I'm so excited to start sharing these talented artists with you all, you have ABSOLUTELY. NO. IDEA.
--------------------------------------------
Meredith Lee is a California based social worker > crafter > and now entrepreneur who created The Rare Orchid 12+ years ago.She creates GORGEOUS washi papers.
"Washi, like that stuff in WalMart for crafting right?"
Eheh. NO. That stuff in WalMart, while it serves its purpose, is a simplistic and Westernized product of the stuff Meredith makes. In my book, that stuff doesn't even COMPARE in quality. I'd much rather save my money that would've bought me 50 washi tapes from WalMart and spend it on 25 from Meredith (that's not an exact conversion rate, so don't quote me). Long story short, if you want the good stuff, go to her.
(copied from her descriptions on her site)
Each color layer of the design is hand-silkscreened in Japan by artisans on to a thick, fibrous mulberry paper (called kozo). The word "washi" (和紙) literally translates to "Japanese paper", 和 “wa” meaning “Japanese” and 紙 “shi” meaning “paper”. Chiyogami (also sometimes referred to as Yuzen) washi is a traditional Japanese art form of silkscreening patterns color by color on to kozo paper; and steams from kimono designs in the Edo period.
The Rare Orchid's washi papers are so soft (like fabric) and yet quality stuff that they're great to work with. I use her papers to make stuff all the time!! She suggests using the washi papers "for scrapbooking, cards, jewelry making, weddings, or anything else you can think of"! I use them to make bookmarks for TZArtisan, and occasionally, with her sticker washi, to accent cards and different things that I've made to give it that elegantly gorgeous Japanese aesthetic.
--------------------------------------------
Here are some shots from The Rare Orchid's Facebook page, featuring some of their beautiful products!!
Washi Pegs: these are really cute, and super well made ♥
Washi sheets: best paper ever, she has them available in different sizes
 |
| AAAAAH~ Just look at the pretties!! ♥ |
These are all available (in some form) in her Etsy shop, so if you like 'em, you should go and pick them up! :D She's always announcing sales on her Instagram, I'd say there's maybe one every other month?
--------------------------------------------
Here are a couple shots of her stuff being displayed and in action (from her Facebook):
 |
| Her booth at a convention in TX. |
 | ||||||
| Beautiful cards made from washi paper sold by a non-profit organization for $2-$5. |
|
Subscribe if you haven't already and learn about the other great artists I'm following!
--------------------------------------------
You can find The Rare Orchid by clicking through the links below:
Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/therareorchid
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/TheRareOrchid/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/therareorchid/
Website: https://therareorchid.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/therareorchid
No comments:
Post a Comment