-Ancient Colors- natural dyes, pigments and paints

Fay Jones

Fay Jones-The Woodland Haberdasher, is a natural material explorer and hedgerow dyer whose work is rooted in a deep curiosity for the raw materials of the land.

With a background in conservation and a self-described “slightly obsessive” approach to making, Fay’s practice is driven by an ongoing exploration of color, process and place. Working primarily with local plant materials, green wood, fibers and natural pigments. She uncovers the extraordinary range of hues and textures that can be drawn from what is often overlooked: hedgerows, waste materials, and the quiet abundance of the everyday landscape.

Fay's strong emphasis on direct experience, learning through the hands, the senses, and close attention to the natural world strongly resonates with us at To The Root and so we are really excited to be hosting this workshop.

The Workshop

This workshop is for anyone with a keen interest in traditional methods and natural materials. No experience is needed just bring your curiosity, openness, and a willingness to learn alongside like-minded people.

- Two days for £290

We will have a full introduction to natural dyeing and lake pigment making. Beginning with plant identification and ethical gathering, we’ll extract colour from the landscape, dye rare breed wool, and transform dye baths into solid pigments and handmade paint.

You’ll gain practical knowledge of:

Identifying and responsibly harvesting dye plants
Preparing fibres and understanding mordants
Managing dye baths for lasting, stable colour
Making lake pigments from plant dyes
Grinding and binding pigments into usable paint

Alongside the dye process, you’ll carve and make your own wooden lucette or braiding wheel to take home — a practical tool for cordage and fibre work.

Location

The workshop takes place at To The Root's workshop, surrounded by the ancient woodland of Witherslack - working with colour while immersed in the landscape it comes from.

Ffi @ To The Root contributes 19 years of wilderness craft and traditional living skills, helping hold the wider context of working with land, fibre and hand tools as the colourful chaos unfolds.