Toothpic Nations

I have met many craft makers/stall sellers at different markets in the past, but Arabella Duffy is certainly the youngest of all. She is ten years old and makes peg dolls and other miniature toys from upcycled materials. I stumbled upon her stall ‘Arabella makes’ in Hampstead, and it was a joy to meet her. She is already a local celebrity, and has been featured in the local newspaper, as well as appearing on Channel 4. What a talented young girl!
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Grateful to receive orders from our loyal customers over the last few days! There are still many goodies available for purchase; our sale will stay on until the end of month!
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A fascinating (and rather sad) talk by textile artist Eleanor Burkett on Japanese textile and paper-making, and her encounter with the last paper-making artisan Koichi Anzai in Fukushima. Anzai san is the last artisan who makes kamikawasaki,a kind of washi/kozo paper made in rural Fukushima. He has no successor and the craft is about to vanish. Eleanor is helping to promote this dying craft before it completely disappears.