Brighid's Dyers Member Profiles

Member: Spinning Spider Jenny

Solar Dyer?

(Web mistress note - Jenny is the founder of Brighid's Dyers, accomplished production dyer solar and otherwise)

Why solar dyeing for you?

Solar dyeing allows me to dye even when I'm not present at home to watch over a pot. The sun's rays are (thankfully so far) FREE and the equipment needed to dye with is not only economical, it can be downright cheap or made from found/recycled objects. Solar dyeing allows me to dye using a variety of dye techniques. I don't have to worry about breathing in fumes with solar dyeing and it's so much more pleasant, in general, to dye out-of-doors.

As for dyeing, it helps quench my craving for color... particularly color that can be procured from nature, such as plants, bark, insects, etc. But beware ~ dyeing is addicting...in the very best way possible.

Favorite solar dyeing technique?

Solar panels remain a favorite...for one thing because of sentimental reasons...it was with a solar panel that I made that I did my first solar dyeing. I also love Terry's Tubs and my purchased solar oven.

Favorite dye(s)?

All natural dyes are definitely my favorite dyestuffs. I enjoy working with plants from my garden, such as Marigolds, Dyer's Chamomile, Dyer's Coreopsis, Dyer's Cosmos and more. I love to work with Black Walnuts, both hulls and/or leaves and twigs. I enjoy dyeing with weeds, such as Jewelweed, Goldenrod, Hay Scented Ferns, and so many more. And I also enjoy working with purchased natural dyes, both in the form of extracts and in a form where I must do the extracting: Cochineal, Logwood, Osage Orange, Indigo, Brazilwood, Cutch and others.

1. Some commercially prepared top that has had dye liquor poured on. A plexiglas top will cover Terry's Tub in order for the sun to work its wonders for dyeing, 2. Production dyeing over a fire pit, 3. An Indigo-dyed tam, handknitted and handspun, 4. The silk spider scarf crocheted by Beth-Ann Vogt and solar dyed by me, using Earthues natural dye extracts.