The essence of Sakiori is to repurpose old or discarded clothing, whether they are worn out or stained, and transform them into something new. Instead of throwing them away, we cut the fabric into strips and use them as the weft for weaving on a compact hand loom that fits comfortably on a table—perfect for a relaxing hobby.

The width of the woven fabric in Sakiori typically doesn’t exceed 50 cm. The resulting cloth is thick with interesting textures, ideal for creating simple items like tote bags, cosmetic pouches, tapestries, or table runners. One of the unique aspects of Sakiori is that anyone can weave, regardless of experience. Simply choose the colors of the fabric strips, and weave them horizontally. It's a fun and easy way to mix and match colors, allowing anyone to create their own unique patterns. This activity promotes relaxation and mindfulness as you focus on the weaving in front of you. Once completed, you'll feel proud of your handmade creation, and develop a special bond with the fabric, cherishing it even more.

Sakiori offers a peaceful and fulfilling experience, inviting you to slow down and enjoy time with yourself. By participating, you may find yourself looking at the things around you differently—understanding the connection between yourself and the world, and discovering new ways to repurpose and appreciate what you already have.

Come and experience Sakiori, and you might just fall in love with it. It may even change the way you think about the items in your life!

Seven years ago, I moved my mother from the city of Chiang Mai to a small village in the rural district of Chiang Dao, Chiang Mai Province. My mother is now 90 years old and suffers from bone issues, making it difficult for her to walk without assistance. She requires 24-hour care. Despite her bone condition, my mother remains healthy as she has no issues with blood pressure or diabetes. She’s mentally sharp, energetic, and always needs to be engaged in something, as sitting idle makes her anxious and irritable. However, when she has something to focus on, she can immerse herself in an activity for two to three hours at a time.

Since I work with natural indigo dyeing, about 4 or 5 years ago, I started introducing her to tie-dyeing bandanas or Furoshiki (as they're known in Japanese), which are about 70x70 cm in size. These are used as packaging for the clothes our customers purchase, helping reduce plastic waste, and the fabric can be reused by the customers.

In the beginning, I taught her shibori techniques, which are basic methods of creating patterns in the Japanese style. My mother quickly found joy in this shibori tie-dyeing activity. What really excited her and brought her happiness was the magic moment of unwrapping the fabric after dyeing to reveal the pattern she had created. Her expressions, the smiles, and laughter during these moments were priceless. It was clear that this was a sense of fulfillment for her every time she worked with the fabric.

Over the 4 or 5 years that my mother has pursued shibori tie-dyeing as a hobby, she has continued to make one piece a day, and on some days, even two or three pieces, depending on her mood. One fascinating thing I’ve noticed is that once she understood how patterns are formed, she started creating new designs using her imagination. She figured out how to twist the fabric and adjust the rubber bands, either loosely or tightly, to achieve the patterns she envisioned.

From my experience of watching my mother engage in shibori tie-dyeing over these years, I’ve been deeply impressed by how this activity has helped her stay focused, prevented her from overthinking, and given her a strong sense of purpose, or ikigai, every day.

I wanted to share this experience as an option for children caring for elderly parents or grandchildren looking after their grandparents. Finding a simple craft that the elderly are interested in or have some skills in can allow them to enjoy the activity and, most importantly, feel a sense of meaning in their everyday lives.

The image shows the delicate process of filtering indigo paste through fine cloth to capture the rich blue pigment. (This particular paste is extracted from the *Indigofera tinctoria* leaves.)

At our studio, we use this indigo paste to create an indigo dye pot by mixing it with alkaline water from limestone powder and tamarind water, which acts as a natural reducer. When the indigo paste, alkaline water, and tamarind water are combined at the right temperature, a chemical reaction called reduction occurs. This changes the solid, water-insoluble blue indigo into a soluble yellow liquid.

When fabric is dipped into this yellow dye bath and then exposed to air, the yellow hue reacts with oxygen, transforming back into its original solid blue form. The oxidized indigo becomes trapped within the fibers of the fabric, completing the dyeing process.

Indigo is known for its strong bond with natural cellulose fibers, which is why we still see indigo-dyed fabrics from over a thousand years ago, retaining their beautiful blue color even today. While indigo-dyed fabrics can be prone to wear and fading with frequent rubbing, there’s a unique charm to this natural indigo – even as it fades, it takes on a lovely vintage blue appearance that synthetic dyes simply can't replicate.

If you’re curious to try working with homegrown indigo paste and experience the magic of natural indigo dyeing, we warmly invite you to visit and create with us!

