Blog - Upon a Fold

a washi workshop // part two

2013-05-13T14:59:53Z

Old factory machinery (above) and Chiaki keeping an eye on our progress (below).

Adding lovely colourful things to our paper.
After the sheets have been pressed down they are separated for brushing.
Large brushes are used to smooth the sheets of damp paper onto boards to dry.
Whilst our paper lay in the sun to dry, we took a drive and enjoyed the local scenery.

Our papers almost dry and ready for taking home.
The best part was knowing we had made these papers from scratch with our own two hands. Learning the process was as rewarding as collecting our final pieces.

Kamo’s little shop of handmade washi works is filled with beautiful original pieces.

These washi baskets were my favourite things.
The Ogawa-machi Washi Teaching Centre is a pretty special place. I wrote a bit about its beginnings in part one but here are some more images to show you just how unique this place really is. The town itself is quite interesting and definitely worth wandering into. The scenery of nearby mountains and rivers is also spectacular. If you can hire a car or bike then you will really get to see everything this wonderful town has to offer. Oh, and there’s another Washi place you must visit when you’re there too. It’s set on lush green grounds and has a beautiful little historic hut you can walk through. I’ll blog about it next, along with pictures of the town and a few other places to note. x

If you’re interested in doing a workshop with Kamo, please email her over at washitaiken@au.wakwak.com

images © upon a fold

a gift card offer

2013-05-01T12:03:39Z

We have a special and lovely gift card offer in the shop for a limited time only. If you love our collection of cards please do take a look. xx

zoe bradley

2013-04-30T09:24:31Z

I’ve loved Zoe Bradley’s work for years now but recently I was reminded of her amazing talent via Twitter. Using traditional tailoring techniques with paper, Zoe creates beautifully crafted headpieces, dresses, window installations and spectacular sets for many high end fashion brands.
Zoe recently joined Twitter – you can follow her here.

a washi workshop // part one

2013-04-24T14:23:20Z

Beating fibres down with a wooden mallet or as Kamo and Chiaki present below (to our Aussie sporting delight), a cricket bat.

After soaking the dried kozo (shown on crates above) we scraped off the outer bark.
Separating the outer and inner bark.
After scraping, the inner bark is soaked in water and impurities removed by hand.
That’s Matt below, vigorously mixing our kozo pulp in water with a slimy liquid called Neri. Neri is extracted from the plant Tororo-aoi. It helps the kozo fibres to float and distribute evenly in the water.

Matt’s collection of leaves and petals to use in his handmade washi.
Kamo demonstrates the next few steps.
Matt getting guidance from the experts. Kamo and Chiaki were wonderful teachers.
The finest layer of pulp covers the bamboo screen to form our first sheet of washi.
Lovely little petals to add colour to our washi.
A while back I wrote a story for UPPERCASE Magazine telling of my creative adventure in a small town called Ogawa-machi in Japan. It was a paper inspired pilgrimage to learn everything there was to learn about making Japanese washi the traditional way.

Matt and I were invited to visit a papermaking workshop there, by paper artist and local resident Chiaki Morita. I blogged about Chiaki’s beautiful work and studio space here. I really meant to share this wonderful experience with you guys earlier – sorry! Better late than never though – so here I go.

Ogawa-machi is a picturesque town in Saitama Prefecture, Japan. It’s an easy train ride north of Tokyo to a region once well-known for its washi production. The area is blessed with an abundance of natural resources perfect for making washi. A cool climate and a steady stream of chilled mountain water once attracted more than 700 papermaking producers to this region alone. But over time the demand for washi in Japan diminished and sadly so did the industry. Only a handful of papermaking places remain in the area. Nowadays it’s more known for its organic farming and sake brewing.

The Ogawa-machi Washi Teaching Centre is a rare and historic place. Artist and papermaker Kamo Takako runs the centre and with decades of papermaking experience she knows all there is to know about washi. Kamo took over the premises from a former paper manufacturing company. All the old papermaking machinery remains scattered throughout the factory. It’s like a papermaking museum with original fixtures, antique interiors, rusty old tools, and a wonderfully aged exterior. The wooden factory structure dates back 100 years. I took so many photos. I just couldn’t stop. It was like taking a step back in time.

