I brought back this wooden spool from Japan back in 2007.  I wanted to get a pair but the ones in the antique store were mismatched and rickety; this was the only one I could find in such perfect condition.  It rode in my suitcase all over Japan and the Philippines and then back home to Chicago and finally Tampa.  It has sat on my shelf collecting dust waiting to be displayed properly or transformed into something new, like a plant stand, a lantern or some other kind of useful ornament.  Last night I considered listing it on eBay because the ones on sale there by Japanese antique dealers were asking around $40 + $13 shipping for them, and they were all light unstained wood, and smaller than the one I have.  I figured it was special and might do well in an auction or BIN $49.00/free shipping.

As I was photographing it I was capturing some really beautiful textures, angles, and colors.  As I was handling it I could feel the dings and polishes from its use, and the warmth from its naturalness and tradition.  Knowing how spinners, weavers, and other traditional crafts are dying in Japan, I could feel the history and importance of this item.  After hearing from Fox how much even HE treasures the piece, I realized that letting it go might be a mistake.

So I feel it's my duty to repurpose it or preserve it, maybe even some day revive its original intended purpose, wind some silk or cotton around it and weave a beautiful textile from it.  Weaving is something I've wanted to do all my life.  Maybe this thing is the little push I needed to make me pursue it.

Found my old stash of little shells from way back when.  It's been a while since we've been to the beach. I'm dying to go, but all summer, even when it looks perfect out, the clouds suddenly roll in and dump a load of rain and shoot lightning everywhere.  Unfortunately we don't live close to the water so the chances that we'd waste a long trip just to get rained on is highly likely.

Keeping it simple with some found shells that already had holes in them.  I can't imagine trying to get the rotary tool to drill such a clean hole in the shell without it shattering or spraying nasty dust everywhere. Some predator already did the hard work for me.  Simply combined with some dead soft wire (aluminum? I dunno) that I got from Japan.  It comes in different colors and the hue runs all the way through, not like the painted/coated crap.  They actually use this stuff for crafts and jewelry and I can see why, it's great stuff.  The gunmetal/pewter color is my favorite; I wish I brought more of that color home.  Strung simply on flat braided nylon cord which is super durable and doesn't irritate the way leather and waxy cotton can, especially when they get wet, perfect for the beach, when/if we can ever go!

I like busting out the super macro setting on the camera on more than just my glass beads.  It gives an uncommon perspective on every day things.  It makes me realize how much detail I am missing with mere naked eyes.  So many fine details, textures, colors, a whole new world can be seen through the macro lens.  Almost like you are shrunken down to the size of an ant, and the world you see around you is nothing but a pile of cherry pits, but they are beautiful from this view.

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These pits were fired halfway.  Some fully carbonized, others did not.  I gave them another washing and they were drying right before the camera lens.  I was going to fire them again but I liked the varying shades and hues, I might leave them like that, seal them, drill, and string them up.

I am not sure what my fascination is with little black beady things.  The sound it makes when it deeply rattles in its container, the way they look piled up.  Oh well.  Something to photograph.

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Unwashed dry black beans.  I am eventually going to make black beans and rice with tomatoes and chipotle, or black bean turkey burgers, and maybe plant a couple and see if I can get even more black beans!  The blackened cherry pits will be made into beads, if I am successful.  Fingers crossed.  I would string the beans too if I was not afraid of them sprouting on my neck in this Florida humidity!

My family back up in Chicago is hosting another summer block party, this time with a 1950's theme!  Back when I used to cut fabric for Hancock Fabrics and Vogue Fabrics, I remember having to cut tons of felt for poodle skirts before Halloween.  I had never actually made them until last night.  Now I'm addicted.

I created coasters out of used-then-washed bamboo skewers left over from the yakitori Tom made the past couple days on our newly acquired mini-grill.  I cut 24 pieces of 3.25? length (12 skewers), ?sanded? them down with a metal nail file, then twined them together with some heavy thread.
 
Now that we?re grilling a lot, we?ll be using up these bamboo skewers, which I probably won?t ever throw away now knowing they can be salvaged.  Even the burned parts are nice, they just have to be sanded down a bit to get the carbonized dust off.  Those markings will make nice serendipitous patterns for the next mat, coaster, or basket bottom I hope to make in the future.
 
I?ve been continually cutting up the numerous grocery bags we acquire daily into ?yarn? loops, and now I have a large cigar box packed full of them.  I?m thinking I can get a set of nesting baskets made from it, or maybe a couple handbags.   I haven?t been able to commit to the next project, which is why they?re piling up so high. 

In the past few months I had made a large bag and a small handbag with cell phone carrier out of a total of at least 150 grocery bags.