Sponsored by Flagwool and Fiber Festival
During this two-day workshop, students will explore the intensely beautiful, full spectrum of color that can be obtained from Arizona dye fungi. On day one we will take a leisurely walk through the woodlands adjacent to the festival site, observing fungal specimens. We'll talk about the role fungi play in forest ecology, how to spot ideal mushroom and lichen habitats, and how to test for dye potential. After a picnic lunch, we will put our lessons to practice and test a couple of species to determine their dyeability and the best route to color. On day two we will work in-depth with a dozen or so regional species, using developed recipes to achieve brilliant, colorfast results. At the end of this weekend-long workshop, you will have the experience and resources you need to carry on your own experiments at home.
In this class, you will learn about mushroom safety, identification basics, and habitats. You will also learn about the importance of ethical harvest, especially pertaining to lichen dyes. At the end of the day, you will take home a detailed recipe card, showcasing a rainbow of samples dyed in class; a beautiful hand-dyed scarf; a procedural handout to guide your future exploration, and a customized guide to the best local dye fungi.
We will be outdoors for this class, so dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes.
Register at http://www.flagwool.com/store/p88/mushroom-lichen-dye.html
