Dear Friends,

Welcome to Falling off Trees. I’m Korie, a natural dyer and passionate creator, weaving the art and science of natural dyeing into every fiber of my life. My journey began during an extraordinary time—the beginning of 2020—when the world slowed down, and I sought purpose beyond the roles of motherhood.

At the time, I was a stay-at-home mother to my identical twin babies and five-year-old son. Like so many others, I craved a connection to something outside the walls of my home. One day, I stumbled upon someone dyeing with turmeric, and the vibrant, golden hues sparked something within me. What began as curiosity turned into an exploration of plant-based color, starting with the scraps from my kitchen. Coffee grounds, onion skins, avocado pits, and black beans became the beginnings of my palette, transforming my children’s stained clothes into treasures of color and story.

As word spread, friends and family began dropping off their kitchen scraps, pre-loved clothing, and encouragement. This blossomed into a passion, nurtured by countless hours of experimentation, failures, and discovery. I devoured books, connected with inspiring dyers like Cara Marie Piazza and Sasha Duerr, and learned from resources such as Botanical Colors and The Dogwood Dyer. Through their teachings, I deepened my respect for the practice, embracing principles of sustainability, circular design, and deep care for the earth.

This craft has carried me through some of life’s darkest moments, including the sudden loss of my father. One cherished memory is the Carhartt (XXL) shirt I dyed for him with cutch (pictured on this page). He wore it to just about every family gathering, proudly- and told tales to others that I might have dyed it with potatoes (I still smile at that). The dirt that still remains on the collar preserve the days in which he lived in it. These memories cemented my understanding of how deeply personal and intimate our clothing can be. It’s more than just color; it’s connection, memory, heartbreak, and love..

Today, Falling off Trees is my way of sharing that connection. The name itself, conceived by my husband during a trip to Maine, embodies the magic of nature—fallen oak galls, leaves, and other gifts from trees that become part of the dyeing process. It also serves as a playful reminder of how inspiration, like nature, can surprise and delight us in unexpected ways.

Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of collaborating with incredible makers, teaching workshops, and creating connections through plant-based colors. My dye garden is a vibrant testament to the possibilities of growing and creating in harmony with nature. Here, flowers and plants grown for dyeing coexist with vegetables, illustrating the interconnectedness of all living things.

Falling off Trees is more than a brand; it’s a celebration of the earth’s beauty and our shared humanity. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Let’s create something beautiful together.

Warmly,

Korie