The Cul De Sac

The Cul De Sac and Terrasoul Herbs have a fun, creative afternoon planned for you on Saturday July 13th 10am-4pm in Courtenay, BC. Come immerse yourself in botanical creativity with Shibori style Indigo dyeing and the healing properties of Calendula herbal medicine. DM or email [email protected] to reserve your spot!

Join Ella for a creative afternoon exploring various Shibori techiques to create your own unique design with natural Indigo dye on organic cotton.

This is a “hands in the vat” workshop for men & women ages 16+.
$75 includes all tools, materials and lesson for this 4 hour workshop.

Choose your project:1 X Organic Cotton Shawl - a versatile coverup, scarf, shawl or play cloth for all seasons. Measures approximately 45”X90”
OR3 X Organic Cotton 24” X 24” - a great option for someone who wants to try several fold and bind techniques.

Add to either of the above projects:2nd Organic Cotton Shawl $55Organic Cotton Bandana $20Linen Shawl $160 - ideal as a solid Indigo option. Measures approximately 40”X78”

A Creative Indigo Dye Workshop for kids 8-12yrs (8spots)

Join Ella afterschool Thursday May 30th and June 13th 2:30-4:30.
We will fold, bind and dye with natural Indigo to create a set of 3 beanbags and a 24” Organic Cotton bandana.
$90 includes all tools, materials and lessons for 2 days/4hours of creative play.
Location is just a moment’s drive from VWS Grade School.

Host opportunities for Indigo Dye Workshop gatherings! Do you have a special event, group and location you’d like to host in? - garden party, birthday, social, co-workers team building event, bridal shower, classroom…
Reach out with your ideas (host perks included). Open to travel options.

Current dates TBA and availability;
May 30 & June 13 - kids 8-12yrs after school North Van
June 2nd - North Van
June 16 - White Rock Love
July 13 -Courtenay with Terrasoul Herbs
*Aug 23-26 - Open for Okanagan and Kottenay bookings
Sept 8&9- Courtenay (details to come)
Sept 22 - North Van Vancouver Waldorf School

Elderberry Syrup - this time with Rosehips and Goji Berries.

With the persistent cold season I'm frequently dosing on high C's while I wait for the Fire Cider to infuse (that will be ready in a couple more weeks).

Elderberries are naturally high in vitamin C, vitamin B6, iron, vitamin A, potassium and other nutrients. Rosehips are a great source of vitamins C, A, D and E. They are also anti inflammatory. Goji berries offer high amounts of protein, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, riboflavin, potassium, iron, magnesium, copper, and zinc. They are a great antioxidant benefiting the liver and heart. (Not recommended for individuals taking blood pressure medication or warfarin.)

$24/500ml
2 available. (1 left)

Botanical Dye on Silks

Join us on Sunday March 10th 10am-noon to create some special botanically dyed silks for Easter gifting or otherwise.
$75 includes all plants, tools, materials and instructions to dye a 21” silk square, 11” silk mini and 2yds of 1” silk ribbon.
This workshop is intended for adults.
Upper Lonsdale location. DM to join.
Note - if you would like to host an event to include children please be in touch.

Hey friends. I’m starting to pack up the studio for the winter and I’m setting aside items that I will photograph and put on sale moving into the new year. If you are still looking for quality, handmade gifts you are welcome to schedule a time on Friday and Saturday to pop in and see my work in progress of select items priced to clear. I have time for you to come to me and see in person. I do not have time to photograph or list items and prices via DM until the new year. If you don’t have time just stay tuned here and see what comes eventually…. And if you’re all settled for the holiday then a very happy hunkering down to you! Enjoy!

I currently have 2x500ml strained fire cider available (update - sold). Next batch will be available mid March or join my fire cider medicine making workshops in Sept-Nov 2024. DM.

Super soft, machine washable and not itchy!! Organic cotton and wool knit Gnomey for kids in Carmine. Also available in Sugar Plum. $85 DM for Upper Lonsdale pick up.

