Important Instructions

It's a great privilege to be allowed to make big, beautiful art in the middle of Black Rock Desert every year. After every year on the playa, Burning Man must pass a strict inspection by the Bureau of Land Management in order to be permitted to return the next year. Out of our deep respect for the land, our mission to preserve and protect our environment, and our hopes to see the event continue, Burning Man is a "Leave No Trace" event. Burners strive to leave no "Matter Out of Place", or "MOOP" on the playa surface, not one false eyelash, sequin, glowstick, feather or, in this case, strand of yarn! Our motto is 'Don't let it hit the ground!'.

The deadline to submit leaves to this project has passed, meeting our goal of over 3000 leaves!! Thank you all so much! It may be of interest to you to read the instructions the artists abided by, in order to create a MOOP-free work of art. Leaves that did not strictly adhere to these guidelines were not added to the tree. There were about 300 leaves that could not be added.

1. USE ONLY WORSTED ACRYLIC OR COTTON YARN. DO NOT USE EYELASH, SPARKLY, FURRY, CHENILLE or HAIRY yarns. As beautiful as many of the new varieties now available are, they are not well suited for this project. Any thing that sheds, even just a little, cannot be brought to the playa. Luckily, for this project, the cheapest of yarns work best! Try Red Heart Super Saver, Red Heart Sport or TLC Essential brands. Also, not only do animal fibers shed, but they like to felt to itself, and do not unravel nicely.
   
   
2. Use whatever color of yarn you like; the variety of colors will only enhance the collaborative feel of the peice.
   
   
3. Only use one strand of yarn. Please don't 'double up' on yarns or change colors.
   
   
4. These will be tied to the tree's branches, so leave about a foot of yarn before you begin to knit or crochet, so they may be tied securely.
   
   
5. Remember, these leaves are being made to be unraveled. Don't tie them off! You can gently slip the last stitch through the last loop, just so they don't unravel in the mail (if you're sending them to me).
   
   
6. Feel free to use your own patterns! The ones below are the most basic and quick leaves I could come up with, but be as fancy (or as unfancy) as you like. And please don't worry about 'mistakes' or sloppy stitches.. the variety of leaves will only add to the tree's beauty!
   
   
7. When you're done, just pop them in a regular letter sized envelope (no fancy packaging or padding needed) and send them to:
   
   A Tree Undone Leaf Drive
   3421A 16th St
   San Francisco, Ca 94114
   
   
8. Deadline for submitting leaves is August 1, 2007. I wish I could accept leaves right up to the event, but tying them to the tree is quite labor intensive. If you have leaves for the project, send 'em on in as soon as you can.
   
   
9. THANK YOU!! My vision would not be possible without your help!