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!!

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!!

4 harnesses loom and....

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!

Taiko recital

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

This weekend is Mu Daiko Student Recital.

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

Now, I am a Mu Daiko intern.

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

I practice with performers/teachers, too everyweek.

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

Life is interesting.

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

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

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

There are a few Taiko groups here in Minnesota.

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

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

I can never forget this.

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

I will enjoy today's recital, too!

Saori Weaving

Saori Weaving

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

Happy Weaving!

Radio Debut!

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.

Artwear Symposium

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!

INTERACT!

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!