Twenty-two Gifts

In my last post I told you all about the art retreat I went to in Vermont earlier this month.  What I didn't show you were the gifts I made everyone.  We could bring a simple gift or just give "calling cards", whatever we chose. Typically several women make some pretty fun and creative gifts.  I labored over this decision for too long and wanted to make something that reflected my skills and interests.  The decision was made, I had a plan and bought linen napkins to embellish.  I'd make a set of two for everyone.  My plan was to dye them using the Cyanotype method (sun prints) you may have seen me do previously.  Something like this idea.

Cyanotype Napkins

The more I thought about it I realized that the process would take too long for the amount of time I had left.  So I had to come up with Plan B.  I already had purchased 44 napkins.  I decided to embroider Fall designs on each set using this fun embroidery book I bought in Japan.  

You may remember that I used it to make some pretty coasters for a friend's birthday while I lived in Japan.  This is how they turned out.

So, I got to work! Now, so you don't think I'm TOTALLY nuts, the second napkins had a simple word stitched on it: Blessed, Grateful, Gather, Thankful.  They are perfect for Fall dinners for two.  

Other attendees made some sweet gifts too. Several gave out packs of ephemera to use in our art for the week. One woman picked flowers out of her garden and brought a large bouquet for EACH of us. It was full of dahlias, zinnias, cosmos and forget me nots. Here is a sweet paper clay doll that was made for everyone.  

I didn't get a photo of every gift, but when you get creative women together, it's bound to be good!

The Value of the Handmade

One of the things I love most about Japan, is the immense variety of handmade crafts that continue to be done here as well as the continued appreciation of them.  I do understand that some of these traditions are not necessarily being handed down to the younger generations.  A few of the artists that I know personally do not have children that want the family business.  Some have assistants that they have trained that will continue the craft.

A few weeks ago was the Arimatsu Shibori Matsuri (festival).  I didn't get to go last year so jumped at the chance to go with our Japanese teacher and her husband this time.  I didn't even know it was scheduled, so I'm so glad they invited us.  Shibori is a type of fabric manipulation used when dyeing fabric.  It was probably handed down from China, but Arimatsu developed it's own style and was set along the Edo trail, which was the road from the capital of Tokyo (Edo) to Kyoto.  Arimatsu has a 400 year tradition of the shibori trade.

The streets and shops were swamped with people buying discounted shibori ready made and fabric yardage.  There were food booths (of course) and craft booths where you could learn several different craft techniques.  It isn't entirely handmade any longer.  Small tools have been developed to make it a less laborous process.

I ended up buying only a handmade and hand dyed linen scarf.  It was dyed with natural ingredients, the green was rosemary, blue was indigo and pink was madder.  Here is a description of madder.  The lovely lady that I bought it from had a henna rinse in her hair.  Ken says that's a "no go" when I mentioned getting a henna rinse myself. I think the scarf is so beautiful.  It has already softened up from wearing it.  

Here are some photos of beautiful fabrics at the festival.

This display was incredibly impossible to photograph.  It was in a gym so there was that distraction, but it was stunning the way the light played off of the fabrics.  

These are coasters I made for Mari's birthday.  They are made from vintage Yukata (summer cotton kimono) fabrics that have patches and stitches and seams.  She was actually with me when I purchased the fabrics over a year ago. Because the fabrics were rustic, I decided to do Sashiko stitches in a heavier weight thread with more of a rustic, primitive feel to them.  I love how they turned out and she did too.  I've learned recently that the traditional Sashiko indigo and white colors were used because it was illegal for commoners to wear bright colors or large ornamentation during the Edo period.  That is why most of the designs are small and the colors are blue and white.  This came from a book with the history of Sashiko that another Mari gave me.  It's called The Ultimate Sashiko Sourcebook by Susan Briscoe.  

Recently I asked a friend from the UK to teach me how to do EPP (English Paper Piecing).  Another friend joined in and we were taught this lovely piecing technique.  

I made a coaster for myself out of my little flower.  

Since I've been talking about Sashiko, I thought you might like to see how I mended my jeans recently. I used an iron-on patch on the back and then sewed some Sashiko stitches for reinforcement.  This idea is referred to as "visible mending".  Google it and you'll see lots of ideas.  I think it would've been easier if I would have used regular fabric instead of iron on.  That was difficult to stitch through.  But, I did and I read that they will be so strong that the fabric around it will be weaker.  So, we will see how these hold up.  In the mean time, I think they look cool.  Okay, so enough about Shibori and Sashiko for now.  We've had lots of company in June and so I've taken so many sightseeing pictures as well.  Maybe that will be my next post.  Or flowers.  

Our sensei and her husband, Keiko and Akio.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit,

Karen

Japanese Pottery

Pottery is a big deal in Japan.  There are several cities in the surrounding area that are known for their pottery.  Last weekend we visited Setomono Matsuri which is a festival in the town of Seto. Their specific pottery is referred to as Setomono.  We left early on the train in the hopes of beating the crowds and the heat.  We weren't really successful with either.  Evidently they expected over a half a million people to visit Seto during the festival.  

 Dachsunds are one of the most popular dogs in Japan.  

 This is not your usual festival food in America.  It is a rather healthy choice.  They are obviously cucumbers on a stick, but they are being washed with salt water.  Perfectly refreshing choice for the hot and humid day.

This sweet little family was sharing this spiraled potato on a stick. 

Sounds like a good snack to me. Especially if its fried and salted.  

 Some of the pottery is very beautiful.  I love the rustic, handmade pieces the most.

 I wanted one of these big pots, but didn't want to carry it around.

Again, not your normal festival food. 

 This guy wouldn't get away with smoking while serving food in America.

They had a cute section for kids to make crafts.  Or was it a section for cute kids to make crafts? 

This is the pretty mug that I came home with.  It is hand made, hand painted and pricey. That's what happens when you want original pieces.  

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Speaking of pottery in Seto, this last Friday I was able to go to a pottery workshop and make pottery again.  This time we were at a different studio with a very helpful sensei. This teacher actually has people come to live at the studio for 30 days to learn.  There were a handful of these students helping us that day.  Here is the link to his program. 

 Kneading the clay is hard work!

 Concentration.

 These are my final pieces, a cup, small plate and a large serving bowl.  We were able to pick out the glaze and they will finish them once they are dry.  I'm very happy with how they turned out.

 Kato-sensei and Nanda.  Nanda made two Ramen bowls and a larger one.

 Kato-sensei is demonstrating how he cleans up the bottom once they have dried.

 Can anyone guess what these are?

 He was showing and explaining his kilns.  Fortunately he speaks very good English.

 The paint pots for designs on the pieces.

This is the beautiful table in his reception room.  

The cushions are where you sit so it's all very low to the ground. 

I definitely want to return for more time on the wheel!!