A few weeks ago, Roslindale Village, a neighborhood in the CIty of Boston, MA, had their annual Open Studios weekend.

Makers cluster in a renovated substation, the old Roslindale High School, now senior apartments, the Irish Social Club, local shops, their own homes and studios. It’s fun to walk around and see what everyone is doing. I’ve lived around here a long time now, so I know some of the makers just from being part of the community which makes it even more fun.

Some of work I purchased are photographs, prints or fine art which I can’t showcase online without permission, so I thought I’d share some of the craft items I purchased over the next week two.

The photo above was the display for wool roving which was dyed with natural dyes by Quiet Seasons Fibers. The colors are gorgeous and the wool is lovely to the touch. I bought the yellow and melon color wool roving bundles shown at the front of the photo. I’m planning to get out my drop spindle and try spinning some yarn again. I’ve never been very successful but even less than perfectly spun yarn can make a nice addition to the hair of the Waldorf type dolls I occasionally make.

I also purchased some small skeins of commercially spun wool that Virginia had dyed with her natural dyes. I bought them specifically to use as doll hair. Here’s what I chose and with a notation of was used to dye the colors.

Left to right:

Brown with an olive green tint: Fustic (from a tree in the mulberry family) and log wood

Burnt umber: Marigold and madder (an herb)

Sienna: Onion skins

Gold: Marigold

Light brown: Walnuts

Isn’t all this wool beautiful?

Virginia has some of her naturally dyed, handspun yarn available for sale in her Quiet Season Fibers Etsy shop. Check out her beautiful yarn!