Left Coast Source for Walnut Powder

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Hi,

I just got a package from StarWest Botanicals ... located in Rancho Cordova (or about 5 miles from my house)

Sure beats ordering this stuff from FLORIDA .....


Now if I could just find a recipe for plain walnut powder (i.e. how much water to 1 Lb of powder), and how long a piece should stay in (I know, I know ... each piece is different ... but there has to be an average time ....).

And do I have to boil it as long as the ground up husks?

Here is the internet address:

http://www.starwest-botanicals.com/

[Chuck 100 yd]

I made up a batch last year and it worked just so so. I used the pound of powder in two gal. of water and simmered it for about 6 hours.
Leather left in it over night came out colored about like the color of cardboard,rather dull and hum drum.
I would concentrate that if I did it again. Try your pound of powder to 1 gal water.

I got a growth (mold) started on it after a week or so. I added about a cup of vinegar to it and no mold came back after several months.

Now I have 4 gal. of real walnut to work with. I am going to concentrate this batch by cooking it down and experiment with small batches and beet juice to give it a slight red tint.
Let us know how it goes! 

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Thanks for the advice ....

Due to the staining quality of walnut, I was going to go down to the thrift store and buy a pot with a lid ... but did not know what sizee to get .... sounds like a 1gallon pot would work just fine .... *S*

[WaddWatsonEllis]

I bought a two gallon (plus) cooker ... the only problem is it is made out of aluminum.

I am worried about Aluminum's ability to give off ions to the acidic nature of the dye,
possibly neutralizing some of the dye ...

Has anyone made dye in an aluminum cooker with good results?

Please let me know!

[ChuckBurrows]

I'ved used all kinds of pots including aluminum and have had no problems - iron or steel pots will give you a grayer color due to the iron/tannins reaction to each other.
For non-reactive pots use the ceramic lined ones.....

[Cliff Fendley]

I have done this pretty much following Chuck Burrows recommendations. I use an old ceramic lined one that was my grandmothers. I don't know how many gallons it is but I'm guessing four since there is about two gallons in it at all times and it's only about half full. I have other smaller canning pots but like this big one because I can easily get a holster and belt in it at once with complete coverage of both items.

I keep other cooked up and ready in the freezer. When the cooker gets low thaw some out and add some to it. I keep a dab of alcohol in the pot to prevent mold growth.

I just keep it in the canning pot all the time on the back of the stove in the shop. When I need to use it I warm the stain to above room temp but not real hot. Usually leave it a couple hours and hang out to dry.

I should have made up some more this fall but still have a couple gallons in the freezer so should be fine till next year. I've never tried the store bought powder since we have an abundance of walnut trees here. I've had best luck with the green fresh nuts right off the tree especially after a rain or heavy dew and they are still green but starting to soften.

Tear off the husk and just the juice already in them is going everywhere and a good start. You gotta wear rubber gloves when tearing off the husk or your going to have funny looking hands for a while. Put the husk in a stocking and bring to a boil. Once it cools enough squeeze all the juice out. It's kinda like a huge tea bag. Repeat several times to get a stronger batch. You could save it and make more later but since I can get the nuts easily I prefer to just get more fresh ones and get a stronger batch.

[santee]

WWE,
Let me know how this works out with the powder. Take some pix and show us the results!

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Cliff,

In a way, I wish I had started with plain husks. The 'walnut powder' may be pure walnut meat ground up, a mixture of the two, or just plain hulls.

As I am typing this it occurrs to me that, since my supply is in town, I should call them up and find out exactly what I have ...

Santee,

Once I have figured out what I have, I will keep you guys informed step by step ....

[Ten Wolves Fiveshooter]

Try these folks  Re: Old time dyes: a How_to
« Reply #81 on: April 11, 2011, 06:02:07 am »     

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I just found this source for black walnut hulls. Currently $6.00 a pound.

http://www.herbco.com/c-147-black-walnut.aspx

Here's their contact information:
Monterey Bay Spice Company
719 Swift St, Suite 62

  This was posted by Marshal Will Wingum a while back, and all this information can be found in our FAC/HOW TO thread under making old time dyes.

            tEN wOLVES
I HAVE BOUGHT FROM THESE PEOPLE BEFORE, AND THEY HAVE A GREAT PRODUCT

[WaddWatsonEllis]

HI,

I opened the shipping package yesterday and also called the shop (Starwest Botanicals). Starwest assured me that the powder comes from walnut hulls only ... and the foil-wrapped, vacuum pacage says 'Black Wanut Hulls Powder, Juglans Nigra' and the item # is 201085-51. So I think I am set ...now I just have to think of a woman I know well enough to ask for her panythose ... *S*

[Cliff Fendley]

From what I understand you got plenty of men out there on the left coast wearing panty hose too. Depending on what town your in. 

[WaddWatsonEllis]

That may be true... I'm only about an hour and change from San Francisco ... but that is one road I haven't the least interest in traveling ....

[Cliff Fendley]

That may be true... I'm only about an hour and change from San Francisco ... but that is one road I haven't the least interest in traveling ....

I don't blame you.

If you don't have panty hose an old T-shirt works good for the husk, at least it has for me with the fresh husk so I guess it will work for the powder. Just cut it off just under the sleeves and zip tie the ends. I prefer an old thin worn out shirt that you can about see through.

[WaddWatsonEllis]

Cliff.

Thanx for the idea ... I think I have just about that T-shirt in my rag bag ....

But I got to thinking about the idea of how iron or steel pots can give a greyish color to brown dyes like walnut and I got this idea ... ceramic container ... able to boil for long times unconcerned sounds like a crock pot to me ...

So I went down to my Salvation Army Thrift Store and bought two two gallon crockpots, some candles and a candleholder for just under $26.00 ... I think they were bought for an office party and never thoroughly cleaned or ever used again .. so after thorough cleaning (Easy Off is now my friend!), They are now heating up two gallons each of water ... and this way i have 1.) dedicated crockpots to use for leather working, and 2.) Something I can use anywere there is a plug.

HINT: Salvation Army may have a no refund policy in your area (it did in mine).
*************************** BE SURE TO HEAT THE CROCKPOTS UP AT THE STORE BEFPORE YOU BUY THEM !!!!!!******

[Cliff Fendley]

The big canning pot that I use is ceramic coated.

[Drayton Calhoun]

I'm lucky, both my mother in law and a guy I work with have black walnut trees in their yards, so I have a ready supply. Finally cooking up a big batch of dye, hopefully it will turn out well.