Chinese Crafts

Dragon Boat Festival Fun

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Now that spring has arrived (in Maine, we add a “finally” to that), the Dragon Boat Festival season is almost upon us. Although I embrace all Chinese cultural activities, I do get a bit of a “one track mind” steered toward celebrating Chinese New Year. This year I aim to discover and experience more about the dragon boat traditions and this fascinating holiday.

On the 5th day of the 5th lunar month (June 12th this year), Duan Wu is celebrated. Honoring the history of the great poet Qu Yuan, the holiday is usually spent at the waterfront where dragon boat races are the main event. Glutinous rice dumplings (zongzi) are enjoyed by hungry paddlers. Children wear incense pouches to ward off evil spirits. Drum beats and laughter abound as families gather for the fun.

In August I travel to the Riverfront Dragon Boat & Asian Festival in Hartford, CT to run a kids’ crafting area while promoting Lucky Bamboo Book of Crafts. I look forward to being right in the action while hundreds of racers from far and wide show off their colorful vessels as they try for victory. I will also enjoy many other cultural exhibits and performances happening during the weekend and of course… the food.

I plan to adapt a dragon boat project from my book… one of my favorites. It will need to be an easy make-and-take for hot and tired young festival visitors with only a few free minutes. I hope to provide a little crafting oasis in the huge, active festival area. I’m thrilled that I was invited to participate!

Making Art with Kids

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Lately my book marketing pursuits have led me back into the elementary classroom, where I’m asked to bring a culture project to do with the kids.  With each visit I am reminded as to why teachers love what they do, year after year.  Every time a group of children lights up as they dive into art making, I can only describe my feeling from head to toe in one word…. happy.  I’m reminded of the wonder and freedom kids have when they pick up a brush full of paint or construct something original out of paper.  They get lost in the process and in their private world of imagination and often look at their results with pride and disbelief… “did I really make that?”.

Recently I made mini-scrolls with first and second graders.  It is a great, manageable format for trying out brush painting, calligraphy or just simple drawings.  I constructed the scrolls ahead (easy!) so we could get right to it.   I offered visual reference and guidance for painting pandas and bamboo.  I was pleased when some of the students proceeded to completely ignore me and paint what meant China to them including maps, pagodas, lanterns and lots of dragons.  As only a guest author, I could not be held accountable when they didn’t stick to the plan!

Lucky Bamboo Singapore Adventure

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The weeks seem to fly by and there is so much I want to share about my craft book experience.  A highlight of February was my trip to Singapore with my daughter.  Now that the books are safely in the warehouse and I’ve at least started the selling engine (although it is always thirsty for more gas…), it was time for some fun.

Why Singapore?  I had the book printed by a fantastic commercial printer there… a relationship I revived from early professional days as a product development manager.  A book like this is only as good as its printing and production so I definitely had been focused on that aspect of the project with great care and planning right from the start.  We had an opportunity to tour the plant and visit with the lovely family that owns the corporation and I felt like everything had come full circle.

I also have some dear friends that live there as expats and they were warm and wonderful hosts.  We normally only see them in the summer here in Maine, so what a treat to experience their Singapore life with the new routines, cultural differences, and balmy weather!  On top of that, we got to celebrate the end of Chinese New Year together, and attend one of the most elaborate, exciting and colorful parades in the world!

Lucky Bamboo Book of Crafts goes to press!

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Welcome, crafty friends!

After years of researching, crafting, writing, drawing and lots of fretting, I can finally say that Lucky Bamboo Book of Crafts first edition has been printed and shipped from the factory!  It will be available for fulfilling your orders in just a few weeks.  There is a lot of hip, hip hooray going on around here and as I tackle the next phase (sharing this book with the world), I will definitely be starting the Year of the Snake with many challenges, but also a huge feeling of accomplishment.

I plan to use this blog to update you on my book-related news, offer Chinese cultural information and also share even more Chinese craft ideas and project tips that could not fit into my already jam-packed book.  I’m excited to have you along!