New Acquisitions #2

I bought a few things over the past few weeks. Not because they are useful or necessary, but simply because I thought they were beautiful. The first (#1) was the Ngoni stool in the previous post.
The second is this hand-painted barbershop sign from Tanzania. I have a thing for barbers and barbershops. At one stage my grandfather was the oldest practising barber in the country. And L'Usband, although not a barber by profession, has been cutting my hair for the last 10 years. I wouldn't think of letting anyone else touch it.

Wabi-sabi - a philosophy.

I recently read this book by Leonard Koren after annekata mentioned it.

A small, unassuming book, printed simply, with a few black and white photographs ...

Leaf decomposing on sidewalk - Leonard Koren

 ... short enough to read through in one sitting. It has kept my mind occupied for over a week now. So, not the kind of book that you read and promptly forget when you close it.

It sets out Koren's idea of what wabi-sabi entails, and starts out like this:
"Wabi-sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete.
It is a beauty of things modest and humble.
It is a beauty of things unconventional."

He goes on to describe the links with Zen Buddhism, attempts to explain the subtle differences between wabi and sabi, compares wabi-sabi with Modernism, and then sets out what he considers to be the wabi-sabi universe - its metaphysical basis, spiritual values, the state of mind it fosters, its moral precepts, and material qualities.

I think the Ngoni stool I purchased recently embodies some of the elements of wabi-sabi. Unadorned, sturdy, rustic, imperfect. Used. Although wabi-sabi is not necessarily about functionality, I like the fact that my stool can be used (and has been used) as a neck rest, a stool for meditation, a cutting board, and to hold tea lights.

Tick Tock.

I received a lovely gift from a friend last week - all the way from New York. One of her original illustrations! An artist and illustrator, she also writes (and illustrates) these two blogs: here and here. Her work reminds me of that of Maira Kalman - she shares the same ability to illustrate a perfectly ordinary event or object in such a way that one can't wait to turn the page (or wait for the next instalment).

Have a great weekend, dear friends. Have a cup of tea (rooibos, preferably); better yet, share it with a friend!

Wabi-sabi cover.

I knitted some (stress-) squares a while ago, and have now made them into a cushion cover. I knitted with cotton yarn and very big needles - I like the lacy look it created. Then I crocheted them together. Imperfect, humble, simple.











PS I am reading a great little book on wabi-sabi, I will post about it later ...

Two new Things.

This is what I made - a necklace and a ring.

Definitely not to be worn at the same time - that would be too much of a good thing, I reckon.

Embroider.

I discovered the gorgeous blog of Annekata recently - I love her style and her philosophy. She hand-sews everything - even her clothes. Now, I am not likely to hand-sew a dress or skirt, but I do like these embroidered circles she made, and they looked doable for someone with my limited sewing skills, so I made some of my own with cream cotton and black embroidery thread.

They are in the process of becoming something else - I will show you on Monday!

Watercolours.

A while ago I won a giveaway by Leenie of Side Trips - and last week they arrived - two stunning watercolours done by her!

 Aren't they absolutely beautiful?
Have a colourful week, everyone! (Mine is going to be a bit watery, to go by the weather report ...)