
About Abenaart Shop
Abenaart Shop is an extenstion of my art practice under Abenaart. It is a seasonal, sustainable brand dedicated to crafting small-batch, nature-inspired creations. From naturally dyed bandanas, table runners, and scarves, to handcrafted natural paints and pigment paintings. Each piece reflects the beauty of being in relationship with the earth. Available online seasonally and at select vending events.
Orders placed between April 5th and April 14th will ship out the week of April 21st. Orders placed between April 14th and May 7th will ship out the weeks of May 5th and May 12th
Shop All Abenaart Offerings
-
Natural Dyes
Seasonal Approach | Small Batch Dyes Each piece in this collection is...
-
Natural Art Kits & Supplies
Natural inks and pigment paints have been used for centuries by various...
-
Tea, Coffee, Pigment Pieces
Coffee grounds, tea leaves, and pigment stains ... of the earthThese paintings...
A note on my pricing structure
Each piece in the shop is dyed by hand in small batches using plant-based and natural color. This work is slow, seasonal, and deeply intentional - from scouring and mordanting the fabric to foraging or sourcing the plants, preparing the dyes, and waiting for color to bloom.
A lot of my pieces be it pigment, soil, or tea, sit with me in process for weeks, some for years. Additionally, natural dyeing is an ancient, place-based process. It doesn’t move quickly, and neither do I. Pricing reflects not only the materials and hours involved, but the care, ancestral knowledge, and experimentation behind each piece. I do my best to keep items accessible while honoring the time it takes to make them. Thank you for supporting this sustainable practice rooted in slowness and connection.

Commitment to sustainability
At Abenaart, sustainability is at the heart of my creative process. I use natural materials like tea, coffee, dirt, pigments, soil, and fibers to craft each piece thoughtfully and intentionally. By working slowly and seasonally with my online store, I aim to reduce the environmental impact of single shipments. I welcome feedback - as a small Black-owned business, I am dedicated to continuously evolving towards more sustainable practices in all that I do.
-
Shipping & Packaging
Where possible shipping is done in bulk in reusable or recyclable packaging material. Receipt's are sent digitally and local pickup and or drop off options are available for open store dates.
Other current packaging sources include:
- The Waste Shed which provides Chicago with an organized, affordable, and reliable resource for repurposed art and craft materials.
- Chicago Creative Reuse Exchange. CCRX is a local non profit that keeps art material out of landfills and promotes a circular economy by redistributing donated surplus materials, equipment, and supplies. CCRX promotes environmental stewardship through creative reuse programming, products, and partnerships.
- Card stock gift boxes are made by Origami Bob - a wonderful human based in Evanston who spends their time making boxes out of card stock. A portion of proceeds from orders boxed with Origami Bobs boxes go to the Evanston/NorthShore YWCA Women's Shelter. The YWCA is the oldest and largest multicultural women’s organization in the world and is a leading service provider in sexual violence support services, early childhood and child care provider services. Founded in 1876, the YWCA is committed to eliminating racism and empowering women.
- Local thrift stores and where possible Abenaart sources cardboard boxes, gift bags etc. from second hand stores.
-
Painting & Natural dye Material
Using natural art material has been my path of exploration over the last 10 years through my interdisciplinary art practice. It has been an ongoing exploration of natural pigment making with spices, soils, teas, coffee, plants and other nature material.
Where are the pigments from?
Almost all of the natural dyes, pigments, and inks I use in my paintings and in my online offerings for sale are made in house with sustainable material such as tea, coffee, turmeric, soil, spices and other natural pigments.
Plants and flowers used for eco dyeing are currently sourced from my garden, local community gardens, and occasionally additional pigments when needed are sourced from Maiwa in batches.
Maiwa is based in Vancouver, Canada and works primarily with farmers and artisans in India.
-
Fibers
Current fabrics are sourced from the closing of Edwards Flower shop IL. When possible Abenaart sources from different local thrift stores or Textile Discount Outlet in Chicago. In the past Abenaart has sourced fabrics from Dharma Trading however, Dharma is not local to the Chicago area and still requires shipping. These fabrics will slowly be phased out to provide space for a more sustainable and local infrastructure with fabric products sewn locally.
How are fabrics sewn?
Abenaart is transitioning to working with an in-house sewer local to Chicago. Abenaart is committed to supporting relationship based collaborations with equitable and fair wages. As a result I work seasonally as sustainable and fabric products take more time to produce locally.
How are fibers processed?
Fibers are usually dyed in batch processing to lower the amount of water, gas, and electric useage.Collaborative eco friendly business practices.
I am always open to discussing what has worked for your business and how I might incorportate more ethical or sustainable practices into Abenaart shop - reach out to me via my contact form!
Chicago Stocklists:
Interested in carrying Joyous By Abenaart products? Contact me for my wholesale offerings packet.