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Creating Sepia Ink with American Black Walnuts
American Black Walnut Ink Botanical Ink Christmas gift Christmas gifting ideas Eco Friendly Living Foraging Gift Making ink at home Natural Ink Small Batch Production Sustainable Living Walnut Ink Zero-waste
The American black walnut has a high concentration of juglone, the compound which produces the dye pigments.
It is acid free, lightfast, stable, reliable and water soluble. The colour ranges from pale sepia, golden brown to dark brown. Unlike some natural inks, the colour strengthens with time.
Find out how to make this wonderful ink at home with foraged walnuts.
Purity and Process: Making colour with spring water from the Oare Marshes in Kent
Conservation Eco Friendly Living Ethically Made Natural Dye Oare Marshes Small Batch Production Spring Water Sustainable Living Zero-waste
The source of the yarn for the organic textiles, the choice of dye materials, the foraging sites and the water to make the natural colours are equally important for us at Juniper & Bliss in creating pieces that are “pure” to the core.
From Claret to Caramel: The Alchemy of Dyeing with Dahlias
Dahlia Eco-friendly Natural Dye Organic Sustainable Living Zero-waste
Autumn is a treasure trove for natural dyers seeking shades of velvety caramel and nutty brown as an abundance of mature cones, seeds, barks and leaves are packed full of tannin during this season.
Wearing zero-waste on your shirt sleeves: Is there a place for kitchen scraps in your wardrobe?
Eco Friendly Living Ethically Made Food waste Kitchen scraps Natural Dye Organic Sustainable Living True cost of colour Zero-waste
The impact on the environment of our patterns of consumption (food, fuel and fashion) is complex. How to reduce food waste, amongst other changes in the way we live concern us all as we navigate the choppy waters of sustainability and mindful living. We know that fifth to a quarter of the food bought by UK household consumers amounts to a staggering 70% of all food waste, whilst the remaining 30% is happening in the hospitality & food service (HaFS), food manufacture, retail and wholesale sectors. At the same time, we are keenly aware of the environmental impact of fashion, especially...
The Tiny Flower that Packs a Massive Punch: Natural Dye with Cow Parsley
Cow Parsley Eco Friendly Living Foraging Hand Made Natural Dye Small Batch Production Sustainable Living Wild Flowers
With high drama and absolute decadence, the cow parsley ushers in the Summer Solstice, when the earth is at its closet point to the sun and every living thing on the face of the earth is soaked in light. It reminds us to rejoice and celebrate light. For natural dyers, the long days are for work, planning and preparing for the year ahead because once the heady show is over, so is our source of colour.