Batik: Batik Design: Batik Clothing

Recipe for a Batik Business

#1 “how to batik” book (received as a birthday present)
#2 lots of wax
#3 large dye pot
#4 white tee shirts
#5 (most important) an enthusiastic friend

In the early 1970s we began by experimenting with dyes and wax, tools and techniques, in a sunny backyard on the side of a mountain deep in the Catskill Mountains of New York. Through the wonderful organic way that a business is grown I was able to take the patterns I had formerly used on the surfaces of my sculpture and paint them onto fabric in melted wax. It was in this way we began our cottage industry. I could learn and create while I raised my son surrounded by friends and family.

Annie (the enthusiastic and talented friend) and I began by drawing in wax on shirts that we would then dye by hand. We were rendered breathless by the magic of seeing the animals and flowers we had drawn emerge on the brilliantly colored garments.

We both have backgrounds in the fine arts and my husband Robert joined in as problem solver/builder/technical consultant/custodian/ and vice president in charge of producing seconds.

Over the years we’ve expanded, adding comfortable colorful infants and children’s wear. We are still delighted when we see exuberant young faces peering at us above our Batiks. Heidi Coon joined our business and helped design and make patterns for our line of elegant women’s and carefree children’s wear. Her designs have evolved over the years into our exquisitely sewn, easy to wear and care for, comfortable garments.

Annie moved on to create an extraordinary store on Martha’s Vineyard and Robert runs our store outlet in Woodstock N.Y.

Laughing Bear Batik continues to change and grow with new designs, colors and garments. I continue to bring these to craft fairs up and down the east coast from Maryland to Vermont.

Since 1976 I have changed and grown with this business. It’s offered a creative place bringing art, function and my love of people to one arena. I have made many new acquaintances and friendships at craft fairs and through the mail over the years. It is you, my customers, that continually inspire me.

I am privileged to see some of those tiny young faces, now grown, return to purchase Laughing Bear clothing for their own children. It is a reward to hear that the garments I have made and sold all these years have been passed on from sister to cousin to son and back again.