Thursday, July 19, 2012

Playing With Paper

 I was always in love with "washi", ever since I was a child.  Washi comes from wa meaning Japanese and shi meaning paper, and the term is used to describe paper made by hand in the traditional manner. Our family would receive gifts from Japan, wrapped in this thin but sturdy paper in an array of natural colors. I use to save the papers and make collages, paper dolls, and cover boxes with them. I love the feel and texture, the rich colors, beautiful patterns, and the resilience of washi.

"Chiyogami papers" are characteristically small dense patterns that were originally wood block prints but are now typically silkscreened on washi. Japanese decorative papers reflect the superb craftsmanship, design sensibilities and rich variety of the Edo Period (1630 - 1868).

As you can see, I still LOVE to work with Japanese papers : )



"A NEW MAN" - mens bracelet made with Chiyogami paper and Hematite stones.
 


"CHRYSANTHEMUM" - handmade Chiyogami paper chain necklace.
"H2O" - custom mens bracelet made with Chiyogami paper, Hematite stone, vintage Japanese textile, and beach stone.
If you are interested in starting your own project using Japanese papers, there are a number of great resources online. My favorites are Paper Source and Hiromi Paper. If you want to touch and feel the papers in person, they also have storefronts too.