A few Dads & a bunch of Dingbats

Went to the Printing Arts Fair this past Father’s Day, at the Museum of Printing in N. Andover, MA.   I did see a few dads, but many more DINGBATS!  After all it was an event of all types!

Several quite interesting types….like Ed from Swamp Press , Andy Volpe, the intaglio printer who also does historical reenactments,  Carolyn Muskat; master lithographer, who I may have met before…we think.  Then, there was Jesse of Marsolais Press & Lettercarving, who is the youngest stone carver I’ve ever met who studied with the John Stevens Shop in Newport, RI. , Bessie-the twin behind B. Impressed, and Craig Busteed of Green Turtle Press who seemed impressed with the blossom lace card stock available at Paper Connection or at PaperNado.   Finally, there were those papermakers, without whom I wouldn’t have become a “paperwoman”;   my old friend Richard of Langdell Papers and my newer friend and leader of The Boston Paper Collective, Melinda Cross.  It was so great to see all of you!

More photos on FlickR.

Washi Tape plus more cuteness!

Back in the fall of 2011 I met this young, talented designer, while at the Kokeshi Festival in Tokyo.  I couldn’t resist but bring her irresistible designs to you, here in “America” via PaperNado.com.

These incredibly cute washi tapes, vintage patterned papers, letter sets and tiny messenger dolls; all just arrived!

Contact: info@papernado.com.

3-pk vintage patterned washi tape

Vintage Patterned Letter Sets

Tiny Messengers

Can you stand the cuteness?!

Tenugui:More than Just a Hand-towel

Tenugui is a  “handy-wipe”, which Japanese carry with them for daily use. But, as you can see here, they are used in a variety of different ways; like as part of a costume for parade performers, as giftwrap for  presents, as wall art, as a sash or scarf.

These pretty little textiles we’re neatly tied around the heads of the dancers during the Koenji Festival parade, which I attended last month.
A natural progression from paper is of course, textiles.  As a collector of affordable art or folk arts, I’ve taken on tenugui as my new obsession. Tenugui are now for sale on papernado.com.

Just in these last 2 months, I’ve learned more details about how tenuguis are made….will explain in a future  blog.

Other scenes in the town of Koenji.

Traditional Clothing Store Selling Tenugui

Devil Roof Tile of Temple in Koenji

Here’s a little video to enjoy, recorded in Japan.  Just click on link below, taking you to our new vimeo account:

http://vimeo.com/35285571

 

 

Kokeshi; another craft revived.

In mid-November, I attended the Kokeshi Festival in Koenji (southwestern Tokyo).  Many vintage doll collections were for sale, as well as modern items with kokeshi doll designs, such as, tenugui, letter sets, pochi bukuro (mini envelopes), t-shirts, etc.So many cute products are now produced with kokeshi designs; of course, paper goods, like stationery sets, but even washi tape with a kokeshi pattern is now available.

I probably received my first kokeshi in the 1970′s…so perhaps my collection is already considered vintage!?

Kokeshi and wooden, lathe toys are a big part of my personal collection.  I am so tickled to see that there has been a resurgence of interest in the world of kokeshi-another traditional folk art of Japan like paper.

The major tradtional kokeshi production area is Tohoku; North East Japan; This is the center where the major disasters occurred on March 11th.   By supporting these lathe artists they will be deterred from abandoning their home and craft passed down from previous generations.  The kokeshi makers need our encouragement and support  to continue  producing these special, wooden toys.

This map below shows 6 Prefectures of Tohoku, the North East region of Japan; Fukushima Prefecture on the left and Aomori Prefecture on the top right.

Paper and More: PaperNado

One can always bookmark more webpages concerning paper, but now there’s a new webshop where you can find classic and even vintage, Japanese papers, but even more importantly, there are fun, kitschy, gifty items right at your fingertips.  I for one can never get enough!

Check out the newly launched webshop:  www.papernado.com.

Here you’ll have direct access to Paper Connection‘s hundreds of papers, papers from Aiko‘s (formerly in Chicago) and other goodies from Japan.  Sweetxxooxx one-of-kind gifts…yes, I’m already thinking about those holidays after Halloween and Thanksgiving.

If you like these popular Serizawa desk calendars, reserve your 2012 version soon at info@papernado.com.

2012 Serizawa Desk Calendar

Ziguzagu Down Under

It seems the classical way of wrapping with square cloths, called  furoshiki,  has been a noteworthy, recent trend, and rightfully so.  Wrapping with reusable and artfully printed fabrics is an environmentally-friendly custom, which has finally come to the west after centuries of use in Japan.

The appreciation I have for all sorts of Japanese textiles led me to this site, Ziguzagu,(Japanese for “zigzag” ) a store in Melbourne.

Check out  their library; I was happy to see I own several of the books listed.

And  check out their assortment of other textiles, like these shibori scarves.

Anyone heading to Melbourne soon?

That’s next on my list…

Coming soon to our sister store  PaperNado- hand-printed furoshiki & tenugui; please inquire at Paper Connection. Great last minute holiday wrap and present in one!

Large Furoshiki with Japanese lantern.

Tenugui with Camelias and Snow.