Join me October 12th and 13th at Cultus Bay Gardens on beautiful South Whidbey Island as we explore the brilliant, permanent dyes found in Pacific Northwest wild mushrooms and lichens.
In this two-day workshop, we’ll uncover the hidden rainbow found in what often appears as mundane mushrooms: Grey, tan, and brown caps give way to reds, greens, blues, and purples! Once you start noticing fungi, you’ll see dye potential wherever you go.
Saturday morning, surrounded by warm fall foliage, we’ll gather at Cultus Bay Gardens. After a round of introductions, we will begin our mushroom and lichen dye journey. We'll start by talking about the components of the art and science including:
- Mushroom and lichen dye history
- Mycology basics
- Ethical harvest principles
- Tools and resources for identification
- Preparing dyes
- Fiber selection and preparation
- Mordants, modifiers, and temperatures and the role they play in achieving optimal results.
After a brief intermission, we'll roll up our sleeves and start our dye extractions. Using a curated selection of ethically harvested local wild species, we'll work together to reveal a palette of over 20 vibrant colors! By the end of the day, we’ll have a rainbow of brilliant, naturally dyed samples arranged on a card detailing each recipe.
Sunday, we'll gather again for our day of dye decadence. Bring your own selection of protein-based fibers to dye in our larger pots. You'll need a minimum of 6: one oz bundles of wool, silk, alpaca, mohair, etc, in the form of yarn, fleece, or fabric. We’ll use some of the more common and easy-to-recognize species for an array of pleasant shades, including seafoam green, raspberry, golden olive, and slate gray. This aspect of the workshop allows us to explore techniques in a less restrictive way while observing the role fiber selection plays in the end result. You’ll not only enjoy seeing how the dyes take to your own fiber, but you’ll get to see a variety of results on the different fiber selections of your friends and classmates. Bring extra fiber bundles in case there is extra dye to exhaust.
In this fall workshop at Cultus Bay Gardens, you'll connect with other fungi and fiber enthusiasts while creating stunning, naturally dyed fibers from wild mushrooms and lichens. In addition to your own dyed fiber, you'll take home a full-color instructional guide, an elegantly designed silk scarf, and the recipes and samples we use in class. You’ll leave with the skills and experience to take your exploration to the next level.
**Special optional Field Study/Foray add-ons **
($30 cash or venmo) includes one or both offerings):
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Friday, October 11th, from 1-4 pm: Peering into the forest, we’ll observe and discuss forest ecology in real time as we examine the subtle differences in microhabitats. We’ll look for fungal clues, review ethical harvesting practices while describing and documenting our findings. If we're lucky, the woods will be teaming with dye fungi, allowing us to fill our baskets for our big dye day.
- Saturday, October 12th: Class will be dismissed at 4 pm for rest and recharge, but come back at dusk for hot spiced cider and an unusual foray into the night. Using UV lights and flashlights, we’ll canvass the garden grounds for glowing surprises. Some dye fungi are most easily spotted at night.
*Supply costs included in pricing. Bring water-tight containers for taking home dye if you'd like to work with what we have left over.*
