How to Dye Bone With Tea

Written By
Victoria Ries
Victoria Ries
Published: Sep 10, 2008
Updated: Feb 23, 2021
1 minute read

Bone beads and buttons and other miscellaneous bone craft notions look great in their natural state. However, dying them brings out a certain depth and richness to the item which enhances its already attractive appearance. One of the easiest dyes to transform your notions from beautiful to stunning is tea. Dyed-bone beads are excellent for antique-look chokers, breast plates, earrings, headbands, necklaces, bracelets and bangles. Read the following article for step-by-step instructions on how to dye bone with tea.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Tea Bags
  • Bowl
  • How to Dye Bone With Tea

    Place tea bags in a bowl and pour boiling water over them, almost filling it to the top. Boiling water ensures a good infusion.

    Place as many bone notions as will fit in the bowl or however many you need to dye for your particular project. Leave beads in the bowl overnight.

    Rinse beads off in the morning and dry with a paper towel.

    Brew 20 tea bags in a white 5 gallon bucket to dye larger items such as skulls and tomahawk handles. Leave to soak overnight. Rinse and dry with paper towels. Bone knife and dagger handles may also be dyed this way for a neat antiqued look.

    Victoria Ries

    Victoria Ries is a freelance writer whose work has been published in various print magazines, including "Guideposts," "BackHome," New Homesteading" and "Mother Earth News." Ries enjoys working on diverse topics such as travel, animal…

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