Material Samples

Materials Samples

Lavender: Vegetable

Is a small aromatic evergreen shrub of the mint family, with narrow leaves and bluish-purple flowers. Lavender has been used for over 2,500 years. In ancient times lavender was used for mummification and perfume by the Egyptians, Phoenicians, and peoples of Arabia. Romans used lavender oils for bathing, cooking, and scenting the air. It is referenced in the bible many times as a perfume or a tool of seduction, then it was known as spikenard. As an herbal medicine, lavender is widely utilized for or soothing, relaxing qualities. Today lavender is still used in aromatherapy, and cooking.

Onionskin: Vegetable

Is very fine translucent, almost paper like material that covers the outer surface of an onion. Onionskin is most commonly used in soups, salads, and casseroles. They can also be used  provide an exceptionally rich source of plant compounds called flavenoids, especially the powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compound, quercetin. Quercetin used for lowering LDL cholesterol and blood pressure, fighting allergies, reducing inflammation, enhancing muscle growth and function, treating depression, and some forms of cancer.

Feathers: Animal

Usually derived from all different kinds of birds, feathers grow from a birds skin and are usually light, soft and sometime colorful. In the 14^th century feathers were used in bedding, only for the rich. By the 19^th feathers were more commonly used in bedding by all. Feathers were also used as writing utensils, essential for written communication. Feathers were and are used in different cultures as part of religious and spiritual practices and symbolisms. Feathers have also been common used in fashion both in the past and today. They are sometimes used to insolate coats and colorful adornments and garments and accessories. Peacock feathers specifically were used on clothing and materials to show high status in society.

Branches: Vegetable

Are the part of the tree that grows out from the trunk or from a bough. Tree braches have had a wide range of uses throughout history. They have been used as tepee skeletons, part of shelters. They have been used in basket weaving, to create containers for carrying goods. Braches are used in decoration and art pieces.

Salt: Mineral

Salt, also known as table salt or rock salt, is a crystalline mineral that is composed primarily of sodium chloride, a chemical compound belonging to the larger class of ionic salts. Salt has been known to be up to 4,700 years ago. It is used for flavoring and preserving food.

Shells: Animal

A Seashell is a hard, protective outer layer created by animal that lives in the sea. Shells are part of the body of the animal. They are often found, empty, washed up onto the seashore. Shells have been used as currency, in many Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean islands, also in North America, Africa and the Caribbean. They have been used in everyday tools such as, bowls, bath tubes, even baptismal fonts when big enough. They have also been used as scrapers, blades and clasps because of their shape.

Lead: Mineral

Lead is a chemical element in the carbon group with symbol Pb and atomic number 82. Lead is a soft and malleable metal, which is regarded as a heavy metal and poor metal. Lead has been used by people for a wide variety of purposes, for the past 5000 years. Water pipes that date back to the Roman Empire, glazes on prehistoric ceramics, and the cosmetic kohl, used by ancient Egyptians to darken their eyelids, are a few examples of ancient uses of lead. Today, lead, which has been mined on all continents except Antarctica.Today, the other significant uses of lead are in ammunition, oxides in glass and ceramics, casting metals, and sheet lead.

Copper: Mineral

Is a ductile metal with very high thermal and electrical conductivity. Pure copper is soft and malleable; a freshly exposed surface has a reddish-orange color. Copper is the first metal to be worked with by people. It has been used in coins, gun metals, electrical equipment like wiring and motors.

Antlers: Animal

One of the branched horns on the head of an adult (usually male) deer, which are made of bone and are grown and cast off annually. Deer antlers are used in furniture, art, trophies, and medicine.