i am so happy to say that despite some early setbacks {namely my not-so-tech-savvy self trying to learn html and my little sam becoming ever so sick with croup} the one thousand wishes site is up! and thank you, thank you, thank you to all of the lovely people who have donated handmade items to the pop-up shop. the shop will open on april 1, 2011 and will stay open for the entire month of april, or until all of the items sell {whichever comes first}. i will post about the items that will be available a couple of days in advance. if you are interested in donating an item or would like to help spread the word, please email me or leave a comment below.
just the other day i was reminded of this quote, by the japanese poet ryunosuke satoro :: individually, we are one drop. together, we are an ocean
a beautiful {and very fitting} thought that i will be holding close to my heart during the coming weeks, while organizing the one thousand wishes project and contributing to some of the other wonderful initiatives that have been set up to raise funds for the relief effort in japan. here are just a few ::
* this morning i made 100 paper cranes. and then i found out about miya company's 1000 paper cranes project through melanie. i'll be photographing ella's favourite cranes and sending the images to be included in the project. miya company will donate $5 for each of the first 1000 cranes they receive.
* i can't wait to buy one of shanna's decals on friday
* i'll be getting my hands on a couple of hearts + hands for japan raffle tickets - a wonderful idea by the very talented lynn of satsuma press
* i'm hoping to snap up something from zakka nouveau's stitch + connect project
* i love this quilt and think this fundraiser to win it is a fantastic idea
* i love this collage of items listed on etsy for the japan disaster relief - compilation by modern parents, messy kids
a note about my connection to japan :: my husband is half japanese. ella and sam are part japanese, part scottish and part canadian. ever since i can remember, i have loved japanese culture + aesthetic. i grew up making origami, taking raku classes, pouring myself over {now very out-dated} japanese craft books and later, during university, japanese art + design books. now, teaching ella and sam about their japanese and scottish heritage is an important part of our every day life. and i am still very much in love with the japanese aesthetic. zakka, sashiko, chiyogami, fabric, yarn, tape, quilting, children's clothing design. all of it. we can't help but feel connected to the people and the culture of japan even although we are so far away geographically. if you have some time, please watch this incredibly touching documentary about my husband's great grandmother who left japan and started a new life in canada. {i still can't watch it without shedding a tear, so be sure to have a tissue handy!}. this film was made by my husband's second cousin, linda ohama. linda is currently organizing a major benefit concert to be held in vancouver to raise funds for japan, through japan love. my sister-in-law performed with her taiko group at this event which raised between $70,000 and $80,000. and my brother-in-law just released a cover of 'yumegiwa last boy' by japanese band, supercar. the track is free to download in return for taking a few minutes to support japan relief efforts. i'm happy and proud to have such talented people in my life and so grateful for their commitment to raising funds for japan.
phew, that was a lot of love!
