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Woolspiration

Natural Living Woolspiration

Woolspiration: A Color Odyssey

January 15, 2015
natural dye club

For the Christmas holiday we spent a couple weeks at our ranch in Idaho. As some of you know, we converted the old milk parlor into our dye studio and this was our first time really settling into the space and soaking up the atmosphere. We had a big project on our hands, the first Natural Dye Club and the experience was amazing.

When we initially came up with the idea, a seasonal quarterly club sounded great, getting to experiment with all the seasonal plants and wonderful fibers from small farms we’ve come to know and others we have yet to discover. As much fun as it was, I’ll be honest and say I’m looking forward to a little warmer weather the next go around. Sub zero temperatures created for a “cool” challenge, lots of layers and plenty of hot coffee with egg nog. However, nothing beats the surreal walk from the cabin to the dye studio with the silence of a snow covered pasture and fresh flakes falling. It was yet another thing in life that’s made me truly thankful for the warmth of this thing we call wool.

I really wish you all could have been there and soaked up every moment as we did our best to do. So we created this little film, A Color Odyssey, to give you a small glimpse into part of our journey and the inspiration behind and within what we do, in hopes it will also inspire you, to experiment, take on challenges and dreams, and to find joy in the beauty that surrounds you.

 

 

 

Woolspiration

Woolspiration: Just Wool, 1933

October 22, 2014
woolspiration

Right now we’re in Idaho, our first visit to the property as owners and it’s pretty exciting. So much going on and to share, but it’s late and I need to collect my thoughts a bit more for an actual fiber mill update. So, for now you can follow along on my Instagram (@woolful) as I share live updates from our ranch.

In the meantime, here’s one of my favorite although very short Woolspiration videos, Just Wool from 1933. It probably has a lot to do with the fact that the opening sequence is written in gorgeous type, for all you designers and type appreciators. The quote is worth a watch alone.

Woolspiration

Woolspiration: Wool and Manmade Fibers, 1950’s

September 30, 2014
woolspiration britain wool industry

I have so much fun finding these videos for the Woolspiration posts. Who would have thought there were so many gems hidden in the archives, just waiting to be found by wool lovers decades later?

This video, “Wool and Manmade Fibers” comes from Britain, created as an informative video in the 50’s about wool, it’s history and uses. In the second half it talks about the rise of manmade fibers like rayon, describing the process of it having been discovered in a laboratory and the use of chemicals such as sulphuric acid. It’s very interesting to watch something that in it’s time was so innovative and exciting, and recognize now the detriment  such chemical heavy processing has on our environment and bodies today.

Another reminder why wool is such an incredible gift. Enjoy!