Ribbonreal

I am pleased to announce that the remaining pieces of my kimono homewares are kindly being stocked by The Collaborative Canvas. Collaborative Canvas is a new venture in Eastbourne, based in the Enterprise Centre. They are an art studio, running art workshops and supporting local artists like myself. They open on the 1st of July, so why not pop along and see what it’s all about!

I just want to say a heartfelt ‘Thankyou’ to each and every one of you for supporting, appreciating and sharing my love of the Japanese aesthetic and kimono silk design. Today I have closed my Etsy shop and the chapter that was Ribbonreal online - handmade vintage kimono homewares. Fittingly, this image is one of the first pieces of silk I purchased. This pink and blue design is actually the back of the fabric. Swipe right to see the front of the fabric and how I used it on a comp slip on the days before Moo business cards!
This is not the end and I hope to continue being inspired by Japanese design in my next guise as a designer/maker…

Partial to some cherry blossom? There’s just two days left to shop unique and beautiful homewares handmade from vintage kimono silk! Link to shop in bio.

Sending this pretty blossom branch lumbar cushion out to its new home today has reminded me to tell you that threre’s just a few days left to shop in my Etsy store before it closes for good. 🥹 (link in bio).

A fabulous day was had at Fibrefest! People came from as far afield as Birmingham and Dorset! It was lovely to see you all and have all those marvellous conversations about our shared love of textiles! That may well be my last fair as the ‘kimono lady’ for now, but it’s been wonderful to share my love for the art and craft of Japanese kimono silk with you all. My Etsy shop will remain open for now, for as long as there are things to sell!

Japanese kimono silk design is steeped in meaning. Often depicting seasonal motifs, designs can bring the wearer luck and fortune or health and happiness. This piece depicts a winding stream (amongst other notable motifs). The stream represents continuity of life and the future. In turn, I hope my cushions can bring your home some good fortune too! See this and other kimono cushions at Fibre Fest this Saturday from 10am at Eastbourne Enterprise Centre.

Kimono silk works on so many levels. In this example, not only do you get a beautifully hand painted peony with all the details edged in gold, but the fabric itself is multi-faceted with a wave pattern woven into the silk, gracefully catching the light depending on your angle. When you own a kimono cushion your are owning a work of art! Love textiles? Then come down to FibreFest this Saturday at Eastbourne Enterprise Centre! See you there.

What does that feel like?

The whole ethos of my business has been about celebrating the craft and beauty of Japanese Kimono fabrics. Off-cuts from my cushions are made into reusable notebook covers. Standard A6 so they can be fitted onto future notebooks.

This book is covered in a shibori cotton, think tie-dying on a miniature scale. It’s intricate and gives the fabric a fabulous tactile feel. Definitely one for the textile lovers!

See this book and others at Fibrefest, Eastbourne Enterprise Centre, June 1st 10-5pm.

If you’re into all things textile then the fair of the year is here for you! Fibre Fest is taking place in Eastbourne at the Enterprise Centre in two weeks time and I will be there selling all my kimono silk homewares and accessories but also selling some silk fabrics and off-cuts. Make a note in your diary for Saturday 1st June and I’ll see you there!! Doors open at 10am -5pm.

An absolute master of the brush stroke.

New kimono cushion, holding onto that pale blossom pink as the season outside progresses. In my Etsy shop now. (Link in bio).

That magical place that is Farleys. 🌱

Today’s observations. 🌱

Looking up! 🌸

Another glorious batch of kimono silk lavender sachets has just been delivered to the shop Gallery. These are selling out quicker than you can say “Mini Eggs”, so if you want some you’d better get there quick! Happy Easter Folks! 🐣🌸

Yesterday’s post was quite timely as today I announce I am going to reluctantly take a step back from making my kimono homewares and accessories.

Importing kimono silk has become a very costly business, and the quality of the design of the silk is simply not as good as it used to be - it appears all the good stuff is gone! I knew this time would come as there is never a finite amount of supplies when the supplies are vintage and antique.

My aim was to bring the art of kimono silk to everyone, but I can no longer justify the prices I would need to charge in order to viably do this. And ultimately, after 12 years, I think it’s time for a change.

I still have some silk in stock and I will continue making until these run out but I am aiming to close Ribbonreal in June. I have approximately nine cushions left to make and also a few new designs of notebooks and lavender sachets. I have one last fair to partake in - the fabulous Fibre Fest - which is happening in Eastbourne June 11th.

If you want something made specifically by me, please do get in touch as I may just be able to create something just for you with the pieces I have left. Pictured: the first five kimono cushions I ever made.

Wow! It’s been 12 years since I took part in my first craft fair. It was at Fabrica in Brighton and I met some fantastic lifelong fellow maker friends there - - some things have changed massively since then - quality, quantity, range, social media, experience and branding, some things not so much - my hair! 😳

A night time trip to the cherry tree. Flash, no flash, blurred.

Does your Easter decor coordinate with your Mini Eggs? Elevate your Easter branch with these individual silk tassel decorations handmade from vintage kimono silks. Going fast in my Etsy shop now! (lynnwatt.etsy.com/listing/1615904890).

Just look at this cushion with a multitude of classic seasonal kimono design motifs. A winding stream represents continuity and the future. Cherry blossom represents beauty and the transience of life, and irises ward off evil spirits! It certainly is a cushion steeped with meaning. No wonder most of my cushions are given as special gifts on those particularly memorable occasions. This cushion is available now in my etsy shop, lynnwatt.etsy.com/listing/1681284932.

Just look at this cushion with a multitude of classic seasonal kimono design motifs. A winding stream represents a long and happy life. Cherry blossom represents beauty and the transience of life. It certainly is a cushion steeped with meaning. No wonder most of my cushions are given as special gifts on those particularly m occasions. Thus cushion available now in my etsy shop, link in bio).

It turns out Spring is 10 days earlier this year! Here is my favourite cherry tree blooming amongst the spring showers, plus my other favourite Magnolia tree.

https://lynnwatt.etsy.com/listing/1615904890

Finally the sun came out giving me a chance to photo my silk Easter decos!

Set of Easter Branch Decorations, Kimono Silk Fabric Hanging Decoration, Key Hanging Decoration - Etsy This Seasonal Decor item is sold by LynnWatt. Ships from United Kingdom. Listed on Dec 8, 2023

Three new kimono cushions have arrived in the shop this month. All celebrate the glorious design of classic Japanese motifs such as cherry blossom, maple leaves and winding water. And all are symbolic of good luck.

The last of the wave pattern notebooks has left the building just in time for this pretty green leaf design notebook to step up. This kimono silk just encompasses all the joys of spring! The cover is standard A6 and is removable so you can use it on this and subsequent notebooks! (More info at link in bio).








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Last minute gift for Mum? Did you know you can buy an Etsy gift card for any amount and get it emailed to the recipient! They can literally buy anything they want on Etsy! That’s a lot of fabulous handcrafted wonders to choose from! Just head to Etsy and search ‘gift card’.

Happy World Book Day people. How many have you got on the go??

Back by popular demand and just in time for Easter! Each decoration is completely unique, hand sewn from carefully curated pieces of Japanese kimono silk and finished with a coordinating tassel. No two decorations are the same. Raise your Easter decor game with an oriental vibe and a touch of luxe. (More info at link in bio). 🌸🌼🌿

Just arrived! The March batch of lavender sachets . There’s some bright colours in there and some Spring pastels and if you’re quick, there’s a couple of really special hand painted ones in there too! (Plus don’t forget to look out for Elmer painted in the style of the Towner when you visit).

Still proving popular, this pretty set of four kimono silk lavender sachets is winging its way to Australia today.