03 June 2013

cochineal colors Cochineal is a traditional natural dye for colouring textiles in South and Central America and has been used for beautiful, lightfast and permanent scarlets, pinks and reds for centuries. Cochineal was so important in Mexico that the Aztec ruler, Moctezuma I (Montezuma or Motezuma), levied an annual tribute of cochineal dye on dependent states in the 15th century and cochineal became Mexico’s second most valuable export after silver in the colonial period. from Cochineal History

 Cochineal was so important in Mexico that the Aztec ruler, Moctezuma I (Montezuma or Motezuma), levied an annual tribute of cochineal dye on dependent states in the 15th century and cochineal became Mexico’s second most valuable export after silver in the colonial period.

 I will be visiting the Tlapanochestli cochineal farm to learn more about natural dyes and do research. SO EXCITED!   Here she is grinding the cochineal insects (which are actually considered pests in Southern CA but that are cultivated on the Mexican cacti farm) into a thick paste that can then be used as dye material.

 via visualmixtape

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