Natural blue pigments, aside from those derived from stones like lapis lazuli, also include the beautiful indigo, which is extracted from the leaves of the indigo plant. This is a fascinating source of blue from nature, as very few plants provide this rare color. The tradition of natural indigo dyeing is like a gift from the divine, shared with people across every continent, from Asia to Europe, Africa, and South America. Each region has its own unique methods of indigo dyeing, passed down through generations, using local materials to prepare indigo vats for dyeing fabrics.

Here at Studio Chiangdao Blue in Thailand, we grow four types of indigo plants: *Indigofera tinctoria*, *Indigofera suffruticosa*, *Strobilanthes cusia* (Assam indigo), and *Persicaria tinctoria* (Japanese indigo) to extract indigo from the leaves for use in our own dyeing projects. Our "from seed to dye" concept ensures that we create indigo paste with a high percentage of blue pigment, allowing us to control the quality of the indigo by filtering it through fine cloth to achieve a smooth texture. This high-quality paste is perfect for both dyeing fabrics and painting on paper or textiles.

For those who participate in our indigo dye workshops, if we know you're interested in painting, we love to invite you to try painting with our homegrown indigo paste on watercolor paper. 

*The artwork shown was created by two sisters from Israel, who painted this beautiful and amazing piece together.*

If you’re interested in painting with indigo paste, we warmly welcome you to join us. We look forward to your visit!

From my experiences over the years working on various design and product development projects, I've collaborated with local artisans, design students, and professional designers from Thailand and Japan. Each year, my field trips to various villages, including those of local communities and hill tribes, have allowed me to immerse myself in the local crafts of diverse subcultures. These crafts utilize a wide range of natural materials—fibers, fabrics, paper, bamboo, ceramics, and more. Each trip leaves me in awe of the craftsmanship and creativity rooted in a life intertwined with natural materials. The simplicity yet practicality of these skills demonstrates a profound understanding of the materials' properties through direct experience, trial and error, and insightful problem-solving, traits I believe are innate in all humans.

Sometimes, the convenience of modern life, where everything is just a purchase away, may diminish these inherent capabilities in today's people.

Having the opportunity to reactivate these inherent abilities within us is both fascinating and challenging because these capabilities can connect with concepts of "meaning and value" in life.

Lately, we often hear about the Japanese concept of "Ikigai" and the quest to understand the "reason for being." While understanding from books is beneficial, comprehending "Ikigai" through engaging in small, passionate activities like gardening, cooking, arts, or crafts might enrich this understanding. Engaging directly in these activities allows us to experience the process with full sensory involvement—seeing, hearing, and using our hands alongside creative thinking. Often, we find joy and meaning in life during these moments.

By stepping out of our familiar environments to engage with new settings and experiences we've chosen, we may discover hidden potentials and answers to life's persistent questions—potentials that could provide profound insights into our existence.

My interest in Creative Tourism was sparked in part by reading the article "Introducing Creative Tourism: what is it & why is it valuable for community empowerment" by Viktoria Petrova. A quote from Confucius featured in the article struck me profoundly:

"I hear and I forget, I see and I remember, I do and I understand."

As an indigo farmer & natural dyer who moved from the bustling city of Chiang Mai to the rural serenity of Chiangdao District just 5-6 years ago, I vividly recall the excitement and challenges of adapting to a rural, agricultural lifestyle—a stark contrast to anything I'd experienced before. Everything felt refreshingly new and intriguing. The close proximity to nature, the sounds of wind, birds, and insects, and the daily sunrise and sunset routines awakened all five senses, making me more aware of my surroundings. This slower pace of life allowed me to see the interconnectedness of things and uncover potential and capabilities I hadn't noticed before.

Initially, when I set up the studio for indigo and natural dyeing, I hadn't planned on cultivating indigo plants. However, living here and getting hands-on experience broadened my understanding and revealed numerous possibilities. Daily life became meaningful and enjoyable, filled with activities I was eager to explore, inspired by the diverse natural resources around me. These natural materials ignited creativity and a desire to learn more, a process that seemed endless. It felt like every cell in my brain and body was dancing with excitement.

This contrasted sharply with my earlier city life, which, over the years, had become monotonous, dull, and sometimes lethargic.

The past 5-6 years in Chiangdao have been fun, challenging, but also incredibly peaceful. My understanding of "the meaning and value of life" has evolved, offering new perspectives.

In recent months, hosting natural indigo dyeing workshops has allowed me to meet people from around the globe, all seeking the unique experience offered by Studio Chiangdao Blue. These interactions have been enlightening, showcasing the joy, excitement, pride, and happiness people feel when creating something by hand, whether for personal use or as gifts for loved ones. These handmade gifts, crafted with love and creativity, undoubtedly hold a special place in the hearts of both the maker and the recipient.

