Please click on any of the pictures above or the following link for the full slideshow of pictures from the most recent Washi Akari workshop.
We are back in business! Earlier this year, around the beginning of February, we harvested a goodly amount of kudzu vines. They have been curing under the eaves of our home in a shady spot since then. Last week I made as many frames as I could, and I set a new personal record of six frames in one day! The frames keep turning out better and better the more I get a feeling for how the vines naturally curve and climb. I try to make each lamp frame from a single vine if possible and let the shape express itself naturally and organically. I think we have found a comfortable shape and design for our workshops: predominately three-legged for balance and strength, with three faces each containing two windows for the guests to adhere their favorite washi. Our custom order frames and the ones I make for sale online and at shops on the mainland can take on wholly different shapes and dimensions as the fancy strikes.
We had ten guests (including two repeat customers) create their very own one-of-a-kind lamps. Two different guests even came the day before (they joined Michie's yoga workshop on the previous day and then stayed the night) and made their own frames from scratch. They chose and cut their own vines and built their frames themselves with a little guidance from me. I stained and sealed the frames for them at night and the next day they joined in with the others to apply their chosen washi. This is the first time we had guests make their own frames and it worked out very well. I became apparent though, that we could probably only accommodate a few people at a time when making frames from scratch as it takes up a lot of space and requires several very specific tools and materials. But, I know we will have great success offering such an option to the most intrepid guests in the future!
We will likely be holding several more workshops this year, until we run out vines again! Check back for announcements of upcoming workshops or contact us here for private workshops (group size minimum and maximum apply, while supplies last).
Thanks for checking out our first lamps of 2016! Let's light up even more!!!