“Mel’s depth of knowledge, scholarly references, rich historical examples, her extensive personal experimentation, but also her ability to communicate it all in a highly understandable way, are second to none. I have taken workshops with many well known natural dye teachers, and Mel is the best. If you want to learn natural dyeing done right, and with a strong emphasis on ecology, then jump at the chance to study with her.”
— Lena Nilsen
 

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I’m really enjoying the only somewhat controllable process of printing with #naturalinks using plant material as the application tool. This is #wildchamomile with #cochinealink on watercolour paper. This can also readily be done with fabric #na
Cloth made from plants (organic cotton), pigment made from plants (#indigo), and means of attachment made from plants (soybeans). #plantsrock . If you’d like to learn to do this, and many other techniques for working with #pigments , my Inks,
Hi there, I’m trying something new. Well, two new things, really. . The first is an online visual art course, for sharing how to make inks, paints, and stains from scratch, using earth pigments, lake pigments, and indigo. This is the first tim
Working with different formulations of #mayablue #pigment. There was no single recipe or method used by the Maya and other Mesoamerican peoples. The scientific literature shows us that many different clay combinations, different sources of indigo, di
Given what a respiratory hazard it is, it’s always best to avoid mold in your dye baths. But on the occasion it happens, and an intense Summer sky is reflected on the surface, it’s always best to stop in awe at the amazing creations that
Would you like to learn to make visual art materials from scratch? In this online course delivered over three weeks (and you have access to all course materials for a full year), you'll learn to process natural dyes and earth/mineral pigments in prep
I just published a new blog post on how to save lots of money by sourcing many natural dye supplies through anywhere except a natural dye supplier! If you like, you can subscribe to my Natural Dye Blog through the subscription section at the top of t
#indigoink prepared several different ways, both contemporary and historic, for different effects. Now I’m off to the local farmers’ market. There are fresh strawberries in my very near future. I hope you have a lovely weekend! . #mamiess
Common/European Buckthorn (Rhamnus cathartica) is an ecology damaging invasive outside its native range. It’s now found throughout most of Canada, though I’ve yet to come across it on Cape Breton Island, thank goodness, but did forage som
Creating texture with natural inks and paints is so relaxing. I haven’t been able to breathe properly since the decision in the US to legally enslave pregnant women. Doing something creative is always so immersive. As my mind focuses on nothing
Are you a fibre artist on #unamaki? Perhaps you'd like to join me on June 22 for a workshop and facilitated discussion on sustainable textile practices? This session is free to attend, but a ticket must be reserved in advance. As part of this session
I recently asked for suggestions of what to do with coffee filters used for making #lakepigments. I usually use cloth, which I launder and re-use. But I had a box of recycled coffee filters a guest had left behind, so decided to use them, and then wa
Turkey Red is challenging to effectively over-dye. You’ve probably heard people say that you don’t need to re-mordant fabric when over-dyeing. The chemical reason for this is that metal salt mordant molecules have multiple bonding sites -