Alot of thinking over the past few weeks (and years) about the eco dye thing. It wanders through my mind that to be truly environmentally friendly, eco-dyeing should use materials that we grow or that we can gather on a very local level.
Last night I found this link about German dyers no longer having full access to Brazilwood because the rise in eco-dyeing is driving the price up so high. Thank you Jude Hill. India Flint mentions something about this on her site as well, relating to her use of eucalyptus which is native to Australia.
Last week's batches of papers were dyed with plants in my neighborhood collected on walks. This week's will be the same. Things are plentiful right now with summer's end in sight.
My feet are in the picture below not only for their outstanding beauty but for a sense of scale. Now what exactly do I consider windfall? The hydrangeas are from a neighbor's garden with permission to trim back anything hanging over her step. The juniper was hanging over the sidewalk and very plentiful.
Rose O'Sharon grows crazy wild around here so I never mind cutting mine back. My neighbor has one that is more blue and was very successful last week. I pick up the dead blooms from their lawn. Japanese Maples are common but don't successfully grow from seed. The seed pods are fair game as far as I'm concerned. They will be swept up and thrown away otherwise. In a month or so, the lawns will be littered with colorful leaves. Windfall.
With all of this said, I'd sure like to give the Euc a go. It won't become one of my staples though. Of course, we'll see how I feel in the dead of winter and those bunches of cheap flowerrs at Produce Junction are just staring me in the face.
What do you folks think of all of this? With the world at our fingertips these days, it is tempting indeed. But when we stop to think about the environmental footprint of having plants shipped to the four corners, how eco-friendly is the new eco-dyeing?
great point, diana! it is so much fun to experiment with plants that are right in your own yard, neighborhood and park. i wondered how my wisteria leaves would print and they were excellent... as well as rose leaves, blackberry leaves and the geraniums!!
Posted by: jeanne | 09/03/2013 at 11:49 AM
Wisteria! there is some around the 'hood. Next summer. And I love the rose leaves. My neighbors have some deeply colored bushes. I'm going to scout the fallen petals :) Thanks, Jeanne.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/03/2013 at 01:21 PM
Wisteria! there is some around the 'hood. Next summer. And I love the rose leaves. My neighbors have some deeply colored bushes. I'm going to scout the fallen petals :) Thanks, Jeanne.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/03/2013 at 01:22 PM
Sometimes we are so busy looking at the horizon we fail to notice the joy of our own back yard. HA! Says me who still has wanderlust!
Seriously though, I love discovering the opportunities afforded within walking distance of my own home . . . sitting in the sunshine, enjoying a quiet moment, alone or just shooting the breeze with loved ones, savouring the beauty and imperfection, the impermanence of the moment . . . wabi sabi.
Posted by: Wendy @ the Late Start Studio | 09/03/2013 at 02:59 PM
Great post! Maybe this is a good use for all those invasives that we can't seem to get rid of! Feel free to use all the mile-a-minute you want. As I recall from my time spent pulling it from the parks it stains everything it touches brown....
Posted by: Bess | 09/03/2013 at 05:14 PM
I do love the wabi sabi element in eco dye! That's it exactly, wise woman :) And wanderlust ... I hope it lasts forever.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/03/2013 at 06:07 PM
Yet another source of brown. I am planning a walk in the park this week. Still no pokeberry! Have you encountered any sumac bushes in your wanderings (not the poisonous variety). A variety called Elkhorn Sumac.
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/03/2013 at 06:09 PM
Diana - I have a ton of pokeberry in my forest, um, I mean, garden. though the birds are being pretty thorough about getting the ripe ones!
Posted by: denise | 09/03/2013 at 06:29 PM
I'll be emailing you real soon. Yay! I've been looking for it
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/03/2013 at 06:48 PM
I think when India Flint first came on the natural dyeing scene, everyone got real excited about eco-dyeing . But her main "eco" point was to keep it local. And Windfall, those things gathered without destroying anything. Lots of folks missed that , but that happens with trends.
Posted by: jude | 09/12/2013 at 08:02 AM
and I was lucky enough to be exposed from the start to be aware of where the dyestuffs were coming from. Awareness and informed intent
Posted by: Diana Trout | 09/12/2013 at 12:15 PM