One of Emily Edwards' hand-dyed creations
Emily Edwards, Bristol, Virginia creates one-of-a-kind, hand-dyed wearable and functional art. Her primary technique involves ice dyeing, a newer method that produces beautifully unpredictable results, though she also enjoys working with traditional methods like indigo and shibori.
‘I’ve had a deep love for fabric and fashion for as long as I can remember. As a child, my grandmother would let me rummage through her jar of buttons and practice sewing them onto fabric scraps. In my teenage years, I got into thrifting and upcycling, and turning old clothes into something new became a passion. I still remember finding a skirt that fit perfectly but came in a color I didn’t like. I bleached it to strip the original shade and then dyed it a rich, beautiful brown. That was my first real experience using color to completely transform a garment. Since 2020, I’ve been working full-time as a studio artist and running my own brand,” Edwards says.
She studied at East Tennessee State University, where she majored in family and consumer sciences with a concentration in fashion merchandising. She took as many art electives as possible, which helped deepen her love for textiles and color. Her dad, David Mullins, is her small business mentor. He coaches her, supports the growth of her handmade brand and is always her go-to for any business-related questions.
“I’m endlessly inspired by the beauty and unpredictability of nature. I love how no two things are ever exactly the same. Ice dyeing feels like magic in that same way. The colors blend and flow in patterns I can never fully control, which keeps me curious, creative and grounded. The element of surprise in each finished piece is what draws me back again and again.
“Ice dyeing is a blend of art and science, part creativity, part chemistry. While it might look as simple as layering ice and dye over fabric, there’s a lot more involved. A deep understanding of color theory, fabric preparation and timing is essential. The melting ice controls the way the dye flows and splits, often revealing unexpected colors as certain dyes break down into surprising shades. It’s a slow, meditative process that can take 48 hours or more, but that patience is part of what makes it so special. Every piece I create is truly one-of-a-kind and impossible to replicate, even by me,” she says.
Her work can be purchased through her website www.buffalobettydyes.com. Locally in the Tri-Cities, her work is available at Holston Mountain Artisans and Appalachian Roots Trading Post, both located in downtown Abingdon, Virginia. She also has work in Mill Spring Makers Market located in downtown Jonesborough, Tennessee. In the spring and autumn, she also likes to set up and do markets and shows.
“Having grown up in Abingdon, Virginia, I was always aware of Holston Mountain Artisans and often visited the Cave House Craft Shop. Now, as an adult, I’ve been seeking opportunities to connect and collaborate with other local artists. It feels meaningful to have my work represented in such a well-known and respected establishment in my hometown,” Edwards says.
