The Materials Culture Blog — materials

Materials Feature: Recycled Glass Beads

July 6, 2020 • beads • behind the scenes • glass • handmade • materials • process • recycled • sustainability

African cultures have historically utilized recyclables and other second use items to create ornamental and decorative elements. These beads are part of an incredibly long history of recycled bead crafting.

Indigo: Ancient History and the Future of Fashion - An Interview with Amy Taylor (Part 2)

November 6, 2018 • amy taylor • indigo • materials • natural dyes • process

"Indigo is the only natural blue dye that exists in our world. Denim is still dyed with synthetic indigo, there's just nothing else like it."

Indigo: Ancient History and the Future of Fashion - An Interview with Amy Taylor (Part 1)

November 6, 2018 • indigo • materials • process • tote bags

"Entire economies were built and destroyed based on natural dyes, wars were fought over natural dyes; learning the hows and whys of these pigments makes me feel connected to history."