Friday, August 01, 2008

Want to see something cool? Go look at this article about fiber artists in Oaxaca, Mexico, who use a snail (Purpura pansa), to dye cotton. This snail is in the murex family, like the snail used to produce Tyrian Purple, but in the community of people the article is written about, Purpura pansa is milked, not killed, to obtain the dye!

The site linked above also has a slideshow, here. Do go look; the yarns, finished woven goods, and scenery are gorgeous.

Pout. I want to go explore the intertidal zone and dye beautiful purple yarn.....

2 comments:

Suz said...

I think I accidentally killed my comment.

I was saying...

Oaxaca is one of the places I'd like to visit before I leave Deep South Texas, but now I'll definitely have to make the drive (before or after Morelia, I'm not sure ;) )

Jackie said...

Wow! So cool. I'm glad that there are people who are still doing things in the traditional way. Thnaks for sharing!