A working textile studio and school of fiber art in Stuart, Florida

The Aya Fiber Studio began as a working artist’s studio—
a place rooted in process, material, and the quiet discipline of making.

Founded in Stuart, Florida in 2008, the studio was originally a private space for exploration in cloth, surface design, and traditional textile practices. Over time, that personal practice expanded into something more—an environment where others could come not just to learn, but to study.

By 2013, Aya Fiber Studio opened to small-group workshops, establishing a model centered on depth, attention, and hands-on experience.

A Working Studio

A Space for Focus

Workshops are intentionally small, typically limited to 6–10 students.

This allows for individual attention, meaningful interaction with instructors, and the physical space to work comfortably and without distraction.

The studio environment supports concentration. Days are structured, but unhurried—allowing time for experimentation, problem-solving, and the kind of sustained focus that is often difficult to find elsewhere.

For many, this dedicated time is as valuable as the instruction itself.

Looking Forward

After more than a decade of teaching and building this community, Aya Fiber Studio now stands as both a fully realized studio and a rare opportunity for its next chapter.

The studio, its systems, and its reputation have been carefully developed over time—and are now being offered as a legacy business for a new steward to continue and expand.

For those interested in carrying this work forward, you can learn more here:
Aya Fiber Studio: Legacy Opportunity→

At the same time, Suzanne Connors continues her personal work and teaching through Aizome Studio, with a dedicated focus on Japanese textile traditions, advanced study, and immersive experiences both in the U.S. and abroad.

Whether you are joining for a single workshop or returning as part of an ongoing practice, Aya Fiber Studio offers a place to slow down, work with intention, and engage deeply with cloth.

This is a space where technique meets material,
where tradition meets contemporary expression,
and where learning happens through the hands.

A Place to Study

Aya Fiber Studio is designed for those who want to go deeper.

This is not a quick, project-based experience. It is a place where techniques are explored through repetition, observation, and hands-on practice—where learning unfolds over time and through direct engagement with materials.

Students are encouraged to slow down, to notice, and to refine their work. The emphasis is not on producing finished pieces, but on developing understanding.

Aya remains, first and foremost, a working studio.

It is not a demonstration space or a classroom designed for passive learning. Every workshop takes place within an active environment where materials are prepared, processes are ongoing, and the rhythm of making is present throughout the day.

The studio is fully equipped to support a wide range of fiber practices, including a dedicated dye kitchen, large wet work sinks, print tables, sewing stations, and indigo vats.

Students work with real tools, real materials, and real processes—gaining an understanding that goes beyond technique alone.

The Experience

Students travel from across the country—and often internationally—to attend workshops at Aya Fiber Studio.

What draws them here is not only the caliber of instruction, but the experience of working within a fully equipped studio, alongside others who share a commitment to process and material.

Many students return year after year, building upon their skills and deepening their connection to the work.

A workshop at Aya is not just a class—it becomes part of a larger creative journey.

Rooted in Japanese Textile Traditions

Aya Fiber Studio is especially known for its focus on Japanese textile practices, including indigo (aizome), shibori, and katazome.

These traditions are approached with respect for their origins and an emphasis on process over outcome. Techniques are taught through repetition and guided practice, honoring the depth and discipline inherent in the work.

Through continued study, travel, and relationships with artisans in Japan, the studio maintains a connection to the cultural and technical foundations of these practices.

Work offered through Aizome Studio | Suzanne Connors reflects this deeper level of engagement, providing opportunities for sustained study in indigo and resist techniques.

Visit the Studio

Aya Fiber Studio is located in Stuart, Florida, and welcomes students from across the country and beyond.

For many, attending a workshop involves planning travel and accommodations in advance. The studio experience is designed to make that investment worthwhile—offering not just instruction, but time and space dedicated to creative work.

Plan Your Visit→

Learn more about Suzanne Connors →