I believe Creative Tourism addresses the need for deeply engaging, personalized travel experiences. It emphasizes small, intimate groups allowing for a special time to learn, acquire skills in local crafts, and closely connect with local people and environments.

"..... I see and I remember, I do and I understand."

Studio Chiangdao Blue is ready to create memorable creative traveling experiences with you through our private workshops "from seed to dye, natural indigo dye."

Last Thursday, Studio Chiangdao Blue had a pleasure of welcoming a sweet grand father and his grand daughter from the USA. It’s always heartening to see our studio becoming a place where friends, lovers, children, designers, and families can spend quality time together, seek new experiences, learn, and let their creativity flow while having fun with handmade crafts and experiencing the allure of natural indigo.

It was another special day when the grand father and his high school-aged grand daughter spent their time crafting together in a private workshops. After introducing them to the indigo plant, its seeds, and the dyeing process, we began introducing them fabric pattern techniques. They chose to dye a bandana and a big scarf. The girl, though quiet, seemed very interested. With her first bandana, she creatively applied almost every shibori technique that we introduced onto that small piece of fabric. The outcome was beautifully balanced and exceptionally creative. After lunch, she began working on the big scarf, seemingly having a clear image of the fabric’s pattern and techniques she intended to use. It was evident in her second piece that she felt more confident and relaxed, naturally being herself and applying the techniques in her unique style with great focus. Her grand father mentioned she had enjoyed handmade crafts since childhood, making her own jewelry and sometimes even her clothes. I wasn’t surprised to see her so immersed in her world, deeply engaged in creating patterns on the fabric using various techniques to bring her imagination to life. And just as I thought, her work turned out to be uniquely hers, truly one-of-a-kind work piece. The grand father was visibly happy to arrange an activity that his grand daughter loved and enjoyed doing.

I was impressed by her concentration, creativity, and her ability to instantly and naturally apply the newly learned techniques to her work. It made me realize that every child or young person has their potential, interests, and aptitudes. If they discover these and are given the chance to earnestly practice, they can shine in ways we adults might not even imagine.

Thank you to the wonderful grand father and our talented young lady for coming to sparkle with their talents and creativity here in Chiangdao.

Last Monday, Studio Chiangdao Blue invited our young friends passionate about eco-friendly concepts to dye old clothes that had faded or were stained—garments too cherished to be discarded just yet.

I encouraged them to select white or light-colored natural fiber clothes, such as cotton, linen, or rayon, that she still liked. We set out to create various designs as per our whims and dye them with natural indigo. Dyeing clothes, a three-dimensional object, proves more challenging than dyeing flat, two-dimensional fabric. Therefore, before dyeing the clothes, we enjoyed brainstorming patterns and designs that would suit each garment and pondered how to achieve an even, beautiful indigo color throughout.

The process of designing and applying patterns to each piece was both fun and challenging, gauging how simple techniques could be selected and applied to achieve results close to what we had envisioned.

After I shared the background of indigo plants, seeds, the extraction process, and dyeing with everyone, we commenced the main activity of indigo dyeing. However, as many had not dyed with indigo before, we started with dyeing small bandanas as a warm-up using simple Ita-jime and Shibori techniques. Then, we progressed to dyeing clothing items including old t-shirts, long-sleeved shirts, tank tops, fabric bags, and more. After demonstrating additional pattern techniques on clothing, everyone began to envision how each piece they brought could transform into a new garment.

We spent about three and a half hours upcycling old clothes, managing to dye two pieces of clothing and one bandana per person, while gaining new experiences in adding value to our old garments creatively and with our own hands. I believe each participant will have fond memories of each item they chose to upcycle that day.

Experiencing firsthand in the production of items we use is intriguing and challenging because it opens the door to choosing and understanding the production process of the items we consume through our own direct experience.

This small firsthand experience might be the beginning of questioning the “goods" VS “quality of life” from my perspective. I think life could be more fun and challenging if we could take some parts in thinking, designing, and executing some processes of producing items. Sometimes, being just a “consumer” can seem boring and like we’re stuck in a cycle of buying with money. In some cases, we can use a “barter system” in our daily lives, a method that seems creative, friendly, and charming in terms of building connections and dependencies among people.

Thanks to my young friends who joined us in this small pilot activity in the “Upcycle” concept, and I hope such activities become more widespread among the younger generation. At the very least, we can be among those who don't contribute to the growing problem of disposing of old clothes.