Mini and the Viking

Mini from Singapore and Henri from Finland are staying at the house for two months to study Japanese textiles. Everyone here is in love with them. They have a month or so left and already I am saddened to know that they will leave. Mini is liquid sunshine and Henri keeps us smiling with stories of huskies, (His family has 70 huskies and sleds.)

This is the first time to have some one stay here for an extended time and studying and  it is great fun. They both are learning the ins and outs of indigo dyeing and Japan and having a great time with the other students and friends coming and going through the house. They are part of life here. It has been so enjoyable that from this summer I will take students who want to come and stay for a few months. If you are interested just write and give me some background and ask me for the details.

Mini is very productive. These four linen scarves are masterpieces. I show her the technique, we talk about design and she is off into the night, stitching and binding and dyeing until all hours. 

Henri asks, "What is wrong with these Japanese? They study for 50 years to make a good cup of tea for the tea ceremony. I did it in two minutes."

The indigo planted by Blandina and friends last spring is now fermented into indigo balls. I finished these up yesterday. It takes a year from seed to indigo balls. This years indigo has been planted and already sprouting.