Let's Be in Touch!

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival

2011-09-13T09:47:00.004-05:00

Last weekend was my second WI Sheep and Wool Festival to be a part of.

I taught two classes and had a vendor space.

It is a big show compared to the ones I know of.

The weather was gorgeous all 3 days that was very nice.

Thank you for Kimie who came to help me watching the booth while I was teaching all day Friday.

Many things happened. I want to write them all, but I would like to share a couple of things I was really happy about except for Kimie coming with me.

Last Friday while I was teaching a lady stopped by at our booth.

Kimie talked to her. She had a couple of pieces using her own loom and wove with SAORI way.

This lady took my SAORI class I offered last year at the festival.

I missed her!!

BUT, there she was at the same hotel we were staying. She was showing her pieces to other people in the lobby.

Yes, I remember her!!

Yes, she had a couple of SAORI pieces that were so beautiful and I was able to tell she had so much fun creating them.

I was so happy to see the pieces and her telling me about how she enjoyed the class last year and now she is planning to sign up next year's SAORI class at the festival.

I hope to see her again!

One lady who took the morning class last Friday's comment moved me. I even wanted to keep the evaluation of hers with me...

She wrote something like she has taken many classes at the festival but SAORI class is the best !!

There was also a lady who took a class last year told me that SAORI method releases her when she paints.

I am so happy to introduce to SAORI to people.

Everyone enjoys.

Everyone finishes weaving so happy.

I am so happy I am doing SAORI that also makes me happy in many ways.

I will see you next year at WI Sheep and Wool!!

Happy Weaving!!

Being here...

2011-08-18T23:36:00.002-05:00

One of the member is a rigid heddle instructor.

She also is a school teacher, so it is hard for her to come to the studio to weave with us regularlly.

Though because it's summer, she comes to the studio every week with her "Fiber hooked" daughter.

They share a SAORI loom.

They weave, spin, kinit.... and are FUN!

Yesterday, she made a warp for warp exchange we are going to do at the end of this month.

She seemed satisfied finishing the warp.

She took out her drop spindle and started spinning.

I asked her if she would like to weave because there are empty looms.

She told me "No, thank you. Being in this room is learning and makes me happy."

I couldn't say anything.

She is right.

She made me happy again.....

SAORI Summer Camp 2011

2011-08-18T23:23:00.004-05:00

I had a couple of girls this week for SAORI Weaving Summer Camp.

One of them ("A") came back for her second Summer Camp this summer.

She came last month for the first time with her friend and came back this week with her new friend.

It was fun to observe them.

"A" is 7 years old and the other is 12 years old.

"A" was telling her friend, "It is fun, isn't it? You can do whatever you want!".

Yes, that's is right!

"A" had a very different attitude than when she came last time with her friend who was the same age with her.

"A" was asking her older friend her color choices a lot.

In the other hand, this older friend was inspired by "A"s mix color technique(?).

Maybe "A" thinks her older friend is her sister?

I had a good time with them and they did a superb job!!

Hope to see them again.

SAORI class @Weavers Guild of Minnesota

2011-07-24T19:36:00.005-05:00

I don't even remember how many years it has been since Dan and I taught a SAORI class at the Weavers Guild of Minnesota last time.

We were just the guest instructors at that time, but now I am a "Weavers Guild instructor".

Since it has been such a long time since the last class and SAORI is still new to this country, so the class was a series of "Try-It" class.

Though, there were a couple of people who came to the studio last year and a lady who is an active member? of the guild so I remember....

Anyway, it was a comfortable and fun class.

They were exchange ideas as they weave and I wasn't the one helping when they had problems.

Elizabeth who is a rigid heddle instructor/weaver and SAORI weaver assisted me a whole class and she knows a lot about other styles of weaving, so I learned a lot about them from her.

Thank you, Elizabeth!!

The above are some of the pieces they created yesterday for 4-5 hours.

I enjoyed the SAORI community yesterday. Thank you!

2011-07-13T22:40:00.002-05:00

I was a vendor at Mill City Farmers Market in Minneapolis last Saturday through Weavers Guild of Minnesota.

Mill City Times (it's their neighborhood information blog) interviewed me and here it is!!

I am featured!!

Unfortunately, last Saturday was my first time having a booth this season and also the last time this season.....

I will see everyone next season!

I will visit the market as a customer the rest of the season.

It's a lovely market.

It's just a little far away to get there....oh, well.

Happy Weaving!!

More bags!!

2011-07-04T22:51:00.006-05:00

Here are some latest SAORI bags I made!!

Now, I have a room that is not organized yet, but I have been enjoying being the room making these bags!!

I sometimes think I should organize the room first, but it's so fun making bags even though I still make mistakes.

I hope you like them.

They will be at Mill City Farmers Market (in Minneapolis) on July 9th!

Happy Weaving and Sewing!!

Super Eco Pin!

2011-06-22T23:23:00.003-05:00

I purchased a pair of jeans the other day.

I usually have to make them short for myself. I know it's sad....

Though this time, I was looking at those pieces I cut and came up an idea~!

Yes, PINS!

I am also using scrap thread, woven pieces and leather!

Some of them have beads! (picture left has small black beads)

I love making them.

I am happy to reuse them, too!

Another side of me....

2011-06-16T12:38:00.005-05:00

I am a SAORI weaver/instructor as well as a Taiko Drumming player.

I have been studying Taiko almost for 3 years and am now an intern of Mu Daiko.

I have my very first concert starting tonight in St. Paul, MN.

I am not in many songs, but I am helping transitions at side stages.

We have been rehearsing everynight. We have been working so hard.

I was exhausted by the end of the day everyday, but it is nice to feel that we are doing better every time we rehearse.

It's a great TEAMWORK!

Life is interesting.

I never played Taiko while in Japan for many many years and now I am playing it in Minnesota, U.S.A!!

These days, I need to take naps to get ready or rehearsals.

Of course, I am going to take a nap to get good energy!!!

Happy Taiko!

SAORI Summer bag

2011-06-08T23:44:00.004-05:00

I have been practicing making "bags" these days and have been having FUN even though I sometimes make mistakes.

Sewing is my long time "challenge".

Though to be honest, I can sew straight!

Anyway, I finished one today.

I like it a lot!

I didn't make it for myself after all because I didn't make "mistakes".

Yeah!

So, this will go to Iowa Sheep & Wool Festival this weekend.

I have many woven pieces that are not long enough to make garments.

I am planning to make more bags with these not long enough pieces for garments.

If I keep making bags, I will be able to be good at making bags and sewing for sure!!

I will have fun making them, too!

International Surface Design Conference

2011-05-25T15:10:00.009-05:00

These two are going to be exhibited at Weavers Guild of Minnesota starting June to the end of August.

I am so honored to have been invited to exhibit my work there conjunction with International Surface Design Conference starting next month.

I received an invitation letter from one of the committee member before I left for Senegal.

These two are my very recent work after coming back from Senegal.

I had to finish these from scratch in two weeks. Yes, it has been already two weeks since I came back from Senegal.

The challenge I had working on these two pieces were that I had to decide what material to use beforehand. I also had to make a vest and a jacket.

Though because I don't usually do it and it is not ideal way to approach in SAORI world, but I challenge myself and enjoyed it, so I guess it is okay now.

Last night, I was fortunate to go and see "Cirque Du Soleil". I got inspired by one of the costumes colors. I would love to weave with these colors. We'll see.

Now, I need to clean up the studio and start weaving next piece.

The children at the orphanage

2011-05-14T10:35:00.003-05:00

The children at the orphanage loved SAORI.
I enjoyed the children, too and I already miss them so much!
I felt that they really like bright colors.
The banners they created can tell that their nationalities sort of.
That's good because that's SAORI.
They expressed themselves!
I could tell that they are proud to be Senegalese and they are really.

They are just picking colors what they like.
They are weaving themselves, not a fabric.
I learned watching them, too.
They don't have anything, but they are happy and they are happy to see a loom to work with.
They are happy to see what they create.
They really don't have something like that in the facility.
So, SAORI and finger knitting we happend to start teaching make them so confident.
I could see looking at their smiles.

I am back!

2011-05-13T15:37:00.005-05:00

I am back from Senegal.
I was there for 3 weeks. Time flies!
I didn't want to leave if I could.
The children at the orphanage where I was are angels! They don't have many things like kids in Japan and the U.S., but they are happy!
I think that's the true happiness. Their smiles healed me.

We didn't have electricity during the days or at nights almost everyday.
No hot water...
No extra stuff at all, but they are all happy.

It was a life learning experience for me.
Now, I appreciate a lot that we have water, hot water, electricity and those natural resources whenever we want as much as we want.

Introducing SAORI to the children was a big hit!
Everybody wanted to weave!
Whenever I was walking towards the weaving studio, some children followed me showing their interest in weaving.
Whenever they saw me, they did "weaving gesture" telling me "I want to weave!"
(They speak either Wolof or French and I couldn't speak neither of them...shame)
Yes, I couldn't speak their languages, but they taught me many vocabularies in Wolof and now I am very interested in keep learning Wolof.
Even though we couldn't communicate much, we were able to understand (I think) each other.
There are volunteers who could speak both French and English so thanks to them that they were sometimes translators for me.

But how wonderful that the boys and I were able to communicate with no words!
Eye contact, gestures, some wolofs that I didn't understand....but I anyway, we were able to communicate most of the time by our "HEARTS".

I miss all the boys calling me "Chakuri".
Well, spelling is wrong, but it became my Senegalese nickname and I liked it.
I miss all of the boys already. I don't know how many times I looked at the pictures I took while I was there.

I now hope that they keep enjoying SAORI and hope to be back there with more Wolof vocabularies in the near future with my husband Dan.

To be continued...

To Senegal....

2011-04-14T16:45:00.005-05:00

I'm almost ready to go to Senegal phisically. I am not packet completely yet... Mentally, I AM READY!! My first African Continent...Senegal. I will be at an orphanage in the capitol city Dakar, Daar de Malika for 3 weeks to introduce SAORI to children there. I'm so excited about this great opportunity! What I would like to hope is for people at the orphange to continue SAORI project forever at the orphanage. My friend Yukako in NY and I are going to be there to start the project, but they are the one keep working on SAORI from now on. I think that's also our responsibilities to let them feel that SAORI is fun and benefit for both the children and the facility not just teaching how to use looms and weave....yes, guiding them to bring good mental motivation, too! I am also looking forward to the opportunity to play/listen the African drums, seeing/feelingBaobab trees as well as being in the nature (national parks?) whenever I have free time. Of course, trying different kind of local dishes, too! Though I need to be careful what I eat. (ice cubes, fruits....) Anyway, great great opportunity is ahead of me!! Thank you Dan for letting me go for 3 weeks. Thank you to my students who offered me to help Dan at a festival that Dan will have a booth and will teach 3 classes. Thank you to SAORI Japan to offer me this opportunity! Happy Weaving!!

