natural dyeing in Montana

welcome

Local Earth is a natural dye and textile design studio focusing on the intersection between ecology, art, and design

enrollment now open!

*

enrollment now open! *

Local Color

In this course, we will follow the seasons and learn all about growing and foraging for local plants to produce color for natural dyeing and pigments for painting. The majority of the classes will be held at Kokoro Farm—a local, organic farm that specializes in flowers, vegetables, and dye plants. This will be a unique opportunity to observe the evolution of a market farm throughout the growing season and to participate in planting and harvesting dye plants. 

A natural dye and permaculture course.

register today →

New Collection

naturally dyed accessories
naturally dyed thread

naturally dyed silk scarf and ceramic earrings

black natural dye
hand painted natural dyes

silk collar with naturally dyed thread

hand-painted naturally dyed silk crown

naturally dyed black silk scarf and ceramic earrings

a collection of accessories in collaboration with Celeste Johnson of Parlour — each piece is handmade, hand-sculpted, hand-painted, hand-stitched and/or naturally dyed.

available now at Parlour in Livingston

reworked denim jacket
watercolor botanical dye
reworded denim vest

Shop the latest collab with Lu Dale

vintage reworked denim with naturally dyed accents

Available now at Lu Dale →

  • "I'm officially obsessed Mariah. All I want to do is scour, mordant, and dye. My right hand is bright yellow from the marigold and I love it. Might skip a day of work this week to dye. "

    - Lilia Tyrrell

  • “The course was well worth every moment. It was multidimensional and invited me into the rich world of gardening and natural dyes in a way that was not only practical but also deeply meaningful and personally satisfying.”

    Louisa | Local Color 2024

  • “The natural dyeing workshop was great! The Kithship space was wonderful, Mariah provided the exact right amount of information that made learning manageable, and most of all, the community I felt within the workshop was powerful and uplifting.”

    Jack | Workshop with Kithship 2023

  • “The Printing with Natural Dyes Workshop with Mariah and Becca at Kithship was a great experience. It was an opportunity to learn something new, and be creative while surrounded by interesting women. Mariah is a wonderful teacher and guide into the creative process. Great way to spend a weekend.”

    Julie | Workshop with Kithship 2025

  • “This program was an incredibly meaningful part of my creative process + education as a gardener. We created a meaningful community, learned fabulous skills to explore the alchemy of dye plants, and had a beautiful opportunity to connect with a remembering in our ancestry that held this knowledge long ago.”

    Lilia | Local Color 2024

  • “Local Color was such a beautiful blend of plants and art – grounded in the Montana ecosystem and shared in community. I learned so much practical information about dyeing with plants and felt rejuvenated by and connected with both the plants in my garden and in the wild.”

    Greta | Local Color 2024

  • “This course is such a beautiful way to connect to Montana–from the connection to the earth, to the community of people you’ll meet, to the creative spark you’ll light, or reignite within yourself. Mariah and Kareen are incredible teachers.”

    Kristen | Local Color 2024

  • “Local Color is a unique and thoughtfully curated course for anyone who wants to dig into their relationship with place, plants, art, and community. It has changed the way I see the world around me and my approach to gardening and fiberarts.”

    Sarah Compton | Local Color 2025