Spirits Sheltered: The Characters Within the Flora & Fauna

A fundraising exhibition for the Anna Templeton Centre for Craft Art and Design and the Friends of the Salmonier Nature Park 

Without Fences, silk with natural dye, metal thread and birch bark. 8" x 18"
Kailey Bryan Photo

My latest embroidery, created for an exhibition of instructors from the Anna Templeton Centre. 

I struggled with the concept of creating portraits of the animals in the Park. 

I understand and agree with the Parks mandate but find it difficult to observe majestic creatures such as lynx and horned owls constrained by fences, even if it in their best interest. I started to think about other creatures that are offered protection inside the sanctuary; chickadees, jays and a plethora of other wildlife and plants are protected without barriers. 

I an intrigued by the tiny or mundane; flora or fauna often over looked in favour of the larger, often romanticized species. I choose to honour the 'Spirits' not usually considered; a portrait of a few creatures who enjoy the shelter of the Park without the boundary of fences.

Chaucer In The Yard

Being a backyard chicken keeper means I am always watching for predators. This year the Chanticleer and the Fox played out in my backyard. I have always loved Chaucer and was inspired to create this piece. It was created with natural dyes on silk with metal threads and the skull of my Chanticleer, who eventually lost the battle with the fox.

I wish I had a Caribou.

Natural Dye on Silk, Caribou Hair, Photos and Antique Recipe. Ned Pratt Photo

It's been awhile since I posted and thought I should show you some work that I created in the fall for the Spirit of the Caribou exhibition.  It was the first time I created a really large animal with needle painting. It was challenging as the single strands still felt visually large. I am pleased with the format of the piece, which is reminiscent of the pages of scrap book my grandmother created. Below is a closeup of the caribou as well as my artist statement for the exhibition.

Artist Photo

"My piece for Spirit of the Caribou speaks of my deep connection to the barrens of Newfoundland, which parallels the experience of many who grew up on the Avalon Peninsula. Caribou are ethereal creatures; a glimpse is always magical. Since childhood, I have harboured the dream of owning one; fascinated by stories and pictures of Laplanders and the Grenfell project. Working with the caribou hair, both intimately connects me to and honours the creature’s spirit. "

A Cupids Landscape

Experience the textile techniques of Natural Dye and Needle Felting

July 5th and 6th, 1-4 pm

Cupids Community Centre

On Saturday, join Susan Furneaux, of Black Hen Studio, to unlock the mystery of creating stunning colour with local natural dyes on wool and silk. On Sunday, Anne Lucas, of Foggy Rock Fibres, will guide you in creating a one-of-a-kind needle felted landscape, inspired by the historic Town of Cupids. You may take one or both workshops. Cost per workshop/day: $30 which includes materials. Pre-registration is required. To register for workshops or for more information please email blackhenstudio@gmail.com 

or call 709-690-8732.

Lucy, She Always Inspires Me To Stitch

Lucy       Photo by Eric Walsh

My passion for embroidery, runs right to my soul. When I haven't embroidered for a little while, I get a little 'ancey'. I stitched on paper napkins as a child, stitched at parties as a teenager, left the poolside while on a Florida family vacation in search for a fabric shop. Four hours later, back at poolside, I was contented again, quietly stitching together pieces of olive coloured silk.
I created Lucy, a couple of years ago for the Annual Members Exhibition of the Craft Council of Newfoundland and Labrador. She now sits in my living room. I have considered selling her a few times, but I just can't bring myself to do it. This is odd for me. My work is very process driven, usually when I am finished working on a piece, my love affair with it is over. Lucy is different. She makes me happy and always reminds me how fortunate I am to have a life where I can spend every day doing something that I am very passionate about. She is the boost I need if I am having trouble getting inspired. Something I find hard to do in the dark evenings of winter. Just to let you know, Lucy is the departed. :)

No Idle Hands: Newfoundlands History of Functional Craft

Escape, 2010, Eric Walsh Photo

The 2nd Annual No Idle Hands will showcase a larger number of craftspeople who will demonstrate many of the functional crafts essential to the Newfoundlanders' survival in a bygone era but kept alive by a select few.
Come join us November 30 - December 1 at the Quidi Vidi Plantation in St. John's. Open from 10am till 4pm.
From 12 noon until 1pm on both days we invite you to bring your treasured family craft heirlooms and share their stories.
Admission is free! 

