Origami USA will hold their 50th annual convention in New York City this weekend, at the Fashion Institute of Technology. On Saturday and Sunday, there will be an exhibit of origami works open to the public. I will have several items in the exhibit. Sadly, I did not take pictures before shipping them off to New York, but, there are several items made from polymer clay, a crane made from felt, held together by needle felting, and a wire mesh flower. If you are in the area, and have the time, pop on over to the exhibit for a look. You will be amazed at what people are folding these days.
I will be in the vendor area on Saturday and Sunday with cranes, happicoats and cicadas. I will also be doing a demonstration of folding polymer clay on Monday morning.
If you come by, be sure to say hello!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Saturday, June 21, 2008
Reaching Out
When I began this project, I just intending to fold cranes to symbolize the soldiers killed in Iraq. I knew that this was going to be a huge undertaking. But then I added the cranes to represent the Iraqis who have died, and I knew I was going to be needing help. Folding 100,000 or more cranes is not something that an individual does unless they plan to spend a lifetime doing it. This was going to take the help of many individuals.
A number of people have stepped up and offered their skills and time. It is appreciated in ways I can not begin to express. One small way I have tried to honor them is to profile them here on the blog so that it becomes clear that this is a community project. A global community. Connected by face-to-face meetings, or by the virtual connections of the internet. Other artists met at shows. Family. My dentist and her assistant. Kids on a school field trip bus. Readers of this blog. Friends in my local community.
Yet, it has become clear that I need to do more. There are ways that I can symbolize the number of Iraqis beyond having the cranes, but my desire is to get those cranes made, one way or another. I knew I had to reach outside my comfort zone to people who had a wider community than my own.
Another person here in Massachusetts is folding cranes and leaving them here and there to be found. Each has a quote or a poem, or a drawing, symbolizing peace. I visit her blog from time to time to see where she has left cranes, and what sorts of inspiration she is writing on the cranes. On a recent visit I spotted the link to Yoko Ono's website, Imagine Peace. I popped over there for another visit to her site. As I read what was new on the site, I spotted the link to Facebook. Hmmmmm......
Before I could think myself out of it, I was writing her a message to tell her about the project. Yesterday morning as I went through my emails, there was one with the subject line, "Yoko Ono sent you a message on Facebook". No way! Yes, way!
It included two links. One to the main page of her website, and another to a page on her website with my note, images of the cranes, and her response. Check it out!
Last but not least, I formed a Facebook group. I hope this will be another way to reinforce the community aspect of the project, and encourage others to take part. If you are on Facebook, please join in. Write on the wall, start a discussion.
All this work to promote the project, and get help with the waxed paper cranes, has left me about five days behind on the crane production schedule. But the target will continue as planned, and I will catch up in time.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
One More Folder, and a Story
I am writing this entry to introduce you to another folder but without the usual questions and format. That is because I know the story a bit better.
Kimberly lives about 45 minutes away from me. If you read my other blog, Artrepreneur, you may have read about Kimberly. She made an impression on me in the brief meetings we had. Kim is fighting cancer with every ounce of strength and will that she can muster. She had her 40th birthday this February, a birthday she was not supposed to see. I had the honor of making some polymer clay cranes for Kimberly to give to her friends as a celebration of that day. While I folded those cranes for Kimberly, I was truly filled with a sense of awe, at the gift I have been given by making cranes for people, and the ways they have allowed me to touch peoples' lives and hearts. It was shortly after making those cranes that the idea for this project came to me, and I knew I had to do it. Kimberly's story was the tipping point for me. The point where I suddenly saw a larger story that these cranes could tell.
Back to Kimberly's story. Kimberly gave her friends the cranes I had made for her. She shared with them what I had written about her in my blog. And she had her friends read aloud the insert that I package with each crane to tell the story of the cranes and what they symbolize. Part of this is the story of Sadako. Kimberly's friends were touched by this story, and by Kimberly's gift to them. They decided they had to continue this gift a bit further.
Kimberly's friends conspired to make 1000 cranes for her. They taught themselves how to fold cranes. One friend is an oncology nurse. She put up a picture of Kimberly, and a bit of her story in the waiting area, along with paper and instructions for how to fold a crane. The request was, fold a crane if you would like, and leave it in the basket for Kimberley. And people did.
Another friend is a teacher. He had students at his school helping to fold cranes for the project. One crane was even folded from a lined piece of notebook paper. A friend stuck on the train to New York called another friend on her cell phone, and got instructions from over the phone. The friend she call was following a YouTube video to provide the instructions, and the friend on the train folded a crane from her train ticket receipt.
They got together and strung the cranes into strands of 50. They varied in size from about 1 inch to about 7 or 8 inches. The small cranes were at the top and the larger ones at the bottom. The paper was in all different colors and patterns.
