I do a lot of dyeing using native plants. I use three mordants; alum, coppper and iron.
I've been putting together my notes on iron, and realised that I hadn't ever looked into the other uses for bog iron. The iron rich water, used as my mordant soak, works fine for natural dyeing, but, it can also end up forming nodules of bog iron ore.
Historically we know that these were smelted and worked to make knives, etc., and since the ore is rich in silicates the finished tools end up with a protective glassy coating that actually preserves them against rust.
One link but loads more out there.
http://www.thegenieslamp.com/bogiron/
cheers,
Toddy
I've been putting together my notes on iron, and realised that I hadn't ever looked into the other uses for bog iron. The iron rich water, used as my mordant soak, works fine for natural dyeing, but, it can also end up forming nodules of bog iron ore.
Historically we know that these were smelted and worked to make knives, etc., and since the ore is rich in silicates the finished tools end up with a protective glassy coating that actually preserves them against rust.
One link but loads more out there.
http://www.thegenieslamp.com/bogiron/
cheers,
Toddy