"When I look at a finished item and see all the colors and variations, it just sings to me and I hope that others can see that also. It should make one happy," says Indiana native Judie Huss. Vivacious, yet subtle, her colors are a symphony on a summer night. Her work folds around the neck in a richness possible with only one fabric: silk. When a person purchases a Judie Huss scarf or purse, he or she owns contemporary art that retains an ancient aura.

"I don't think one decides to be an artist - it kind of chooses you." When Judie was chosen, she studied design and took classes thinking she wanted to be a painter. After years of focusing on design and color in art, crafts and nature, she was drawn to fabric and began quilting. Once she explored fabric dyeing classes taught by instructors such as Jane Dunnewold and Ann Johnston, Judie was hooked.

Judie started her career dyeing cotton. When she discovered that silk velvet, silk satin and silk charmeuse took the dye beautifully she found her element. By layering and intermingling colors such as yellow, red and blue or black, many other colors emerged. Her latest passion is creating "Art Scarves" using surface design.

Judie applys thickened dye to the fabric surface via painting, stamping, rolling or silk screening. The scarf is first soaked in soda ash to allow the dye to penetrate the fabric. The surface design is then applied. Patterns from carved erasers, drain covers, wall paper samples, rubbing plates and just about any item that has an interesting textural pattern inspires Judie. Another technique is submersion dyeing, which involves putting the fabric in a bucket or wall paper tray and then pouring various dye colors over the fabric. Judie then "squishes and mushes" the fabric by hand until she is satisfied with the result.

One of her favorite techniques is Shibori. Shibori is the term the Japanese use to describe techniques for tie-dye, stitch-dye, fold-dye or pole wrap-dye. Indigo is often the dye of choice in Japan, but Judie primarily uses Procion MX dyes because of their color variety and quality.

In addition to books and her surroundings, she credits the 'crazy ladies', a group of like minded friends, with helping spark her creativity. The crazy ladies are textile artists who recently went to Chicago for a festival and fabric hunt. They get together often to share discoveries. As a result, rusted metal becomes dye, silk cocoons are used for tassels, bottle lids become stamps, and creativity flows.

Broad Ripple roots run deep. Judie and her husband Ned moved to Indianapolis in 1990. The couple renovated a small bungalow on College Avenue near the Vogue and opened Sycamore Gallery. After selling the gallery, they opened Broad Ripple Gallery and Framing on 65th Street. Ned sold the gallery last year and retired; today Judie works from her home studio, and Ned volunteers at the Eiteljorg Museum.

Visit Artifacts on 6327 Guilford in Broad Ripple to see a rainbow selection of this creative lady's work. Once you hold an Art Scarf, you will hear Judie Huss's symphony of color playing oh-so-softly.