Paper used to cover some umbrella frames is handmade at the Centre from the bark of the Sa-Tree (Mulberry Tree) and is referred to as Sa Paper.
.jpg) |
| Mulberry tree grown in the Centre |
The bark is soaked in clean water for about 24 hours. Then it is boiled with several kinds of ashes for about 3-4 hours and rinsed cleaned with water.
Next, the material is beaten with mallets until tender:
.jpg) |
| I helped with the beating ... a little bit! |
... and then the fibres are put into a water-filled tank and stirred with a paddle until the fibres are suspended in the water.
The fibres are then sifted with a screen and dried in the sun for about 20 minutes.
Once dried, the sheets of paper are formed and can be peeled off the frame easily.
.jpg) |
| The water-filled tank with suspended fibres being sifted by a screen. The lady in red was so keen to let me have a go at the sifting as well. (You'll notice that my hat never leaves my head now!) |
The Sa Paper is also fashioned into notebooks and various souvenirs for sale at the Centre.
~ o~o~o~
Back to the umbrellas.
A final touch to the umbrella frame before glueing on the silk covering:
.jpg)
Glueing completed and then a dry in the sun:
.jpg)
All dried... now for a trim - by an expert trimmer too:
.jpg)
.jpg)
Tassels added, and finally some beautiful artwork:
.jpg)
Silk and Sa Paper Fans are also made in the Centre....
.jpg) |
| ... and lampshades as seen in the background |
.jpg)
I had no hesitation in choosing a Koi decoration on my silk fan:
MD dearly wanted to buy this gorgeous umbrella for me also, but I was (sadly) reluctant, worrying that, because it was partly wood, it may not get through Customs.
He insisted it was worth taking the chance, and I was so glad he did... Customs reject wood that clearly contains insects, so there were no problems with our excellent quality items from the Umbrella Making Centre!
.jpg)
Thank you MD... we have such good yin and yang :D) xx
 |
| Source: Megan Pritchard [click for link to her blogspot] |
Thank you everyone for your comments in regard to these posts.
It has truly been a delight sharing the fine talents of the lovely people at the Umbrella Making Centre in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand
Susan xx
Both the fan and the umbrella are beautiful, Ms Susan :D So much time is allotted for the labor alone! It must be quite pricey too but worthy to have it as a souvenir!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this part of your trip to Thailand. God bless you more! Farida :)
Yes, so much labour goes into making those beautiful umbrellas and fans... as well as many other items produced in the Centre. Relatively speaking, were they to be sold over here (Australia), they'd be out of our price range - most definitely.
Deletethat is so incredibly beautiful. really glad you got the umbrella (and the fan, too!) to see it made, then have some of their work would be remarkable.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much Theresa - I really appreciate having them :D)
Deletea sweet post and interesting to see the process of the umbrella making. Glad you got your umbrella through customs without a hitch.
ReplyDeleteI'm thinking my reaction may not have been a pretty sight if Customs had rejected them ... lol!!
DeleteWhat a lovely memento of your trip Susan.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely Maria... thank you :D)
DeleteLovely photos as usual and very interesting too.
ReplyDeleteBeaut that you enjoy them Deb :D)
DeleteOh Susan this is fascinating I had no idea how they are made. They are so beautiful You look so wonderful under that beauty with your big smile.
ReplyDeleteI think that trip was so good for you and all of us who are lucky enough to read and learn about things we may never see.
Thanks Susan I cannot get over the work and the beauty of these I will never look at a silk umbrella the same again. Hug B
Many thanks B. Yes, the trip was so eye-opening for us in many ways. We were very glad we made the decision to get up and go (taking up the kind offer of hospitality from our family over there).
DeleteI'm really enjoying sharing our adventures from time to time and do appreciate all the feedback.
Great to see the finished products. LOVE your umbrella Susan...Stunning!
ReplyDeleteThank you Vi :D)
Deleteand so the wonderful photo of you has even more meaning.
ReplyDeletei LOVE the purple. those women work so hard and have so much talent. i know you will treasure both items forever!!
aw, thank you Debbie. Yes, lots of lovely purple ;D)
DeleteDefinitely treasures for me, and then on into the next generations :D)
so colorful...bright & cheery!! having never thought about the process...and now knowing all the hard work that goes into the making of the umbrellas & fans...before they even reach the artist painters...makes me appreciate them even MORE!!! wow!! gorgeous artwork. treasures for sure!!
ReplyDeleteHi Laura, it's always beaut to know what goes on behind the scenes isn't it! As always, thanks for your comment :D)
DeleteThoroughly enjoyed the lessons in umbrella/parasol making, Susan. I'm a big fan of Asian art and culture, so this was very interesting to me. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's great Nancy, so glad you enjoyed them :D)
DeleteSo fascinating. Love the pic of you and your gorgeous handmade umbrella.
ReplyDeleteMany thanks Vicki, I love being under it !
DeleteI'm so glad it got home with you ...it is beautiful...
ReplyDeletewhat fun touring the site and learning all about umbrella making and seeing all your great photos... if you want to have a beach walk in Portugal... stop over at my place....
Vee
Hi Vee, it was a long tour (3 posts!!) but glad it was of interest.
DeleteThanks, I never tire of your Portugal holiday snaps :D)
I try not to say oooh and ohhh so much. This is wonderful! And, how great that you got to take part. To the lady workers, 'What a skill!' Thank goodness you got to take some home...and the fans are beautiful! You are so cute, Susan, and, MD is a gracious man!♥
ReplyDeleteHa ha ... oohs and ohhs totally allowed ;D) So glad you enjoyed it all, it was an eye opener to see all that effort. You're right on the money re comment about MD too :D) Cheers!
DeleteOh, if I had bought an umbrella here I would really treasure it after seeing the hard work which has gone into it.
ReplyDeleteI agree Jenny and, oh my goodness, to think I was hesitant at MD buying one for me!! I just didn't want to see it go walking off under the arms of a Customs agent ... silly me, such a worrywart ;D)
DeleteWhat a wonderful post and I am so glad you were persuaded to chance taking the umbrella back home. It's a beauty. I've always loved the idea of going to Thailand one day. It sounds like an amazing place for a holiday. The closest I get at the moment is the Thai Restaurants. We have them in abundance around here ;) Thanks for such a great post Susan. Always fun to visit.
ReplyDeleteThanks Denise, well... you'll just have to keep practising in those Thai restaurants won't you. Hope you're able to get over there one day - taking in another culture has been such a good experience :D)
DeleteBeaut to have you visit here too :D)
A lot of patience and skills to produce these lovely umbrellas!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely DeeBee!!
DeleteI love your video!!!! It is always surprising how much work really goes into making something...but art is that a lot of work for a thing of beauty!
ReplyDeleteLinda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Thanks Linda, so glad you enjoyed the video. It was a beaut surprise from Susan ( of KardKornerKrib and My Texas Garden)... there was an email from her waiting for me when we returned from our trip a few months' ago. I was knocked out at all the work she put into it.
Delete