An integral part of my product selection at Gather is valuing the process of raw and natural materials; and that includes making colours from Nature. Last year I ran some natural dye workshops and this is what I wrote: "Experience how to use dyes from the wildest of nature, trees and
forests, derived from ancient recipes. Recipes made from berries,
flowers, roots and insect resins that are steeped in history.
Experience the stories of the Ancient Dyes; Stories of secret recipes
coveted by spies, of cargo that traversed continents and created
countries, colours which robed Vestal Virgins, clothed Robin Hood and
his Gang, and uniformed Armies of Ancient Kingdoms. Once forbidden and
still sacred Colours, Colours that are still grown, harvested, gathered,
smoked by fire and blessed by ancient deities. Can it be any more
enticing than this, even if its to just absorb the heady fragrances of
this old, old world." We have some new natural dyes in store, including beautiful books on dyeing.