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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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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…
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Ethel Mairet
One of the earliest books I bought was a little hard backed copy of Ethel Mairet’s A book on Vegetable Dyes. I love this book – her recipes may not be as environmentally friendly as we would like them to be these days, but her depth of knowledge and the effort she put into all her work has my total admiration. This year Barnstaple is celebrating the life of The Partridge family – Ethel, Fred and Maud, who were all talented artists. Fred and Ethel in particular being members of the Arts and Crafts Movement, living and working in Chipping Campden at the Guild and School of Handicraft. Each had…
