Japan Update

This morning I received an email from Michael at the Verne Gallery. 
"Takuji is fine."   YAY!!!!!!!   Thanks for all your words and prayers. 
xo,
Suz
Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.

Japanese Printmakers

My work: "Treasure What You Have"

I'm back from my Chicago and NY trip. I was going to write about my lovely trip to the Roses on Park Avenue. However, life has a way of writing this blog.

Yesterday morning I went to post my latest Etsy team treasury on Twitter.  On the right were lots of hot topics about Japan.  As I clicked through the stories, I reached for the TV remote.  The world knows the rest. I don't need to tell you what happened when an 8.9 level earthquake hit, followed by a tsunami with 30 foot waves slammed into Japan.  I have been watching the news.  Waves of emotion roll over me, as I see the devastation on our TV.

Being a printmaker, I was introduced to Japan through the art of woodblock and engraving printmaking techniques.   http://wn.com/woodblock_printing
So many artists have been influenced by Japan's printmaking artists.  Most people have seen "The Great Wave of Kanagawa" by Hokusai at the Metropolitan in NYC.  The Japanese are no strangers to big waves. 

Hokusai's "Great Wave of Kanagawa"

I jumped when I had the opportunity to go to Kyoto.  At the time women made the paper and men were the printmakers.  My sense of proportion, and 3 elements (Heaven, Earth, Man) of nature, I learned from the Japanese printmakers has stayed with me.  As well as the Tea Ceremony.  I shipped home a very heavy box of beautiful handmade papers, some I still have.  I also learned to wrap gifts as if they were treasures. I am often complimented by the wrapping I use for my Etsy shop.  I buy Japanese Washi Tape with polkadots and make paper ornaments for every box sent.

In Florence I met and worked with Takuji Kubo, one of Japan's master engravers.  We were instant friends. He came to visit Bob and I in Santa Fe.  Takuji wanted to teach me to make sushi. So we spent a day looking for all the ingredients. Scoring at Whole Foods and Wild Oats.   This is New Mexico, there is NO fresh fish unless you catch it yourself in the Pecos River.  I apologized for the thick seaweed found dry or in cans...and near the end of our shopping day Takuji would say: "I know, I know, we are in the desert!" Takuji  is represented by the Verne Gallery in Cleveland Ohio.  We have several of his engravings. One of the Flat Iron Building in NYC, and another: "Fallen Angel" which he gave me of a dead bird.  These are items that I would carry out of the house if I had to leave forever.

Takuji Kubo Engraving
His Website: http://takujikubo.com/

Takuji had a show at the Verne Gallery and I purchased a book Michael Verne published of several printmakers who are Americans and live or had lived in Japan.  The following are some of the artists  in:"Japan Through The Eyes Of Nine Americans" book.    When I saw this gallery and the book I was impressed by the influence Japan had on me and all these other artists. The Gallery's web site is stunning. Treat yourself to a look at it.   http://www.vernegallery.com/contact_us.php
The book's isbn# 080483126-2 and I think they may still sell it at the Gallery.

Sarah Brayer "Surge" painted with paper pulp.

Sarah Brayer "Sisters"

Carol Jessen's "The Paper Makers"

Carol Jessen's Kozo" A paper made with long fibers.

Sarah Brayer's "Veil"

Daniel Kelly's "Junko" which is the book's cover. Below it the Keyblock.

Japan has withstood horrific blows for centuries that we know of. They are a strong and brilliant country that treasures what they have.  I know they will emerge from this monstrous tragedy with wisdom, courage, and the inventiveness that has brought them through others.  Japanese papers are made from the inside long parts of plants and fibers which give their paper incredible strength -while soft and transparent.  My experience with the Japanese is that they are like their beautiful papers.

My heart aches for Japan.  I have not been able to reach Takuji.  I will keep you posted.
There was a wonderful Japanese paper store in Chicago, Aikos.  They are now on the internet only, but carry so many beautiful Japanese papers: http://www.paperconnection.com/


Thanks for reading.
Each day is a gift. Open now.

xo,
Suz

PS.  I have items in my ThePolkadotMagpie shop on Etsy that I will donate all the proceeds to The Red Cross relief for Japan.  I made a treasury of other shops on Etsy doing the same.  You can search Etsy using "relief for Japan" and find a growing list of shops doing the same.
http://www.etsy.com/treasury/4d7d7896207e6d915d3d1d27/japan-in-my-heart-and-on-my-mind

No word on Takuji yet.