I will be there demonstrating hand embroidery. It is going to be a wonderful time. Drop by and say hi!

Labrador Tea As A Natural Dye

Labrador Tea,
Rhododendron groenlandicum
 Conception Harbour, NL

Labrador Tea, Rhododendron groenlandicum has a long history of use in Newfoundland and Labrador. Most often it is used to make a hot 'tea' by steeping the leaves. It has also been used as to flavour meat as well hung in closets to repel both moths and ghosts. It has a pleasant 'woodsy' aroma that reminds be of happy walks over the barrens.

One of the things that I love about working with local natural dyes is the scent that fills the studio as I work. This is especially lovely when working in winter. Autumn dried dye plants bring the hope of spring in the long dark days of February. 

Dyeing with northern plants is relatively easy. You don't need to premordant fibres, just add them to the dye bath with the wool. With just a little research you can find plants in your area that have dye properties.  On my property, in Newfoundland, there are over 20 different plants that will produce light and washfast colour. It is best to pick dye plants in the fall when the plant has had all summer to develop the tannins that will help produce colour.

Here is a basic recipe for Labrador Tea that will work with most plants and dye approximately 200 grams of fibre. 

You will need:

Wool and beaver teeth dyed with alum and
Labrador Tea picked in the Labrador Straits, February 2011.

20 grams of Alum (food grade alum can be purchased in bulk food shops and pharmacies, you can also order alum through natural dye suppliers such as Maiwa.
A 20 litre stock pot that has been designated for dyeing. The quality doesn't have to be great and you can get them for pretty cheap at big department stores or thrift shops.
A wooden spoon that has been designated for dyeing. 
Mild soap, such as Ivory bar soap.

1. Gather enough Labrador Tea to fill a grocery shopping bag. You can use all of the plant including the stems and stalks. Labrador Tea is slow growing so only pick a little from a patch and move on to the next area to insure that the plant stand is not compromised.
2. Put all of the Labrador Tea in a large stock pot.  For safety, designate a stock pot to be used only for dyeing.  Cover with water and bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for an hour. Remove from the heat and let it cool to room temperature.
3. Prepare fibre for dyeing by tieing skeins of wool (to reduce tangling) and scouring (washing gently with warm water and mild soap). You may want to put fleece into a a mesh laundry bag.
4. Remove Labrador Tea but leave the dye 'liquor' in the pot. You may want to strain the liquor  if you are dyeing fleece to remove any bits that may tangle into the fibre.
5. Add Alum to dye liquor and stir to dissolve. Add fibre to be dyed and return to heat. Bring up to a simmer (190F/95C) and maintain temperature with out boiling for approximately an hour. 

Fleece and yarn that have been
dyed with Labrador Tea and Iron.

6. Allow pot and fibre to cool to room temperature and rinse gently with warm water and mild soap. Hang to dry. 

That's it! You have created a skein of sunny yellow wool or fleece.  By using iron as a mordant instead of alum, you can 'sadden' the colours the plants will produce.

If you are interested in more information on natural dyes, Maiwa has a great printable instruction sheet full of information. Interested in going further? I regularly teach workshops at the Anna Templeton Centre for Craft Art and Design. Follow us here and on Facebook for information on upcoming textile workshops. 

Happy colouring!

Natural Dye Workshop in New-Wes-Valley

Susan will be hosting an introductory natural dye workshop at, Nortons Cove Studio in New-Wes-Valley later this summer. The area is home to some of the most spectacular beaches in Newfoundland. A fun event in a beautiful location.

Colour Naturally

Tuesday,  August 20th, 1-4

Join fibre artist, Susan Furneaux, to create stunning colour from locally gathered plants. Participants will complete a one-of-a-kind Silk Scarf or skein of wool. Workshop fee is $30 includes all materials.