1000 Paper Cranes Farm

Natural Dye Plants, Fiber Art

Jennifer McComb
Natural dyer, spinner, weaver, fiber artist, beekeeper

Stevens Point, WI 54481

jennifermccomb@icloud.com

Offering: dye flowers for dye kits and workshops; growing pollinator plants for my beehives and for native pollinators.

1000 Paper Cranes Farm grows natural dye and pollinator plants in their gardens located in central Wisconsin.

Jennifer focuses on improving the soil in the garden, which was in very poor condition at the start of gardening for dyes and pollinators, by using a combination of cover crops, mulch, and wide rows to build up the soil and control erosion. The farm uses organic and regenerative practices for the good of the land, the flora, and the fauna there. Jennifer is also a beekeeper. Beekeeping on the farm began with Langstroth hives and in 2023 will move to top-bar hives.

In addition to growing plants and beekeeping, Jennifer hand-spins yarn, currently spinning from Columbia sheep fleeces raised with organic principles in Wisconsin. The yarn is dyed for fiber art projects including weaving tapestries, knitting clothing, and to add to dye kits in the fall.

There are plenty of deer and turkeys that visit the garden occasionally, and are left alone to explore the garden, rather than try to keep them out. Jennifer finds that the deer and turkeys aren’t interested in the flowers as the dye plants tend to be prickly or hairy, or have scents that the deer don’t like.

Products offered:

-Kits for natural dye projects at home - to be ready fall of 2023, to include hand-spun wool yarn. Currently using Columbia fleece from a shepherdess in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, who uses organic practices on her farm.

-Hand-spun wool yarn - currently Columbia in natural white or natural dyed colors.

-Woven pieces - presently weaving wall hangings, shawls using hand-spun, local wool, dyed with natural dyes. Will be offering workshops and tours of dye garden and foraging fields on occasion.