See you this weekend at Spin In!

2011-04-05T23:24:00.005-05:00

Tomorrow, I am heading to the event, SPIN IN. The venue is near Milwaukee, WI. It will take about 5.5 hours to get there by car from where I live. I am going there by myself. I am teaching 3 classes everyday; Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Usually Dan is with me, but he has work that he can't miss. It's okay. I will be fine. I never drove alone for that long time. I will keep singing, chewing gums for not to fall a sleep....What shall I sing? Driving is the only thing I am worried about, but I know I will be okay. The event organizer e-mailed me to let me know that Friday class is full. Thank you!! I am looking forward to introducing SAORI!!

SAORI knitting bag pin and...

2011-04-04T00:03:00.006-05:00

I have a lot of small woven pieces that were left over from making clothing items.

I didn't threw them away. I kept them.

I'm finally using them in a good way!

I am making "SAORI knitting bag pins" and "SAORI magnet sets".

They are now available at Minnesota Textile Center.

I feel so good using those left over small woven pieces.

I am sure those pieces are happy to be something, too!

I know people in the U.S LOVES MAGNETS.

That's why I decided make magnets also using left over woven pieces.

What do you think about them?

Aren't they cute?

SAORI group class

2011-03-14T20:15:00.006-05:00

Well, I am actually having several children for a birthday party in a few days.

Now, I have a few people who are very serious about SAORI.
It is so grateful that they have showed me their interest to SAORI.
That's why I can ask them if they are interested in observing a group lesson/class and I did ask them to be a part of the birthday party if they can.
So they will be ready for the workshop at Shepherd's Harvest.

As I will miss Shepherd's Harvest beginning of May because of being in Africa, Dan will be teaching 3 workshop at the festival.
Those people who have showed me their interest to SAORI told me that they are going to assist Dan.
That's wonderful!!
It will be our sixth or seventh year at the festival this year and I can see how Minnesota SAORI community has grown up even a little bit.
I didn't imagine this is going to happen when we first participated the festival 6 or 7 years ago....we would have people who are willing to assist workshop and the booth.

I don't need to give up anything at the festival to go to Africa.

I appreciate those people who are supporting us!
THIS IS SAORI!!
I hope they learn a lot assisting workshop. Well, I am sure they will.

Now, I need to get ready for the birthday party.
Some looms are empty. They need warp!!

Happy Weaving!

Kyoto, A Mummy and A Robber

2011-03-12T13:30:00.005-06:00

We had a class this morning.

Two regular people came and I knew "D" was going to finish her long long piece today.

She worked on this 6.5 yard warp with all 3 color interlocking all winter!!
I named long before she even finished it without asking her....sorry.

It is "Kyoto".

The colors remind me of Kyoto. A few different greens (green tea?), pink (cherry blossoms) and the way she woved in the colors here and there remind me of a river.

Congratulations!!

It is a beautiful piece.

SAORI is.....

2011-03-09T17:38:00.004-06:00

I am so fortunate to have a student/friend to talk about SAORI a lot and seriously.

I would like to share what I learned through SAORI last 15 years.
I know everyone learned SAORI in many different ways.
That's what SAORI makes interesting, too.

One of many ways I leanred SAORI was that SAORI is not just a "weaving style".
It is our "life style". That includes way of thinking....
I don't even remember how I was before I started SAORI, but for sure, I am now more like, "just do it".
Just like putting some new colors you aren't sure whether the color goes well with the warp and the rest of your weft or not when you are weaving.

"It's okay to make mistakes. Trying is much more important than making mistakes."
You put this new color and find yourself, "Oh, I like it".
"I don't like it."----you can always go back and take the color out from the weft.
When weaving, you can go back easily, but in our daily lives, it is not that easy, isn't it?
However, "so what?" You found out that you didn't like it because you tried it!

I still remember when I was working on my very very first piece. I was conservative in a way that time.
I was only using certain green, beige, brown, white.
A teacher suddenly put some totally different color in my work.
"Try some different color to see how you like it."
Everyone has fixed thoughts like, "brown don't go with pink" etc....
However, you can at least weave them together to see your thought is right or not.
If you find yourself, "Oh, my thought was not right. They go well!"
Light brown, dark brown....
wool brown, cotton brown, fine brown yarn, thick brown yarn.....

Life is short.
Do it if you feel like doing it!
Challenging yourself is hard, but fun!
What a feeling when you try and succeed.
What a feeling even though when you fail. It's okay. You tried!! That makes feel good!
What a feeling if you find out yourself, "Wow, I did it! I can do it."

That's what I would like to share with people whether you like it or not.....hahaha.

One of Misao Jo's saying,
"A master doesn't have to be a good weaver. She/He should be good at praising people."

I am still learning how to praise!?

Weavers Guild of Minnesota

2011-03-05T08:35:00.006-06:00

I have been asked to be a Weavers Guild of Minnesota Instructor of course, a SAORI instructor.
I said "YES" right away!
The educational coordinator there would like to bring something "NEW".
Yes, SAORI is still "NEW" in the U.S.

It is still hard to find a place to learn SAORI in this country.
Actually this afternoon a lady is coming all the way from Iowa to learn SAORI.

Dan and I taught a workshop at the Weavers Guild a few years back.
I believe/hope more people now know about SAORI.
So, I hope many people sign up!

First, early in the summer we would like to offer one class through their series of class called "Try It".
Then, later in the summer, we would like to do classes that people complete one project.
It would be 3-4 days class.
I haven't done this kind of classes, so I am a little concern, but I just need to try to find out, don't I?
Just like SAORI, just try it!

Anyway, I am so excited about this offer. Thank you for this opportunity Linda!

2011-03-03T09:35:00.005-06:00

I wasn't feeling 100% last night, so I decided not to weave.
Instead, I needlefelted to make a kind of "frame" and "decoration" to the piece (bottom piece).
The white roving is MN local alpaca 100%.
I can't think of any good name for this piece. Anyone?

The top image is "warp interlocking".
Thanks to Marie who visited me last fall and refreshed my memory.
Now, I really like doing it.
It probably took longer (timewise) to set it than weaving time which is really rare.
Though it's true.
I didn't do much with the weft to show the warp "interlocked".
I don't want to foget to do this warp interlocking anymore!

By the way, do you see what I mean by "warp interlocking" in the image? I hope so.

I am going to Senegal!!

2011-02-21T13:06:00.005-06:00

Wow! It's been months since I posted the blog last time.

Well, this news is big one for the first blog this year to share.

I AM GOING TO SENEGAL TO TEACH SAORI!!

I have been asked if I was interested in going there to teach or not.

I responded right away saying "Of course, I AM!!"

My SAORI friend in NY is also going.

Marie who was a representative of UNESCO.

She visited SAORI-Tokyo last year and she has been dreaming to bring SAORI to an orphanage, Daara de Malika in Dakar, Senegal.

She applied a grant and got it! Yey!

I talked to her on the phone yesterday.

She thanked me a lot helping her dream come true.

I thanked her a lot, too.

What an opportunity!

I will be there for 3 weeks.

In 2 months, I will be there!!

I have been learning about the country, languages (French and Wolof), life style, food and so on.

It is so interesting to learn about a country especially it is more interesting because I am going there!!

I also thank to my husband who didn't think/hesitate having me going to Senegal for such a long time as well as my students/friends who are going to help the event I was going to be a part of.

Before going to Senegal, I need to get ready for my show at the Larson Art Gallery, University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus starting March 24.

I will see you soon Africa!!

Mom and Squares

2010-11-23T09:47:00.010-06:00

I didn't post any of my "MOM" color scarf image.

Here it is with "Square" pieces. (right)

The color didn't show well in the picture though....

I have been enjoying making "squres" these days.

Here are a few of them.

It's fun making variety of "squares".

More to come!!

Happy Weaving and Thanksgiving!!

my mother's color

2010-11-22T18:00:00.007-06:00

Yesterday was very unusual day for me.
It was Sunday. I usually have Taiko (Japanese drum) practice all day every Sundays.
However, because of the icy road condition, all the classes have been cancelled.
I have just experience driving on the icy road a night before, I was not ready to go back on the road anyway.
Though those Taiko practices are very important for me so I had to beready to go until the director e-mailed us "cancelled". When I got a phone call from my friend saying "it's cancelled", I was even test driving around my neighborhood.

So, I stayed home being relieved all day weaving, baking, needle felting, going to the gym.
I finished weaving a scarf.
I didn't do fancy much, but the two colors I used for weft that were dark dark red wool and mohair reminded me of my mother.
I used dark blue and brown for warp. She loves dark blue, too.
All these colors mixed together and while weaving, I was thinking of my mother a lot!

I actually am seeing her next month because I am going back to Japan!! Yeah!
I will probably bring the scarf and give it to my mom!!

Can't wait to see her and all my family members next month!

Happy Weaving.

Artist in Residency

2010-11-14T21:34:00.008-06:00

Look at these great work!!

Last week, I was fortunate to have been invited to do SAORI sessions with students with disabilities at their school.

One of my SAORI student goes there and in September, her parents asked me to do a weaving birthday party for her with her classmates.

It was a HIT!

Everyone who tried SAORI seemed enjoyed it and her teacher loved it, too.

The teacher started organizing a residency so that all 40 students at the school were able to try SAORI weaving.

I went there last Mon-Wed. with all my 8 looms!!

The first day, one of my student/friend even came to assist me.

Thank you!!

Each student had one hour to weave.

Students who tried weaving a month ago remembered how to weave! That was so nice to see.

For many of them, it was their first time weaving.

For some of them, all the weaving steps were too much, but their teachers were their great help.

They were working together as a team!

Some were able to talk and weave at the same time. It was nice to see them socializing.

The teacher who organized showed me three woven pieces from September.

They were nicely framed.

She said, "I already got permission from the school. One of them will be mine as my retirement present."

They will be hanged at the school entrance soon.

I am sure they will be a nice addition to the white plain wall and will be noticable by many people.

The ones they wove this time will be shown next summer's Art Walk organized by Ordway Theater.

One boy kept saying "NO" to me whatever I asked him.

I thought, "How can I show him how to weave?"

I tried many ways to let me show him how to start weaving, but he still said, "NO".

At last, I asked, "Do you like saying "NO", don't you?"

I felt like playing a game with him. I wanted to make him say "YES"!!

He said nothing to what I asked. He was good...

He just needed some time to get to know me.

One teacher showed him how to weave.

Later, he listened my offer.

He actually really loved weaving.

He was able to figure out by himself.

I didn't need to show him much!

A teacher told me that he wanted to weave more after I left the second day.

He came back the third day and wove a lot!!

