We are excited to share that this week, the women of Creative Hands and a group of Roma women from the Petalouda Education Program, led by our dear friend Sarah Wheway, will be participating in a Natural Dyeing Workshop. This special workshop will be led by George Petsikopoulos, a visual artist and natural dyer whose passion for traditional craft and sustainable practices has inspired many people to rediscover the colours found in nature.

Imbali is a word that comes from the Zulu and Xhosa languages of South Africa, and it means “flower, or blossom and in some places will used it to also mean history”

At Imbali Studio, we are excited to introduce our new weaving workshops, designed for both beginners and those who are curious to explore the timeless craft of weaving.

Handmade objects have a quiet power. They are more than functional items; they become vessels of meaning, holding the stories, emotions, and moments that shape our lives.

The name Imbali comes from the Zulu language and means “a flower” and “to blossom.” It is a beautiful and common girls’ name, and it carries deep personal meaning for me.

Lately I have been thinking about the gift of community and what that means for me as an individual and how my life has been enriched by the community I am planted in. Not only have I been thinking about community but have also been thinking about ways I can engage with the community I am a part of in a way that benefits those around me.

Three months after opening Imbali’s doors, I look back on a journey of faith, creativity, and connection — and the many stories woven together in this space.