The Fabric of Creation

The Wild Fiber art supply store is to dye for.

Materials for dyeing, weaving, fabric painting, basketry, knitting and crocheting--the whole realm of fiber art--can be found in the Santa Monica store that local artists call one-of-a-kind for its broad selection.

Besides locating difficult supplies and furnishing artists with technical help on projects, owner Cassie Tondro, who opened the store nine months ago, also makes time for the artistically deprived: She provides printed instructions for children and adults who are unfamiliar with dyeing and hand-painting.

As a child, Tondro was interested in art but was discouraged from pursuing it as a career. But she never lost sight of her artistic dreams, teaching herself to weave, knit, paint and make quilts.

When the Santa Monica native lost her job as a computer programmer last year, she decided it was time for a career change. Then came a brainstorm: Why not open a store where people could take classes and have access to fiber art supplies that are normally sold only through mail order?

“(Art) has been a hobby all my life,” Tondro said. “I went with my heart, opened this place and have never been sorry.”

The bright store is an ideal place to spend an afternoon browsing or working on a new creation. A portion of the store is a studio where patrons can work at large tables without interruption. On average, it costs about $15 to $20 to tie-dye or hand paint a shirt. The cost includes all supplies.

“(Fiber art) is like a cooking class,” said Santa Monica resident and art teacher Leslie McGowan. “You don’t get to eat the project but you get to enjoy the rich colors and (designs).”

Wild Fiber also offers an array of classes at the store, taught by local artists for minimal fees.

Wild Fiber, 1453-E 14th St., Santa Monica. Hours are from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Information: (310) 458-2748.