North Country Shifu (Paper Cloth) with Velma Bolyard | May 31 — June 02 2024
North Country Shifu (Paper Cloth) with Velma Bolyard | May 31 — June 02 2024
North Country Shifu + Washi
Friday May 31 — Sunday June 02 2024
Join us for a rare workshop with paper and book artist Velma Bolyard in conjunction with Linda Marshall of Washi Arts. Learn to spin and weave handmade Japanese washi into paper cloth using Velma’s unique techniques.
North Country Shifu will introduce you to a version of shifu making. You'll learn how to mark, cut, and prepare handmade Japanese papers for spinning, and spin it into thread (kami-ito), and to fabricate a simple ‘stump’ loom. Using the loom and a long needle you'll weave your kami-ito into shifu (paper textile). You will try your hand at stitching with kami-ito on lovely Japanese papers and you'll have the opportunity to color your papers with a variety of mark-making techniques prior to spinning. Velma will be teaching an atlas book structure that she’s re-worked to house your shifu and other workshop samples, which features dyed paper fold-out pages and a wrap around accordion spine cover.
This workshop will also include demonstrations of different types of Japanese papers and techniques for treating and decorating them, including dyeing, marking, printing with dyes and inks and local flora. There will be many side trails to explore as we deepen our shifu experience.
Workshop Date: May 31st — June 02 2024
Hours: 10:00am — 4:00pm each day
There will be an opportunity at the end of one day to visit the Washi Arts studio to look at Japanse papers, tools and supplies. Lunch will be provided each day. If you have any special dietary requirements please let us know. Typically vegetarian and gluten-free options are provided.
Registration fee includes all of the materials you will need for the workshop, including handmade Japanese papers. There will be shared materials and tools such as kakishibu, konnyaku, sumi ink, brushes, pots and spindles. You can bring your own tools (scissors, cutting mat, cutting knife, brushes) if you wish. Additional paper, materials and supplies will be available for purchase, as well as books.
Payment in full for the workshop is due March 31, 2024 $750.00 ($600 if deposit paid)
General Workshop Description
Additional details will follow upon registration. If you have questions, contact linda@washiarts.com
During these three days your shifu sojourn will include:
Presentations by Velma Bolyard and Linda Marshall about the history and background of Japanese papers and shifu, as well Velma’s own work and ‘spin’ on this traditional craft.
Working with color and mark making and perhaps personal texts on papers that will be spun up into secret-keeping, message bearing textiles.
Using traditional Japanese dye, kakishibu, and konnyaku starch, you'll experiment with ways of strengthening and marking papers to enhance your workshop portfolios. This will include demonstrations as well as hands on work.
You’ll construct a small stump (pin) loom and discuss other styles of simple looms suitable for this work
You’ll cut paper using a variety Japanese washi / paper. You’ll prepare and begin spinning with drop spindles and Swedish bobbin winders. Then you’ll weave your kami-ito into morojifu, shifu made with your paper for warp and weft.
You’ll make a book structure to house your workshop samples, and will have options of where your books will continue thier journeys.
This workshop will require you to bring minimal tools such as cutting mat, cutting knife, notebook, etc. If you do not have these things we can bring extra for use in the workshop. A full list will be sent to you in advance of the workshop. Supplies will also be available for purchase.
The venue is on the main level and is easily accessible. Parking is close by.
For those visiting Blaine and requiring accomodation, attached is a list of nearby hotels, inns and AirBnBs. Upon registration you will be send a list of local restaurants and attractions.
Refund Policy
Workshop fees are non-refundable — however every attempt will be made to find someone else to fill the spot you have reserved if you need to cancel you spot.
About the Instructor
Velma Bolyard is a papermaker and fiber artist. Her current body of work includes botanical handmade paper, shifu, contact printing, and artists’ books. Velma travels, attends residencies, and teaches, across North America and Australia. Her work is deeply influenced by the isolated and rural North Country of New York where she has lived most of her life. Velma has written on shifu for the Summer 2017 issue of Hand Papermaking magazine.
To learn more about Velma visit her website at www.velmabolyard.com.
About Shifu
Shifu is defined as a spun and woven paper textile, in which at least the weft (but sometimes also the
warp) of the textile is made with paper. This textile technique was developed in rural Japan as a way to make a warm cloth. From that humble beginning it has been refined into exquisite textiles often viewed as art.
In our class, you can expect to work a bit with color as well, making marks on papers that will be spun up into secret-keeping textiles.
Spinning and weaving paper is a unique experience for both paper and textile artists, facilitating crossover and encouraging new thinking and making in both fiber and book arts. This class is open to students of all levels, although having previous spinning experience will be helpful.
Images are the property of Velma Bolyard and may not be used without her permission.
Accommodations in Blaine Washington
Northwoods Motel
A very very basic motel but half a mile away from the workshop venue
https://www.northwoodsmotelblaine.top
Semiamoo Resort
A lovely resort hotel with stunning views of Drayton Harbor and White Rock British Columbia.
Eight miles from workshop venue
AirBnB Blaine
There are many options, most which can acoommodate two or more people.
If you would like to share accomodattion, please email me to add your name to share list.
https://www.airbnb.com/s/Blaine--Washington--United-States/homes
Also search Birch Bay
The Inn at Lynden
A lovely hotel in a nearby town. Approximately sixteen miles from workshop venue.
Bellingham Hotels and Motels
This lovely small city is about 20-25 miles from Blaine. There are many options (Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta, Four Points, etc) incuding some lovely boutique hotels.
https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g58350-Bellingham_Washington-Hotels.html
Camping
If you have a van or RV, Birch Bay State Park is a wonderful location — set in a blue cove between Bellingham and Blaine, Birch Bay State Park feels private and secluded without being far from urban life. Approximately eight miles from the workshop venue
https://www.parks.wa.gov/170/Birch-Bay
Canadian Participants
The workshop venue is one kilometer from the Douglas / Peace Arch border crossing and
40km from the Tsawwassen Ferry Terminal.
Arriving by Air
If you are traveling for this workshop, and have a passport, the closest large airport is Vancouver British Columbia (YVR) which is 24 miles from Blaine. If you need to be picked up at the airport, please email me. You can also fly into Bellingham (BLI) on Alaska, Allegiant and Southwest.
SeaTac Airpot (SEA) Seattle / Tacoma is 125 miles away and there is a shuttle to Blaine.
https://airporter.com/shuttle/locations-maps/blaine/
Paine Field Airport in Everett is primarily Alaska Airlines and is approximately 90 miles from Blaine.