Friday, November 26, 2010

In store... baskets

We have some lovely old baskets in the shop at the moment. This first one is a very fine 'morikago' basket for fruit  or sweets. It's signed Chikubosai I (1872 - 1950) 



The others are ikebana baskets. This one is signed 'Chikuunsai tsukuru' (made by Chikuunsai) and is by Tanabe Chikuunsai II (1910-2000)


The other ones here are unsigned ikebana baskets from early - mid 20th century....


                                               




This last one is my  favourite. It's also for ikebana and is unsigned.  The seemingly random, rustic weaving is just stunning. It's one of those things that I really won't mind if I don't sell!


If you're interested in purchasing any of these baskets and can't make it in to the shop please email me or give me a call (details at the top of the blog).

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Itomaki bobbins

One of the things I enjoy about this blog is the opportunity to bring pieces from my collection out of their boxes and drawers to look at again and share.  Most of the bobbins I'm showing today have been collected over the years from old sewing boxes that we've bought to sell in the shop. I always love opening them to see what little treasures have been left - pins and needles, threads, thimbles, buttons, hasami scissors and less obvious things like old combs, make-up and medicines.  The variety and character of the old bobbins makes them irresistible. This is only a sample of  the ones that have turned up -  I keep one little drawerful just to look at and enjoy and another that I use for my own sewing threads.  They add something a bit special that you don't get from a piece of cardboard.

Most of the bobbins are plain wood but come in a variety of shapes, sizes and grains:



Sometimes the wood has been carved, branded or stamped:



And at least one has  been stamped and then doodled on...


Others have been handpainted:



These ones have been lacquered:


Here are a few plastic and  promotional ones:


And here are a few others - some made from paper and  some from a kind of raffia-like fibre (I'm sure there is a name for this parquet type work  but I can't think of it) :



This time of the year always gets a little hectic so I'm having trouble sticking to my plan  to post on here every week  - but I will do so as often as I get the chance.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

In store...

I've been trying to post here every week but have fallen a bit behind this time.  This is just a quick post this morning showing a selection of things that we have in the shop at the moment. I've got a sale starting tomorrow and going through to Saturday 20th November.  If you're in the Hobart area and would like to get my email newsletter letting you know when we have sales etc you can email me on the address at the top of the blog - or of course you can let me know next time you're in the shop.

Nishiki brocade Obi

Kumihimo
Combs

Large old label stamps

Silk machine threads

Old Japanese woodworking tools

Old indigo bundles

kaikodana silkworm raising nets



Rolls of yukata fabric