Meandering.Khrys

Ink experiment day 3 🌳 Today the Black Walnut in Chaste Tree hydrosol ink is noticably darker with light bubbles of fermentation. The scent is rich & bright. There has been some evaporation since I've covered it with a cloth to allow better air flow. Starting today & for the next few days our weather will be in the 90s so I can expect more evaporation. I'll see tomorrow if the color is darker. Once it doesn't change I'll pull it. I'm considering giving it a brief boil once complete to stop fermentation. I'll also consider then what I want to do to about a preservative that also complements or enhances the scent. So far the fragrance doesn't last long on the paper. It would be delightful if it did.

Photo 1: the pot of hulls in hydrosol once the cloth is removed

Photo 2: the pot has been stirred & the labeled watercolor paper has been dipped

Photo 3: today's dipped paper is compared with yesterday's

Ink experiment day 2 🌳 Today I went out to check the Black Walnut hull infusion in Chaste Tree (Vitex) hydrosol. I have fermentation starting (lots of wee bubbles) & a few spots of mold. Now as a person usually crafting things for internal use this would have me freaking out. While I'm not totally sure this is fine I'm rolling with this experiment. I've given it a stir & sat the lid off kilter to allow some air flow. Soon I'll be back out to cover with a clean cloth to allow air flow but decrease bugs & bits from getting in. It is good to see color developing & to smell the ink brewing!

Photo # 1 is just opening the lid
Photo # 2 is after the stir I've given a dip to a strip of watercolor paper I've labeled

Exciting!

An ink experiment 🌳 I've always been enamored of color & this isn't my first foray into ink making. This time tho I'm reading instructions 😂

So this little experiment is Black Walnut hulls recently procured from the ground, trimmed off their nuts & soaking. Per the instructions it should be in water but I'm going on my own here & using Chaste Tree hydrosol from a distillation a few years ago. Both have such a bright, herbaceous scent so I'm hopeful the ink will have scent when complete. I'll be back with some test strips to see how the color is building.

Ah combining my loves of color & scent for creative purpose. How delightful ✨🌳🤎

from for the instructions & inspiration!

Amidst the hubbub of this last packing day, the Makrut Lime has opened a flower! What a delight! At the moment the scent is incredibly light, perhaps I'm even imagining the very light floral scent characteristic of Citrus... I'll continue to smell throughout the day & into the evening to see if the scent grows stronger.

In other news, as you may know, I'm closing Silver Willow Aromatics at the end of the month. Today I'm preparing for my last in-person event tomorrow 12/16 from 12-5pm! Come see me Portlanders to smell all the good smells & taste all the food tastes! Everything is 25% off so save the shipping & come on down! I'd love to see you!

For faraway patrons, the shop is closed until Monday as I cannot guarantee online sales & will beed to update the inventory once the in-person sale is over. If there is something you'd like held send me a message! ✨😘✨

25% off sale ENDS tomorrow + LAST in-person event! -
Use code SWALOVE for 25% off EVERYTHING at checkout!
www.silverwillowherbs.com
If local, come see me at my last in-person event! 12/16/23 from 12 - 5pm at St. Johns Maker's Market!