It wasn't until an accidental discovery in 1856 yielded mauveine, that the chemical dye industry began. By 1900 a synthesized indigo was in production. The natural dye markets became a thing of the past, and commercial dyeing turned to synthesized chemicals, with natural dyeing becoming a tradition maintained by only a few.

Much of the pleasure in natural dyeing comes from the exploration of your own neighborhood; finding fiber colors in plants nearby is a pleasure that expands your appreciation of the life around you. It is difficult, however, to find reds and blues in common North American plants. The exotic dyestuffs offered here can expand your world of fiber color.

earthues(TM) (formerly Color Trends): earthues, a Natural Dye Company based in Seattle, is producing natural colorants which are changing the scale on which natural dyes are being used. Their mission involves providing industry with dyes which are practical on a large scale and which are evironmentally safe, as well as helping to support the continuation of rural agricultural communities wordwide.

After many years of research, earthhues has developed a full line of natural dye extracts that can be used for textiles, wood, bone, leather, & many other natural surfaces. The colors come from bugs, berries, barks, & roots. These concentrated extracts are a breakthrough for both artists & industry; using natural dyes in extract form saves time, energy, & water. Although the prices for the extracts are higher than for the raw materials, they dye much larger quanties of fiber, ie. the cochineal extract is 8 times stronger than the dried bugs, the logwood extract is 2.5 times stronger than the sawdust, the osage extract is 5.5 times stronger than the wood chips.

We buy these natural dye extracts & dye stuffs in bulk and offer them to you in smaller amounts. MINIMUM ORDER EACH - Cochineal & Weld- .25 oz; Madder, Lac, & Lac/Madder - 1 oz, Scour - 1 lb; all other dyes and mordants - 4 oz.

DYE	FORM	COLOR	PRICE/OZ
Chamoile	flower	maize yellow	$2.25
Cochineal Extract	powder	fuschia to rasberry	$37.50
Cochineal Bugs	dried bugs	crimson to vivid purple	$5.00
Lac Extract	powder	old rose to Bordeaux	$9.90
Lac	sticklac	Chinese Red, burgundy, black	$3.75
Lac/Madder Extract combination	powder	rich coral red	$8.75
Madder Extract	powder	red-orange	$9.90
Madder	roots	turkey red	$1.20
Marigold	flower	bronze yellow	$2.25
Indigo	powder	sky blue to midnight	$4.40
Logwood Purple Extract	powder	gray lavender to blue purple	$4.40
Logwood Grey Extract	powder	steel grey to raven black	$4.90
Logwood	sawdust	rich purple	$4.38
Quebracho Red Extract	powder	peach to brown rose	$3.00
Quebracho Brown Extract	powder	cork to cognac	$1.10
Quebracho Yellow Extract	powder	honey gold to sienna	$1.75
Quebracho Green Extract	powder	bronze to yellow green	$2.25
Pomegranate Extract	powder	gold to khaki	$3.65
Fustic Extract	liquid	bright gold to moss green	$6.95
Osage Extract	liquid	lemon to sulfur	$6.00
Tesu Flower	dried flowers	subdued yellow/olive base	$3.00
Cutch Extract	powder	caramel to coffee brown	$3.25
Chestnut Extract	powder	parchment to elephant gray	$1.40
Walnut Extract	crystals	butternut to amber	$2.25
Wattle Extract	powder	ash rose to nutmeg	$0.85
Weld Extract	powder	vivid green to yellow	$46.90
Weld Flowers	flowers	vibrant pure yellow	$4.75
Myrobalan Extract	powder	light yellow	$1.75
Gallo/Tannin Extract	powder	tea to silver grey	$3.15
Iron	powder	color changer	$0.50
Aluminum Acetate	powder	mordant-cellulose fibers	$2.25
Aluminum Sulfate	powder	mordant-protein fibers	$0.75
Scour	liquid	pre-treat for cellulose fibers	$24.00/lb
Orvus	paste	protein scour	$21.90/lb
Soda Ash (alkaline)	powder	mordant, indigo agent	$1.30
Thiorea Dioxide (Spectralite)	powder	indigo agent (reducer)	$2.25
Gum Tragacanth	liquid	thickening agent	$4.75
PH Indicator Strips	range 0-14	100/box	$26.00/box
Citric Acid	powder	dissolver for Lac, color changer	$0.75

 earthues(TM) Natural Dye Sample Kit
(11 extract colors, 2 indigo agents, 2 mordants,1 scour, 1 color changer, 1 dust mask, & the Natural Dye Instruction Booklet) $165.00

