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Hanji, outside of Korea ......

                             

There are both disadvantages and advantages of not living in Korea and wanting to make Hanji articles.  You have some spare time and you feel like making something as a gift for a family member or friend or maybe you'd just like to be creative and make something for yourself.

The disadvantage of not being in Korea is that you can't just walk down the street and buy a pre cut kit, go home and make it up. You could spend some time on the internet and buy one through one of the online suppliers and wait a few weeks to get it delivered but, the spontaneity of the creation has gone by then and the time to do it may just not be there.

So, what will you do?



The advantage of not being in Korea is that you learn to make patterns and cut out your own designs. 

Over the years I've made many different things and each time I've drawn a pattern of the article, stored it away and then brought it out when I needed it again.  I've been making worksheets for the last 10 years mainly for my own use but more recently I've revised, updated and generally freshened up the patterns and am now using them in my Hanji classes and selling them online. 

This weekend I've been drawing the design and cutting out the cardboard for a Hanji four sided lamp

In my classes I teach the students how to draw designs and cut them out themselves so that in the future,  at any time and anywhere, they have the skills and the know how to make things themselves. It's always possible to buy kits online, as I mentioned earlier, and that is another option but to know the basics first is always an advantage. 

Sometimes good things can come out difficult situations.

Check out some of the patterns I have available here on my blog (right side panel).  I have many others so may be able to help you if you have a particular project in mind.
If you have a problems or need any more information just email me and I'll get back to you.
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Comments

  1. Swiss JamesDecember 6, 2012 at 1:04 AM

    Jan,
    Great website on a very interesting subject. I also spent 3 years in Korea (2006-2009), bought a few Hanji lanterns along the way, although didn't find out much about the craft scene.

    It's only now that I'm wondering about making a table lamp for myself. Work took me back to Seoul recently and I stopped in at an amazing paper shop called Ilsindang in Insadong to pick up some paper. Do you have any instructions available on how to make a fairly straightforward lamp?

    All the best,
    James

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hanji HappeningsDecember 9, 2012 at 4:46 AM

      Yes I know Ilsindang shop well James. I get a lot of my supplies from there as well and Mrs Lee will also send supplies overseas. I have some worksheets available on my website but not of lamps as yet but they will be coming soon. If you want to try out a smaller project first they may be useful. Keep checking as I should have the lamp worksheet available in the New Year.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJune 16, 2013 at 6:59 AM

    I am looking for design ideas for making basic shoji lamp with 25 watts light bulb from wood and rice paper with my high school students in new zealand.
    Any working templates or pattern will help
    melvindin@clear.net.nz

    ReplyDelete

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