More and more in this day and age people want to know the source of any animal related goods they are purchasing. Craftynotions has no problem giving out this info as it's clearly detailed on their site with a link to the farm.
I'm sure it was you Cledry who first posted the link to Craftynotions, so thanks for that, they'll get my business too.
Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 253 Location: Lothians, Scotland
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:01 pm Post subject:
I think you are right about people wanting more information.
I tried really hard to find out about the environmental "status" of my dyes, but all anyone, from any of the selling companies would tell me is that they don't reveal manufacturers and Ashford said they have won environmental awards. I'm not that happy about dyes being shipped half way round the world, the Dye-miles are mega, but at least I know they are reliable, reputable and not made in a polluting factory in China, with dreadful workers rights.
I suspect that Wingham make their own rovings and purchase their wool from the wool board in lorry loads. Here is a link to thier "about us" page which shows some of the equipment they use. http://www.winghamwoolwork.co.uk/new_page_1.htm
I also suspect that they don't care where the wool comes from which is why they wouldn't answer the type of question Cledry asked.
Claire, what dye did you buy? Why don't you follow the instructions (assuming there are some) and dye a small amount of roving. You could then scale it up for costing which would give you an idea of what to charge. Also, have a look at other shops and see whats being charged. This would be better than buying a huge load of rovings initially, before you find out whether it would be profitable or not. Craftynotions will sell small amounts.
Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Coventry, UK
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 12:31 pm Post subject:
I havent bought anything yet I am still doing sums and working out how much time I really have (and energy) to get into dyeing commercially.
At the moment I am still using up my merino from Fibrecrafts and my steam-fix dyes from Rainbow silks.
I think it is very, very important to be ethical and ecological with my future suppliers too. I also try to recycle packaging etc. You ladies, and the downsizer site, are re-educating me.
Thankyou so much Cledry for the craftnotions link. It has opened my eyes to a few more possibilities. The wood for our spinning tools - swifts, spindles etc - are all ecologically sourced so I must apply the same prinicpal to everything.
I was apalled to discover that one place selling hand dyed angora buys it from the UK, sends it to China to be spun, then sends it to scotland to be dyed!!! Madness!!! I wont be buying any angora
Joined: 29 Jun 2006 Posts: 253 Location: Lothians, Scotland
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 1:22 pm Post subject:
I looked into recycled packaging too, but in the end I've gone for the bags I've got from a woman on ebay who is a mum working from home on the basis that I'm helping another small woman run business, and my yarn will arrive in good condition. I couldn't afford the risk that someone would end up with a soggy tangled mess on their doorstep. The bags have survived journeys to the US, Denmark and Norway as well as the UK.
I think it's always going to be difficult for small businesses, providing an "ethical" product whilst still earning a living. Getting vibrant, bright colours with natural dyes is difficult I think (I've never done it so take other people's word for this) and Natalie produces lovely coloured yarns which sell well, that speaks for itself.
Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Coventry, UK
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject:
I bought some indigo dyed yarn from them and the dye came off all over my hands, clothes etc. Not knowing any better, I thought it just needed an extra rinse, and all the dye came out I've been a bit wary of natural dyes ever since.
There I was with blue hands, blue settee and natural plain yarn....in fairness to Shilishader, it was several years ago and I never contacted them to query it. If I had they would probably have helped me out.
A lady I know - Jill Dreamweaver (Kellie) does re-enactments - Medevil ones - and her onion skin dyes fade in the sun Such a shame cos they are beautiful when first done.
After extensive research on my own part I found that natural dyes are no more ethical/environmentally friendly than synthetics. The heavy metal mordants used for natural dyeing can sometimes be more toxic than the synthetics, as can some of the plants used and any large scale company who is producing ethical clothing/yarns etc tends to go for the synthetic dyes for just that reason. It took me ages to trawl through endless sites on the net to find that it's pretty much 6 of one - half a dozen of the other. Personally I can't use natural dyes as they set off my chemical sensitivity whilst the synthetics don't - go figure as our freinds over the pond say
Joined: 18 Aug 2006 Posts: 94 Location: Coventry, UK
Posted: Sat Oct 21, 2006 3:20 pm Post subject:
Phew, I feel better about using synthetic dyes now
My brother used to run a printing firm. He said that recyling paper to printing quality used just as many harmful chemicals - bleaching againts, extra power etc, as 'normal' paper.
Its a dilemma. I just try to use less paper and stuff altogether. Think how much we save on paper by emailing and using these forums - not to mention pollution etc from transporting letters around
There was someone on radio 2 the other day saying plastic production was more environmentally friendly than paper production due to the use of mercury. It's a minefield and you can't do right for doing wrong. I do get a bit miffed when people turn their noses up at my yarn and say 'Oh they're not natural dyes then?' as if that makes them less environmentally friendly. I just smile and explain that I'm using the least toxic method I can find. Trouble is we're led to believe as consumers that if something has the word natural in it that it's somehow 'better'. It's not always the case. With n's sock yarn for example, I expect there's very little run off as she knows exactly the kind of effect she's looking for and will use the right amount of dye. Same with my rovings - I very rarely lose any dye out of the wool, so there's none going down the drain.
*takes a deep breath* Anyway! What I wanted to say was, it's the fibre reactice dyes that are supposed to be more eco friendly
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I am still doing sums and working out how much time I really have (and energy) to get into dyeing commercially.
I've been a bit wary of natural dyes ever since.
Such a shame cos they are beautiful when first done.