The above image is from a workshop that my husband and I took with Ken-ichi Utsuki-san, a third-generation master indigo dyer who uses an all natural fermentation process. Through a delicate balance of indigo, lye, limestone, wheat and sake he is able to achieve an incredibly vibrant, saturated and resilient blue hue.
The technique is 100% safe for your health in which Ken-ichi Utsuki-san demonstrated by dipping his finger in the dye vat and then into his mouth! He seemed to be perfectly fine minus the fact that he had temporarily dyed his teeth blue.
Literally a dying art form, this method has been replaced by synthetic and chemical processes which are extremely hazardous to the environment and our health. If you ever visit Kyoto, Japan be sure to visit Ken-ichi Utsuki-san for a one-on-one dye workshop at his amazing studio and home.
Also, I cannot wait for this to arrive by Loraine at Grijs.
And listening to this podcast about Reconsidering Craft recommended by Rob Walker.
And just read BUYING IN: The Secret Dialogue Between What We Buy and Who We Are.
I will be offering a fantastic collection of Swimmer Cups by Helen Beard at Ashes & Milk in 2009. However we thought it might be nice to offer a few pieces for the Holidays. You can view them here.
Also, just a reminder that our Holiday Ship Date is December 15th (that’s less than 10 days away)!
So I am doing a little catch up today and wanted to show you some additional photographs I took from SOFA Chicago 2008.
The following wood pieces by Mark Hanvey won my heart over so much that my husband was about to purchase one for me. Unfortunately I refused this idea with much regret, but the upside is I was able to take some pretty intimate photographs of Mark’s work.
Mark creates gorgeously organic hollow wood forms that are extremely smoothed and yet texturally rich. The wood is carved from the cross sections of trees so that the growth rings are exposed.
Looking down into the hollow of these pieces, you will that find Mark preserved the delicate stem of heartwood found at the very center of a tree that gave it the strength to stand.
You can see more images of the work of Mark Hanvey here.
FYI: an exclusive interview with Suzanne Carlsen soon to come.
