Studio Destroyed

This week a devastating accident destroyed my entire studio space. After painstakingly building my folk arts business for the last 6 years, this comes as a devasting loss both to our community and to my livelihood. As a fully self-employed, single woman, finances are always narrow, and I have lost more than 80% of my business through this tragedy.

 

Funds donated will be used to replace equipment, materials, and the nuts-and-bolts that make a studio run. Many of these tools are used in education, to teach natural dyes, spinning, and keep fiber arts and history alive. Without these tools, I have lost my sole income generator, and the emotional impact is truly devastating. In addition to the loss of material possessions, it is unlikely I will be able to find a studio with as affordable rent as I had, and spaces I find may require construction fees, not to mention the vibrant and inspiring community our beloved space provided.

 

 

An abbreviated list of losses includes:

 

Silk and specialty fabrics and items: $3800

Organic and natural dyes: $1200

Weaving Loom: $800

Dye equip (pots, burners, plates, spinners, etc): $800

Computer/tech: $1400

Spinning Fiber & Yarns: $700

General Furniture/Storage: $800

Sewing Patterns, Specialty Dye Literature, etc: $600

Misc Teaching Supplies: $300

 

 

As a woman who earns her keep dyeing, I find myself suddenly naked without a dye pot, and not even a burner to put one upon. Any support you can share will truly make a difference in my livelihood; if financial aid is not possible for you right now, even posting or letting someone know about my workshops makes a huge difference to me, and keeps a roof over my head.

 

Other ways to support include shopping what limited inventory remains on my website: www.lesleydarling.space

Or through continued support on Patreon at: https://www.patreon.com/lesleydarlingfiber

 

 

 

 

Regarding insurance and preparedness: I intended for business insurance to begin in January, but the slow grind of state bureaucracy resulted in delayed LLC formation, which finally came through just days before the accident, and before I could be fully insured. My personal insurance may cover a fraction of the losses, but it is likely to be some time before we're able to understand what, if anything, can be covered through policies.