What I Bought on Etsy 2/24/11

I am so excited to share this find with you.  Now that I have let my hair grow...I needed some "tools" to hold it.  Am I too old to wear birds in my hair?  Will I look silly with a raven perched on my head?  I don't really give a damn.   Wing and Talon's leather works on Etsy has just become my new favorite shop:
 http://www.etsy.com/shop/wingandtalon?ref=seller_info 
Masks and barrettes for the fantasy minded person.  I think this seller does lots of shows for those of us who believe in the spirits of the woods.  Druids, fly- don't walk to this man's shop.   Above is a raven barrette.  I purchased the small ones, because I have thin hair.  They are perfect! I am wearing them right now. :-)

I included this shop in a few treasuries this week.  Below is a mask I put in one.  I have contacted the seller about a skull. It is the next item I will buy for myself.  The girls in my life will be getting all sorts of these leather beauties as gifts. Amazing work.

What's been going on around the shop?  Bob is beavering away for the NYC/NJ show in two weekends.  Below are some knives for orders that went to Russia this week.   Such talent!  And Suz likes the black.  Bob used a new process to make the stainless damascus blades stay black.  Mmmm.

And me?  I've been in Mid Century Modern Mania.  Below mastodon and carbon fiber.

Thanks for reading!
Each day is a gift. Open now!

xo,
Suz

Flash From The Past

http://www.etsy.com/listing/68431049/sale-1964-caro-nan-signed-basket-purse

Last Saturday I was doing a search on Etsy and came across the purses my Mother sold in her store in the 60's and 70's.  My search was for "vintage picnic basket."  Right before my eyes was a decoupage wood personalized picnic basket purse she carried for years.  It wasn't the exact one she used to carry, but darn close. One could order them with names and towns and items that reflected the carrier's life. My Mom had her shop name on the front: "The Surrey House" and the town, Glenview Illinois put on hers. I can still hear the wooden lid clicking when she closed it. It's funny how our memories can darken, and then be instantly illuminated by sight, sound, smell, or touch. 

Then later in the day my niece put up photos of my very young Brother in Viet Nam on FaceBook.  I immediately burst into tears. He looked so innocent.  I was only 8 when these were taken. At 8 I worried every day that he would be killed. I was obsessed, one could say.  I checked our mailbox the moment I came home from school with hopes a letter from him would be there.  My Mother bought her store the year my Brother left for the Marines.  So in a way, I lost him and her at the same time. After leading a life that seemed unscathed by a long tour in Viet Nam - my brother is dealing with PTSD at 66.  When he came home I was 11.  I knew instantly this was not the same Brother I had before.  But I was too young to articulate what I saw.   Now I can tell you that the sweet face below WAS gone forever, even though he returned.

What was also hit home seeing the pictures...was how strong our DNA is. My son looks like the guy in the bottom photo.  And when my Grandson is being silly, and I have taken his picture...he looks just like his Great Uncle in the top right photo.  It's comforting to know that although part of these people are gone, they live on in the next generations.  

Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift. Open now!

xo,

Suz

That's All I'm Saying

I don't know if these will really sell.  One never knows. But I started out with "It's not all about me?"
I designed 2 of my own type styles (former Art Director) a balloony letter, and a silly typewriter.
My dear Kenji laser cut them for me.  Each letter needs to be sanded, then bead blasted to get rid of the laser cutting marks.  Very time consuming.  I'd love other ideas if you have any.  I thought of making a chain belt, bunting, keychains.  Wood and bamboo are also available.

We tried cutting celluloid and it was okay...so in March after I am back from NYC with new supplies.  We'll see.

Thanks for reading.
Every day is a gift. Open now.

xo,
Suz

What's Going On In The Shop

Above, G-10, African ebony, and purple Charoite 

I am having a mid century modern moment.  Well days, actually.  I have been cutting out geometric shapes and playing with them.  The pennant necklaces have been quite popular.  I had my first go round with purple Charoite...and Bob made me a jig to hold the tiny triangles to drill holes through.  I find the thinner ones that can be drilled from the front please my eye more. 

The jig and pattern to cut and drill the triangles.

Today I am completing earrings and custom orders.  Maybe I will have time to put together some of the 100's of geometric beads I made.

Wooden heart pennants from exotic world wide woods.

Out to the shop!  Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift. Open now!

xo,

Suz

Happy Valentines Day

Buddy sends a big sloppy kiss!

Taken a few years ago...it's now a tradition.

Lots of love to all. Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift. Open now.

xo,

Suz