Emma Cross

Lito George wrote:

On that note, I was thinking silkworms - for making silk. Anyone know where to gain access to a large Mulberry tree in Victoria BC?

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Try Verna and Bob Duncan's farm in Sidney.

https://www.fruittreesandmore.com/

EDIT:

There is also a mulberry tree at The People's Apothecary behind the Victoria School of Art!

https://goo.gl/maps/JugWEJbJ7VQ2

Are you in Victoria, BC? If so, check out Knotty By Nature for wool and spinning/knitting/felting supplies. Incredible shop, incredible owners. I fall in love again with fiber every time I step into there.

Nettles has to be my favorite plant of all (in fact, had nettle and potato soup for dinner tonight!) I've spun the fibers in the past, which has a neat experience. It definitely has shorter strands than wool (which as far as I know goes for all plant based fibers?). Comes out kind of like hemp, but softer.

Dog and cat hair is very exotic! I admire folks that do the work of collecting the fur to spin it!

Let her know that she is inspiring people!

I would love to see a picture of the finished fiber if she has some lying around :)

Thats amazing Liza! I have access to peacock feathers often in the summer but never thought to do anything like that.

Hi folks, I am wondering what has been the most unique plant fibre you've seen, either working with it yourself, or seen in anothers' work.

I've seen videos of folks using blackberry, which would be tricky (those thorns) but satisfying.

Hi Raven!

Its incredibly inspiring to see your process in turning flax to linen. I have become very interested in plant fibres and have spun nettles a few times. Once I have the land, linen is at the top of my to-grow list.
Have you experimented with other plant fibres, and can you speak to those experiences? I've heard of folks using Himalayan Blackberry, which would be amazing since its invasive in my bio-reigon.

Many thanks,
Emma

This is awesome! who needs to pay big $ for home playgrounds eh?

Hi Molly and Clare, I love what you both are doing to make natural building accessible to everyone, including us with kids! It seems like we live in a society sometimes that forgets individuals once they have kids, or just isn't flexible with that. I was going to take a workshop with ya'll a few years ago when my son was little, and things fell through, but it was empowering for me to feel welcomed into your community with my son. So thank you!