Yes, he was able to talk to me. He knows me now! Yeah!

Thank you for having me and for helping me!

Many teachers help me assiting their students.

Without their help, I couldn't have done it.

Many teachers enjoyed SAORI.

Many stundets enjoyed SAORI.

I decided to let them use a couple of my looms for a while so students who wanted to weave more can do it!

I will see you soon!

Thank you!!

Flower Field scarf

2010-11-14T21:20:00.007-06:00

My "Flower Field" series new piece.
I made several shawls of this series, but this is the first time creating "scarf" for this series.
This is now at Minnetonka Center for the Arts for their Holiday Gift Sale starts on Nov. 18 at 6pm.

The colors didn't turn out well in this picture.
Yes, actual colors are much more beautiful!!
I feel like weaving another "Flower Field" scarf!

Happy Weaving.

Corn yarn and Hound's-tooth check

2010-11-05T14:05:00.004-05:00

I met a couple at the Shepherd's harvest last May. They were next to my booth.
They were selling CORN YARN!!
If you think "Oh, that's from cornhusk, isn't it?"
You are wrong!!
It's from CORN itself.

It was new to me, so I purchased a couple of colors.
Then, I finished this.
I tried a hound's tooth check. I don't even remember when the last time I wove this check.
I am ready to show this scarf to this couple they are going to be in Hopkins tomorrow for an event.
They want to see how their yarn will become when it is woven.

I also did a little bit of needle felting a couple of days ago while watching TV at night.
I made 3 snowmen and apples for Christsmas ornaments.
They are not done yet.
I need to look for small branches for snowmen's arms.
This is my first time making 3D pieces.
I love them!
After taking these pictures, my dog Fuku ate a whole snowman.
When I saw him, he was chewing the second snowman. OMG!
It's my fault. I know he eats rovings and left them where he can reach..., but it took me a long time to make these!!

I am a part of the Winter Gift Show at the Minnetonka Center for the Arts for the first time this year and Fiber Fair at the Textile Center the end of next week.

I need to get ready for these two middle of next week.

Now, time to get to weave!!

Happy Weaving!

SAORI Studio "FUN" Get Together

2010-10-14T15:29:00.003-05:00

I am happy to announce that Dan and I are organizing the very first SAORI Weaving Studio "FUN" Get Together this coming Saturday at the studio!

I know everyone who comes to weave, but many people including Dan who enjoys SAORI here don't know much about other people who are also enjoying SAORI.

It was my dream to organize one.
I finally found a Saturday to do this!!

We are going to get to know each other, exchange opinions/ideas about SAORI and providing information.....
If some of them bring their project (I informed to bring some if they have ones) that doesn't have to be SAORI, we can do "show and tell".

Dan and I would love to hear what everyone are thinking about SAORI.
This would be a good learning session for us as instructors.

Looking forward to seeing you!!

4 harnesses loom and....

2010-10-05T22:50:00.005-05:00

I finally started working on a 4 harness loom!!
Yes, SAORI makes 4 haness looms, too. I have the attachment to make it a 4 harness loom.
One SAORI 60 (not foldable one) is now a 4 harness loom!
I have only done a little bit so far. The big difference is that you have to move your feet A LOT!!
I need to get used to it, but it's FUN!

Marie who visited us last month gave us a quick workshop of two color-interlocking warp and circular warp.
I am liking the interlocking warp a lot! I have done it long time ago, so I forgot about it.
Thank you to Marie who was willing to show us.
I am doing it before I forget again....
If you would like to learn about two colors interlocking warp, I will show you how!!

Now, all the trees are so beautiful.
That inspired me to weave one banner.
The trees have been inspiring me a lot, but I am not able to catching up.....

I now focus on making items for "Winter Gift Shows".
Texitile Center gift shop, Minnetonka Art Center, Weavers Guild Fiber Fair (Nov. 12-14)

Next year, there are three shows planned.
One of them is going to be a SAORI Studio "FUN" show at a clinic in Minneapolis.
Yes, this is for everyone who is interested in participating.
You have plenty of time!!

Happy Weaving!

SAORI 4 Harness Loom!

2010-09-27T21:40:00.006-05:00

I finally have my "own loom".
That is a SAORI 4 harness loom.
I have never tried 4 harness looms.
I hooked up all the pedals to harnesses.
I wove a couple of inches and.....
I am still figuring out of course, but I am having fun already!
That's a good sign.
Now, I have to learn how to read patterns.
I have purchased two books about multiple harness looms; one is written in English and other is of course written in Japanese.
I am hoping I can figure out with two books.

One of my student/friend purchased a SAORI 4 harness loom recently.
That triggered me to learn 4 harnesses.
I have had the attachment to make a loom into a 4 harness loom.
I just didn't have a motivation until now.
We can probably learn together, too!
"Learn each other as a group"---One of SAORI slogans.

Anyway, I want to learn and want to have fun combining 4 harnesses and SAORI way of weaving.

We'll see...

Happy (4 harness?) Weaving!

Harmony -two mediums-

2010-08-31T21:24:00.009-05:00

I am STILL!! getting ready for the show that I am going to set up this Thursday!!
Well, that's ME. I am very last minute person.

I finished my memory of this summer, "Cass Lake" piece which I really like now. AND this is something I tried for the first time.

Next, I am putting together a vest.

Then, making sure everything has tags.

I am hoping I have enough items.

John who is doing this show together is a nice man. It is so nice to work with him.

I hope you can come to the reception or to see the show!!

Back to work!!

SAORI Guitar Strap!

2010-08-26T08:41:00.005-05:00

Isn't it cool?

Robbie made it for her husband's request.

Of course this is her husband in the picture.

He is asking her to make another one!!

Great job, Robbie!!

Camp Unistar

2010-08-16T21:01:00.004-05:00

Dan and I were on an island called Star Island in Cass Lake.
We were at a camp site on the island and teaching SAORI to the campers every morning for a week.

Thank you so much for having us as your program leaders!
We enjoyed so much there.
We enjoyed not only introducing SAORI, but also enjoyed canoeing, sailing, hiking and kayaking...
We played a game with some campers and did a 1000 piece puzzle with our lodge mates.

We don't usually get to do such things in our daily lives.
We felt that it is important to have such time together.
No TVs, no PCs, no cars.....
What a quality time we had there!!

We hope everyone who tried SAORI weaving enjoyed it!
You all created beautiful pieces!
Like Dan read in his poem, you are all stars on Star Island!!

We will never forget the time on Star Island.
We hope to see you again!!

Till then,

CAMP SAORI!

2010-07-30T15:53:00.004-05:00

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

2010-07-28T21:57:00.003-05:00

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

2010-07-25T11:59:00.005-05:00

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

2010-07-18T10:58:00.005-05:00

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

2010-07-09T13:29:00.001-05:00

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!

2010-07-06T15:46:00.003-05:00

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!

Radio Debut!

2010-06-19T14:42:00.006-05:00

Yesterday, Dan and I had a radio interview by a woman who purchased my garment at Minnesota's Sheep and Wool Festival last month.

It was our fist time to have interviewed.
She came to the Minneapolis class since we had 3 students to there.
We talked about what SAORI was of course, she took some pictures (Why pictures on radio? They will post the interview and the pictures in their website! So you are in a different country, you can still check it out!!), and took some sound of weaving.

I didn't know about the website and even though it was a radio interview, I really wanted to get a hair cut before the interview, but it didn't happen.
Now, I regret....
I should have got a hair cut before yesterday.....
This morning, I got a hair cut...ahaha

Anyway, I will post when the on-air is and when they post my interview in their website.

Wow! Wow! Wow!

2010-06-19T14:35:00.006-05:00

Our friend Martha who makes gorgeous felted hats told me to be a part of Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival a couple of years back.

This coming Setpember, we are going to be a part of it for the first time.
We are having a vendor space as well as holding SAORI classes.

We offered 2 SAORI classes and now they are both FULL!
It's still June and the festival is in September....
The class organizer asked me to add one more class.
YES, PLEASE!!

This event lasts 3 days (Fri-Sun) and I hear that this event is bigger than the one in Minnesota.

We are looking forward to seeing all the people in Wisconsin and Fiber people in September.

SAORI in IOWA

2010-06-14T16:35:00.016-05:00

Dan and I went Adel, Iowa for the first time for "Iowa's Summer Sheep and Wool Festival" last weekend.
It took us over 4 hours to get there.

It was my first time staying in Iowa and it was first time for SAORI to be in Iowa, too!

There were faces from MN Sheep and Wool Festival, were faces from South Dakota Festival as vendors as well as customers I usually see them as vendors at other events.

It was so nice to see those people I know.

It was pouring rain both Saturday and Sunday mornings, but it didn't last all day, so that was good.

I taught one class on Saturday and Dan did on Sunday.

The people who took our classes are very special, because they were the first people tried SAORI in Iowa!!

A grandma and granddaughter took Dan's class told me,

"I was browsing many websites and found about SAORI for the first time a couple of nights before. And then I found out that SAORI was coming to the festival in my State!".

What a coincident!

Many people were surprised to see such a compact SAORI looms.

Thank you for people who stopped by our booth and took our classes.

We will be back next year, so see you next year!!

Fashion Show

2010-06-14T16:30:00.004-05:00

I used to be in "SAORI" fashion shows many times in the past.

This time, it wasn't a SAORI fashion show.

It was a part of "Artwear Symposium" that was held two weekends ago at the Textile Center in Minneapolis.

SO, it was the first time for me to be in a "regular?" fashion show.

I made this garment called, "Winter Bunny" for the fashion show.

It's wool with gray local roving in it.

Can you see that I made a matching bracelet?

I used fringes from the woven fabric I wove for the garment.

Thanks for taking my pictues, Kimie!!

It was fun.

A few people gave me some good comments on my piece.

That made me more fun!

There were about 20 people in the fashion show.

Artwear Symposium

2010-05-18T14:26:00.003-05:00

There will be an event "Artwear Symposium" at Textile Center of Minnesota early next month.
http://www.textilecentermn.org/symposium2010.asp

I got a brouchure about this and got interested in participating, because I thought this would be a great way to promote SAORI.
Many people who are interested in textile are gathering.
It is a big national event.
I decided to be part of it selling my wearable items at the "Trunk Show".
I also wanted to see the fashion show during the event.
So, I marked what I want to participate and later I got a confirmation e-mail.
I am able to sell my work and am able to be a part of fashion show.

Be a part of fashion show?
Yes, I marked it to be an audience, but it looks like that is for being a part of fashion show.
That means I have to make something to put on for the fashion show.

Well.....I started e-mailing the Textile Center "I made a mistake. I just want to see the fashion show."
My hands stopped suddenly.
"This is much more better way to promote SAORI rathen than selling my items at Trunk show."
SO, I didn't send e-mail.
Yes, I am going to be a part of the fashion show.
I will be making something and will be modeling!!

