Page 66 – Botanical Colors

2012: The Year of More Color

How is it that we can look at a washing machine that is Harvest Gold and instantly date it to the 70’s? Or say “Santa Fe colors” and know that we’re speaking of a greenish teal, terra cotta, sage green and mauve? The answer is color forecasting. Each year a number of color experts meet (there are many forecasting organizations) and discuss the direction that colors are taking based on their observations of popular culture, political and economic climates and emerging trends. Out of these meetings come color forecasts which help guide colors for interiors, consumer goods, fashion and cosmetics. … Read more

Tips For Pokeberry Dyeing on Wool

We’re pretty obsessed with pokeberry dyeing right now for dyeing wool, making ink and just squishing them up and dropping them on paper. They are SO intense and exciting to use. I visited Japanese textile artist and katazome instructor John Marshall in his studio in Covelo, Mendocino County and was surprised to see that his entire front yard was covered in pokeberry bushes. Although pokeberries are native to most of the the United States, I had never even heard of them and was browsing through Rebecca Burgess’ book Harvesting Color on natural dyes when I spotted a beautiful red skein … Read more

Hints & Tips for Natural Dyers: How to Minimize Indigo Crocking

1. It’s supposed to rub off. That’s why blue jeans fade. 2. Certain cultures attribute indigo crocking to its authenticity and prize the way that excess indigo comes off on the hands or body. I found a description from Duncan Clarke of Adire African Textiles on how West African cultures dye and prepare indigo cloth: “After the dyed cloth had dried it was customary to beat the fabric repeatedly with wooden beaters, which both pressed the fabric and imparted a shiny glaze. In some areas additional indigo paste was beaten into the cloth at this stage, subsequently rubbing off on … Read more

A Perfect Red: A Story of Cochineal

A Perfect Red is a marvelous story about the history of the “discovery” of cochineal by Europe in the 16th century. The tiny scale insect is one of the most compelling red colors in the natural dye palette and its introduction took Europe by a storm, garnering huge fortunes for Spain and England (who pirated tons of cochineal bounty from Spain). Author Amy Butler Greenfield details the challenges that it took to bring this dyestuff to market from the fall of the Aztec empire to Perkin’s discovery of mauve. Her 300-page book reads like a natural dye bodice-ripping historical romance … Read more

Handwoven Fair Trade Wool Shawl – Temporarily out of stock

Something for cooler weather that takes dyes beautifully. Our sumptuous wool shawl is handwoven of fine wool in a lofty, gauzy weave. Large enough for a wrap but light and soft enough as an oversized scarf. Handknotted decorative fringe. Size is a generous 79”x39” (200×100 cm). 100% wool. $34.00 Color Natural $34.00

Handwoven Silk Tussah Gauze Shawl-Temporarily Out of Stock

One of the really fun things about working with suppliers around the world is when DHL drives up and the very nice driver lugs a bucket, barrel or box up the long driveway. The dog is barking wildly, desperately trying to make best friends before I drag in the goods and close the front door. We both eye the parcel (he sniffs it), and depending where it’s from start unraveling packing tape or string to see what’s inside. I just received a cache of gorgeous handwoven scarves and shawls that are a delight to dye and look beautiful colored with … Read more

A Breakthrough in Natural Dyes

Botanical Colors is offering a new line of liquid natural dyes that are perfectly suited for immersion dyeing, printing and painting. The colors are saturated and beautiful and the color line includes an indigo that does not require the traditional vat process. This means you can add this indigo (Saxon Blue) right into your dyepot along with a red and get a lovely purple, or use it with yellow and get a marvelous spring green. Used by itself, the blue color ranges from a deep teal to turquoise. The dyes are easy to use and certified as compliant with the Global Organic … Read more

Natural Dye Palette for 2012

Welcome to the first Botanical Colors palette formulated for natural dyes. These different color ideas were gleaned from trend forecasts, publications and presentations I attended over the past few months and represent my interpretation of the trends. Use these colors as ideas for a direction; they are not edicts but rather suggestions, and are designed to excite, inspire and provide you a platform to create your own personal palette in natural dyes. Enjoy the color journey! Download the PDF of the natural dye palette below. Natural Dye Color Palette 2012

India Flint: Creating Mindful Color

Once in a great while a book about natural dyeing comes along that completely changes my perspective on creating color and Eco Colour: Botanical Dyes for Beautiful Textiles by India Flint has my mind buzzing with the possibilities of using natural dyes in a whole new way. Ms. Flint is an Australian artist who collects frozen blossoms, fallen leaves, cast off vegetable trimmings and weeds to create art cloth that is local, sustainable and glows with unexpected and intriguing color combinations. Eco Colour is a complete guide to her unique method of natural dyeing and Ms. Flint generously details her process and … Read more

Japanese urushi lacquer scoops

I love lacquer and have been fortunate to receive lacquered bowls, chopsticks and bento boxes from my relatives in Japan over the years. And I was so pleased to learn that lac dye is derived from shellac, which I assumed was where lacquer came from. It was a very nice tie-in with the beautiful lac color and the muted and matte earthy reds of traditional Asian lacquer. Well, I wasn’t exactly accurate when it comes to Japanese lacquer. While it is true that shellac is used in making lacquer, what I discovered is that this type of Japanese lacquer is … Read more