Wednesday, April 16, 2014

Kanzashi Chrysanthemums



So sorry it has been such a long time since I have posted (again!.....what's with that?)! Helen has had a lot of heavy lifting at work, and I've been sleepy, but I've also been practicing bottle cap hockey....you can see in the photo that I am absolutely dominating my game! Anyway, Helen made a couple of new chrysanthemum shaped flowers, and I thought I would write an article about it. I know, I know, it is NOT chrysanthemum season!

Helen's chrysanthemums are somewhat less formal than the ones that other kanzashi artists have been
making. In a way, they're really not true kiku chrysanthemums at all, but just large pointy flowers with something convenient in the middle. Such a sellout. Most chrysanthemum kanzashi will have several layers of these pointy petals. Here are some REAL kiku.


First, a Kanzashi Temple piece, large, dark, mysterious, and complex....

  


....and next, a simple and elegant snap clip by Wisteria Gardens ....



Next we have a brilliant and flashy piece by KatyaFantasy ......




.....and a complex assemblage from deepwinter ....



.....A luscious comb from MizuSGarden .....



.....and one of our favorites, a colorful pair of pastel kiku from Keikonoheya



As you can see, kanzashi chrysanthemums are as varied as real ones.....so many flower forms and colors.

So, back to Helen's rather casual interpretations......here's a black and white little number to go with today's new fashions.....



Buy it here...black dupioni silk, white shantung silk, and a freshwater pearl. Now here's something similar in a crisp raspberry silk satin that Helen got from Susie F, with yellow jade......



Buy this one here , and true to form, here's a pin made from a vintage silk  kimono Helen got from Suzanne C., sewn with a freshwater pearl.....


Buy it here .

So, in the end, Helen's chrysanthemums look pretty stylized and really don't resemble the real flowers, but you know, nobody much seems to care, and kanzashi is all about being stylized. So, enjoy.



8 comments:

  1. Many beautiful flowers…!
    Thank you very much :)

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  2. Replies
    1. Thank you, Katya. I love your imaginative collection of kanzashi!

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  3. Very, very pretty Helen! I could see the black and white flower in the hair of the NJSO violinist I told you about. Next time I'm there I'm going to get her name/email address so that I can send her your website.
    XOX - Joana

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    1. Thanks, Joana! You're right, that b/w flower would be a good orchestral hair accessory, although I had first envisioned it as a bridesmaid thing, since so many of them wear black dresses these days.....I thought it would be good to also echo the white of the bride's dress. Thanks for the PR!

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  4. I just wished to drop a note, saying I found you (Sadie) this morning and spent the day absorbed in the archives... with all the stunning kanzashi everywhere - as well as fluffy kitten tummy!!! Consider yourself loved from St. Louis, Missouri. I had a siamese for 18 years and he was my best friend. I miss him. Go pester your person. She loves you bunches.

    I am so overjoyed to have found your site, and I love your imaginative style and willingness to showcase the work of others. Your flowers are stunning! Best wishes to you!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, Hasume! I pester Helen plenty, especially when my food dish is empty.

      And thank you also for commenting....it brings joy to a cat blogger's heart to know that people are reading!

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