Wish me luck!

I still need to make something for the Trunk Show and Fashion show.

Wish me more luck!

SAORI Friend, SUE

2010-05-14T23:36:00.002-05:00

Sue-chan will be visiting us in the Twin Cities next month.

Sue-chan is Dan and my long time friend.
I met her when I started taking SAORI classes in SAORI-Osaka in 1996.
We have done group exhibits many times after I graduated one-year SAORI course together with other SAORI friends.
She has lots and lots connections.
Many SAORI people knows about her for sure.
There are always some kinds of connections between her and someone.

Whenever I go back to Japan, I see her. She is always in my "to do list". (see her)

There will be VSA International Festival next month in Washington D.C. and SAORI people from Japan are coming to be a part of it.
Sue-chan is one of them. Since Dan and I are not able to make it to the festival, she decided to come to the Twin Cities after finishing all the tour with other SAORI people.

While she is here, she is willing to hold a workshop called, "Weave-fold workshop" (Ori-Ori workshop in Japanese).
Dan and I are very looking forward to it, too.

I am so happy that I will be able to introduce her to my SAORI people here in Minnesota.
If you would like to know about the workshop, please contact us.
saoriminnesota@yahoo.com

Happy Weaving!

Thank you

2010-05-03T14:16:00.003-05:00

Thank for coming to the Lake Minnetonka Arts Tour over the weekend.

It was my first time being a part of the Tour and had a wonderful weekend meeting so many people.
The good thing about the Tour is the location!
It was held in West surburb, so it is close to where Dan and I live/have a studio.
Many visitors were from our area so it was a good exposure for us to introduce SAORI.

Marcia, my friend's house is beautiful and such a artsy home.
She and her husband Bob live in a woods.
While I was weaving/demonstrating in her home by my work, many birds came to bird feeder.
The view from where I was was gorgeous!

Another artist, Peter the wood guy, his work is beautiful, too.
I enjoyed his rocking chair. I can't believe he made that!!

Marcia, the potter, Peter the wood guy and me a SAORI fiber girl---I love the combination of these three.

I am now planning to collaborate Peter the wood guy's work and my woven pieces.
Looking forward to that.

Next weekend is our annual event, "Shepherd's Harvest" in Lake Elmo.
Dan and I will be teaching two classes and will have a vendor space.
http://www.shepherdsharvestfestival.org/

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Have a great week.

Wow! Hooray! Yeah! Wow!

2010-04-28T12:28:00.002-05:00

I received an acceptatnce e-mail from a visual arts committee of University of Minnesota.

I am exhibiting my work at one of their galleries sometimes this year or next year!!

Wow!

I read the e-mail many times to make sure I was reading right.
I was reading right!

I called Dan right away to share this big news with him.

Ohhhhh, my heart is beating.

I'm so HAPPY!

I have been busy getting ready for the Arts Tour this weekend, but I feel like all my hard work is being paid off.
I still need to work more for this Tour.
I will set up most of it tomorrow, so I need to get back to work.

Ohhhh, I am so HAPPY!

INTERACT!

2010-04-20T16:31:00.003-05:00

My dream is coming true soon!!!

I don't even remember how I got to know this organization, "INTERACT".
It was my dream to work with them since soon after I moved from Japan.

http://www.interactcenter.com/

This is a place for people with disabilities.

All the people there practice either performing or visual arts in a nice brick historical building in Minneapolis.
Last month, my Taiko (Japanese Drum) friend connected us and Dan and I visited them the other day to talk about the possibility of having a SAORI workshop.

Today, I got an e-mail from a lady who is in charge of visual arts.
She said we were able to hold a workshop one morning in May!

Hooooray!

Shepherd's Harvest

2010-04-09T21:20:00.004-05:00

Minnesota's Sheep and Wool Festival will be held on Mother's Day weekend.
This it will be May 8 and 9 at Washington Country Fairground.

We will be there as vendors and instructors.
We are teaching two classes; one on Saturday and one on Sunday.
I have just checked the festival website and both classes are already full.

Thank you!!

For those who were going to sign up but found out that it is already full, please contact us and come to our studio in Chaska.

If you have several more than 5 people and a place for us to bring looms, we are offering off-site classes, too.
Please contact us for details.
We are happy to travel in the Twin Cities area.

Anyway, it makes me happy to see that the classes are both full already.
Now, I need to focus on making items for sale.

I will bring something new this year.
We are there to offer you to try weaving at the booth, too.
Make sure you stop by at our booth and say "Hi".

Shepherd's Harvest Website
http://www.shepherdsharvestfestival.org/index.shtml

These days.....

2010-03-30T23:06:00.004-05:00

As you know, I am good at Japanese language since I grew up in Japan.

I tend to update my Japanese blog a lot, but not this one...
I think about this a lot, but I just don't update.
I need to do that more often. I know that.....

Anyway, these days what I am doing is....

1. I am thinking about scheduling the summer camp. I will do that, so please wait for those who are planning to come.

2. "SAORI Minnesota" meeting.
I have several people who come to the studio to weave. I hear "I want to make garments".
Dan and I will organize a meeting for "exchanging dress making ideas, show and tell, SAORI news from Japan and here in Minnesota and of course, getting to know each other!".

It will be after Lake Minnetonka Art Studio Tour in the first weekend of May and Shepherd's Harvest that is the following weekend.
So, it will be middle to the end of May.

I will keep you posted.

I am so fortunate to have SAORI people around me a little by little.

I am in!

2010-03-18T16:09:00.002-05:00

It has been a while since I found out that I am going to be a part of the show, "Lake Minnetonka Art Tour" this May 1-2.

www.lakemtkaartstour.org

My friend who is a potter invited me to be her guest artist at her home last year.
It is a juried show and I submitted everything they needed but they turned me down.
My friend told me that one of the reasons why they turned me down was my images I submitted.
I always have "nature" background when I take a picture of my work.
That's not okay for juried shows.

So, this year, she and her husband helped me a lot preparing the images.
They took so much time for my images. Thank you.
AND I AM IN!!

I learned a lot from her submitting a juried show-quality of images.
It is always good to learn something new.
I appreciate so much my friend and husband!

Now, I have been working on the show.

I got so excited when I got an e-mail that I have been selected.
I can't forget that moment.

PARENTS

2010-02-10T10:26:00.003-06:00

Our local book festival, "Hooked on Books" was held last Saturday.
Our school district organizes this huge event for children every year.

It is such a good family fun event.

There are many activities in 3 hours.

This year, a famous children story author was there to do her autograph.

It is getting bigger and well organized every year which is very good!

This was our 4th time being there to do a SAORI mini workshop.

It is a good PR opportunity for us. It is very LOCAL!!

My friends we did a show together last month had their own art activity spots, too. (picture)

It is so nice to work with someone we know!

Last year, because of this exposure, a girl decided to have a weaving birthday party.

It is good for both of us since there aren't any places in our area to do a weaving birthday party.

Anyway, there were some repeaters.

Some children came direct to our workshop since their children enjoyed it last year.

It is always the case once a child starts weaving, other children come to see what he/she is doing. Then we will have many children waiting around looms.

It is always interesting to me to see parents.

Some parents stay with their child helping (teaching?) too much saying, "Oh, you missed. Go back!" "Switch your feet now!" etc....

In the other hand, some parents leave then alone and wait away from them.

Then we tell the parents who teache too much their children..."SAORI is....."

I am not a parent, but I wonder which parent type I would be.....

Where is my...

2010-02-03T17:26:00.004-06:00

My friend brought her little daughter to weave today.

At the end of the class, she started looking for her bottle.
I know she had it for a little while and looked like she left it somewhere.
"I saw her holding it."
"Where did she leave it?"

I told my friend and people in the class half joking,
"Is it in the yarn shelf with other yarn?"
and looked at the shelf.

Here it is!! Her bottle with white yarn same color as what's in her bottle.

I had to take a picture of it. It was so funny.

SAORI "KIMONO Wrap"

2010-01-19T22:34:00.002-06:00

A arranged "Margaret Coat" is now "Kimono Wrap".

Thanks to my friend Marcia who named this. It sounds very exotic!

Her husband also did a good job taking great picture of this.

This piece is sold.

I made this specially for last weekend's local art show "Undercover Artists".

I usually try to make something big for a show.

The second day(the last day) of the show, a lady purchased this.

She said, "Nobody has something like this."
Yes, that's true, because it's SAORI!

Thank you so much!

Undercover Artists Show -1-

2010-01-18T14:05:00.005-06:00

Happy New Year!!

This year, I will try to blog at least once a week.

I do well on my Japanese blog, but not this English one.

I think that's because I need to post in English.....

Well, anyway, I really had a good weekend.

Very local artists including me and guest artists had a show called,

"Undercover Artists" in Carver, MN.

I've noticed in surburb, people less care about art compared to people in the cities.

Though there are many artists in our area. We need "ART" here in our county, too.

Four of us (three painters and I) started getting together once a week to exchange information and soon, we decided to do a show.

We had a good mailing list since we belong to "Art Consortium" that our country organized, so many people and our friends stop by for the opening Friday evening.

The venue was in a histrocial building that used to be a bank.
Usually the space is used for children's after school activity ccalled "Funky Minds".

We transformed into a "gallery" as we display our work.

There is still a safe door in the building and old hanging lights that were nice addition to the show.

to be continued...

Watching People

2009-12-16T14:36:00.002-06:00

I am now helping out my friend's business at the airport.
Today, I was there waiting for a family from Japan.
I usually wait quite a bit until the people who needs asisstance from us at the airport.
While I wait, I have fun watching people going by.
Sometimes I guess like "Is she Chinese or Japanese?"
"What language are they speaking?" etc....

Today, I saw a lady who had a kind of poncho type of coat on.
She had a belt on it, too.
It has to be easy to make because I am not good at sewing....
It looked easy. So, I decided I wanted to try making one like that.
It is easy to make, but I need to weave quite long. Oh well, better than a lot of sewing.
So, I will do it next especially I have a show next month.

Happy Weaving!

While I was in Japan...

2009-12-13T14:55:00.003-06:00

While I was in Japan, I rented one of my looms to a couple of students.

One of them, Y made several scarves for her relatives in two weeks!

Here are some of them.

I like how she put black.

We met last summer in August at the Japanese Festival in St. Paul.

I was having a booth and was demonstrating SAORI.

She started coming to my studio right away and now she brings her friend, too.

She is very different from me in a way, so I can learn a lot from her.

She is more picky in a sense (good way of course)and I am NOT. (If you know me well, I can see you nodding.)

That's why I can learn from her.

It is interesting!!

She now keeps one of my looms at home and keeps weaving at home, too because she has many people she would like to give away her scarves in this holiday season.