Thanks to all who came out to see me at yesterday’s Winter Fair Market. It was a spectucular day with not a cloud in the sky, good community vibes and delighted little ones all around.

For those of you who missed out I will be working at setting up a Studio display so you can come and choose some special gifts throughout the month of December. You can message anytime to reserve items posted here.

Update - We have 2 spots open for Nov 30th (Apothecary and Beeswax theme) and Dec 14th (Hand Craft Theme) $130 to attend both dates.

Reposting with the correct dates!! We begin Nov 16th!!! (Not Nov 6th).
$195 for 3X2hr sessions of busy hands and delightful making of nature inspired, eco friendly, hand made gifts for Winter gifting. Each child will make about 1 dozen different items to gift with love to family and friends. Xo.
A few photo hints from previous years…

Creative Kids After School Series (ages 8-14yrs) continues this Thursday Nov 2nd with Lino Stamp Carving
$45 includes all tools and materials to carve your own personal stamp and test a collection of stamps on cards and envelopes. DM to reserve your child’s spot.

Also starting soon: our popular
Winter Gift Making Workshop
where kids will make various apothecary and handmade gifts to surprise family and friends over the holidays.
3 sessions/$195 includes all tools and materials to hand make, wrap and label 10-12 special winter gifts.

DM to reserve your child’s spot.

Photos from our Herbal Dream Sachets Workshop. 😴

It’s not too late to join me this Sunday 10am-2pm(ish). Be in touch soon!

$295 includes all tools, materials and botanicals to make your own: A luxuriously soft, finely woven, merino wool shawl measuring approximately 28” X 78” A pair of merino wool socks (youth or women’s size available). An 8X12 felted wool piece.

A few captures from a Botanical Dye workshop in Cumberland this past weekend. It was a whirlwind trip made magical by blue skies, good folk, live music and flower play.

So many October Workshops coming up…..

Who’s getting witchy with me in the kitchen?

We are well into fire cider season. The warming, antiviral nature of these herbs and plants aim to boost the immune system during the colder months ahead. Gather in my home kitchen Thursday morning Oct 5th, sip on some tea and share in the chopping and preparing of all organic ingredients to make your own Fire Cider infusion.

$65 includes organic ingredients, printed recipe and 1.9L mason jar with non reactive lid.

Island friends - I’m coming to Cumberland in just a couple of weeks so be in touch soon if you want in on this Botanical Dye session. I’m offering the whole shebang because I don’t get over to the island often enough so you can choose your project preference - silk, organic cotton or wool (more details below).
I’m very excited to try out a new to me space .studio that looks pretty awesome from afar. DM to reserve sooner than later. Space is limited. Looking forward to some plant magic with you soon! Xo Ella

Project Options:

1. SILK - $65 includes all materials, tools and botanicals to dye a 21" for wear or for play, an 11" silk mini and approximately 2 yards of 1" silk ribbon to wrap up the most special of gifts or bouquets.

Larger silk can be worn as a neck scarf, hair tie, nature table display or for child’s play. The mini can be cut into 4 small squares to tie up herbals to make attractive silk sachets for your intimates or wool/linen drawers.

2. COTTON & SILK - $65 includes all materials, tools and botanicals to dye a 24" organic cotton bandana and an 11" silk mini.

3. WOOL - $65 includes all materials, tools and botanicals to dye a pair of merino wool socks (limited sizes as follows)
Small (ideal for youth) fits W2-5/M1-4
Medium fits W5-9/M4-8
Large fits W9-13/M8-12
As well as an 8X12 felted wool

ADD on to any of the above projects: a pair of BAMBOO Boodywear MidiBriefs
In size M or L (limited quantities available) $25

I’ve had to make some adjustments to the Fall Series Workshops to include a travel date to Cumberland. Island folk please sign up sooner than later so I know which fibres to prep and pack for you. DM for more details if you haven’t received my email. Hope to create with many of you over the next months. Xo Ella.

I’ve finally got my garage studio space set up enough to run the smaller workshops. Double doors open to outside with cover options so right now I’m doing mixed indoor/outdoor space while the weather is fine. Chalkboard is keeping me sorted with upcoming events dates…. DM for more details or to sign you or your child up!

