Let's Be in Touch!

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!