Monday, March 31, 2014

My Meaningful Hanji Trip to Seoul : Discoveries, Connections, and Projects!

Yesterday, I had the great joy and pleasure to go on a very special "business trip" to the Capital city of Korea : Seoul!

My day started with a visit to the crafty neighborhood of Insadong (인사동), where you can find many Hanji and calligraphy shops, as well as numerous tea shops, art galleries and antique shops.

A tiny Hanji shop in Insadong, Seoul.
I got my fill of gorgeous papers and art supplies, and I purchased quite a few sheets of unique Hanji paper.

I usually buy my Hanji paper in my favorite shop in Jeonju (Jeollabuk-do province). It was a nice change for me to visit some of Seoul's shops, to see what they have to offer! I quickly noticed that the price of each sheet is higher than in Jeonju (Insadong is a famous tourist attraction, so the prices are crafted with the tourists and foreign visitors in mind!) but I didn't mind paying a little more for some exquisitely different patterned and textured papers.

After lunch, I headed over to NamDaeMoon Market (남대문시장) to purchase some more supplies, along with wrapping and packaging material. I made a mandatory stop at Alpha, a massive 5-floor stationery and art supply paradise where you can find anything and everything for craft and paper lovers : art supplies, stationery, tools, office supplies, paper of all kinds, stickers, toys, etc.!

"Hanji, after Korea"

Afterwards I took the subway to Itaewon, the most cosmopolitan neighborhood in Seoul. At 4 in the afternoon, I had the great chance to meet some craft lovers in a tiny art space called "Jankura Art Space".

I attended a talk titled "Hanji, after Korea" given by Jan Coveney, a very talented and experienced Hanji artist who now lives and teaches Hanji crafts in the United Arab Emirats (U.A.E.). Jan and I had been in contact for the last year or so via blogs and social media sites, but it was the first time we actually met. She was visiting Korea with a few of her Hanji students and friends, and there was no way I would pass on the opportunity to spend a little bit of time with them !
Hanji paper is easily accessible in Korea, but can
be quite hard to find in other countries. 

In her lecture, Jan talked about the challenges that she encountered when she left Korea; she wanted to continue doing her crafts, but was facing some problems : where to get actual Hanji paper? How to find the proper tools, adhesives and supplies? What are the available alternatives if you just cannot find what you are looking for?

Jan gave us some useful tips to find supplies, or suitable alternatives that can be purchased in most Western countries. She also shared her story with us, from the moment she started doing Hanji in Korea over a decade ago, all the way to the establishment of her own Hanji studio in the U.A.E.. We also talked about her future projects, of course!

Connecting with other Hanji craft aficionados

This encounter was extremely meaningful to me. I was thrilled to be sitting there, surrounded by enthusiastic craft lovers who share my excitement for Hanji, and everything it has to offer. There were about a dozen of us, sitting together and talking about our passion, ideas, struggles, challenges and questions, and it was wonderful to be a part of it. What an energizing experience!

You need to know that, most of the time, I am alone with my Hanji. Alone with my designs, my glue, my joys, my doubts, and my mountains of paper. Of course I am surrounded by loving people who care about me and my craft, but I hadn't had a chance (before yesterday!) to meet and chat with other Hanji lovers who understand and share my passion for this craft. What a wonderful moment!

Jan Coveney (Hanji Happenings)
and Natalie Thibault (HanjiNaty)

After the talk I had a chance to continue my conversation with Jan, Anna, Trish and their loving family members over food and drinks. It was unbelievably exciting to talk about our journeys, as expats, teachers, and Hanji craft artists! We quickly discovered how much we have in common, and how much we can share and learn from each other's experiences abroad.

I feel privileged to have met such wonderful people, who are now not only like-minded Hanji lovers and creators, but now dear like-minded friends.




Ready for our next gathering!

We were even dreaming and planning our next meet-up! How about a "Korean Hanji Tour", where we could gather and visit some important places in Korea (Hanji paper factories and workshops, museums, etc.), go on Hanji shopping sprees and, why not, do some crafts together! I am ready, Ladies!


Wednesday, March 5, 2014

SPS TEAM Spring Sales Event

More than forty shops, members of Strategic Promotion for Success Team (SPS Team) on Etsy are offering you irresistible deals during their SPRING SALES EVENT~!

15% OFF ON ALL ITEMS in the HanjiNaty shop!! Check it out : www.hanjinaty.etsy.com

Take a look at the amazing selection of items available during that unique 5-day Sale!!!


SPSTeamSale

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

The SPS Team Spring Sales Event Begins tomorrow, 

and runs March 5-9!