I know she is now working on a scarf for her sister in Japan.

I am looking forward to seeing it when she comes this week!

Happy Weaving!

Flower Field Series

2009-12-02T23:26:00.004-06:00

This is one of my new "Flower Field" series shawl.

I don't have any series in my SAORI. This is the only one so far.

I don't think I will have any series, but I really like this Flower Field color combination.

I have made 4 shawls like this this year so far.

I finished this one the end of last week for a show in Wisconsin starting this Friday.

My friend Martha took it with my other items today. Thank you for driving all the way to the venue Martha!

Japan Trip Part 2

2009-11-26T11:44:00.003-06:00

SAORI 40th year anniversary was on Nov. 8 and 9 in Osaka.

I went back to Japan the end of October to spend some time with my family and friends in my hometown.

Then, from Nov. 6 to 12, I stayed in Osaka.

The main event was for two days, but after that we had SAORI International workshop/symposium for two days.

First night, I stayed one of my SAORI friends Kyoko's. (Picture: her studio and a guest room)

On that day, I visited SAORI Osaka where I took classes and used to work.

I actually worked there getting ready for translating a guest's speech.

I also visited a facility You House with Kyoko and met good SAORI friends of mine there.

I always stay Kyoko's guest room/studio at least one time when I visit Japan. Thank you, Kyoko-san.

She came to MN twice, too. She was looking forward to seeing some of U.S. SAORI friends who were a part of this big event. She met them in MN when Dan and I hosted SAORI U.S.-Canada Conference in 2008.

Here are some fashion show images.

The image in the center is the opening fashion show.

Misao Jo is weaving and fairies are dancing around her with SAORI banners.

I remember I had tears in my eys. What a impressive opening it was!

The other fashion show was like "adult-like""high-end" fashion show.

They all inspired me. It reminded me how much we can do on a SAORI loom!

To be continued.....

I went to Japan!

2009-11-26T10:09:00.004-06:00

Wow! It has been a while since I posted my blog last time.

There were a lot of things I had to do before I left for Japan the end of October.

Yes, I went back to Japan to be a part of SAORI 40th year anniversary.

Of course, I also went to see my family there.

It was much warmer than usual in Osaka.

When I came back to Minnesota on Nov. 13, I was ready to be in cold, but it wasn't cold at all.

I was surprised and of course, I was so glad it was not cold.

Anyway, I had such a good time in Japan.

About 1000 people from all over Japan got together to celebrate this big event.

Also 26 people from 11 different countries got together.

It was so nice to see all the SAORI friends!

I kept screaming whenever I saw some faces I've known, but haven't seen them for 6 years!

It was exciting.

It was exciting to share the moment together.

It was exciting to see their SAORI pieces they were wearing.

It was exciting to see Misao Jo the founder of SAORI were there with us.

She is 96 years old!!

Fashion show, A key speaker's speech, another fashion show, forum...

Oh, I was one of the forums on "SAORI's Future" .

There were 4 of us on the stage talked about SAORI's future.

I also helped translating a speech from a delegate from VSA arts head quarters in Washington D.C.

It was such a good experience for me to be on the stage especially the venue was "Osaka Public Hall" the historical building. (picture)

To be continued.....

ideas, ideas.....

2009-10-01T00:00:00.008-05:00

These days, I am weaving and needlefelting.

I started making piereced earrings by needlefelting. It is fun!

It is refreshing for me to do this because I don't need to sit on a loom.

A new yarn/fabric shop will open soon in Stillwater, MN and I sent a couple of dozens of earrings and 15 SAORI scarves a few days ago.

I hope people who come to visit the shop will like them!

http://www.darnknitanyway.com/

A day before, I started making needlefelting "snowmen".

I already made some needlefelting "christmas trees".

Yesterday, I got some grapevine wreaths and gluled a snowmen, stars and a christmas trees on a couple of wreaths.

I will get some bells to go with wreaths.

I love them! They are so cute!!

I am going to make many of them!

Would you like one?

Stillwater Debt!!

2009-09-17T15:21:00.005-05:00

Stillwater, MN is a beautiful small town people visit all year around especially in the fall, you can see all the trees along St. Croix River are turning into red, yellow, orange etc....
You can take a river cruise, walk around downtown with many antique shops and other artsy type of shops.....
It is easy to get to if you are in Twin Cities area.
Yesterday, when I drove from where I live in the surburg, it took me exactly one hour. It's not too bad though.

A new yarn shop is going to open next month in downtown Stillwater called "Darn Knit Anyway"
www.darnknitanyway.com
I went there to show my SAORI scarves and my new creation "needle felted pierced earrings" to people who are opening the store.
They both liked them and one of them even bought one pair of the earrings at the site!!
I told them about SAORI and I can do classes.....
SO, I will be able to teach SAORI in Stillwater!!
People who took my workshop before and who are living in the area, it's good news for you!
Anyway, I will showcase my work.
The good thing about them is that I can put my contact info. and website.
They said, "We want people to find you directly through us." How Nice!

I am excited! At the same time, I have to weave and make more stuff!! It's okay, it's still FUN.

I will post some images of earrings. I am asking my friend to be a "ear" model. I don't have pierced ears.....I don't have pierced nose either.....

mobius scarf

2009-09-15T22:06:00.003-05:00

My first attempt, "Mobius Scarf".

This was introduced in a SAORI monthly report last year in January.
I wanted to try it for such a long time. Yes, it took me a year and eight month to do it.
I have to make the warp a little longer than regular scarf to make this mobius scarf. Instead, I made the width narrower than regular scarves.

Here it is!!
I though I followed the direction, but when I finished and looked at it, I only had fringes one side.
The image shows there are fringes two sides.

Well, it's okay. I like this one side fringes.
I used "fall colors" a lot.
There was a little "tight" part where I put warp as weft in the end, so I made the second one today with organic cotton.
This one, I put some wooded beads in some fringes and I love it!
Shall I keep it as mine? Or shall I keep it to sell since there are many winter gift shows coming up.....

Anyway, I hope you like it!

My two favorite things are.....

2009-09-13T22:55:00.003-05:00

One, of course SAORI Weaving.
It leads to more people, new world and new connections!! I love it!

It will be exactly 1 year since I started taking Japanese Drum lesson in Minnesota!!
I take a class every week. It takes me about 35 minutes to get to the class by driving, but I love it! It is so much fun.
Yes, I am playing the Taiko (Japanese Drum) in Minnesota. (in the U.S.)
I have never played the Taiko in Japan. Though I was a part of percussion when I was in Junior high and 1 year in high school in Michigan.

I really enjoy SAORI and Taiko
I need to balance to do both SAORI and Taiko.
I love both, so I can do this!!

I love being in this Taiko community, too! Wonderful people....

It has been a while.....

2009-09-11T18:21:00.003-05:00

I do facebook and mixi(a kind of Japanese version of facebook) usually.
I don't update my blog. One reason is "That's because I have to write it in English!".
I know facebook is the same, but I can just write several words.
Well, I can do the same here, too.......
Anyway, I am updating now.
Summer is almost gone (or gone?).
I had a good summer.
I have a good friend now in N.C.
It is so nice to meet and connect to people all over.
I also have good friends who started coming to weave at SAORI Studio "FUN".
One of them is originally from Hawaii, so I am learning about Hawaii when we weave together.
She is learning about Japan from me. Her parents are from Japan, but she grew up in Hawaii.

I entered two pieces this year at the MN State Fair.
I purposefully wove something very SAORI.
I was looking forward to reading the judge's comment.
I hope one day the judge wonders "By the way, what is SAORI?".
I entered a shawl and I received the third premium.
Thank you for my friends who went to look for my pieces. I know it's hard because they don't put any information on the work.

At the State Fair, we found a sewing machine.
My Singer sewing machine I brought from Japan is dying.
I bought it used and used it for over 10 years.
Benjamin the rabbit chewed the code. Dan fixed it, but it was not complete(?) it suddenly stopped when I am sewing.
So, since they were having the big State Fair discount, we decided to get one.
I went to pick it up a few days later and here it is!
My new sewing machine!!
Wow! Sewing machines these days have many functioning, but I know I can take advantages of all the functions, I got a simple one. It's okay, because that's what I need.

I am looking forward to sewing something for mine!?

My Belt!

2009-08-08T20:24:00.004-05:00

My "Treasure Belt" is in Handwoven Magazine Website!
http://www.handwovenmagazine.com/
click "thrums slideshow"

Thank you my friend Terri in Canada for sharing the information!
By the way, Terri's leftover project piece (postcard) is in the newest Handwoven Magazine! (Page 10)

Welcome!

2009-08-03T10:07:00.003-05:00

I am waiting for a lady who is coming to take a SAORI intensive from out of Minnesota starting tomorrow!
She will be with me weaving and staying with us for 4 days! I am so excited!
I hope she is, too.

I will also have a couple of high school girls coming to weave for SAORI summer camp for 3 days.
It is nice for everyone to weave with other people, so we get inspired by other people's work.

I have been weaving and making something small using left over woven pieces.

Anyway, it will be a fun week!

SAORI Magic!

2009-07-18T10:49:00.002-05:00

I had a 8-year old boy, his sister 10-year old and their grandma for a weaving class yesterday.
I met this grandma at last month's Jordan Art Festival.
She called me the other day to reserve to weave with her grandchildren.

I was amazed these children's concentration! Usually, when they weave, they show their great concentration.
This boy especially was sticking his tongue out when he was showing his "concentration".
I always love to see the scene.
I used to see this all the time when I was working at a preschool.

The grandma and his sister tried "interlocking" and they loved it, so they kept telling him to do it, but he said, "Yeah, it looks good, but I am not going to do it".
That's fine. He is focusing and having fun weaving! That's the most important thing.
I told them, "If he is ready, he would tell me to show it to him."
However, he didn't and that's okay, too!

After telling his grandma that he was showing the great concentration and she told me at the end of the class,
"I don't know why he is diagnosed ADHD. He can focus."

I was so shocked to know that he had one.
"?????"
He sat for a whole 2 hours! I couldn't believe what she told me.
Sometimes at his school, teachers put a weighted blanket on his laps so he can sit still.
He only stood up when he needed some different yarn and went to see what his sister and grandma were weaving.

This is so called "SAORI Magic".
This is not the first time that happned something like this.
I used to bring my loom to the preschool where I used to work and children who tend to wonder around all the time sat for certain time I gave them to weave. They even told me, "I want to weave more!".
The teachers were surprised that he sat for a long time on a loom.

You don't need to be a magician to do this SAORI Magic.

I am always moved by children't concentration.

Something Very New

2009-07-13T10:32:00.003-05:00

Last whole week, I was a tour guide for Japanese people here in Minneapolis.
There was an Lions Club International Convention. Many people from all over the world got together! There were many Japanese people, too.
My friend(and boss) asked me to help her business as a guide.
I learned about being a guide taking a bus when she was guiding people and walking downtown Minneapolis last couple of months.

