Happy Friday! While we were in Michigan with M’s family a couple of weeks ago, my mother-in-law quietly handed me a box while I was reading and nodding off on their cottage deck. It was from her mother, my grandmother-in-law as it were, who passed away last September. “Sanae,” her elegant handwritten script had labeled the plain Kraft paper box.
Inside was a meticulously folded origami box.
And inside of that, beautiful shibori-dyed fabric. Ronia Marie is a textile artist based in Indiana, where M’s family is from.
I love ’em. I love, especially, that a woman I’d met only twice who hardly knew me but enfolded me into her family, selected such a thoughtful and appropriate gift. And that an ancient art form from Japan is practiced with care in Indiana — the heartland of America — where my husband’s family has deep, deep roots. It all feels interconnected.
These handkerchief-sized habotai silk pieces are proffered as jewelry. K immediately beelined for them as soon as I started snapping these photos. I guess we’ll be sharing. We’ll wear shibori bracelets together and think about Great-Grandmom as K knows her, and we’ll learn more about dyeing fabric because I actually don’t know a lot about it and have wanted to dip my toes into what looks like messy fun. Have you done any fabric dyeing? I adore Morgan’s experimentation with shibori (I’ve been asking her to give me lessons for years), and Ute has featured a gorgeous book (I can only find the German version online — I might have to get it anyway) and A Verb For Keeping Warm (of the tunic pattern from earlier this week) also has a heavy focus on textile dyeing — this book by AVFKW owner Kristine Vejar looks amazing.
Anyway. Wishing you all a terrific weekend! We’re gearing up for this weekend and will be celebrating up a storm for M’s birthday.
A little ferry
Will take us to an island
To our sweet teepee
What a thoughtful and beautiful gift! Enjoy your birthday celebrations this weekend! I really like that little poem at the end, did you write it?
I did write the poem, thank you Kathryn! Sadly, M wasn’t feeling well so we had to cancel the trip but it was a productive weekend nonetheless :-).
Wow, what a moving and beautiful gift! A treasure.
A most unexpected posthumous gift, Jane! I did get quite emotional…
We should brew up an indigo vat sometime! Mid-August?!
YES!! Let’s get it on the books!
Happy birthday to all! Enjoy your getaway! I’d like to send you a book–could I get your address? Books can save your life (well, at least they can get you over a hill. . )
Thank you LIann — I will email you. How wonderful of you!!! I can use some saving and getting over the hill right now :-).
Just beautiful !
It’s not an accessory I would have thought of, but it actually looks great and K and I had great fun with our matching “bracelets”.
Thank you, Tammy!
what a sweet and perfectly-right gift for you! made even more special by the thoughtfulness of the woman behind the gift. I know you will cherish it dearly. I bought an Indigo it last summer and have yet to try it . . . I think I’m slightly intimidated by the whole process. I will wait anxiously to see what you produce:)
Your weekend away sounds fabulous – I know how fun this teepee experience was for you last time!
I’m pretty intimidated by dyeing in general, Lucinda! I’ve been eyeing a kit as well — I wonder if it’s the same one? Will keep you posted on any shibori adventures that happen!
Beautiful pieces, and with such a connection to your and M’s family.
Hope you have a lovely weekend, and happy birthday to M!
Thank you so much, Jenny! Our plans have been shanghai-d a bit, but it was a nice one nonetheless!