Experience the magical world of natural dyes with me, Bay Woodyard, of Honey Pie Hives & Herbals.

I’ve been dyeing with plants for over 30 years and am mostly self taught through reading books and experimentation. I’ve learned through experience the importance of following all the right steps to get beautiful colours. 
- teaching natural dyes for 10 years including a week long summer course at Haliburton School of the Arts

-my textile art 

-naturally dyed Yarn for sale!

- co-organizer of local textile market Gather in the County

In this seven month course, we will explore seasonal plant dyes at Honey Pie Farm one Sunday per month from April through October. Together, we’ll go through the process of foraging for dye material on the farm, mordanting and dyeing fibres over a fire. We’ll make tea over the fire with foraged herbs too!

You’ll learn by doing and through practice. You’ll have the opportunity to bring your own fibre to dye or purchase it from us. If you have a project in mind you can plan for it whether it’s sewing, knitting, spinning or something else. We’ll also make a sample book of all the colours that we get so you have a record of them to keep along with your notes.

Included in course fees:

First class - mordants, dye materials one 100g skein of wool, paper for sample book

Following the first class you will mordant your own fibre at home to bring to class ready to dye. We’ll discuss options of things to dye and can order materials together or you can bring things from your stash. Dyeing clothing is always an option. Dye material will be provided each class.

Bring to class: packed lunch, sketchbook, binder, sketching and writing tools

Dates for 2026:

April 12 10am-4pm *Dye materials - fruit tree prunings, onion skins

May 3 10am-4pm *Dye materials - catnip, dandelion flowers

June 7  10am-4pm *Dye materials - bedstraw, madder

July 12  10am-4pm *Dye materials - dyers’ coreopsis, sulpher cosmos

August 23  10am-4pm  *Dye materials - goldenrod, black scabiosa

September 13  10am-4pm  *Dye materials - indigo, sumac

October 4  10am-4pm  *Dye materials - black walnut hulls

The price for the full course is $875. I'm offering an early bird discount if you sign up before Feb. 1 of $800!