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ABOUT OUR DYES
Earthues has traveled the world looking for new natural dye and color. They started in 1977 spending two years in Latin America, researching textile and dye techniques of the Americas. The journey took them to the coast of Oaxaca to see purple shellfish dyeing, and into the Mayan rainforest to
grind roots and leaves to make traditional colors of the elusive Lacandon people. They then drove
into South America in search of cochineal and other traditional colorants of the
altiplano. This passion for color has brought them to the banks of the Mekong, into the
indigo-dyeing regions of southwest China, and to the deserts of Rajasthan, all in
search of natural dyestuffs to offer artisans. From the most humble roots, bark, insects
and blossoms, a spectacular palette emerges, all natural and non-toxic. The dyes we
carry are carefully tested to ensure quality and successful results. In most cases, they
have visited the areas and facilities where these dyes are made, and know the producers
personally. Each purchase you make helps support a villager, a grower, a cooperative,
and a traditional way of making color.
Earthues is a fair-trade, woman-owned business,
working in partnership with artisans to fulfill their
dreams and ours. We also provide expertise in color,
textile design and artisan craft development for the
global marketplace. Our path is to travel the world,
teaching and learning about natural dyes and
eco-methods for creating beautiful colors.
Michele Wipplinger is an educator, photographer and
master dyer and designer with over thirty years
experience in natural dyes. Michele trained in France
and Switzerland with noted natural dye houses, and
developed her style of dyeing that yields beautiful,
repeatable hues using only non-toxic alum mordants.
In 1992 she introduced the concept of natural dye
extracts that yielded brilliant, consistent, lightfast
hues, were non-toxic, and easy to use. Earthues does
not use any of the heavy metals that are dangerous
to health and our planet.
Earthues is committed to working with artisans of
other cultures, and Michele frequently consults
around the world with both governmental and NGO
groups to support the revival and innovation in
traditional textiles and crafts. As well, she works with
cottage industries and cooperatives to develop
markets for natural dyestuffs that sustain rural
populations and respect their local resources.
Michele lectures worldwide and has developed
products and consulted on color for Aveda, Origins,
Martha Stewart Living, Espirit, Terra Verde and the
Nature Conservancy. She is a chairholder and
served on the Board of Directors for Color Marketing
Group. Michele received an award from the United
Nations for her environmental stewardship on the
development of an ecological natural dye process for
the American textile industry. Michele is active in the
local Seattle arts community, and teaches a number
of natural dye and color classes throughout the US
and Canada. |
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