Seiza seats now on sale at Sweetpersimmon.com

For the holidays, I have just put the portable mediation seats on sale at SweetPersimmon.com The price was $49.99, now on sale for $40.00.

Made from sustainable wood and eco-friendly milk paint, our Portable Meditation Seat weighs just 12 oz. and comes in its own carry bag that doubles as padding.  It's small enough to fit in a purse, briefcase or gym bag.  Great for travel, meditation retreats or even used as a backpacking camp stool where every ounce counts.  The unique design and finish of our Portable Meditation Seat reflect the Japanese wabi aesthetic of rustic, simple beauty.

Size: 8 by 5.5 by 4 inches in carrying case
Dimensions: 7.5" wide by 4" deep by 7.75" tall when assembled
Weight: 1 lb. 4 ounces

Just for you, my readers, here is the coupon code for free shipping:   FREE SHIP

And while you are there, look around at the new handbags I just listed.

"I like my new zazen bench. It's Great!  ...everyone thought it was extremely cool. I could hardly believe it could be small enough to put in your kimono sleeve, but it sure enough is! The design is just so clean and functional, it's so nicely finished and so strong, and I love how the bag converts to upholstery. It really fits a guy my size perfectly." ~ Tim Sowa Olson, Tea Ceremony Sensei, Seattle Urasenke Branch

Art Over MacLeay Park

For those of you in Portland, I will be showing all new handbags at Art Over Macleay Park, December 7-8th.  please come and look at the wonderful things for sale.  You just might find the right gift for Christmas and indulge  yourself with a SweetPersimmon leather handbag as well.

SweetPersimmon at the Hollywood WingDing

Meet us at the Whole Foods Hollywood WingDing on Saturday July 2nd from 12-5 pm.  They'll be closing off 43rd Avenue between Whole Foods and the Bank in NE  Portland, and making a party of it.

Besides the Hot Wing Throwdown competition (vote the best wings), there's going to be a beer garden, live music and exhibits from HandMade NW artisans (of which SweetPersimmon is one).  I'll be featuring handbags in my spacious 10 x 10 booth.

Admission is free to the public. Wings are $.50 each with a minimum $2 purchase for voting ballot.10% of the proceeds will benefit the Hollywood Theater.

Hollywood Whole Foods WingDing
Saturday, July 2nd, 12-5 pm
NE 43rd Avenue (between Sandy and Tillamook)
Parking available in the Whole Foods Garage
enter on NE 44th between Tillamook and Sandy.

Handbags and Chanoyu

I just wanted to let you know that I my handbags were featured at Portland Sewing's Fashion Show last Saturday and I will have a booth at Portland's Handmade NW on May 3 and 4. The sales support the Heart Research Center.  (Also go to support this blog)  If you can't make it, I will be putting some of my creations on SweetPersimmon.

There will also be a chanoyu presentation at the Japanese Cultural fair for Children's day in North Portland.

Children's Day Festival

Saturday, May 07, 2011 from 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM (PT)

Historic Peninsula Odd Fellows Building 4834 N Lombard St. Portland, OR 97203

View Map

 

 

Kodomo No Hi Japanese Children's Day Festival ~ Japanese Food and Deserts ~ Games ~ Arts and Crafts including Origami and Caligraphy ~ Aikido ~ Jujitsu ~ Taiko ~ Tea Ceremony ~ Kamishibai Storytelling Open to the Public.  Admission is Free! Saturday... Read More Share this event on Facebook and Twitter We hope you can make it! Cheers, Peninsula Odd Fellows Aikido Yoshokai

SweetPersimmon Specials

And now a word from our sponsors:

One of the ways that I can afford to keep up this blog and other websites is www.sweetpersimmon.com.
If you can support the work, please go to the website. I'd appreciate it if you'd purchase something.

For readers of the blog and website, I have a couple specials on handbags that you can use to get a 30% discount on selected items.  Thanks for your support and I'll get back to posting soon.

