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DHA 43 Special Edition – Heritage
For anyone interested in dyeing with Alder and Alder Buckthorn Bark, can I bring your attention to papers which have been published in the DHA Special Edition of Heritage? This is opensource so can be accessed by anyone. Krista Wright has written “From bark to Dye – Ethnographic black and grey alder recipes from Finland and Estonia” Liis Luhamaa “Rotting for Red: Archival, Experimental and Analytical Research on Estonian traditions of decomposing Alder Buckthorn Bark before dyeing” Both papers have been supported by the WP2 team on the Colour4CRAFTS project – my role was the light fastness testing and analysis for the samples but all the hard work preparing and…
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The Loom Shed Natural Dye Symposium
Next Saturday 22nd February I will be back down at The Loom Shed in Devon doing a talk for their annual Symposium. I’m stepping out of my comfort zone again – I’ll be in “modern” dress and talking about the science of natural dyes rather than their use as art – to me it is really important that there is an understanding of the science to be able to get really good results. I am a dyer not an artist! Having said that I am all for having a good play, the science can be fun stuff, natural dyes lend themselves to play time, but it’s so much better if…
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2023 – A year completing a change
What with selling up in France and moving everything across to Leeds finding workspace for the business and becoming part of a significant new EU funded project I think 2023 can class as an interesting one. Let’s start with discussing – or not discussing the research. I am absolutely loving my time at Leeds, for years I have wanted to really know what happens with the mordanting process and at last I am being allowed to delve into it in depth. Part funded by the Cotton Industry War Memorial Trust (to whom I express my undying gratitude) I am obviously looking at cotton and cellulose in particular but started this…
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A new Home
The Mulberry Dyer has a new base in Leeds! It’s a wonderful location in the centre of town at Fabrication 2. In an old warehouse building, fascinating in itself, Fabrication 2 is an award winning Social Enterprise supporting local artists and makers and I’m working alongside some very talented artisans. I have my own space for working with my yarns. As you can see I’m still settling in! There are currently 2 Fabrication retail outlets – 1 in Leeds (Albion St, near Waterstones) and 1 in York (19 Coney St), however there will be a 2nd opening in Leeds before Christmas, in a prime spot, more info soon! So happy…
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The Dyehouse is on the move
Firstly I would like to wish all my readers, followers, customers and friends a Happy New Year – may it bring peace and happiness and what you desire. “The time has come”, the Walrus said or actually I am saying – it’s a New Year better continue with the changes. You probably remember I had a pacemaker fitted in 2019, I was warned then not to lift anything really heavy – it could cause serious damage to my heart if the leads get pulled out – so the decision has been made not to dye cloth or large hanks of wool any longer. They are just too heavy! Combine this…
