Slow Fiber Studios

12 Different Colors from Brazilian Plants 

3 Day Workshop and Lecture Session

Eber Lopez Ferreira with Alexsandra Oliveira

Thursday-Saturday • March 19-21 • 2020 • 9:30am-4:30pm

Slow Fiber Studios ANNEX | 1825 8th St. Berkeley, CA

Afternoon Open House to Public
Thursday – Saturday | 19 – 21 March | 4:00pm-5:00pm

Learn from Eber Ferreira of ETNO Botanica, a company from Brazil focusing on extracting natural colors from nature through clean and sustainable processes. During the workshop, Eber will cover dye extraction processes from native Brazilian plants to obtain 12 different colors, while specifically focusing on dyeing plant fibers: cotton, linen & hemp. Over the course of 3 days you will learn about the products  ETNO Botanica is able to produce sustainably from regional flora and how the company work on a local scale in Brazil. At the end of each workshop day we invite the public to attend the last 30 minutes of the event, as well as have an additional 30 minutes to shop ETNO Botanica products.

Register for the Event

If  you are an current WSN member, use code “WSNmember” during checkout for a $25 discount on Eventbrite! Make sure you apply the promotional code after you fill in your personal information but before you click the green ‘Order Now’ button on Eventbrite.

Pay for the Event

This workshop can also be paid by mailed check directed to World Shibori Network and sent to the address of 696 Hilldale Ave, Berkeley, CA 94708

Full Workshop Schedule

THURSDAY 03/19
Morning (9:30 – 12:30)
Lecture on the current state of natural dye production and use in Brazil, including the threats and challenges faced by artisans
Afternoon (13:30 – 16:30)
Introduction to the ETNO Botanica product line, focusing on the specific research and development of sustainable natural products and their applications on textile, skin, paper, food, and others.

Open to Public (16:00 – 17:00)
See what participants have learnt.
Meet Eber & Leka and explore ETNO Botanica product line

FRIDAY 03/20
Morning (9:30 – 12:30)
Preparation of fabrics with tannins and bio-mordants (natural plant mordants and organic liquid mordants)
Afternoon (13:30 – 16:30)
We begin dyeing techniques with Brazilian plants and ETNO Botanica Plant Extracts:
Marcela’s Flower (Achyrocline satureioides) // Yerba Mate leaves (Ilex paraguariensis) // Annatto seeds (Bixa orellana) // Brazilwood heartwood ( Caesalpinia echinata) // Catuaba bark (Erythroxylum catuaba) // Black Acacia extract (Acacia miersen) // Iron Wood extract (Caesalpinia ferrea) // Captain of the Field extract (Terminalia argentum)

Open to Public (16:00 – 17:00)
See what participants have learnt.
Meet Eber & Leka and explore ETNO Botanica product line

SATURDAY 03/21
Morning (9:30 – 12:30)
Continue Dyeing with ETNO Botanica Plant Extracts:
Jenipap extract (Genipa americana) // Murici of Cerrado extract (Byrsonima crassifólia) // Brasilian Indigo
Afternoon (13:30 – 16:30)
Final review all finished samples

Open to Public (16:00 – 17:00)
See what participants have learnt.
Meet Eber & Leka and explore ETNO Botanica product line

WORKSHOP FEES with all materials, handouts, and samples included:
All 3 days, $600 with a $25 discount for the WSN members. To join, please go to WSN members page at World Shibori Network.
For 2 days, $485 (please email your choice of two days out of 03/19-21, at eric@shibori.org)

 

About the Invitees:

Eber Lopes Ferreira

A specialist in natural dyes, Eber Lopes Ferreira is the research director and associate partner for ETNO BOTANICA. A textile designer in both the handcraft and industrial sectors, Eber conducts research on the industrial applications of natural dyes while serving as a senior consultant on national sustainable development projects. With ETNO BOTANICA, Eber works to create natural dye products for traditional populations and small family farmers based on principles of environmental and social responsibility.

Alexsandra Oliveira

Known to most by her nickname, Leka Oliveira is the owner of Studio InBlueBrazil, a slow fashion company specializing in shibori, natural dyes, and sustainable fabric. She is Eber’s wife and will be teaching the workshop with him. Workshop participants can learn the industrial/chemistry background of the natural dye products, while gaining perspective of the creative utility the products hold.

 

13th Dye & Fabric Exhibit + Colloquium

Color Colloquium: Brazil
UCBG in collaboration with SFS
Sunday, March 15, 10am-12:30pm

On the Sunday morning before the Slow Fiber Studios workshop, the UC Botanical Garden in Berkeley will host a colloquium in collaboration with Slow Fiber Studios. Eber will show participants Brazilian dyeing plants and address conservation concerns surrounding their harvest and use. Eber’s wife, Aleksandra Oiviera, the owner of Studio InBlueBrazil, who has been working alongside him will present examples of slow fashion centering on shibori, sustainable fabric and natural dyes.

Info on the Colloquium