Please use this discount code: CAD51671B9-1FB64E0FAB at
http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetPersimmon
for  the following bags:
Suede and Leather Gecko pouch was $22.00 with coupon, now $15.40 SOLD
Tan Leather Gadget bag was $12.00 with coupon now $8.00

Use this discount code E23B9C4265-913DE5F952
for the following bags:



 Ultra Travel bag (bone color only)
Was $38.00 with coupon  $26.66  
E23B9C4265-913DE5F952
http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetPersimmon

City Bag

Was $30.00  with coupon $21.00

E23B9C4265-913DE5F952
http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetPersimmon



 


Leonine Bag with accessories
Was $48.00 with coupon $33.60

E23B9C4265-913DE5F952
http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetPersimmon

 


Shunsoku Bag
Was $45.00 with coupon $31.50

E23B9C4265-913DE5F952
http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetPersimmon



 


Orange Sherbet Paisley Baguette
Was $20.00 with coupon $14.00 SOLD

E23B9C4265-913DE5F952
http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetPersimmon

Black and White Sweetie
Was $20.00 with coupon $14.00

E23B9C4265-913DE5F952
http://www.artfire.com/users/SweetPersimmon

Anagama kiln and preivew of the Holiday Sale

Despite bitter cold and a horrendous East wind blowing last Sunday, my husband and I were invited to the opening of the anagama firing by Richard Brandt and crew.  I have attended a firing before, but I had to leave before the kiln was opened.  This time though, the previous week the kiln was fired for 5 days -- that is they fed it more than four cords of wood, then sealed it up to cool and Sunday was the opening.  This was very exciting as the fire is unpredictable and what went into the kiln may or may not resemble what comes out, depending on the fire, the flames and the placement in the kiln.  That is the magic of an anagama firing.

 Last Sunday we unloaded the anagama kiln and I must say that it's the best firing I've ever taken part in. The frozen wind and numb hands were not even a bother because the work was so fantastic. The colors are outstanding. The carnage low. Plenty of startling surprises. Everything seemed to fall into place. A labor of love it remains. I am very excited to share this work with you.  ~ Richard Brandt

We got there as they were taking the bricks down from the front of the kiln.  I was surprised at how orderly it was and the crew was very careful to stack each brick as it came from the door in order for the next people to seal up the front more easily.  Then the ash was swept away from the firebox and everything cleaned out before any pieces were taken out.    One of the first pieces to be taken out was a little figurine.It was found standing among the ashes in the firebox. It was on the lower front shelf and it had fallen off but remained standing as if it had jumped into the fire.

Here are a couple of photos as the first pieces were unloaded from the kiln:


While everything looks monochrome in these photos, there was plenty of drama and color when the pieces were unloaded.  There were so many spectacular vases, bowls, tea pots and sculptures:



I just wanted to preview a few pieces that Richard will be showing at the sale and (modestly) show some of the handbags I made from kimono material that will also be featured at the show.

Nishiura Ryokusuido
3826 NE Glisan St.
Portland Oregon 97229
Friday evening opening reception 7-9 pm

Saturday and Sunday 12-5 pm

I hope you will come out to see Richard's work.  Here's a few handbags made from kimono and obi that will be featured.

 

 

First Annual Ryokusuido

Holiday Show and Sale 2009

Please come to our Holiday Show of Japanese

Antiques, Kimono, and Obi, featuring wood fired

tea utensils by Richard Brandt, and Handbags and

Fashions by SweetPersimmon at

Nishiura Ryokusuido

Japanese Arts and Antiques

3826 NE Glisan, Portland, OR 97232

(503) 236-8005 or (503) 262-8369

Friday Dec. 11 7-9 pm

Saturday and Sunday

Dec. 12-13   12-5 pm

Please join us Friday evening for drink and refreshment

Tea will be served in a traditional tea ceremony room

on Saturday and Sunday

C.H.A. Creative Handmade Art

C.H.A.
Creative Handmade Art
Year II

This show presents a collection of artists who study the way of tea.
…a way of beauty
…a way of life

Richard Brandt, Sanje Elliott, Jan Waldmann, Barbara Walker, and Margie Yap.

Together, with other special guest artists, we offer objects in clay, wood, painting and calligraphy in the spirit of peace and hospitality.

Come join us in this spirit.


August 7th, Opening Gala: 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm.
8th, Noon until 5:00 pm
9th, Noon until 5:00 pm

8855 SW 36th Ave., Portland, Oregon, 97219
503-245-8705

One-of-a-kind Handbags and Purses

Now a word from our sponsors. SweetPesimmon.com is the retail site that supports this blog, so please check it out and buy something to support this blog. You may or may not know that I have been making one-of-a-kind handbags and purses and now they are for sale on my retail website. Handbag link. I also have meditation seats for those of you who have trouble with dead feet while sitting seiza, as well as tea, teaware, incense, photos, books. Also I have started a sewing blog. (link to the left). Thank you we will now return to our regularly scheduled blog.