It's been a long winter for many people, but spring is just around the corner. Get ready for the warmer weather and spring holidays while enjoying some fabulous, unique and handmade items from around the world. Use coupon code SPSTSPRING to receive a special discount at the participating shops listed below unless a different coupon code is noted.
  1. www.amydscrochet.etsy.com 15% off
  2. www.etsy.com/shop/hanjinaty 15% OFF on everything
  3. www.etsy.com/shop/Ceraminic 20% off everything
  4. www.etsy.com/shop/gemsbykelley 15% off everything
  5. www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyByrdDesigns 20% off - $5 minimum purchase
  6. www.etsy.com/shop/JollyJewel 15% off - $20 minimum purchase
  7. www.etsy.com/shop/Amievoltaire 15% off
  8. www.thechillydog.etsy.com 10% off
  9. www.etsy.com/shop/TinyLoveGifts 10% off any purchase
  10. www.etsy.com/shop/DonkeyandTheUnicorn 10% off all purchases
  11. www.etsy.com/shop/PaperLoveprints 10% off any purchase
  12. www.etsy.com/shop/northandsouthshabby 10% off all purchases
  13. www.etsy.com/shop/BerkshireCollections 10% off
  14. www.etsy.com/shop/penori 10% off all orders
  15. www.etsy.com/shop/jubilantrendezvous 10% off everything
  16. www.etsy.com/shop/CappyClips 15% off
  17. www.etsy.com/shop/ChickenJungle 20% off - minimum $10
  18. www.etsy.com/it/shop/AMBLEKODI 
  19. www.etsy.com/shop/Just4FunDesign - 15% off all items in my shop
  20. www.etsy.com/shop/rhodyart SPSTSPRING25 25% off everything in shop
  21. www.etsy.com/shop/Astra9 15% off
  22. www.etsy.com/shop/zzbob 10% off everything in shop
  23. www.etsy.com/shop/RockabillyBabyPlace 20% off everything
  24. www.etsy.com/shop/packandalleys 20% off everything including sale
  25. www.etsy.com/shop/JJLadellsWoodcarving 15% off
  26. www.etsy.com/shop/APendantInTime 20% off entire store
  27. www.rtstyles.etsy.com 10% off- $20 minimum purchase
  28. www.etsy.com/shop/BridgetsCollection 15% off - no minimum purchase
  29. www.etsy.com/shop/Daniblu 15% off
  30. www.etsy.com/shop/CatchingWaves 15% off - no minimum
  31. www.etsy.com/shop/FaerieTeaAndTreasure 15% off - no minimum
  32. www.etsy.com/shop/trellislanevintage 10% off 
  33. corkycrafts.etsy.com 10% off
  34. www.etsy.com/shop/DorSilk 10% off everything
  35. www.etsy.com/shop/littleknittybird 20% off purchases of $10 or more
  36. www.etsy.com/shop/softtotouch 15% off - minimum $12
  37. www.etsy.com/shop/Serendipitini 25% off
  38. www.etsy.com/shop/thegiftgardenshoppe 20% off everything
  39. www.etsy.com/shop/jacquiesews 10% off all items in my shop
  40. www.etsy.com/shop/EchidnaArtandCards 15% off
  41. www.etsy.com/shop/deliciouslychocolate 10% off everything
  42. www.etsy.com/shop/TwinklingOfAnEye 10% off everything
Are you curious about what you may find in the participating shops? Enjoy a little sample.

'SPST Spring Sale - Sneak Peek' by thechillydog

Here's a peek at a few of the lovely items that will be available during the Strategic Promotion for Success Spring event March 5-9. Use coupon code SPSTSPRING for a special discount in participating shops.

Ceramic Dish Bird Mint Plate Jewelry Dish Hummingbird Ring Holder Home Decoration Pottery - Ceraminic
Ceramic Dish Bird Mint ...
$14
Cotton bag hand made with flowers pattern in crimson, dar red color. Natural raw cotton, market bag. - DorSilk
Cotton bag hand made wi...
$42
Butterfly Hanji Paper Magnets OOAK Colorful Butterflies Zen Asian Decor Handmade (set of 4) - HanjiNaty
Butterfly Hanji Paper M...
$23
Altered Mini Journal - Altered Mini Notebook - Colorful Notebook - Tropical Print - Stocking Stuffers - Turquoise Notebook - Little Journals - PrettyByrdDesigns
Altered Mini Journal - ...
$3.25
Suncatcher Window Art Recycle Glass From Recycle Bottle - Serendipitini
Suncatcher Window Art R...
$8
Origami plant basket  - jewel tones - strong sturdy basket with succulent  Graptosedum "California Sunset" - ChickenJungle
Origami plant basket -...
$10
Brown Hummingbird Pendant - APendantInTime
Brown Hummingbird Penda...
$15.5
Baby headband with organza ribbon flowers - TinyLoveGifts
Baby headband with orga...
$8.5
Pink tote purse, Green tote bag, pink handbag, ladies purse, fabric bag, shopping tote, handmade purse, travel bag, womans purse, Tote bag - BerkshireCollections
Pink tote purse, Green ...
$57
Coconut Milk  Shea Butter Soap Mardi Gras Confetti Cold Process - Penori
Coconut Milk Shea Butt...
$6.5
Sterling Silver, Hand Made Bird Necklace, Robin With Swarovski, Modern, Minimalist & Chic Design - JollyJewel
Sterling Silver, Hand M...
$45
Abstract Photography, Butterfly Print for Living Room Decor, Blue Wing - EchidnaArtandCards
Abstract Photography, B...
$30
Delicate Dragonfly - Round Pendant in Silver Bezel - 25mm - Just4FunDesign
Delicate Dragonfly - Ro...
$8
Vintage Pink and Gold Leaf Trinket Dish - Ashtray - 1950's - PackandAlleys
Vintage Pink and Gold L...
$9
Tiny Bird's Nest  Simple Gold Necklace, 14K gold chain, wire wrapped nest with 3 fresh water pearls  everyday simple jewelry - Daniblu
Tiny Bird's Nest S...
$44
Wine cork bird house, wine tweet retreat for your feathered friends - Corkycrafts
Wine cork bird house, w...
$12


Happy Spring!