Natural Dye Instruction Booklet by Michelle Wipplinger- Expanded edition includes detailed instructions for use of extracts; painting and immersion dying and blends; color photos of dye samples. 43 pages. $19.95

Natural Dyes for Artisans of the Americas
Written by Michelle Wipplinger for OAS, text in English & Spanish. Covers natural dyes, mordant methods for various fibers including cotton &jute, extraction methods, dyeing methods, indigo vat, techinical considerations; illustrated, softcover, 72 pages. $19.95

Natural Dyes and Mordants

Natural DyeStuff

Cutch Extract

browns

7 oz

$12.00

Other Mordants

Tartaric Acid		3.5 oz	$12.00
Chrome*	Potassium Dichromate	2 oz	$12.00
Tin	Stannous Chloride	2 oz	$30.00
Cream of Tartar	softener & color enhancer (protein)	4 oz	$3.75

Gaywool, Country Classic, Jacquard Acid Dyes, and Jacquard Procion MX Dyes have become very popular because they offer brilliant color and are very easy to use. The first two are complete and require no additional mordants or stabilizers; Jacquard Acid Dyes require the addition of white vinegar, Jacquard Procion MX Dyes require the use of salt, soda ash, & Synthrapol. The dyes within each brand can be mixed, making the range of colors even wider.

Jacquard Acid Dyes: Wonderfully brilliant and colorfast dyes for use on any protein fiber such as wool, silk, nylon or even feathers! Simple to use on stove top or in washing machine, all you add is white vinegar. The dye powder itself has a neutral pH and is considered non-toxic when used properly. One 1/2 oz. jar will dye 2 lbs. of fiber or fabric to approximately the color on the dyecard; use less for pastel colors.

Dissolve dye in hot water add to dyebath with 1/4 cup white vinegar, raise temperature to 180-195 degrees, maintain temp. & stir occasionally for 1/2 hour. Wash in soap and cool water. Colors can be blended.

Forty vivid colors available

600 Ecru	610 Burgundy	620 Hot Fuchsia	630 Spruce
601 Yellow Sun	611 Vermillion	621 Sky Blue	631 Teal
602 Bright Yellow	612 Lilac	622 Sapphire Blue	632 Chestnut
603 Golden Yellow	613 Purple	623 Brilliant Blue	633 Aztec Gold
604 Burnt Orange	614 Violet	624 Turquoise	634 Olive
605 Pumpkin Orange	615 Periwinkle	625 Royal Blue	635 Brown
606 Deep Orange	616 Russet	626 Navy Blue	636 Gold Ochre
607 Salmon	617 Cherry Red	627 Kelly Green	637 Gun Metal
608 Pink	618 Fire Red	628 Chartreuse	638 Silver Grey
609 Scarlet	619 Crimson	629 Emerald	639 Jet Black

Free color card-send business-sized SASE.

1/2 oz. jar 4.49

Bulk quantities available...please inquire.

Gaywool Dyes: Light and color fast and can be used for wool, mohair, cashmere, silk, and fur; each jar dyes 2.2 lbs. All colors can be blended and can be used for hand painting skeins, and microwave dyeing. Dissolve dye in hot water, add to dyebath, add wetted fabric or fiber, bring the dyebath to low boil,simmer for about 30 minutes, rinse and dry.

