Printing Ornaments

The ornaments are almost ready! The tree at Lincoln Square goes up in two weeks, and I have been working around the clock to get the ornaments finished. In the planning stages, it seemed reasonable to do two coats of paint, a block print, and a coat of polyurethane on each side but as with most projects, it is a lot more difficult to execute than it is to plan.

The biggest obstacle is the drying time, since each print takes two days to dry. I've been doing them in cycles, painting batches, printing them, flipping them and starting again. This is what we have been stepping over for the last few weeks:

I am so happy with the finished ornaments, they look beautiful, and I love seeing the block prints on something thicker than paper or fabric. They will be shipping out next week, and I'll be posting some in the shop then too, so you can get your ornaments before the tree is up!

Also, for anyone who is in the New York area, the tree lighting ceremony is on Monday, November 28th, at 5:30 pm and is open to the public! You can see more information about the event here and I hope to see some of you there!

Now back to printing...

A New Bag

For the last few months, I've been looking for the perfect bag to take on the trip. I needed something small enough to take everywhere, but big enough to fit a camera and a notebook, and it had to have a zipper so nothing would fall out during long train or plane rides.

I tried a few different bags, but couldn't find anything that fit all of those requirements. Then I found a small piece of fabric that I bought in Japan more than ten years ago, and wanted to make something out of it. I realized that the only way to find the perfect bag was to make it myself.

I was supposed to have a show last Saturday, but due to the surprise snowstorm, it was canceled (and I'm so glad it was, it was freezing here). So instead of shivering outside, I used my new-found free time to finally get around to making the bag.

Since the fabric I wanted to use wasn't big enough to make the whole bag with, I used some coordinating navy fabric for the top section and the lining. I made it exactly like a coin purse, but much bigger (it's 12 inches wide), and added tabs on each side to clip the strap on.

The faux-leather strap came from another bag that I bought online, hoping it would fit all of my above requirements, but when it arrived it was too small to fit a camera or a sketchbook. Luckily, the strap was detachable so I can still use both bags.

I'm so happy with the way it turned out, and have been carrying it around since. It's the perfect little travel bag, and I love the contrasting leather strap. Now to fill it with my sketchbook and watercolors, and hit the road.

From India

One of the goals for the upcoming trip to India will be to work on my new collection that will be debuting at the 2012 National Stationery Show. But I'll also be working with artists in several cities (block printers, weavers, and embroiders to start) and seeing the work they do. This was something I spent a lot of time doing on my last trip to India, and I began to collect handmade items from different cities I traveled to.

I will be selling many of these items (they are all new and unused, and were purchased to resell, so they are in perfect condition) at the Downtown Holiday Market in December, but wanted to give all of you blog readers a chance to see them first. There's a wide range of items, from textiles to jewelry, and everything was handmade in India.

If you would like to buy something you see here before it goes on sale at the Holiday Market, send me an email at katharinegwatson [at] gmail [dot] com to claim it, and I will ship it to you!

There will be so much more coming next year, but for now these are all one of a kind items, so get them while you can!

 

Embroidered pillow cover: $25
16" x 18"

Embroidered pillow cover: $25

16" x 18"

Embroidered pillow cover: $25
16" x 18" 

Embroidered pillow cover: $25
19" x 20"

Embroidered pillow cover: $25

16" x 18" 

Set of thirteen green and pink metal bangles: $8

2.5" wide

Ladli beaded necklace: $10 SOLD

18" long

Ladli is an organization based in Jaipur that teaches street children artistic skills like beading and sewing. I visited in 2007 and met some of the children, and it's an amazing organization. All money from the sale of their jewelery (and from the purchase of this necklace) go towards education programs and running the center for the children.

Nepali lokta notebook: $8

6" x 8"

Nepali lokta notebook: $8

5.5" x 5"

Nepali lokta notebook: $8 

5.5" x 5"

Nepali lokta notebook: $8 SOLD

5.5" x 5"

Wood block for block printing: $5

1.5" x 1"

Goddess print in antique Indian wood frame: $25 SOLD

7.5" x 11"

Large elephant wood block: $20 SOLD

7.5" x 6"

Embroidered door hanger: $25

41" x 12"

Turquoise silk Fabindia scarf: $30 SOLD

Purple silk Fabindia scarf: $30

Pink silk Fabindia scarf: $30 SOLD

Green silk Fabindia scarf: $30 SOLD

I always get requests for the tablecloths I use at shows, and I finally have three to sell. They are hand block printed tablecloths on woven khadi cloths, so the fabric is a thick woven cotton.

Block printed tablecloth: $45

53" x 87"

Block printed tablecloth: $45

53" x 87"

Block printed tablecloth: $45 SOLD

53" x 87"

See something you like? Send me an email at katharinegwatson [at] gmail [dot] com and it's yours!