Duirng the convention week, I got up early every morning, drove to a closest train station during the rush hour and took a train to downtown.
Usually, I like jeans and t-shirt, very casual style, but last week, I was a little bit of "business" look with lipstick on!!

It was a completely different week for me.
One morning, my husband said, "You are enjoying this job, aren't you?"
Yes, I was. I think I like meeting people.

On the way to the airport by bus, I talked about Minnesota and how difficult/expensive to get Japanese groceries. Then they gave me all the food they brought from Japan!! WOW!
Thank you very much! I didn't mean it though....

My group of people had a big happening one day, but in the end, they left for the next destination smiling and healthy, so I am happy.

Thank you for the great opportunity!
It was such a refreshing for me being a way from SAORI for a week even though I love SAORI.
I can weave something reflecting this great experience.....

wave

2009-06-27T09:11:00.003-05:00

There will be a "water" exhibit early next year at one of the Three River Parks District (an orgaization that take care of parks in MN) that is going to be opening in the fall.

I will be demonstsrating/workshop for their grand opening.

The person in charge of this park found my website and asked me to show my work as well as teaching SAORI.

So, I did since the deadline is middle of next month.

I usually take pictures of my work in my yard laying the work on the grass or hanging it from a tree.

However, since the title of this piece is "wave" and there are many lakes in Minnesota, so I drove a few minutes with my dog Fuku and went to a lake.

I was going to go to a lake I was in mind, but actually we walked a few minutes from the lake and went to a different one.

Nobody was there!

There was even a pier!

It was so beautiful ; Green and blue.

I am going to come back to take pictures again at this lake with Fuku!

"Untitled"

2009-06-13T16:29:00.005-05:00

I really like this!!

This is my first try for me to use roving this way.

This roving is from MN. I purchased this at Shepherd's Harvest last month. A lady who sold this was my next door one year at the festival. Since then, we meet every year and I keep visiting her booth to purchase rovings.

I was supposed to use this rovings for my friend's "Sea Turtle". Yes, I was going to make felted Sea Turtle for her, but I used it all for my SAORI Weaving, sorry K.

This can be either a winter shawl (wool 100%), a wall hanging.

Now, I feel like making one for me to wear. Yes, making a garment.

This wall hanging, shawl is now at the Mill District Arts Gallery, downtown Minneapolis.

Do you like this?

No Rain Please!!

2009-06-04T17:38:00.003-05:00

It has been nice out for many days, but I think it is time for rain...for grass, flowers and trees.
BUT, you can wait until next Monday.
Please don't rain this weekend.
I have a show to be a part of...Red Hot Art Festival in downtown Minneapolis.
It is a juried show and I have been selected.
It will be held in a park and will be so nice with no rain.

I know yesterday, the weatherforcast showed rain marks both Saturday and Sunday.
They were wrong for the last Sunday forecast. It was supposed to be rain, but we only had a few drops.

Oh, please don't rain at all!!
Please, Please, Please!!!

"Why two weeks?"

2009-05-28T15:13:00.003-05:00

I was talking to my friend on the phone.
I often check an art related website that I can get good information from "Submit your work" "Gallery Opening" categories.
I found a good one in "submit your work" category, so I got so excited and called my friend to tell her about it because we can work/apply as a TEAM.

"The deadline is June 15. We only have two weeks. You always tell me something like that we only have two weeks."

"Oh, you are right.".....BUT "We have still two weeks.", too.

Let's do it anyway.

Shepherd's Harvest

2009-05-11T10:49:00.002-05:00

Our annual and favorite event "Shepherd's Harvest" was held this mother's day weekend. It is a Minnesota's Wool festival.
This was our fifth year having a booth there.
It was a good turnout this year. Thanks to the VOLUNTEER organizers!
The weather was good, but it is always cold.
It is always held at a country fairground.

We were able to have two classes there and both classes got fulled right away when they started taking registrations. Some people came to tell me that they couldn't sing up for it because the classes were already full! I am sorrr, but Thank you!

Thank you for all the people who stopped by at our booth and people who took the SAORI classes. It was very nice to see all of you!

We will be there next year and hope people who were not able to take the SAORI class to be able to sign up next year.

I am teaching at my home studio in Chaska, MN and am teaching at Mill District Arts Gallery in downtown Minneapolis once a month and the next class will be May 21 6-8:30pm.
www.milldistrictartsgallery.com

I don't hold a class, but I will do a mini workshop next weekend at Nature's Nest Organic Farm in Montrose, MN. There will be an art fair there!

I need to get ready for that!

I hope to see you there.

Going to Japan!

2009-04-23T14:40:00.005-05:00

I am so excited to going to Japan to be a part of celebration of SAORI's 40th year anniversary in November.
I know there are more than 6 months ahead, but I feel so good to know that there is something excited in the fall!
This time, my husband is not going, but my SAORI friend in Canada is going with me!
We will be taking SAORI training (I hope), hiking, visiting some places I would like to take her before/after the event.

Before going to Japan, I need to parepare lots of things.
There will be Winter Gift Shows everywhere and I am participating at some of those so I need to keep weaving!

I think I can do it. I need to do it!

I will do it!

SAORI is out there!

2009-04-21T22:52:00.005-05:00

The Alpaca Expo was held in MN the end of this month.
My friend K and I entered our alpaca SAORI woven items to the fiber art contest.
K made a hat (100% MN alpaca) and I made a shawl (100% MN alpaca, too).

Do you know about Alpacas? They are much warmer than wool.
Also, you can use(put on) alpacas instead of wool if you have wool allergy.
Did you know that?
My friend who has an Alpaca farm taught me about it.
Lanolin is the cause for the people who has wool allergy.
Alpacas don't have Lanolin. That's why.

Anyway, we entered and I am sure they are the only SAORI woven items.

We got prizes, First and Second!!
We are so excited to get prizes together.
We entered them because this is one way to tell people that there is a weaving called SAORI in this world.

I hope judges and people came to the expo thought "What is SAORI?" reading our artist statement.

I will post images of our items next month.

"ECO" SAORI

2009-03-08T22:10:00.004-05:00

I finally made a couple of "ECO" SAORI items and went to drop them off for Kingfield Community (Minneapolis) Art Show and Silent Auction.
I forgot to take pictures of them, but I will on the day of the show.
This Art Show's title is "aRt: ReDefine, ReCreate, ReInvent".

Guess what I used/made for my SAORI pieces?
I made a belt using plastic bags. The title is "Plastic Discovery".
The other piece is a bag. The title is "Revival Fringes". Can you guess what the title mean and what I used?

I will show you the images next time after the show on the 21st.

I enjoyed making these two items. I would like to make more!

I am now looking forward to going to the show!

xxx stitching

2009-02-19T15:57:00.003-06:00

My friend Kimie has introduced me "cross stitching".
She let me use all her material and I have finished one bookmark for my husband the other day.
I am working on the second one for my best friend in Japan right now.

I have done cross stitching a long time ago. My mom bought me a kit of cross stitch cusion cover.

This is refreshing! because I can do this at a dining table, sitting on a couch.
When I weave, I can't do that.
I can easily take it with me to everywhere, too!

I have picked next project and have purchased own material the other day.
It will be bigger than "book marks" for sure!

I am also learning how to "quilt" with Kimie now.....

My friend's show

2009-01-29T13:45:00.003-06:00

I am excited announcing you my friend cutting art exhibition in Minneapolis!
I have met my friend and the artist Kanako last November at one of our friend's baby shower.
She gave a handmade gift to her as a gift.

As soon as my friend showed everyone what she received, I told Kanako.
"I have never seen such a work!" "You should show your work to people!"
I got so excited and told her to do a show at Mill District Arts Gallery where my work are available.
She has come to the U.S. last fall and has told me she has never done shows in Japan either.
So, this is her very first show.
I am sure you haven't seen this unique cutting art.
Please come and see them. It's worth coming.
Kanako will be every Saturday during the show that is Feb. 7, 14 and 21 1-5pm. She will demonstrate and will even make you one for you! (not free)
http://ameblo.jp/jianhua/

Mill District Arts Gallery opens every Thurs-Sat. noon-6pm
Her show begins Feb. 5(Thurs)-21(Sat.)

"In The Moment" Opening

2009-01-13T15:47:00.005-06:00

January 9 was my big day... a show opening in New Richmond, WI.

A few days prior, I went there to set up. Whew... I did it.

I knew about this show was coming since last summer.

I am a "last minute person" so I didn't prepare much until last December.

I had other shows to prepare so even though I made some items, they went to some other shows.

I still enjoyed getting ready though and enjoyed the holidays.

I had about 50 items ready, scarves, vests, bags...

It takes me about 1 hour and 30 minutes to get to the show space.

The weather forecast a day before said "Friday is going to be snow".

I got worried about the turnout. If people wouldn't show up because of the snow.

I understand. Still, it won't be fun.

On that day, the snow took the different route! It went Iowa.

Whew. I can drive. Still, I was hoping to have good number of people then.

I picked up my friend and drove to New Richmond.

WOW! Look at all the people! My worry dissapeared right away.

There was a time for the dance performance and comedy show...

After that I had to talk in front of people on the stage, too as one of an artist.

There are three other artists with me. One painter and potters couple.

This show opening was on the 9th and I came to the U.S. to live was on January 8 2004. So, I started talking, "Now I am 5 years old. It is my American age. Since I came here yesterday 5 years ago!" I got good applause. I had a good start talking to people right there! Then I began talking about SAORI and myself.

It went well. I think.

I also had a loom with me for people to try SAORI weaving.

One girl kept coming back whenever the loom was open.

People was so interested in SAORI and the loom.

Some of my items were purchased and gone. I am happy to know that people like my stuff!

I met so many people and had good friends with me.

This show is until Mar. 10 at THE SPACE. http://www.thespaceforcreativity.com/

Now, I need to prepare for the next show!

I really like what I do!

Thank you.

Christmas Eve

2008-12-29T19:27:00.004-06:00

I finally bought a "Donabe". It is a Japanes hot pot. You can directly put it on the stove.

I also bought a portable gas stove so that "Donabe" and the stove can be on the dining table.

"Onabe"--the hot pot dish in Japanese is very easy to prepare and so healthy!

I invited a couple of Japanese friends over for the Christmas Eve Hot Pot Party.

One of them brought "cod" and I prepared chicken and about 10 kinds of vegetables (Japanese kinds? of mushrooms, carrot, napa cabbage, green onion etc...) to go in the soup in the pot.

Everything goes into the pot.

We also put Japanese noodle in it and that was yummy!

Another friend brought Potato Salad and made "Potato Salad Christmas Tree"!

