Paper Moons & Balloons
This is Day 12 of 25 Days of Paper and Day 81 of my 100 x 100 Paper Weavings Project.
© Helen Hiebert, 100 x 100 Paper Weavings, #81, 10″ x 11″, $100
This weaving combines a gray momigami from Hiromi Paper, Inc. and Hook Pottery Paper’s Moon paper. Moon is a 100% cotton using black and white pulp. This is not a photograph or a print. This handmade sheet of paper is an excellent example of cotton rag and it’s ability to do magical things. The sheets are made dimensionally but are pressed flat during the paper making process creating the illusion of a 3 dimensional moon surface. Andrea Peterson (the maker) says that she is still amazed every time she makes it. Mind blowing!
© Helen Hiebert, 100 x 100 Paper Weavings, #76, 12″ x 12″, $100
Congratulations to Claudia Daniel for winning the drawing for the Name That Paper Contest! The papers featured were Cave Paper Layered Indigo Day woven with Steve Pittelkow’s hand marbled.
I just noticed that HIromi Paper is having a sale through the end of the year. Take advantage on some great prices on Japanese handmade papers.
Speaking of Hiromi Paper, Inc. I found these cute kamifusen paper balloons on their website. I love inflatable paper structures and have dreams of creating an installation with them one day.
Inflatable Paper Ball by Helen Hiebert, van dyke prints by Alyssa Salomon
They are so fun to make too! You can find instructions for creating inflatable paper balls in my book Playing With Paper.
Here are a few plain ones. They look so lovely in bright colors, and they are fun to play with too. From Hiromi Paper’s website: “Developed in the 1890’s, Kamifusen (or paper balloons) emerged as a charming alternative to the rubber balloon. Created by the wives of fishermen during the winter season with handmade paper, this simple toy caught the attention of Japanese manufacturers in the early 1920’s. For those unfamiliar with the Kamifusen game, the objective is to blow air in the paper balloon and keep the multicolored Kamifusen afloat by hitting it with your hand. Guaranteed to warm your heart and evoke a life affirming smile!
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About the 25 Days of Paper: I’m going to be a crazy blogger in December, featuring cool paper products, projects, blogs, books, or papers each day. Join in the fun by reading along! I’ll also post links on my FaceBook page. Enjoy the season!
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About 100 x 100 Paper Weavings: On September 23, 2013, I started making 100 daily paper weavings. I’ll finish on New Year’s Eve!
2 Comments
Beautiful pages. I found you searching for a paper balloon manufacturer or wholesaler; my client wants 2000+ of the earth-globe design paper balloons. If you have any sources you can share, I’d love to see hundreds of those batted around at my client’s next event.
Hi Helen – just wondered what type of paper is used in the Japanese balloons? Is this any thin Japanese paper? Also, how do you seal the segments together. Does it matter if there are small holes? Lots of questions! Any help much appreciated. Amie