Lots and lots of circles, shop update

Following the completion of my new on-line shop I have been scanning in some of the many antique woodblock prints and obi and kimono designs sheets that I have in my collection.  The intention is that I'll turn these into greeting cards and, possibly, prints. 

The first two designs scanned and back from the printers are from two hand painted obi designs sheets.  They both contain  lots of bright colours which I thought would be a good test of the printing process.  I'm really pleased with the result and they are now in the shop ready to buy.  Check them out here.  

Onto the next and almost final instalment of the Kusano san design.  Lots and lots of circles.  I've struggle with all the sections on this design but this was the one that was the biggest problem for me.  It was one of the reasons it took so long to complete the project, the thought of tackling all those circles which are almost all done by eye, just put me off.

This is what I'd done on this section by the end of our class in Japan.  As with the other sections, once I'd determined to get the project finished, I worked each motif in turn, completing all of one before going onto the next. 

First the hanabishi and circles, then some of the larger inner circles.  The circles around the hanabishi are twisted silver couched.  The larger circles are stitched with a twisted thread.

Once I'd completed the various outlining circles I could complete these little curls.  They are worked with one strand of twisted gold, couched. 

Although I'd worried about going back to these I actually found them quite restful and enjoyed completing them.

The second layer of silver circles took some adjusting.  Although these had been transferred it was only a chaco paper transfer, no stitch transfer to follow.  They had to be done by eye.  I had to redo some of them, but in the end they turned out ok.

Then much sooner, and with much less angst than I had expected, there it was complete.

It's not perfect and I can't say it was the most enjoyable to embroider.  But, I did enjoy the different way of working and I've learned lots from it.  Of course, it will always bring back wonderful memories of our time in Japan, my friends who were with me in class and the new friends we made when we were there, Kusano sensei, Aya, Yuko, Keiko, and Makiko.  For this reason it will always be one of my favourite pieces.

The only thing left to do now is to send it off to the Studio in Japan to have it made up into an evening bag.  I'll post the final chapter of this journey when it's back.

 

Keywords

Cards | Shop | Studio Kusano | woodblock prints

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