About two weeks ago, Kimberly's friends surprised her with their project. Shortly afterwards, I got an e-mail from Kimberly insisting I needed to come for lunch, and teach her how to fold cranes. She wanted to help out with this project. She didn't tell me about the surprise. I only found out when I arrived. She took me out on to her porch to show me what I had inspired. In reality, she was the inspiration for all the effort. But I was touched to have taken a small part in the chain of events that lead to that moment. And now, Kimberly was inspired to begin to fold cranes as well. To take part in something bigger than her self. She has seen first hand how the efforts of lots of people can come together to create something bigger, and more amazing and more beautiful than any of us can do alone.
Maybe Kimberly's story will inspire you to fold a few cranes. What do you think? And maybe you could send a few healing thoughts Kimberly's way as you fold.
Kimberly lives about 45 minutes away from me. If you read my other blog, Artrepreneur, you may have read about Kimberly. She made an impression on me in the brief meetings we had. Kim is fighting cancer with every ounce of strength and will that she can muster. She had her 40th birthday this February, a birthday she was not supposed to see. I had the honor of making some polymer clay cranes for Kimberly to give to her friends as a celebration of that day. While I folded those cranes for Kimberly, I was truly filled with a sense of awe, at the gift I have been given by making cranes for people, and the ways they have allowed me to touch peoples' lives and hearts. It was shortly after making those cranes that the idea for this project came to me, and I knew I had to do it. Kimberly's story was the tipping point for me. The point where I suddenly saw a larger story that these cranes could tell.
Back to Kimberly's story. Kimberly gave her friends the cranes I had made for her. She shared with them what I had written about her in my blog. And she had her friends read aloud the insert that I package with each crane to tell the story of the cranes and what they symbolize. Part of this is the story of Sadako. Kimberly's friends were touched by this story, and by Kimberly's gift to them. They decided they had to continue this gift a bit further.
Kimberly's friends conspired to make 1000 cranes for her. They taught themselves how to fold cranes. One friend is an oncology nurse. She put up a picture of Kimberly, and a bit of her story in the waiting area, along with paper and instructions for how to fold a crane. The request was, fold a crane if you would like, and leave it in the basket for Kimberley. And people did.
Another friend is a teacher. He had students at his school helping to fold cranes for the project. One crane was even folded from a lined piece of notebook paper. A friend stuck on the train to New York called another friend on her cell phone, and got instructions from over the phone. The friend she call was following a YouTube video to provide the instructions, and the friend on the train folded a crane from her train ticket receipt.
They got together and strung the cranes into strands of 50. They varied in size from about 1 inch to about 7 or 8 inches. The small cranes were at the top and the larger ones at the bottom. The paper was in all different colors and patterns.
About two weeks ago, Kimberly's friends surprised her with their project. Shortly afterwards, I got an e-mail from Kimberly insisting I needed to come for lunch, and teach her how to fold cranes. She wanted to help out with this project. She didn't tell me about the surprise. I only found out when I arrived. She took me out on to her porch to show me what I had inspired. In reality, she was the inspiration for all the effort. But I was touched to have taken a small part in the chain of events that lead to that moment. And now, Kimberly was inspired to begin to fold cranes as well. To take part in something bigger than her self. She has seen first hand how the efforts of lots of people can come together to create something bigger, and more amazing and more beautiful than any of us can do alone.
Maybe Kimberly's story will inspire you to fold a few cranes. What do you think? And maybe you could send a few healing thoughts Kimberly's way as you fold.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Meet the Folders, Number 3
The next folder I would like you to meet is the youngest of my daughters, Colleen. She is a voracious reader in the sixth grade. Her favorite author right now is Stephenie Meyer. The hot weather spell we are having right now forced her into my studio for a temporary escape from the heat and humidity. Polymer clay does not like weather like this. Folding polymer clay cranes in ninety degree plus heat is especially challenging, so there is an air conditioning unit in my studio window.
How long have you been folding cranes? Since about first grade. But it was second grade before I could fold them on my own. I fold other forms, too.
Who taught you? My mom (me).
Why are you folding cranes for this project? Because it is important. In most wars now more innocent civilians are killed than soldiers. We should recognize them as much as we do the soldiers.
Anything else? I will be folding a lot of cranes this summer if it is a hot summer.
Colleen folded five cranes while she sat and kept me company for a little while this afternoon. We talked and listened to the radio while we worked. I am not a big fan of this kind of weather, but if means I get a few more visits from Colleen, that wouldn't be so bad!
How long have you been folding cranes? Since about first grade. But it was second grade before I could fold them on my own. I fold other forms, too.
Who taught you? My mom (me).
Why are you folding cranes for this project? Because it is important. In most wars now more innocent civilians are killed than soldiers. We should recognize them as much as we do the soldiers.
Anything else? I will be folding a lot of cranes this summer if it is a hot summer.
Colleen folded five cranes while she sat and kept me company for a little while this afternoon. We talked and listened to the radio while we worked. I am not a big fan of this kind of weather, but if means I get a few more visits from Colleen, that wouldn't be so bad!
