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For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
I guess most TT's know that I dye and color all the fur I use in my pieces. Recently I bought a couple of pieces of mohair from a well known supplier. They were short feathered mohair. I use this fur for ear liners for my cats and kittens. It turns out that they had a sprayed on finish that will not allow the fur to be colored! I tried washing before coloring, using hot water and all the recommendations but to no avail, this fur can not be colored. This makes this fur pretty much useless to me. I'm trying not to sound paranoid but I'm beginning to wonder if this is on purpose securing a market for different colored fur by making dyeing impossible? Anyone else notice this change in some mohair?
Karen
KJ Lyons Design
OK, I'm stubborn! I couldn't let it go 
Here's the answer, but I'm not saying I recommend it. I soaked the mohair in dye then by experiment I found out that if you get it just soaked, no liquid in the bowl and microwave it for 1 minute it will take the dye. The dye I use is not toxic but I'm still not sure if this is so good for a food microwave? But at least I can use the mohair!
Karen
Oh Karen,
That would be awful if you had to go through all that trouble each time you want to dye your mohair. Since this spray on finish is new, maybe you can find some vintage mohair on ebay.
Good luck!
Janice
Dances With Teddy BearsKaren,
I'd ask whoever you purchased the mohair from about this spray finish, and why they're doing it. If they're reputable they should give you a straight answer.
Little Bear GuyFind a new supplier Karen, if they are going to do that then I wouldn't give them my business. The whole reason for us buying any white mohair is to dye it. I've never even heard of this being done before, so if it's something new then lets hope it doesn't spread to every supplier. Now is it the supplier doing it or the mill itself?
Bubble Up Bears!Oh Karen I don't even make bears and this sounds just NOT right to me!!!
I hope you investigate more and find out what is going on.