Now, I have this "Donabe" so I can prepare "Onabe" dishes during this cold season.

This helps heat your body a lot!

We really had a good time!

Happy Holidays!

Let's be healthy and warm!

SAORI Studio "FUN" in Minneapolis

2008-12-19T16:05:00.003-06:00

I will be teaching SAORI in downtown Minneapolis soon!!

The venue is going to be at the gallery I am a part of, yes, Mill District Arts Gallery.
The gallery now opens only Thursday-Saturday, so I will be able to use the space while it is closed, Mon-Wed and Sun.

I have been told by many people "It is too far to go to your studio to weave!" since I live probably at least 30 minutes away from Minneapolis area.
Now, people who told me so can join us at SAORI Studio "FUN" Minneapolis class.

I will be promoting it soon, but first, I need to finish get ready for my show "In the Moment" .
It is coming up at the beginning of January at The SPACE for Creativity in New Richmond, WI.
Just keep in mind that you will be able to do SAORI in Minneapolis in the very near future.

My another dream is going to come true!! I am excited.

Let's Go to Mill District Arts Gallery

2008-11-10T22:45:00.004-06:00

Mill District Arts Gallery---You can see/purchase my SAORI pieces there all the time!
It is in downtown Minneapolis, Riverfront District.
There is a Metro Dome, The Mill City Museum, The Center for Book Arts... nice area.

Last Saturday there was an opening party for the gallery artists' families and friends.
Many of my friends came...Thank you.

I got to meet my team members' families and friends, too.

I am glad that I found a place to show my work in Minneapolis all the time, but what I am very glad is that I am a member of this art gallery community.

I have my own hanger rack that is not full yet. The hanger rack was made with recycled wood.
One of our team members made it for us that is very nice. It matches to the brick wall.

There are potters, digital photographer, sculptors, painters in the team members.
I am learning a lot from their work and people themselves.

It will be a nice experience and learning for me!

If you are in the Twin Cities, please stop by!

Let's keep in touch.

Timing

2008-10-28T13:31:00.002-05:00

Everything has timing, I believe.
The story I am going to tell you is all about "TIMING" I think.

There is this informational website relates to arts that I check sometimes.
I have gotten the information on "Eco Fashion Show" and my first solo show that is going to be happening at the beginning of next year from this website.

A couple of nights ago, I got nervous about after my show. "I have nothing special to do once the show begins." Then I checked the website right before bed.

"Looking for an artists who can run an art gallery with other artists in Minneapolis", I read it through and e-mailed the person who is in charge of this right away with images of my work.

Next day, I kept checking e-mails. I was so excited about this information. I couldn't even fall asleep right away...However, you have to get the agreement from the other artists who are already in the group.
In the afternoon, I got an e-mail saying, "We are impressed with your work" .
Yeah!! I am one of the artists who can run the gallery with other gallery.
I can put my work all the time at the gallery in Minneapolis!
This was my dream to expose SAORI somewhere in Minneapolis, so I am so HAPPY!
I still need to meet with the owner of the gallery. I hope the owner likes me...

Anyway, this is huge news makes me weaving.
This arts gallery will open middle of next month. I will keep you posted!

Get back to weave!
Timing is important, isn't it?

Let's Be in Touch!

BALANCE

2008-10-13T08:44:00.006-05:00

I have been weaving a lot lately. That is because I have to bring my hand-woven vests and scarves at the Textile Center (Minneapolis) in less than 2 weeks! After that, I have a place I need to bring my stuff...
I am still enjoying weaving though even though I have a little bit of pressure...
It's O.K. I always need some pressure, so no problem!

However, my body is honest. In the afternoon, my body especially my back is telling me "You need a break" "I need to be stretched" etc...
So, I listen to my body and go to the gym just for a while. It feels good!
I do fast walking on the treadmill and do some machines.
I go to take Bikram Yoga class one or two times a week, too. That feels good, too!

Everything needs to be balanced.
If I push myself too hard and not listening to my body, I am sure I won't be able to sit down and enjoy weaving.

Yesterday, I even bake!! I bake Japanese Style Green Tea cake (kind of). Yum!

I like to enjoy many things, so I will enjoy being balance, too!
I hope you will, too!

The picture on the right is my recent favorite work, "His Scarf", not my husband's though.

Somebody who likes this scarf... it might be "Hers" that's okay, too!

Let's be in touch!

Tornado Hat

2008-10-05T10:11:00.005-05:00

Here are my "Tornado Hats".

You will need them if you are living in Minnesota in the winter!?

I made them quite a few last few weeks for some events and sold some.

Unfortunately, it is not my idea. I get SAORI newsletters every month and this is one of the new ideas from one of the SAORI weavers in Japan.

It is easy to make and cute! Nice idea!

Because of hats, it matters sizes.

I wash them when its finished and depends on the yarn, some shrinks a lot and some doesn't.

Yesterday at the Mill City Farmers Market (Minneapolis), there are some people who had to give up getting it because of the size. There are variety of sizes, but I guess I need more sizes.

I learnd that I need to change the width when I weave.

Anyway, aren't they cute?

Which one do you like the best?

Let's be in touch!

Wisconscin Debut!?

2008-09-18T16:38:00.003-05:00

I am so happy now.
I have received a phone call from an art center in Wisconscin.
http://www.thespaceforcreativity.com/index.html

I sent some of my SAORI sample items, images of my work and application form to the center before I left for Australia.
I almost forgot about it.
Since I have an event to go to this weekend, so I thought about my work to sell.
Then I remembered "my scarf and greeting cards!!" The next day, they came back. This was last week.

Then this afternoon, the phone rung.
"You are one of the featured artists for our center next year."
"WOW!!"
The show will be Jan. 9 - Mar.10 2009 two months!

I have been so fortunate recently, really.

1. My SAORI scarves and vests are available at the Textile Center in MN for their Winter Gift Show Nov. 1-Dec. 29 2008
2. My first challenge: putting my shawl at the MN State Fair and received a blue ribbon (2nd place) and an award from the Weavers Guild of MN "Best use of colors".
3. My work I wove with organic cotton, cotton, wool were accepted for the Eco Fashion Show it will be held in January in Minneapolis.
4. Then this show in Wisconscin!

These four things happened last one month. I also went to Australia for the first time!
I can't believe it! Everything is going so well for me. I am so happy!

I need to keep weaving, weaving and weaving.
This is what I do! This is what I enjoy!

I am happy!

Let's be in touch.

I am back!

2008-09-16T11:31:00.004-05:00

I am back in Minnesota. I am almost over with jet-lag (I hope).

Wow, it was terrible. I woke up at 2:30am and couldn't go back to sleep until around 6am. Last night, I slept good I think that is because a night before I couldn't sleep well at all, so my body was too tired to wake up at 2:30am.

Anyway, I need to get back to work as a SAORI weaver/instructor.

I have left my full time job as an assistant at a Montessori preschool last June and now SAORI is my full time job.

I have so many things ahead of me. A two fiber fairs, gift show, classes...

I have been enjoying weaving. I would like to weave with Australian colors I saw when I was in Perth, Australia.

Here is one of them; very Australia! A wallaby and a SAORI strap jeans bag. I found a nice model!

I have a good idea (I hope) and I would like to go shopping for a little tool to knit. I am not a knitter though I would love to learn how to ... If this idea is very good, I will show you what it is.

Let's be in touch.

Tomorrow...

2008-09-08T09:14:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow, I am going back to MN.
I have almost a whole day tomorrow though since my flight is almost midnight.

It has been two weeks already. Time flies.
This last two weeks, I have been moved by beatuiful fwild flowers, colroful wild bires, beautiful ocean, lovely creatures, aboliginal art and so on.
Now, I am ready(?) to express all these impressions by weaving when I get back.

Today, I went one of my friend's daughter's school to do a SAORI demonstration.
I was a "Special Guest" at the classroom.
All 30 students listend to the story about SAORI and tried weaving.
Tomorrow, I am going to another school to do a demonstration.
It is so fortunate to get this kind of opportunity in a different country.
I am not just a tourist. Now I have a new friend who is trying to start SAORI program here in Australia. I came to help her start. I hope I did a good job helping her even though I did so many fun things such as taking lessons of Didgeridoo...

Thank you to my friend.
I will never forget this journey.

Let's be in touch.

C in Perth

Didgeridoo

2008-09-03T08:28:00.004-05:00

I am finally confidet spelling "Digeridoo".
I tried to write a blog a few days ago, but I couldn't spell it, so I gave up updating my blog.

Now after taking the Digeridoo class twice and have MY OWN DIGERIDOO, I can spell it!
Yes, I have my Digeridoo. I bought it after I took a free workshop the other day. I am going back to MN with it next week.
I have to practice a lot. I wonder somebody plays the digeridoo in Twin Cities area.
I am going to take another workshop again Friday and I am on my own. I also purchased a DVD to practice at home. I love the sound. Do you know that Digeridoo might be the oldest music instrument.

I purchased a simple Digeridoo, no aboliginal painting on it. I purposely chose a simple one because I would like to put SAORI on to it. I would like to make a case for it with SAORI.
Wow, I have a lot to do after I get back to MN.

I have been enjoying my stay in Perth. Seafood and Western Australian wine is lovely.
I noticed many people here say "LOVELY!".

I also have been enjoying watching wild flowers and birds. There are a lot of them.
I am so fortunate to be here this time of a year. People are friendly, too.
I have taken so many pictures of flowers and birds.

My friend here is sewing now. She is making a T-shirt with SAORI piece on it.
She is going to make a vest with her woven piece that is Australian wool which is very LOVELY.
Of course, I now have some Australian wool and rovings to work with in MN.

I will show you pictures when I get back so let's be in touch!

Good Day!

2008-08-28T21:33:00.002-05:00

How are you doing? I am in Perth, Australia!!

This is my third day here my first time in Australia.
Wow, it was far away though.
MSP-LAX, LAX to Melborune and Perth---Total of 21 hours of flight time plus lay over.
This is my record.
There was also about a 2-hour delay from LAX so I had to take a different flight from Melborune.
Anyway, I am safe and enjoying the time here. It is beggining of Spring here though it is quite warm during the day. It gets cold in the morning and night, but it is much warmer today.
I took a walk in town yesterday by myself. I love to watch and listen to the birds. There are many wild flowers. I know it is almost spring, so it will be very beautiful with lots of wild flowers around here soon.

There is an art center close to where she lives. (She live in downtown, so everything is in walking distance!!) There were many drawings/paintings from children from local schools.
I noticed that many of their work has "kangaroo" in them. Yes, because they live in Australia.
Probably kids in MN draw cows and horses?
I haven't seen kangaroos yet, but I WILL!! I heard Koalas don't live in Western Australia because of the certain Eucalyptus trees they eat don't grow here...make sense.

