Check Out Jessica Unsell’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Unsell.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
For as long as I can remember, I have been a maker. My mom was a crafter and a sewist and taught me how to sew at a young age. I started making my own doll clothes, then my own dolls and Halloween costumes. By the time I was a teenager, I knew I wanted to go to Fashion Design school. I attended Kent State University School of Fashion. In college, I discovered textile design and started dyeing my own yarns for loom weavings. I have been custom dyeing yarns and fabrics since 2001. In 2016 I started using natural dyes to colorize baby blankets in my Etsy shop. Over the last six years, I’ve continued to learn and fine-tune my skills. I recently branched out into adult clothing as well. I’m fortunate enough to live in Southern California where dye gardens have a long growing season. In fact, some flowers bloom year round. Natural dyes are easily accessible online however growing your own dye stuff is ‘next level’. This is my third year growing my own plants to use for dye. Not only do I grow my own plants, but harvest my own seed and sow from them the following spring. I also dry flowers all summer long to use during the winter months. Much like people who preserve jams and pickle foods, I preserve the summer blooms to get me through the winter. It’s a cycle of “plant, flower, preserve, save.. repeat”. All for the sake of color!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
An upwards slope is never straight up, there are many ups and downs along the way. It’s been a huge learning curve. I don’t like to say it’s a ‘struggle’ because when you love what you do, it’s more learning than struggling. I first had to learn the craft and then had to learn how to apply that to what I create. It’s been a process of exploration and finding what I love to do vs what doesn’t serve me as an artist. Committing to one idea can be hard when you have any ideas! Planning ahead helps to stay focused.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I specialize in natural dyes, but more specifically, botanical prints using homegrown flowers from my southern California dye garden. I am most proud of how my art has developed over the years. I pride myself in thinking outside the box to bring a modern take on an ancient craft. I have also become well-known for my rainbow dye work and vibrant colors.

Any big plans?
In the future, I plan to continue to learn more about this craft. I’m currently studying the history of natural dyes as well as preparing seed and garden plots for this upcoming growing season. No big changes in the future, but I do plan to keep expanding my adult unisex clothing line. I also recently started teaching Beginner Natural Dye courses through my Patreon website and that has been a lot of fun! Seeing others excited about natural dye is so rewarding! I hope to expand that in the future.

Pricing:

• Organic Cotton Flower Printed Tee $60
• Patreon Monthly Membership $35
• Eco Printed Baby Onesie $28
• Women’s Shibori Silk Blouse $128
• DIY Silk Scarf Dye Kit $58

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.wildfirewater.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wild_fire_water_
• Other: https://www.patreon.com/Wildfirewater

Image Credits
Ashley Walker photography