Most all-purpose dyes don't work well with bone, a natural material that can be dyed.Many natural dyes, acid dyes and fiber reactive dyes will produce better results.
Step 1: The powder can be grinded from the acorns.
The nuts should be thrown into a powerful electric blender.To make powder, blend on high.If you wanted, you could use two large oak galls.The nuts could be grinded into powder using a stone mortar and pestle.
Step 2: Bring the acorn powder and water together.
Place the nuts in a bowl.Add room temperature water to the powder.Use a plastic spoon to mix.The level of the water needs to be high enough to cover the bone you plan to dye.If you want to create more dye, you will need to add six more powdered oaks or oak galls for every 1/2 cup of water.
Step 3: Prepare an iron salt solution
Add 1 cup of lemon juice or vinegar to the steel wool pad in the non-reactive bowl.The powdered rust could be used instead of the steel wool pad.The solution will sit out overnight without being used, so you should choose a container with a lid.It must be prepared now and used later.
Step 4: The bone needs to be soaked in acorn dye.
The bone should be in the bowl.Allow the bone to soak for 8 to 12 hours after setting the container aside.The bone should be completely submerged in the acorn dye.A longer soak time will result in a darker dye.If you only want a light brownish-gray color, you can cut this amount of time down by half.
Step 5: The bone needs to be taken out.
Remove the acorn dye from the bone when it has had enough time to soak.If you want to keep the solution out of the container, hold the bone over it for a minute.You don't have to worry if the acorn dye is not the right color when you remove it.The iron salt solution will change the color of the dye and set it.If you want to prevent your fingers from getting dyed when you remove the bone, you should wear rubber or plastic gloves.
Step 6: Take the bone out of the iron salt solution.
The bone can be placed in the iron salt solution for up to 12 hours.This time, the bone must be completely submerged.A longer soak time will produce a deeper tone.
Step 7: The bone should be left dry.
When the iron salt solution has soaked the bone, remove it.Set it aside for several hours until it feels dry to the touch.When removing a bone, wear gloves.The final color will be slightly lighter than the current one.As the bone dries, put it on a piece of wax paper.Paper towels can be used to clean up stray dye.
Step 8: You should wash the bone.
If the bone feels dry, wash it with cool water and a mild soap.The bone can be washed to remove odors from it.Continue rinsing the bone until the dye is gone and the water is clear.
Step 9: Dry completely.
Allow the bone to dry in a sunny spot before you use it.The process is complete when this step is completed.
Step 10: The bone must be soaked.
Place the bone in a bowl with room temperature water.The bone should be soaked for an hour or two.When wet, the bone fibers pick up dye more readily.You don't need a lot of water to keep the bone submerged.
Step 11: Put water in a small saucepan.
When you're ready to start dyeing the bone, fill a saucepan with warm to hot water.Put it on the stove and heat it to medium.You don't need a lot of water to keep the bone submerged.The dye won't react to the saucepan.It's best to use one made of stainless steel.
Step 12: Put the dye powder in a container.
You can sprinkle acid dye powder in any color.When the powder is dissolved, mix it with a non-reactive spoon.You need to add 1/3 and 1/3oz of dye powder for every pound of bone you plan to dye.For small batches of bone, 1/2 oz (14 g) should work.More dye powder will produce a darker color, while less will give a lighter color.If your hands come into contact with the dye, you may want to wear rubber gloves or plastic gloves.
Step 13: Take the bone.
Transfer the bone from the soak to the dye bath.Don't dry the bone before adding it to the dye bath.
Step 14: The dye bath needs to be raised.
The heat should be increased to medium-high or high.Continue heating the dye bath until it reaches a temperature between 185 and 200 degrees Fahrenheit.As the dye bath gets hotter, stir it frequently.The temperature of the dye bath can be monitored with a cooking thermometer.
Step 15: It's a good idea to mix in a little vinegar.
The dye bath should have 1/2 cup of vinegar in it.To combine, stir.Acid dyes work best with acid.You will need 1/2 cup (60ml) of vinegar per pound of bone.If you wanted, you could substitute the vinegar for the citric acid.As you add it, try to avoid pouring it directly on the bone.
Step 16: You can dye the bone for 30 minutes.
The bone should be kept in the dye bath for 30 minutes.During this time, the dye bath must remain the same temperature.To maintain this temperature, you may need to adjust the heat settings on your stove.During this half hour, stir the dye bath frequently.You can leave the bone in the dye bath for a longer period of time if you want a stronger color.
Step 17: Use warm water to wash.
The bone should be removed from the dye bath.Warm water and a liquid soap can be used to wash the bone.After removing soap, rinse the bone under running water.Don't stop rinsing until the water runs clear and the excess dye has been washed away.
Step 18: Allow it to dry.
Allow the bone to dry completely by placing it in a sunny location.The process is complete once the bone is dry.
Step 19: Put the dye in it.
A plastic spoon is needed to mix the fiber reactive dye powder with the water.The dye should be put in a small to medium bowl made from non-reactive material.Enough dye is needed to keep the bone submerged.If you need to add more water, you should add 15 grams of dye powder for every cup of water.It takes two to four times the amount of dye powder to make a bright color.
Step 20: Prepare a solution for soda ash.
The soda ash should be combined with 1 quart of room temperature water.When the soda ash is dissolved, stir well.Before creating the soda ash solution, you should check the dye you're using.You don't need to prepare a separate solution if some dyes already contain soda ash.Since the soda ash is caustic, wear gloves when handling it.If the solution splashes onto your skin, wash it immediately.
Step 21: The bone needs to be soaked in the soda ash solution.
The bone should be placed in the solution for at least 15 to 60 minutes.The dye particles are picked up by the bone fibers.Try not to exceed one hour, as a longer soak can lead to a stronger color.
Step 22: The bone can be transferred to the dye bath.
Transfer the bone from the soda ash solution to the dye bath.Allow the bone to dye overnight if you position it so that it is completely submerged.The bone needs to be submerged in the dye bath for at least two hours.It is best to keep it submerged for 8 to 24 hours.The bath should be in a warm room.The temperature of the water should be at least 21 degrees Celsius.If you need to keep the dye bath warmer and more humid, you may want to cover the container with a sheet of plastic wrap.
Step 23: You should wash the bone.
Remove the bone from the dye bath and wash it with warm to cool water and a mild liquid soap.After the soap has been washed away, rinse the bone.Don't stop until the water comes out clear, signifying that all excess dye has been washed off.
Step 24: The dyed bone needs to be dried.
Before handling the bone, place it in a sunny area and let it dry completely.The process is complete when the bone is dry.