Washi Inspired

Inspired by Japanese Washi this lovely bookmarker  was created using  traditional washi, mounted on Birds Eye Maple layered with an oragami shirt

和傘 Wagasa Kampai

As a lover oF traditions, hand crafts, and of course paper, I have been in love with Wagasa since my first trip to the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles years ago.

Wagasa or Traditional Japanese Umbrellas have been made by hand for over 1000 years using the beautiful and delicate washi paper.

Asian aesthetic has a way of presenting the most simple object or form and taking the function to artistic beauty.

Solicehome has this vintage lovely item that is so summer fresh.  I imagine it being center stage at a nice Japanese themed luncheon with cold sake, sashimi, and seaweed salad with black sesame seeds.

With the umbrella suspended in mid-air above the buffet, I'd dress the serving table with a bamboo runner to represent the fact that the ribs of these lovely umbrellas are made from a single bamboo cane split lengthwise. 

It's such an intricate technique that with the slightest imperfect the umbrella will not open.  

Although the umbrella was invented in China and introduced to Japan by way of Kudara (Korean peninsula) as part of Buddhist ceremonies, the Japanese have interwoven it into the cultural aspects of life.

Kampai to this tradition of the Orient. I relish it's beauty and the next time I see those little cutesy one on my fruity drinks I will think fondly of the larger versions it which it stems, the meaning behind the object, and the representation of paper.

Kampai!

eightXeight

In such a fast paced world, I'm always on the look out for items that are multi purpose.

eightXeight has these dual functioning Flax Sacs that is a great sign of relief for all of us computer junkies.

Use as a wrist rest while on your laptop and because it's filled with lavender and flax it offers a soothing aroma while you're typing away.

Feeling a bit overworked and you can pop it in the freezer or microwave to calm yourself

The Faux Bois print is my fav but there are lovely retro combos to choose from.

Visit eightXeight today and pick up your Flax Sacs for organic, comfort, and function

Ripe for the Picking

Australian Artisan Vesnav of My Little Jedi makes these delicious 

memo pads. 

They are package as if you just got them fresh off the farm

So indicative of Summer...

So ripe for the picking

Visit My Little Jedi for a sweet twist on the Sticky Note

Hair Tonic

This vintage inspired hand crafted and soldered pendant is reminiscent of days gone by.  

I love how simplistic and colorful it is with just the right touch of red glitter accents.

Artisan Little Silver Stars always has cute pieces of jewelry.  Her newly added pendants are a must have.  

Stop by her shop and grab a pendant or two. They are perfect to wear with jeans and tea or a boho chic sundress.

MudHandChans - Wood Grains & Branches

Phoenician clay artisan MudHandChans of Sedimentary Sentiments uses an Italian technique known as Sgraffito which dates back to the 1700s.

Her interpretation of Faux Bois and Tree Branches is brilliantly displayed in these two items are so provocative.

These would be lovely for jewelry catchalls, a neat row of colored art pencils or pens, tapas and to use as a base for a gift and then wrapped in clear cellophane or ultra light colored vellum.

Stop by Sedimentary Sentiments for handcrafted vases, bowls, and sculptures