Blog
Spring, changes and news
The news that spring has brought us is the start of a partnership with Francisco from BioHabitus, a project that produces and sells certified organic vegetables and herbs in the Porto area, who will be welcoming us to grow not only our Flax, but also our Dye Plants.
Planting the dye plants
In the urban gardens of Parque da Devesa, right next to our flax field, some dyeing plants are already in the ground—plants that can be used for dyeing, among other things. We transplanted Japanese Indigo, Woad, Madder, Safflower, Dyer’s Chamomile, Egyptian Stars (or dark little daisies), Marigolds, Tunic Carnations, and Yarrow.
(re) building a flax scutcher
Those that know me really well know that the work I do isn't about tradition. It's about manufacturing in a more conscious and sustainable in all areas and knowing that that sustainability greatly depends on the ability of reducing production scales and using local resources.
![[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/648982341579d12f2111cfb5/1687858372291-XW3CG5XCRV8I4N978MEQ/image-asset.jpeg)
[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide
The very tedious part of doing the sample photoshoot is the very satisfactory part of seeing your work finally come together.
![[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/648982341579d12f2111cfb5/1687858404902-N0Z3Y2AQ41DDESC95Y97/image-asset.jpeg)
[wip] Portuguese wool - a practical guide
Well, There's a problem that I just never have...
Did I know that transforming bags of raw wool from every corner of our country into teeny-tiny envelopes like these would be so much work? Of course not. And I'm glad I didn’t, otherwise I would have chickened out.
2015 - Saber Fazer in Serralves
After Saber Fazer's last presence in Serralves, for the Autumn Festival activities we organized, I was invited to make a proposal for a program related to this subject, to be carried out throughout 2015, in their grounds.
Work in progress with Guida
Last time I went to Lisbon, I took the opportunity to visit Guida Fonseca and work with her on what I hope to be Saber Fazer's next little book. With Guida involved it's not a surprise that it will have something to do with the beautiful craft of weaving.
Winding the Warp
Since there are fewer traditional handlooms around and the people that have them work less each day, having the opportunity to help making a warp is a rare event. I had noticed that D.Ilídia's loom warp was almost over, so I kept insisting with her to make a new one.
Fake surface techniques and Gilding
Yesterday I visited Mr.Luís Castro, which works in restoration, at his workshop here in Guimarães. I already knew Mr.Luís because he was one of the artisans I covered in the chapter I wrote for the book about the House of the Lobo Machado family (currently belongs to the Comercial and Industrial Association of Guimarães).