Well, here we have some red, white and blue omiyage to hand out while I was in Japan. I only realized about 6? hours before my plane was scheduled to depart that I'd mistaken the day, so last minute activities, like photographing these beads in the studio, had to be made up with cell phone pix after I arrived.

abstracts: hollow lampwork beads decorated with assorted frits and powders, plus an artist made star murrina. Spring, 2024.

Technically, these are very similar to the earlier series, but there are some minor changes. Note the ‘rings’ of thompson enamel (in red or white) around the holes, where the powder collected in the ridges and then became a subtle spiralling pattern: this is a relatively new technique, albeit a small and incremental one, but nevertheless fun to do.^[1] Some of the beads are also subtly softened with grey thompson, or are blue only, also new for this series of red/white/blue abstracts

Alternate shot, on paper towels, with the exposure compensation cranked up.

I'm not very good to talking to people, and handing these things out as little favours has proven to be an excellent way not only express my appreciation to the many people who smoothed my experiences out in Japan, but also, as a sign of genuine goodwill, to get them to open up a bit, sometimes resulting in equally special exchanges, like the temple calligrapher who gave me some paper good-luck charms in assorted colours, much treasured because two people had specifically requested ‘magical things’; or handkerchiefs, or little notepads.

These exchanges represented a physical manifestation of a deeper connection, a memento mori of a moment of kindness.^[2] I appreciated them deeply: It is a real honour, frex, to return to an embroidery shop and find the clerk wearing your bead around her neck.

abstracts, a third view.

Making USA patriotic themed beads as gifts for Japan also is just about the only time I feel like I can really celebrate my country. The US’ ideals are splendid, but the execution, shall we say, needs (a lot more) work, and I'm chary that trumpeting the former will lead to failing to acknowledge the latter. That said, I'm thinking I'll make an assortment of colours for next time:)

Unless otherwise noted, text, image and objects depicted therein copyright 1996--present sylvus tarn.