Thursday, June 5, 2008
This and That, Here and There....
I sent out a press release about the Crane Project shortly after completing the cranes for 2004. Today, our local weekly newspaper, The Beacon, had an article on the front page, with a picture of me folding a crane. Inside, there was another picture of me holding two cranes above a container full of cranes. The pictures are not on the web, but the text is.
All in all, it was a good article. A few minor details were off, but none really affected the overall message of the story. Given how fast I can talk, it is no wonder! The photographer and reporter were great.
I also had the thrill of finding an envelope of cranes from Sara in Montana in my mailbox a few days ago. Thank you Sara! I don't have your e-mail address, so I am publicly letting you know the cranes arrived, and I was so happy to receive them. I have a total of about 650 paper cranes in my possession right now. A lot of cranes, but far less than what will be needed.
One of my plans is to explore using MeetUp.com to create local opportunities for people to get together to fold cranes, cut paper, string up cranes, etc. I will also look into perhaps meeting at the local library once a month to fold. Stay tuned, and perhaps even consider doing the same near you if you would like. Many hands make fast work, as they say.
One final link today. A creative way to send a message with cranes. I found out about this project from a Google Alert. It made me laugh out loud when I read what he was doing. It also made me think.....hmmmm...... Donald Rumsfeld is going to be writing a biography/memoir...... I hope you find the humor in this project as well.
All in all, it was a good article. A few minor details were off, but none really affected the overall message of the story. Given how fast I can talk, it is no wonder! The photographer and reporter were great.
I also had the thrill of finding an envelope of cranes from Sara in Montana in my mailbox a few days ago. Thank you Sara! I don't have your e-mail address, so I am publicly letting you know the cranes arrived, and I was so happy to receive them. I have a total of about 650 paper cranes in my possession right now. A lot of cranes, but far less than what will be needed.
One of my plans is to explore using MeetUp.com to create local opportunities for people to get together to fold cranes, cut paper, string up cranes, etc. I will also look into perhaps meeting at the local library once a month to fold. Stay tuned, and perhaps even consider doing the same near you if you would like. Many hands make fast work, as they say.
One final link today. A creative way to send a message with cranes. I found out about this project from a Google Alert. It made me laugh out loud when I read what he was doing. It also made me think.....hmmmm...... Donald Rumsfeld is going to be writing a biography/memoir...... I hope you find the humor in this project as well.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Meet Another Folder
I'd like you to meet another folder of cranes for this project. Her name is Ruth Lipman, and she is from Chicago, IL. Ruth found out about this project when I posted some information on the Yahoo group list for Origami USA and quickly volunteered to help. Ruth told me at that time she mostly folds cranes, and has folded 1000 cranes for friends several times. She often folds them from tea bag wrappers. Ruth, like me, finds the act of folding a crane very much like meditation.
How long have you been folding cranes? Since 1999
Who taught you how to fold a crane? I taught myself; to be honest - it was a kids book of origami and it took me years to figure out how to do it.
Why did you decide to fold cranes for this project? When I heard about this project, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to say something about the futility of the war in Iraq.
Is there anything else you would like to mention? I enjoy working with the wax paper. It is very fun to watch each crane evolve as it is folded. I've never seen the goings on inside while working through the steps. While each crane is a nameless ethereal object, it gives me pause to reconcile that each one created is another person whose time was cut short.
Ruth's last answer really struck a chord with me. There is something about the way the wax paper cranes look, and that transparency that is different than folding regular paper. And I do find myself thinking about the idea that each crane that is folded is meant to represent a life that ended too soon.
Thank you Ruth for sharing a bit about your connection to this project, and for your folding efforts.
If you want to fold paper, let me know. I can send out a packet of squares for you to get started. It will take a small army of folders to accomplish this task. I have no doubt that it can be done, but the more people who join in, the faster the task will be completed.
How long have you been folding cranes? Since 1999
Who taught you how to fold a crane? I taught myself; to be honest - it was a kids book of origami and it took me years to figure out how to do it.
Why did you decide to fold cranes for this project? When I heard about this project, I thought it was a wonderful opportunity to say something about the futility of the war in Iraq.
Is there anything else you would like to mention? I enjoy working with the wax paper. It is very fun to watch each crane evolve as it is folded. I've never seen the goings on inside while working through the steps. While each crane is a nameless ethereal object, it gives me pause to reconcile that each one created is another person whose time was cut short.
Ruth's last answer really struck a chord with me. There is something about the way the wax paper cranes look, and that transparency that is different than folding regular paper. And I do find myself thinking about the idea that each crane that is folded is meant to represent a life that ended too soon.
Thank you Ruth for sharing a bit about your connection to this project, and for your folding efforts.
If you want to fold paper, let me know. I can send out a packet of squares for you to get started. It will take a small army of folders to accomplish this task. I have no doubt that it can be done, but the more people who join in, the faster the task will be completed.
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