Straw

Explore our new range of Rye Straw and discover the endless possibilities it offers for your artistic endeavours.

Rye straw has a fine layer of silica on its outer surface which gives it a luminous quality and once flattened and applied, it has a soft, smooth texture.  The silica coating also means that the straw is durable and water resistant and there is no need to apply any sort of finish.

Rye straw is preferred for marquetry due to its long, straight fibres.  There are only a handful of farmers producing the straw for marquetry, most of them based in France.  Once harvested, the straw is dried and then dyed an assortment of colours by the grower.

Are you interested in learning more about Straw Marquetry?  Tracey Malady teaches courses in Straw Marquetry at Melbourne Woodworking Courses.  You can check out some of Tracey’s work here on her Instagram and website Malady Designs.