My chaotic wanderings through creation and restoration.
Today, for a little change in pace, I'm going to take you through my process for evaluating a kimono when I receive it. So the "where do I begin" is actually pretty literal--this is where I start every time I bring a new (LOL--new to me) item in. I've been asked this a few times, … Continue reading The Process–Where Do I Begin?
Sunset Orange Peony In Full Bloom On Smooth Patterned Lavender Silk. I had actually been stalking this one for awhile. I'm going to stick with the word stalking because anything gentler might not make me come off as slightly unhinged, and I wouldn't want to lie to you about what kind of person I am. … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Dusky Skies & Bright Blossoms
I purchased this kimono with the intention to do some things to it that might just fucking wreck it. As I've mentioned before in my restoration entries, I've got a few kimono items that I purchased exclusively to use as guinea pigs/lab rats for stain removal techniques. Those kimono are in dire need of replacing … Continue reading The New Lab Rat Maybe?
Hanging Baskets Filled With Chrysanthemums And Adorned With Treasures On Blue Silk. I think that it is fair to say that all of my favorite kimono are oddballs. If there's something weird, unusual, or less than traditional about it, I'm all over it. The reason for this is actually rather simple: I'm fucking weird because … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Precious Little Details
Delicate Blue And Purple Blooms With Lush Green Foliage On Sheer Midnight Silk. I didn't really intend to buy this one when I threw it on my watch list. It's not an item in need of restoration or repair of any kind, and in truth I gueesss I don't really need another summer kimono. Then … Continue reading Antique Kimono–Midnight Summer
One of my habits is to collect small damaged items, and then hoard them like the bizarre little goblin that I am until I feel knowledgeable enough to attept to repair them. This is one of those stories. -Law & Order BLNK BLNK- Over the last few days, after tackling an entire iko (kimono stand), … Continue reading Antique Kougai Repair
Deep Intense Purple Silk Adorned With Bright Roses And Peonies. I think probably the fastest way to get me to spend money on something is to have it be just the right shades of purple. I'm not sure I'd call this one a restoration in fairness, but I would call it a shitshow an adventure … Continue reading Antique Houmongi–Violet Roses
Peaceful Willow Branches Over Running Water On Black Silk. Story time. A few days ago, I was clicking mindlessly through my usual kimono-buying haunts. You know, just seeing what's good, what's interesting, what's new, and perhaps what's mislabeled for my grubby little claws. I ran into this one with just a frontal picture. It also … Continue reading Antique Hikizuri–Willow & Water Wheel
I'm currently in a state of limbo with several projects where I'm either waiting for something to dry, waiting on materials, or it's just a big project and I'm spending a few hours a week on it and it'll be done when it's done. Fight me. But since I am not currently out of space, … Continue reading Restoration In Progress–Antique Small Tansu
Can you just feel the confidence spewing from me in that title? Well, I'm honest if nothing else. What I do know about this thing is that it's big, it's amazing, it's beautiful, it needs repaired, and that I absolutely had to have it. What I don't know about it is...well, just what in the … Continue reading Restoration in Progess–What Even Is This?
Silk & Bones 