Kimekomi doll class
Today was the second week of my beginner class in Japanese kimekomi doll making. I saw these at this year's Sakura Matsuri (part of the annual Washington Cherry Blossom Festival) and when I saw that the dollmaker, Akiko Keene, offered classes locally, I pounced. (You can see lots of gorgeous photos and read Akiko-sensei's impressive resume at her website: Japanese Dolls and Crafts.) strangemuses and I had our first class last Saturday, and I can already tell it's going to become addictive. The dolls are hollow wooden forms made of paulownia wood (some with porcelain heads and hands, some not) which are sanded and then covered with fabric--but that makes it sound a lot less complex and intricate than it is, with the gorgeous fabrics they use and the care taken in the design, folding and placement. I'm starting with a simple kit, this cat:
but I already have several more picked out to do, especially a boy samurai =). We've spent two weeks in sanding and preparation of our kits and next week we begin applying fabric. Can't wait.
"Trivia Only Champloo Geeks Will Appreciate" Department: This is the bag I got to carry my kitty and tools home in:
Recognize that name? Yup, the very same store in Nagasaki where Jin and Mugen buy their souvenir castella ("kasutera") cake in episode 24. (In case you can't read the small print near the bottom, it says "since 1624"). I practically mugged sensei's assistant to get it... =)
but I already have several more picked out to do, especially a boy samurai =). We've spent two weeks in sanding and preparation of our kits and next week we begin applying fabric. Can't wait.
"Trivia Only Champloo Geeks Will Appreciate" Department: This is the bag I got to carry my kitty and tools home in:
Recognize that name? Yup, the very same store in Nagasaki where Jin and Mugen buy their souvenir castella ("kasutera") cake in episode 24. (In case you can't read the small print near the bottom, it says "since 1624"). I practically mugged sensei's assistant to get it... =)