Friday, September 25, 2015

Lesson 7 in both temari courses - Level 1 and Level 2

Here they are! Our next set of temari classes begins on October 1.

Here is the temari for Lesson 7 in Level 1 - the next set of lessons in our temari courses. We are exploring changing up the kiku herringbone design by varying the placement of inside points and outside points. You can get some really fantastic designs!

And here is the temari for Lesson 7 in Level 2. Techniques included are interlocked wrapped bands on a combination 8 division with flax leaf (asa no ha) stitching on top. 

Join us? http://www.japanesetemari.com/Japan-Temari-Association.html


Tuesday, September 22, 2015

Kate Gaunt writes about our upcoming courses

A new and continuing opportunity for Temari enthusiasts:  Japan Temari Association Curriculum/Classes from Barbara Suess.  Part 2 classes begin October 1 and continue through March 31, 2016.  (Note:  Class will be on hiatus during December to allow time for family and holidays.)
Have you admired those beautiful thread-wrapped and stitched balls known as temari?  These wonderful stitched orbs can be easy to do -- especially with the guidance of one of the authorities in the field.  I'm pleased to announce that Barbara Suess will be teaching a NEW series of courses in temari based on a curriculum developed by the Japan Temari Association.  There are two levels, Level 1 and Level 2 and each level is broken into two parts.  This email pertains to the Part 2 sessions of each level.  (You can sign up for part 2 even if you didn't do part 1 - you just need to meet the prerequisites.  See further in this document for more details.)


In January of 2015, the Japan Temari Association (JTA) introduced a curriculum for international study that is based on the same curriculum taught in Japan by JTA certified teachers and masters.  This exciting opportunity inspired Barb to begin teaching this same curriculum in her online courses.  While successful completion of these courses can lead to application for JTA certification by Barb's students, you can also participate just for the pleasure of learning to make temari with patterns provided by the JTA masters.  You do not have to join the JTA or apply for certification when you take these courses; however, some of you will find temari so addictive that you will likely want to join and apply and these courses will provide an excellent basis for your certification application.  I've attached a picture of the type of projects you will learn in these classes.


Barb has divided the coursework into two levels and each level consists of two six-month courses.  There are LOTS of details for this new course curriculum and Barb has created several web pages to describe the new courses here:
http://www.japanesetemari.com/Japan-Temari-Association.html
Since this is brand new, Barb has anticipated some of the questions you might have and has a summary here:
http://www.japanesetemari.com/classes/jta/FAQ.JTAcourses.html


The second parts of both Level 1 and Level 2 begin on October 1 and run through March 31 with the month of December off.  Since we know everyone works at different rates, you may join the course in progress.  (You can even still sign up for part 1 of either level, if you're quick.)  The courses are progressive and each builds on skills developed in the earlier classes.  The required text for all the classes is Temari Techniques, which is available from Barb if you don't already have a copy.  Since many interested students will likely already have some temari supplies, there is no supplied kit.  If you do need supplies, Barb has an etsy store to make as-you-go shopping easy and affordable.
Barb will provide lots of personal feedback as you progress through the lessons.  Think of her as a coach, guide and mentor as she shares her expertise and love for this traditional art.


Yes, we know that October 1 is just around the corner.  We needed to get started so that those who wanted to apply for certification could get their submissions done in time.  There is plenty of time during the six months of each class to complete the work and it's not a concern if you join late.  You know how much time you can dedicate to the class -- whether it's a matter of so many hours per week or a concentrated period of time in your life -- the perfect cure for the winter doldrums. 


Students participating in the part 1 session of each level have progressed wonderfully through the lessons.  They have shared photos and created LOTS of temari.  It really feels like Barb is there coaching right beside you and her feedback is extremely prompt.  If you're unsure about where you might fit in with your temari skills, look through the FAQ page here:
http://www.japanesetemari.com/classes/jta/FAQ.JTAcourses.html
and if you're still unsure, send Barb an email at:   barb@japanesetemari.com

So, are you ready to accept the challenge and learn temari based on a really well-organized series of lessons?  If so, we hope you'll join Barb as she begins this new approach to temari classes.  If you have any questions, there are links to contact Barb via the web page links above, or just send an email to:

So, are you ready to accept the challenge and learn temari based on a really well-organized series of lessons?  If so, we hope you'll join Barb as she begins this new approach to temari classes.  If you have any questions, there are links to contact Barb via the web page links above, or just send an email to: barb@japanesetemari.com 


We hope you will enjoy this latest class offering from Shining Needle Society!
Kate GauntShining Needle Societykategaunt@aol.com 

Thursday, September 10, 2015

JTA courses are getting great reviews!

I'm so pleased with the response from students who are participating in my Level 1 and Level 2 JTA courses. Last winter, the Japan Temari Association gave us a new curriculum to follow for certification at four levels. I've been running online courses and will be uploading Lesson 6 tomorrow. There is still time to join this class if you'd like. Save the lessons to your computer and work on them at your own pace. Remember that applying for certification is optional. Many students take the courses for their own stitching pleasure without the certification option. The Yahoo group for the class closes on October 31.


JTA Level 1 Course

October 1 - Lesson 7
Kiku herringbone stitching (uwagake chidori kagari) - vary the flower by making petals longer or shorter and change their starting and stopping points.

October 23 - Lesson 8
Triwing (mitsubane kikkou) - a fun puzzle stitched on a simple 6 division.

November 20 - Lesson 9
Merry-go-round (jyouge douji kagari) - (just like it sounds) work this one up and down and around the ball.

January 1 - Lesson 10
Interlocked/layered (nejiri/kousa) - practice changing the look of designs you’ve made before, by weaving to interlock or stitching row by row to layer.

February 5 - Lesson 11
Mark a C8 and stitch a simple design. This lesson includes a video on marking. Wrap bands next to the guidelines for a quick finish.

March 4 - Lesson 12
Mark a C10 and stitch a simple design - also includes a video and gives you several options for marking a ball covered with 12 pentagons nested side-by-side. Fill each pentagon with the 5-point star learned in lesson 4.

March 31 (or around that time) - new JTA members fill out an application and pay dues.

April 31 - deadline for submitting photos of four temari to send to JTA.

JTA Level 2 Course

October 1 - Lesson 7
Flax leaf (asa no ha kagari) on various divisions

October 23 - Lesson 8
Continuous path stitching (renzoku kagari) on various divisions

November 20 - Lesson 9
Thimble ring design (yubinuki)

January 1 - Lesson 10
Interlocked stitching (nejiri kagari) on C8 and C10

February 5 - Lesson 11
Layered stitching (kousa kagari) on C8 and C10

March 4 - Lesson 12
HHG (hitohudegake) on various divisions

March 31 (or around that time) - new JTA members fill out an application and pay dues.

April 31 - deadline for submitting six patterns to send to JTA.