We caught up with Jordan Storm Louise, the Founder of SALT Textiles, who spent much of lockdown in the countryside of Calabria, Italy.
Her 5 words to describe it are; Organic, sacred, gentle, elemental, transient
Tell us a bit about SALT Textiles
SALT Textiles is a meditation on a craft. A multidisciplinary project exploring conscious materials and slow processes — through textiles SALT questions our relationship to the everyday. Using traditional methods of making, natural dyeing and hand finishing, SALT aims to return to wiser ways, creating work that honours the life-cycle of the materials being used and the functions of the pieces themselves.
How did it all begin?
SALT began very unintentionally. I was experimenting with natural dyes and hosting a craft evening at my home, this slowly evolved and the name came to me in a dream. I then began sharing textiles, linen bags for everyday living. I was invited to share my dyeing and mending skills at workshops and on retreats, which brought in a communal aspect. SALT has evolved very organically into what it is now and I’m incredibly grateful for all the support. I’m in a slow transition period with my creative work and am excited to share the next cycle of SALT in the coming months.
What’s your favourite bit (of your sanctuary)
Sanctuary isn’t always a place for me, it’s a time. I love the early hours of the morning, complete quietness and clear air – especially in the autumn with the first days of low light. This time is deep introspection and reflection. I find that this time is an inner sanctuary and no matter what my environment I can always enter it. In a material sense, we’re heading to the ocean almost daily. Floating on the water, listening to the crackles of fish under the sunlight is my favourite part of my environmental sanctuary.
If you could have anyone to come and stay (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
There are so many wonderful artists, poets, writers, academics and friends I would love to have over. I have been told I have a great-great-great grandmother who was an English farmer, her name was Alice Silver. I would love to talk with her about her life and my maternal ancestry. Ask her what the woods were like at that time? Did she have a craft or sing lost songs? What fruits did she eat?
Do you have any daily rituals you do there?
I have many, they are woven into my day rather than having a specific set of rituals that I follow strictly. Most mornings I sit in meditation, have a silent tea ceremony and do some writing. I’ll then either do some stretching, swim, run or go for a walk. In the evening I shower or swim to rinse the day away and then read a novel. I also take time to prepare and bless my food – something so simple but important. I used to be very set in a routine but I’ve found being able to ebb and flow with my own inner cycle gives me more space, clarity and a sense of belonging. At the moment I’m also having a nettle infusion during the morning, which helps me feel connected to my homelands. The nettles are wild foraged and prepared by a wonderful herbalist.
If you had to choose one song to play every time someone arrived, what would it be?
This is so hard! I love music so choosing one song would be so difficult. I think maybe Only You by Steve Montie at this moment in time. My friends and I love dancing or driving to this song, it always puts me in a good mood.
What are your top tips for turning a space into a sanctuary?
As sanctuary is different for everyone I can only speak for what makes an interior sanctuary for me. Having a tidy space and meaningful objects. Each object in my home or studio is either functional or sentimental, most of the time both. Soft textures and natural materials help to soothe me as does candle light and good music or radio. I find a beeswax candle, tidy entrances and fresh sheets are an easy way to create and keep a sanctuary. In my workspace I keep rocks, shells, fallen branches, herbs and candles on my table, to bring nature inside. It’s important to remember that spaces, no matter how temporary or small, are living things – they need to be decorated, tidied, loved and lived in.
Find Jordan here and Salt Textiles here on Instagram and here.
