Smith and Ewe Solar Dyeing, Solar Drying

So I was at Ikea and saw these jars. The first thing that came to mind was SOLAR DYEING.

I have some lovely Lincoln locks from Feederbrook Farm that just cried out for the sun.
I filled the jars with locks, then sprinkled the dry Jacquard dyes on top, then poured the mixture of hot water and citric acid crystals carefully over, filling up the jar. Put the lid on and waited. Three jars have grey fleece, one has white.

The jars were about 4 hours in the sun. I had to add some citric acid to the dye baths that had turquoise in them to fully exhaust, but all the colour did finally hit the fleece.

The locks were placed individually into the jars to retain the structure. There is VERY little vegetation in this fleece - you will have to look hard to find it. Locks are pretty close to 6" long, would be almost 8" if stretched out. Now on my www.smithandewe.etsy.com store, $5 for 56 grams (2 ounces).

The sun is still shining - the heat is still on. I will be doing more of this. Great fun!

Joining the Peace Arch Spinners and Weavers at their annual spin-in

I was invited back as a vendor to this annual event. What a beautiful day and what beautiful surroundings to hang out with my fibre friends.

Here I am, ready to meet new customers and say hi to those I met last year.

Spinners scattered themselves over the grounds, finding a place in the shade.

 Spinning on a Charka, feet up on the stool - talk about comfortable!

There were even 3 wedding parties on the grounds during our spin-in.

One of my customers showing me what she is producing from pencil rovings bought last year - luckily I had another skein for her.

Some scenes around Stewart Farm - what a venue for a spinner's gathering! Hope to see you all again next year.

Some of yesterday's efforts.

A picture of the grey Lincoln locks from Feederbrook Farm, freshly washed and dried, ready for dyeing.

And here are some of the Mawata silk hankies dyed, ready to be sent to Birkeland Brothers Wool in Abbotsford, BC.

Today I am dyeing more Mawata, and getting my inventory ready to take to Surrey for the Peace Arch Spinners and Dyers Spin-In on Saturday.

First day as a blogger!

Hello all. I hope you enjoy reading about my day to day wanderings in the world of fibre dyeing and spinning. Transcription work 3 mornings a week, then time to play!

Today I started dyeing an order of Mawata silk hankies for Birkeland Brothers Wool in Abbotsford. These hankies are incredible and the colours are absolutely brilliant. Watch for pictures once they are finished. I also washed my first order of Lincoln fleece from Feedererbrook Farm in Maryland, and will be doing some solar dyeing of the beautiful lustrous locks in the near future.

Tomorrow it is pack up day as I am off to join the Peace Arch Spinners and Weavers as a vendor at the Stewart Farm spin-in on July 28. This is a beautiful heritage farm site and what a place to spend the day with my fibre friends.

Tonight off to Vernon, BC to watch my grandson Quinn Smith play lacrosse with the Junior B Kamloops Venom, and hopefully close out the series with a win!!