CAMP SAORI!

A family from Ohio is coming to Minnesota for a group camping.
The mom in the family contacted me a month ago or so to come to their camp site and teach SAORI to her and her daughter whenever they have free time.
I reserved my own camp site.

SO, I am packing right now.
Of course, looms, thread etc...for SAORI as well as my camping stuff such as tent, bedding, food, and personal stuff.
I was thinking I was camping alone. Dan is working and is going to a family reunion.
BUT, good family friend of mine decided to join me a few days ago, so we are planning who brings what.
My friend is teaching SAORI right now. So, she wants to observe the class I am teaching this weekend.

I will be working, but will be having fun with them, too!
SAORI at a camp site....my first experience.

I have a show in September, so whenever I have time, I want to weave, too!
I need to make warp for that also.

Fun weaving and Fun camping weekend is coming!
CAMP SAORI!! Yeah!

Minnesota banner

This is a Minnesota Banner that now is ready to be mailed to my friends in MA tomorrow.

They are planning to decorate two bridges in their local public park the end of next month.

They are collecting 68 of them to do this.

I believe this is the only one banner from Minnesota.

Only one banner, but many people in Minnesota helped me finish weaving!

The youngest weaver was 2 years old!!

There are many colors, characters, textures and warmth.

Thank you for all the people who helped me finish weaving!!

Happy weaving!

South Minneapolis Wool Market

It was held yesterday at the Susan Hensel Gallery.
I had a booth there with 5 other fiber artists.

Thank you for people who tried weaving on a loom I brought there.

The banner everyone tried weaving is now finished and is waiting to be donated to my friend in MA.

She will have an event to decorate bridges with 68 banners in her local park next month.

Yes, this will be one of 68 and I believe this banner is the only banner from Minnesota.

So that's why the banner is "Minnesota Banner".

The youngest person wove on this banner is 2 years old!!

The pictures above are a new vest I put it together for the event yesterday.

My friend Elizabeth tried it on. She came to see me yesterday.

She came to weave with me a whole week a couple of week ago with her daughter and I was working on the piece when they were here at the studio.

It looks very good on her, doesn't it?

Taiko recital

Did you know that I have been studying the Japanese drum, Taiko?

This weekend is Mu Daiko Student Recital.

I started this in the fall of 2008 and this is my 2nd recital.

Now, I am a Mu Daiko intern.

I performed as a student and as well as an intern.

I practice with performers/teachers, too everyweek.

I also started taking Fue (Japanese flute) class a couple of months ago and some of us played along the taiko performance last night. Yes, I am playing it again today, too.

Life is interesting.

I never played taiko in Japan and now I am away from Japan and studying Taiko here in Minnesota.

Sometimes, I have opportunities to perform at schools and events, too!

It is so nice to share my own culture to people here in Minnesota.

There are a few Taiko groups here in Minnesota.

I feel that I am in the right place when I heard our director told us last year's recital,

"We all make mistake, but it's okay. Just breath."

I can never forget this.

This applies to SAORI, too, doesn't it?

I will enjoy today's recital, too!

Saori Weaving

Saori Weaving

Listen to this! Dan and I are featured on this radio station "ampers".
If you don't know Chiaki, it's me in the picture!!

Happy Weaving!

They are here!

SAORI looms and accessories are here at SAORI Studio "FUN"!

Dan went to pick them up at a warehouse this afternoon.
We received 7 big boxes!
Two different models of looms, warping frames, books, yarn and shuttles.....
Thank you for waiting for those who ordered them from us.

We would like to take an appointment to distribute your items in next a couple of weeks.
We would help you assemble.
We would show you how to start and everything!

We are so excited having our SAORI circle bigger.

Also, I finished setting up a warp for donating a banner to SAORI Worcester.
I made 5m long and 50cm width.
Whoever would like to weave please do so.
This piece is going to be "a banner from Minnesota".
I am planning to send it by the end of this month.
I wonder how many people would weave for this special banner.
AND... I set up the warp on a SAORI 60.
SAORi 60 is the model we didn't have in our studio.
It is all wood, so it is pretty.
You can also try feeling this SAORI 60!!

Happy Weaving!