COLORS: Mushroom, Pawpaw, Wattle Bark, Logwood, Coal, Silver Birch, Honeycomb, Pumpkin, Madder Orange, Watermelon, Tomato, Raspberry, Blueberry, Cornflower, Indigo, Avocado, Olive, Lucerne, Plum, Cyclamen, Hibiscus, Primula, Lavender, Violet, Daisy, Azaelea, Orchid, Iris, Lily, Cedar, Mulberry, Musk, Blue Gum, Aster, Myrtle, Crabapple

Color Card $2.00    

100gr Jar (3.5 oz) $14.75 

1 kg Bulk Can (2.2 lb) $102.60

Gaywool BushBlend Dyes for beautiful pastel colors; use as above, each jar sufficient for 600 gms (1.32 lb.) fiber

COLORS: Primrose, Pearl, Citrus, Wattle, Ivy, Willow, Rosemary, Meadow, Cypress, Iceberg, Sugargum, Alpine, Saltbush, Mustard, Nutmeg, Sandstone, Tanbark, Bulloak, Stringybark, Garnet, Cranberry, Peppercorn, Salmon, Watercrest, Peppermint, Oak.

Color Card $2.00

80gr Jar (2.8 oz) $9.98

1 kg Bulk Jar (2.2 lb) $63.65

Country Classics: Light and colorfast, these dyes can be used for wool, angora, mohair, cashmere, nylon, & silk; each jar dyes 2 pounds. Dissolve dye in small amount of boiling water, stir into the dye-bath and then put in wetted fiber or fabric. Bring dye-bath to a boil, cool, rinse & dry. The whole process can take less that an hour.

COLORS: Florescent Yellow, Buttercup, Maize, Canteloupe, Pumpkin, Apricot, Hot Pink, Ripe Tomato, Strawberry, Persimmon, Cherry, Magenta, Bermuda Sand, Desert Rose, Chestnut, Blue Bonnet, Cornflower, Blueberry, Slate Blue, Spring Green, Evergreen, Avocado, Blue Spruce, Kiwi, Mountain Aqua, China Jade, Sugar Plum, Wild Iris, Raspberry, Lilac, Spring Violet, Quicksilver, Raven, Butterscotch, Rust, Teal.
New Colors: Gold, Golden Pear, Maple Sugar, Toffee, Autumn, Cranberry, Turkey Red, Mahogany, Charcoal, Pine Green, Key Lime, Deep Purple.

Color Card 3.00               Jar 6.15

Jacquard Procion MX Dyes: Cold water dyes for all natural fibers; Procion dyes are permanent, colorfast, & washable. They are the best dyes for all cellulose fibers including cotton, rayon, linen, hemp, flax, paper, reeds & wood. They can also be used for protein fibers, but Jacquard Acid Dyes are usually the dye of choice for protein fibers. The 41 colors can be used to create a range of colors varying from light pastels to deep, vibrant hues. They are economical to use, as 1 ounce can dye more than 5 yards of fabric or about 9 T-shirts. Procion dyes are considered non-toxic when used properly. As with any dye, the use of a dust mask and rubber gloves is recommended. These dyes can be used in many ways including printing, airbrushing, stamping, hand painting, batik, tie dye, gradation dyeing, vat dyeing, splatter painting, etc. Instuctions for tie-dyeing, tub dyeing, washing machine dyeing, printing & painting are included on the back of the free color chart.

Colors: Lemon Yellow, Bright Golden Yellow, Rust Orange, Brilliant Orange, Bright Scarlet, Fire Engine Red, Carmine Red, Magenta, Fuschia, Deep Purple, Marine Violet, Turquoise, Teal, Medium Blue, Cobalt Blue, Navy, Forest Green, Emerald Green, Bright Green, Bronze, Burgundy, Brown Rose, Warm Black, Jet Black, Antique Gold, Hot Pink,, Raspberry, Midnight Blue, Aqua Marine, Olive Green, Avocado, Chocolate Brown, Ecru, Peach, Bubble Gum, Lilac, Ice Blue, Robins Egg Blue, Pale Aqua, Pearl Grey, Cerulean Blue.

Free Color Card-send business-sized SASE

2/3 ounce jar 4.49

Bulk quantities available...please inquire.

More dyeing supplies...

Soda Ash 1 pound 2.65

Soda Ash 5 pounds 6.55

Synthrapol 6 oz 4.35

Synthrapol 1 qt. 13.50

Updated 12/9/07