I am making Wild Rice Soup for my friend, her family and her friends today. I brought some Wild Rice from Minnesota!
It is my favorite dish, too. I had better go to a grocery store.

I know I am here for teaching SAORI to my friend. I also brought many SAORI samples for her.
She seems so happy and helpful to see those itesm directly.
She is already happy herself what she does everyday, but she is not happy for people with disabilities here. That is why she decided to do SAORI so she can introduce it to them.
What a nice thing to do! I am also happy that I am a little bit of part of her great thinking.

Tomorrow, she is taking me to a yarn shop. I would like to see Australian sheep yarn!

Let's be in touch. I will report again from Perth.

Off to...

2008-08-25T08:44:00.005-05:00

Perth, Australia this afternoon!!

My first time to Australia, I am so excited!
This is not just a vacation trip. I am going to see my SAORI friend in Japan's friend there to teach SAORI.
Thanks to my friend S in Japan to introduce her. This is what I love, the "SAORI Connection."

It is going to be a long flight, but I like flying. I am going there by myself, yes without my partner D.
This will be my longest flight, longer than going to Japan... Well, I have a lot to do in the airplane (sleep? Of course...)

First, I am going to take a Bikram Yoga class this morning to let my body be ready for the flight.

I will try to blog you while in Perth. We'll see.

See you~! and let's be in touch!

C

Minnesota State Fair

2008-08-21T22:44:00.003-05:00

~Minnesota Great Get Together~

D and I went to the first day of Minnesota State Fair today.

This was my first time to go there on the first day.

This year was special for me because I entered my SAORI piece for the "creative activities".

Almost every year, we go to the fair and I thought "Some day, I will enter mine."

And I did this year. Thanks to "S" from the Weavers Guild of MN. She told me to enter my work at the fair.

I entered "weaving shawl category". There are many categories you can choose from.

Since I entered at the end of last month, I didn't enter something big.

Anyway, the first place we visited was of course "Creative Activities" hall.

Wow, there are so many crafts, cannings and bakings as usual... You can spend a half day here. There were so many of them!

I found a show case that had woven stuff in it. And here is mine...

Red Ribbon!! "Second Premium" Yeah! I got a ribbon for my first entry.

Not only that, I also got Weavers Guild of Minnesota Award that is "Best use of colors." Wow! Two awards. I almost screamed right in front of my piece!

I got so excited.

I feel like I am now 100% Minnesotan?!

Anyway, that made my day. I didn't want to move from the show case, but well, I enjoyed the rest of the fair might as well. We walked a lot...

I feel so GOOD! Getting awards like this give me so much energy.

I fell like "I am going to enter more pieces next year!".

Let's be in touch and happy weaving to all the weavers.

From Happy C

small work

2008-08-19T21:52:00.004-05:00

There will be $99 SALE event at The Soap Factory in Minneapolis next month.

http://www.soapfactory.org/

I have never been there. It is a gallery, not a soap factory.

Anyway, artists who are interested in submitting their work need to be 5"x7 " size and it has to be hung flat on the wall.

I got interested in doing this, so I asked the gallery that I would like to submit my woven work.

They were so good at e-mailing back to me right away that was very nice.

I heard many artists draw on "140lb. cold-pressed paper".

To me??? Since I don't draw/paint at all, I didn't know anything about papers. Why 140lb.? Why cold-pressed?

I found the right paper and sewed on to it.

I have never woven something small like this particularly.

The title is "THE TEXTURE".

I am going to drop it off tomorrow.

I have a to-do list before I leave for Australia next Monday.

One of them was this to be done.

I need to pack, too...and more...

Let's be in touch!

Minnesota State Fair coming soon! and...

2008-08-16T17:35:00.006-05:00

Minnesota's get together---Minnesota State Fair starts Aug. 21-Sept.1.

Last 2 years, I went there and enjoyed it.
This year, I am going there the first day. I am sure it will be more crowded than the rest of the days except for the last day?
Anyway, I am going even though it is crowded BECAUSE my SAORI shawl is there at the fair.
Yes, I entered my SAORI item for the first time at the fair.
My friend told me to enter the end of last month. I thought "There wasn't enough time to make something though...", but I still checked the fair website and found "Shawl" category.
"Ummm, I can weave a shawl", so I entered. (I am so easy!)
I finished weaving it in a week and dropped it off at the site.
I know all the entered items will be judged.
It doesn't matter whether I get a ribbon or not. It is important to participate in it and show people in Minnesota what SAORI is.

This is about winter...
Textile Center here in MN accepted my work for their Holiday Show and Sale!!
It is also my first time to put my work there at the Textile Center.
Last year I remember I was so impressed all the items at the show and was hoping to put my work there.
And I tried. It is a juried show.
I entered 5 different items and 2 kinds (scarf and vest) have been accepted to put the show!
Yeah! My dream came true. Also I can show people what SAORI is!
I need to make lots of scarves and vests. It will be fun to do it because my dream came true!
Yesterday when I received the notification letter which I was waiting for and found out that I can put my work!!!
The letter made my day. I was so happy.
The show starts Nov. 1 thru Dec.30.
Check it out!

Let's be in touch.

SAORI Olympics!

2008-08-15T09:11:00.003-05:00

I stay up late these days because of the Olympics!
It inspires me a lot. I don't do any sports particularly, but I love moving my body!
I get inspired for my SAORI.
I have my loom right in front of a TV and I am watching Olympics and weaving SAORI many nights these days.
I get a lot done! While the commercial, my hands speed up and once the race starts, they slow down. It is still O.K. I am enjoying it.
I rememver two Olympics ago, I was doing the same thing back in Japan (I was still living in Japan two olympics ago).
I titled one of my pieces "Olympics".

I haven't felt like naming "Olympics" to any of my pieces yet since a couple of pieces have images of what I saw outside when I was walking or watching a cartoon movie with my neighbor child.
Now, I am working on a piece using "organic cotton" a lot.
I found out that there is a Eco Fashion Show in fall, so I am trying it out!
I love the theme "ECO". That is why I would like to try it out. We'll see....

In September, I will be able to weave with a lot of images/ideas from Australia because I am going there in 10 days! I am going to do SAORI with a woman in Perth.

I am so excited being there and make new connections with people in Australia!

Before I leave for Australia, I need to finish several Eco pieces! I had better go to my loom.

Have a nice day and Let's keep in touch!

SAORI weaving camp

2008-08-10T10:46:00.007-05:00

Last Tue. & Wed. I had 3 girls plus 1 boy(he joined us Wed.) for SAORI weaving camp.

I know all of the children because they go to the school where I used to work.

One of the girls came to weave last fall for her firend's birthday party. Since then, she kept telling her mom "I want to weave" "I had a dream of myself weaving"etc...

Whenever I saw her mom, she used to tell me about her daughter wanting to weave.

Finally, she came with her friends. "My dream finally came true!"

For the other girls, it was their first time to weave. As usual, children are such a quick learners.

Soon, I heard them saying, "It's easy" "It's cool!".

They were all quiet. I only heard the shuttles are going back and forth.

I was able to observe them and weave myself.

"Feel this, Chiaki!" "I made this color!". Their smile faces..

At the end of the first day, one of them found a SAORI dog I made.

"Can I make this tomorrow?"

So, we did at the end of the second day. Look, aren't they cute?

They enjoyed two mornings of weaving with colors and texture.

The girl who wove for the second time, she has three brothers. One of them joined us the second day, but the other didn't and asked their mom, "We want to weave! Can we?"

So, the mom scheduled to come to weave with all her children and herself.

It will be fun!

Later, one of the girls gave me a "thank you" message on a stone so sweet.

Let's be in touch.

SAORI WEAVERS

2008-08-02T18:10:00.003-05:00

"SAORI WEAVERS"---this was the name of the show at a gallery in the Chaska Community Center.

SAORI friends around the U.S. submitted their work to this show for last one month.

Yesterday, D and I went to take them down. It has been a month already, time flies.

This show was a part of SAORI U.S.-Canada Conference 2008 that was held second weekend of July in Chaska, MN. Some of SAORI friends from Canada, Hawaii and East Coast came to attend this conference and did a few public events, too. It was nice exposure for us to show SAORI to people in Chaska, MN.

We really had a good weekend here in Chaska.

We also made good connections with people.

Some of them are excited about introducing SAORI at their work places.

We are excited, too.

We are fortunate to have people to work with through SAORI.

D's tapestry called "Daily Lives" you know what it mean looking at the image?

My tapestry called "Oh, Minnesota". I expressed four seasons in Minnesota.

Let's be in touch!

Don't they?

2008-07-31T15:49:00.006-05:00

Here we are presenting on SAORI at Early Childhood Conferernce that was held at East Tennessee State Univ. last weekend.

Don't we look smart? I do at least...pointing the screen behind the presenting desk.
The facility was great, everything was there...and such a well organized conference that is why so many people came.

I don't usually prepare what I need to talk about. If I do, I am sure I will be so nervous trying to follow what I prepared.
PowerPoint is great! All the images and description show people visually. That helps a lot.

Since we did several presentations so far here and there, we now are getting better at presenting. We learnt more to make the presentation better and better for the next time.

Experience is Learning...It's FUN!

Let's be in touch.

Chiaki

Our Blog!

2008-07-30T22:23:00.008-05:00

Thank you for helping us to creat our own blog, Chris!

Now, we are able to share our ideas, concern and anything through this blog.
People who live far away are able to check what we are doing here in MN, too especially after being in Tampa, FL and Johnson City, TN last one month, this is great.

Anyway, I would like to thank you for stopping by our SAORI booth at the Convergence.
It was SAORI's debut at Convergence. We learnt a lot. We will look forward to meeting again in 2010 somewhere in the U.S.

Thank you for listening to my presentation at ETSU the other day for the Early Childhood Conference. It was worth driving down to Tennessee. We are so excited seeing so many people were excited about SAORI.
Now, we need to figure out how we maintain your interest.
Hopefully, one of us can go down there to do a workshop once in a while.
Let's see. Be positive.

This summer has been so busy with Convergence, SAORI U.S.-Canada Conference and Presentations in Tennessee as well as regular summer weaving camp and classes, but we are enjoying all of them!
Oh, thank you for coming to the weaving workshop, fashion show and movie event people around Chaska several weeks ago. I hope to see you soon since you are so close to us!!

Anyway, let's be in touch!

Dan and Chiaki

What is SAORI?

2008-07-30T19:17:00.004-05:00

What is SAORI?

SAORI has 4 slogans:
· Consider the differences
between machines and people
· Weave with a Happy Heart
· Explore with all your might
· Learn as a group

Are you thinking about something new for yourself or your schools / facilities? We have everything you need (looms, accessories, books) to start a SAORI program! We are looking forward to working with you!!