Among the goodies I picked up at the Houston International Quilt Market this year was a selection of KARISMA pencils. I’ve been a fan of mechanical pencils since the mid-1980s when my friend and artist Kristine Schramer introduced me to them. The ease with which I could draw a fine line and erase any mistakes…
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Postcard from Ginza, Tokyo
It’s been a whirlwind of a tour here in Japan. From the picturesque mountain countryside of Gunma, to a lakeside hotel in view of Mt. Fuji, to the packed city streets of Tokyo, every day has been an adventure. I’ve been shopping at used kimono stores over the past few days, finding many treasures and…
Mini post from Gunma, Japan
Welcome to Silk Country. Gunma Prefecture has been famous for its silk manufacturing for more than a century. One of the largest silk mills in the world was built here in 1872, which took silk textiles out of the realm of the rich and put them into the reach of the masses for the first…
Karinui Comparisons, part 2
In part 1 I disassembled an inexpensive kurotomesode (high formal women’s kimono) and gave you a peek at the inner workings, so to speak. This time we’ll be looking at a more expensive kimono and seeing how different the two can be. Part 2: The Hot Date Unlike the pretty, fast, and easy Cheap Date,…
Guess What Just Happened?
Here’s a link to my personal blog for those of you who might like to get to know me better. I have some happy news I’d like to share. carolziogas.com
Stitch Magazine Winter Gifts Issue 2012 Goldwork Fukusa
Well, hello again and Happy New Year, Stitch fans! I’m happy to announce my latest appearance with the fabulous Stitch Winter Gifts Issue 2012. This issue is crammed full of seasonal gift and craft ideas, and I’ve tossed my hat into the ring once again with a traditional Japanese textile project that you can make…
Final month for KimonoMomo Etsy shop
This is it! I have two other businesses that have been growing quickly, and it’s time to let go of KimonoMomo. I started discounting bolts by 30% back in January, and now I’m offering you a coupon code that will give you an EXTRA 30% all items in my shop. When placing your order online,…
For the knitters, a little levity: The Last Knit
“When knitting becomes an obsession.” Directed by Laura Neuvonen, Finland, 2005
Holiday Coupon Code
Keeping up with my editing and writing work means I’ve let this blog and the KimonoMomo Etsy shop slow down a bit more than I’d like, but having decided long ago to let this business go so I can grow my new business, that’s bound to happen. Between now and the end of 2011 I’m…
Sashiko Furoshiki
Wandering around the San Francisco Design District last week, I found this gorgeous HUGE furoshiki at Tansu Design. Unfortunately, I didn’t have my tape measure on me so I couldn’t tell you the exact measurements, but yes, that is a sofa it is draped across. I’d estimate the size to be roughly 4 feet in…
A Bear Hug for Japan
This caught my eye as we were featured in the same Etsy treasury today, and I wanted to share the love. A wonderfully kawaii (cute) bear for an important cause. He’s only $26, completely handmade by sleepyking, and all proceeds go to the American Red Cross for Japan. Hurry! He looks lonely. I bet he’d…
A love for both the common fiber and the extraordinary textile @KimonoMomo 