Our papermaking workshop took place among all this history. We really couldn’t ask for a better backdrop. Chiaki joined us as we got to work. She used to work here so learning the finer details of papermaking from her and Kamo really was amazing.

To be continued… (lots more to come)

images © upon a fold

new + beautiful finds

2013-04-18T09:57:12Z

Click here to see the newest arrivals to the Upon A Fold shop. They are all beautifully unique and I hope you love them lots! xx

image © upon a fold

pinpricks on paper by miso

2013-04-05T09:47:28Z

I’m really looking forward to seeing this exhibition by Miso. I imagine the process of making these drawings one pinprick at a time, would be rather meditative.

Everywhere I Have Ever Been
April 9, 2013 – May 5, 2013

MiCK (the gallery)
44 Gurner St Paddington NSW
Sydney Australia 2021
+61 2 9332 2779

Images courtesy of everywhereihavebeen.com // mickthegallery.com

nishimoto ryota

2013-03-22T11:59:45Z

Enjoying the simplicity of these forms by Nishimoto Ryota.

marine coutroutsios

2013-03-21T12:48:05Z

I got to meet so many paper loving people at our pop-up shop earlier this year. Marine Coutroutsios came by one afternoon and we got chatting about life, paper and travels :) She recently left her hometown in France and is now living in Sydney. She cuts beautiful things from paper and she can often be found in an inner city cafe somewhere sipping coffee whilst meticulously cutting her next creation.
See her at work here. Welcome to Sydney Marine!

papier à êtres

2013-03-18T13:47:38Z

My recent delve into the world of handmade paper led me to these beautiful paper works by Sophie Mouton-Perrat and Frédéric Guibrunet from Papier à êtres.

the papermaker’s studio guide

2013-03-12T14:52:38Z

Since my last trip to Japan (where I was taught how to make paper), I’ve been thinking of setting up a little papermaking nook of my own. I’m seeking expert guidance from papermaker Helen Hiebert on how best to do this. I just ordered the The Papermaker’s Package from her online store that includes The Papermaker’s Studio Guide DVD and The Papermaker’s Companion Book. Together they’ll guide me on how to set-up a papermaking studio, plus explore different papermaking techniques and processes. I can’t wait to start!

I blogged about Helen’s work a while back, here. Her paper forms truly astonish me.

P.S. This is not a sponsored or paid post. You won’t find those on this blog. I’m sharing these links, as I think many of you may be interested in setting up papermaking nooks of your own :) xo

pure white paper

2013-01-30T15:41:45Z

This video by Dominik Mersch Gallery in Sydney shows the brilliance that is Li Hongbo’s paper forms. What appear to be solid plaster sculptures are actually layers of paper that have been glued together to form accordion-like forms with astounding expanding capability.

upon a fold's pop-up paper show + shop

2013-01-25T14:40:38Z

Just before Christmas I visited Masuda Gallery on a mission to find a beautiful gift to place under the tree for my mum. I found the most delicate little celadon vase, and well to my delight it was mission complete within just a few minutes of entering the gallery. The rest of the afternoon was spent talking with gallery owner Masako. She was about to embark on another treasure hunting trip to Japan and I was so excited to hear about her plans. I was even more excited when she asked if I wanted to take over the gallery space whilst she was away! Um, yes please!!

I was so happy to start organising Upon A Fold’s first pop-up shop. Finally, all the beautiful Japanese goods I’ve collected could be exhibited in a charming Sydney space for all to enjoy. I couldn’t think of a better way to start the New Year for my little shop of folds.

My Pop-Up Paper Show + Shop is now open. Here are some pictures for those of you who can’t get here, but if you’re in town and love paper then please come along!

Upon A Fold’s Pop-Up Paper Show + Shop

January 16 – February 2
Wednesday – Saturday
11.00am – 5.00pm
(Closed on Australia Day, January 26.)