I have 3 different Botanical Dye Workshops coming up (1 very soon!!) DM to reserve your spots.

Botanical Dye on Organic Cotton - Thursday Sept 21st 10am-noon. $65 includes all materials, tools and botanicals to dye a 24” organic cotton bandana plus an 8.5” practice piece.

Botanical Dye on Silk - Thursday Oct 19th 9:30-11:30am $85 includes all materials, tools and botanicals to dye 3 silks (1 of each 30”, 21” and 11”mini). Larger silks can be worn as a neck scarf, hair tie, nature table display or for child’s play. The mini can be cut into 4 small squares to tie up herbals to make an attractive silk sachet for your intimates or wool/linen drawers.

Botanical Dye on Wool - Sunday Oct 22nd 10am-2pm $295 includes all tools, materials and botanicals to dye a soft, finely woven Merino wool shawl measuring approx 28”X78, an 8X12 felted wool piece and a pair of Merino wool socks (Sm/Youth or Med/Womens)

Botanical Dye Workshop for adults Thursday Sept 21st 10-noon.

I have grown, tended, harvested, pressed and dried all of the botanicals that we will get colour from in this deeply satisfying process of steaming colour to cloth. Your 24” organic cotton fibre has been pre scoured to remove natural oils and residues and pre mordanted to ensure both colour and light fastness so that your end result will sustain it’s vibrancy through future washes and wear. I have also prepared a cotton test fabric for you to experiment with.

$65 includes all tools, materials and botanicals.
6 spots available.
DM or email the [email protected]

2 part Indigo Dye Workshop for 8-14yrs starting this Thursday!

In our first session we will fold, bind and dye a 24” organic cotton bandana to take home that day. We will also dye 3X top pieces for beanbags which will be ready and dry to fill and finish in our second session together. Beanbags are commonly used in Waldorf classrooms as a tactile, moevement and learning aid. They are also just fun to toss, balance and stack in various ways. Older kids may wish to make and gift them to younger siblings…

The grade school students at Vancouver Waldorf School are dismissed early on Thursdays and the workshop space is just minutes away from the school. Home learners and other early dismissals are also welcome to join!

$90 includes all tools and supplies to create a 24” organic cotton bandana and a set of 3 beanbags over 2X 2hr workshop dates.
8 spots available.
DM or email [email protected]

I had time to myself and was able to work on some new items for the Fall/Winter shop!
Organic cotton napkins dyed with natural Indigo measure approximately 19”x19”. Set/2 $32
6 sets/2 available. See individual photos. DM to purchase.

Creative Kids after school series for 8-14yrs starts soon on Thursday Sept 21 with a 2 part Indigo Dye Workshop. Sign up for 1 event or all.
On Sept 21st they will fold, bind and dye a 24” bandana to take home that day. They will also fold, bind and dye 3X top pieces for beanbags which will be ready and dry for them to fill and hand sew on Oct 5th. Beanbags are commonly used in Waldorf classrooms as a tactile, movement and learning aid. They are also just fun in various ways. Older kids may wish to make and gift them to younger siblings….

The grade school students are dismissed early on Thursdays. The workshop space is just minutes away from the school. Home learners and other early dismissals are also welcome to join!

DM to reserve for your child 8-14yrs.
Upper Lonsdale/Princess Park location upon receipt of payment.

We are playing with flowers on Thursday Sept 21st 10-noon!!

I have grown, tended, harvested, pressed and dried all of the botanicals that we will get colour from in this deeply satisfying process of steaming colour to cloth. Your 24” organic cotton fibre has been pre scoured with soda ash to remove oils and residues and pre mordanted with gallnut and alum sulfate to ensure both color and light fastness so that your end result will sustain it’s vibrancy through future washes and wear. I have also prepared an 8.5” cotton test fabric for you to experiment with.
$65 includes all tools, materials and botanicals.
DM to reserve your place or ask any questions.