There are some nice photos of our 2013 Wakamono Taikai Conference participants reported in the July 30, 2013 Okinawa Ryukyu Shimpo newspaper… Yes, we even have a nice photo of our Ryukyu Textiles Workshop participants. Thank you Ryukyu Shimpo, and many thanks to the participants in my Ryukyu textiles workshop! It was an honour toContinue reading “July 30, 2013 Ryukyu Shimpo – Ryukyu Textiles Workshop in the News”
Tag Archives: Ryukyu Natural Dyeing
Chimugukuru @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai
I’ve recently returned from a week in Los Angeles, CA where I presented a Ryukyu Textiles cultural workshop at the 2013 Wakamono Taikai. The Taikai is a meeting of the younger generation (ages 18-35) of Uchinanchu (people of Okinawa). This year the focus of the conference was on Uchinanchu identity. At the Ryukyu Textiles workshop,Continue reading “Chimugukuru @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai”
Bingata and Ai Zomme @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai
This month I’ve been busy preparing for the upcoming 2013 Okinawa Wakamono Taikai Conference to take place in Torrance, CA USA from July 18-22. I will be teaching a Ryukyu Textiles workshop as part of the Taikai Cultural Workshops series. One technique that I will teach is the process of E-Gata, a type of BingataContinue reading “Bingata and Ai Zomme @Okinawa Wakamono Taikai”
These Old Weaving Tools…
I like these old weaving tools… and sometimes wonder what some of these old tools have seen… Did they belong to a hillside bashofu weaver and spinner? Like the tools that belong to my Izumi family? Have they seen Spring days of Ai Zomme (indigo dyeing) and kasuri splashes? Maybe they’ve even survived the daysContinue reading “These Old Weaving Tools…”
Shibori Wanderings
Wandering about Izumi Village in Okinawa, Japan has it’s advantages. Someone always seems to have a Ryukyu Ai (indigo) pot available in this region of Okinawa Island known for its Ryukyu Ai production and dyework. So, after wandering about and talking to my Izumi family members and other locals, I found a Ryukyu Ai vatContinue reading “Shibori Wanderings”
A Nice New Home
oh, i’m so pleased…my hand-dyed piece, “The Transformation”, on exhibit at the “Focus on Fiber 2012” exhibit was sold at the 18 Hands Gallery recently. The Gallery provided me with the contact information of the person (an artist :o) who purchased my artwork, so i’m busy drafting a heartfelt thank you note. i’m hoping, too,Continue reading “A Nice New Home”
Exhibition: “Focus on Fiber 2012″…Houston, Texas USA
The Houston Area Fiber Artists (HAFA) juried exhibit “Focus on Fiber 2012″ will open this week in Houston, Texas USA. My hand-dyed shawl, “The Transformation”, was juried into the show by Sally Sprout. My cotton chiffon shawl underwent 3 phases of botanical dyework conducted in the U.S. and Trinidad, West Indies. The botanical plants utilizedContinue reading “Exhibition: “Focus on Fiber 2012″…Houston, Texas USA”
Kasuri Views
in my studio begins with a Hai Sai! Let’s begin the day, shall we, with a magical tie… then let’s dip our threads, yes dip our threads into the blue dye… now our threads are drying…will tomorrow ever come? i want to untie, oh yes, untie and view those blue-white hues… then we will windContinue reading “Kasuri Views”
Winter Ryukyu Kasuri (Ikat)
Well life was busy at Ryukyu Heritage Textiles during the holidays…I was busy weaving Kasuri Ikat the Ryukyu way when all of a sudden a snowman appeared on my handwoven one day! A Snowman on my Handwoven Kasuri Ikat
Exhibition: “The Art of Fiber” Exhibit Poster
I’m so, so pleased. Yet, I am humbled too. My Ryukyu Ai (indigo) dyed silk shawl was included on “The Art of Fiber” exhibit poster. My shawl was created utilizing an ancient method of fermenting indigo leaves common to Okinawa. I grow the Ryukyu Ai (indigo) in my studio dye garden. I see that myContinue reading “Exhibition: “The Art of Fiber” Exhibit Poster”
Scharine Kirchoff, Fiber Artist 