Spindle Berry Ink

January 2024.

Collected from a tree in my friend’s backyard in Glouceter.

A freezing day. Berries would not come off branches or be picked out of gravel with mittens-could only use bare hands.

Boiled on stovetop with distilled water, vinegar and salt.

Left to soak in jar for several days.

Filtered with metal strainer but not coffee filter.

Added some washing soda and liquid gum Arabic, bottled.

Bit waxy and sticky. Orange color darkened to pale brown when dried on paper.