Masuda Gallery
28-30 Surrey Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney
NSW 2010

MAP

For more information please email us at hello@uponafold.com.au or call (02) 80844686.

kazuhito takadoi

2013-01-23T11:25:34Z

Kazuhito Takadoi uses handmade washi and homegrown grass to create these beautiful hand-threaded works. He attributes the lush natural environment which surrounded him as a child growing up in Nagoya Japan, to be a strong influence for his desire to use only natural materials in his work today. Kazuhito is a horticulture and art graduate – this sounds like a match made in heaven to me!

(Images courtesy of Jaggedart and Balman Gallery.)

hiih paper lights

2013-01-18T12:44:34Z

This film is so beautiful and inspiring, and well I may have watched it a dozen times already, but each time I notice something new and I’m inspired all over again. It’s the story of two artists, Lâm Quảng and Kestrel Gates, a husband-wife team who work together to make handmade paper lights. HiiH Lights (pronounced ‘Hi Hi’) can be found here.

I really enjoy discovering how things are made. Here is Lâm and Kestrel’s process for those of you who would like to know more.

The Process
The first step is to form the armature. We use wire or bamboo, designing each lamp with the light fixture in mind for proper heat ventilation. The armature can be any form, shape or size. Often inspiration comes from flowers, sea creatures, insects, or an Asian aesthetic. The paper is made of an abaca and cotton blend, using a mold and deckle to form sheets. The sheets are pressed with an eight-ton press to bind the fibers. We apply the damp paper to the armature one panel at a time. No glue is used, just a soft brush to fold back the edges onto themselves forcing the fibers to bond together. Once the paper has dried taut, the piece is painted with watercolor paint using brushes and airbrushes. When the paint is dry a resin is applied, acting as a protective layer that strengthens the lamp structurally and gives the paper a translucent, glowing quality. The final step is to configure the electrical components, at which point the light is ready for installation.

Watch the film here.

Thank you to the director of this film, Tristan Stoch for sending me the video. Cinematography by Sean Grasso.

the office

2013-01-18T11:40:26Z

New paper work by Paper Donut aka Alexis Facca. Photographed by Tom Joye.
The Office is made entirely of paper. Alexis modeled this series on the prestigious Walter R. Cooper offices in London. Thanks for the pics Alexis.

pop-up paper show + shop

2013-01-15T10:41:10Z

I’m so excited to let you guys know that we are opening our very first pop-up paper show + shop in Sydney tomorrow!

We are thrilled to have been invited by Masuda Gallery to showcase our collection of Japanese goods. So come and discover a beautiful world of paper and folds as well as a selection of Japanese pottery, prints and other antique pieces from the Masuda Gallery collection.

Come say hello! xx

UPON A FOLD’S POP-UP PAPER SHOW + SHOP

January 16 – February 2
Wednesday – Saturday
11.00am – 5.00pm
(Closed on Australia Day, January 26.)

Masuda Gallery
28-30 Surrey Street
Darlinghurst, Sydney
NSW 2010

MAP

For more information please email us at hello@uponafold.com.au or call (02) 80844686.

small wonders

2012-10-30T09:04:48Z

Above Pencil Tower via Route373. Below Uluru paper weight by Masahiro Minami.

Dreamy glass houses by Mellow.
Drawers of Present, Past, and Future by Masahiro Minami.

Miniature concrete blocks by Kawai Kouji via Route373.
Beautiful folds by Nishiyama Sayo via Route373.

A few beautiful things I’ve been admiring lately. I especially love the Drawers of Present, Past, and Future. The handmade set of three drawers are marked for keeping precious things from your past, present and well, future. So sweet.

euclid's elements

2012-10-22T09:57:35Z

New work by London based paper engineer Helen Friel for The Luxe Project by MOO. I’m so in love with these paper models of Oliver Byrne’s Euclid’s Elements.
All proceeds made from this project go to the Battersea Dogs & Cats Home.

folding flair

2012-10-15T10:38:06Z

So I’m guessing Spanish architect and designer María Prada has a thing for folds too. Aren’t these brilliant?! She also makes beautiful folded brooches – they’re available via her Etsy shop here.

folds by artecnica

2012-10-04T14:04:02Z

I’m loving the new range of Themis mobiles by Clara von Zweigbergk for Artecnica.