ARQ Cleo Leo (hand-dyed)

This Cleo Leo was dyed using heartwood from Osage orange, also known as horse apple, hedge tree or hedge apple tree. A relative to Figs, Jackfruit, Breadfruit and Ylang-Ylang, this tree was originally named after the Osage Nation, as they were known to use Osage for their superior hunting and fishing bows. It is native to Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas, but has been naturalized in many other states. This pieces does have a small flaw where the oak gall from the tannin pre-treatment left a dark spot. It may come out in the wash, but I’m not certain. Inconsistencies like this are one of the hazards of dying with natural plant materials. This is part of an ARQ dye project so please see my closet for other pieces. Make me an offer and help me determine a fair price - all pieces are new/unworn, and I’d like to recover at least a small portion of the cost of the dye materials, although mostly it was a labor of love 😁 I’m dying them by hand, using natural plant dyes. The process involves a lot of soaking, simmering, stirring, and rinsing, and in some cases, this caused the ARQ logo to wear off, but all pieces are new and unworn. Natural dyes are usually not as colorfast or lightfast as chemical dyes. As with any ARQ pieces, wash by hand or in cold water on the delicate cycle and line dry. Do not line dry under direct sun.