sandbox
The “Sandbox” space makes available a number of resources that utilize and explore the data underlying "Secrets of Craft and Nature in Renaissance France. A Digital Critical Edition and English Translation of BnF Ms. Fr. 640" created by the Making and Knowing Project at Columbia University.
BioArt Workshop: Dyeing with Cochineal Bugs
The Making and Knowing Project, Columbia University
Last updated 2023-03-24 by NJR
Texas A&M PVFA/BIOL BioArt Workshop
March 21–24, 2023
Organized by Tianna Uchacz with Donna Janes and Naomi Rosenkranz
Cochineal Dye: History, Chemistry, and Preparation
Presentation: Cochineal Dye: History, Chemistry, and Preparation
Handouts
- Dyeing Instructions - General Process for Mordanting and Dyeing Textiles
- Summary of Dye Samples and Measurements
- Recipe Example: De’ secreti del reverendo signore Alessio Piemontese (1558)
Summary of Materials and Samples
| Name | Mordant | Dye |
|---|---|---|
| NC | None | Cochineal |
| NCP | None | Cochineal + potash |
| AC | Alum | Cochineal |
| ACP | Alum | Cochineal + potash |
| IC | Iron sulphate | Cochineal |
| CC | Copper sulphate | Cochineal |
Textiles
- Linen canvas, 100% linen Utrecht unprimed Belgian linen canvas Type 185 (Blick Art Supplies)
- Silk fabric, Jacquard Habotai Silk Scarves, 5mm, 100% silk Jacquard (amazon.com)
- Silk thread, Undyed 100% silk lace weight yarn, Ready to Dye (amazon.com)
- Cotton cheesecloth, Cheesecloth grade 50 - 100% unbleached cotton, Pure Acres Farm (amazon.com)
- Cotton twine, 100% cotton, unbleached, Norpro (amazon.com)
- Woven wool, 100% wool, undyed, Ortega’s Weaving Shop, Chimayo, New Mexico
- Wool yarn, 100% wool, undyed, Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool® Yarn
Mordants and Additives
- Alum (aluminum potassium sulfate)
- Kremer Pigments, http://shop.kremerpigments.com/en/
- TALAS Bookbinding, Archival & Conservation Supplies, http://www.talasonline.com/
- Loudwolf, https://www.loudwolf.com/ (available through amazon.com)
- Potash (potassium sulfate)
- Kremer Pigments, http://shop.kremerpigments.com/en/
- Loudwolf, https://www.loudwolf.com/ (available through amazon.com)
- Iron sulfate
- Kremer Pigments, http://shop.kremerpigments.com/en/
- Alpha Chemicals, https://alphachemicals.com/ (available through amazon.com)
- Copper sulfate
- Alpha Chemicals, https://alphachemicals.com/ (available through amazon.com)
Dyestuffs
- Kremer Pigments, http://shop.kremerpigments.com/en/. Order online or visit the New York storefront
- Natural Pigments, https://www.naturalpigments.com/. Order online
- Maiwa https://maiwa.com/. Order online or visit retail locations in Vancouver, Canada
The resulting sample sheets
See also
The Making and Knowing Project’s Hands-on Lesson Plans, Activities, Assignments, and Reconstruction Protocols