Category: Information

By Cheryl Kolander Actually, the dyeworks was in Sidon, down the coast a bit. Situated next to a year-round stream, and right at the coast. This location gave access to unlimited sweet water for rinsing, and provided an inlet where the men could dock their dinghies laden with shellfish. All this story hinges on a […]

“Tyria” or Shellfish purplecopyright 2022by Cheryl Kolander, who IS Aurora Silk As a professional Natural dyer for 50 years I have done a lot of research on the shellfish or“Tyrian” purple dye. The following is a synopsis. It is important to remember Tyrian Purple or Mollusk Purple is a dye used from great antiquity.And this […]

note: all dyework illustrated is hand dyed by Cheryl Kolander, who IS Aurora Silk (author of this manual), except the traditional Central Asian embroidery in pic 5 and the traditional Oriental carpet of pic 7

by Cheryl Kolander = Aurora Silk Essay in progress “Is silk sustainable?” I am often asked. “Silk is BENEFICIAL” is my answer. Here are some of the many ways that silk is BENEFICIAL to the Planet and the Wearer, (and as well the raiser and the processor.) 1) mulberry trees. First for silk you need […]

by Cheryl KolanderOriginator of the term and the only source for true Peace silk, at this time, on the planet. “Peace silk is silk that has been raised by Peaceful methods” This observation from one of my apprentices sums up the concept. I say: Peace silk is from cocoons from which the moth has freely […]

by Cheryl Kolander, Master Natural Dyer, Aurora Silk, since 1969 In answer to a question whether natural dyes, especially mordants, weren’t just as polluting / dangerous / bad as synthetic dyes. My perspective is that all synthetic, chemically produced dyes are terrible poisons.  They are manufactured from coal tar, which is what is left over […]