Carnation & Baby Vase

Official Participation at the Spring 2009 Pasadena Art Night

     Believe it or not! On Friday, March 13th, Reiyukai America’s Oriental Fusion Handcraft participated in the big event called Art Night hosted by the City of Pasadena. 

     Reiyukai America, has until now, been applauded of its recycle craft workshop’s accomplishments and ideas at the Pasadena Public Library. On this occasion, in the single big event backed by the city, we were invited to participate as one of the event’s feature attraction of many run by the Pasadena Public Library. And so we held the basket-making workshop. 

     Holding a workshop at such a large-scale event not only gives us the opportunity to present to everyone the activities of the Reiyukai, but having received the request of the City of Pasadena as one of its program events, and the culmination of the recycling activity as the city’s official approval, which is joyous, and fills those of us in charge with joy. 

     And this time, Yukie, Martha, Yumiko, and Jessie and Kris who saw the volunteer information on the internet, and Yvette who works at the Santa Catalina branch of the Pasadena Public Library, partook as volunteers. Within the 4 hour time frame of the work shop, and with about 20 participants surrounding the work table, the volunteers had figured out a way to teach in a simpler manner, or an original way to use the finished crafts with the participants saying “wow” in amazement… We were blessed with this wonderful opportunity to share the fun of recycled craft with close to 200 people.

     At Reiyukai America, we will continue to spread the teachings of Reiyukai through creating recycling crafts and further expand our activities informing people of the importance of the environment.

http://www.artcenter.edu/artnight/

    

 

Presentation during International Women's Day Event

     On March 7, in the community that I live in Chicago, there was a festival celebrating the "International Women's Day" where my friend invited me to make a presentation of what I do as a part of the Reiyukai activity.

     That day in the event, there were many paintings that were painted by women participating in a gallery. As a Reiyukai, I was also able to present the crafts that were made in the workshop. Within the event, I had the opportunity to share a little of what I have lived in Reiyukai.

      I explained that since 4 years ago I am a member of an organization that came from Japan and how important it is for me to be participating in their activities. I also commented about the Family Day Festival that we organized where we had a special guest whose name was Prof. Hibiki. He talked about global warming and the importance of recycling and how recycling can help make this planet clean.

     I was also able to share my own experience of what I have learned throughout the workshop. I commented that it helped me to feel more confidence in myself to value myself as a person and as a woman and also the people around me. 

     I shared that I could feel had a change in my family. I told them when I do one of the boxes that is when I realize how I am now because there are times that I get it all twisted or cannot make them at all. That is when I tell myself “today is not the ideal day to make boxes.”

     Finally, I invited everyone to participate in the workshops so that they experience and live what I have experienced throughout these 4 years.

     We continue to be active in Chicago to have more friends who can work together.

 Report by Sonia Delgado, Chicago, IL

Saint Valentine's Basket Handcraft

St. Valentine’s Handcraft

On Thursday, February 5, a heart-shape basket making workshop for St. Valentine’s Day was organized at the Pasadena Public Library Hasting Branch. Despite the heavy weather, there were about 20 participants, families and siblings, who joined the workshop. Although their experience was an unusual activity for them, everyone enjoyed making their baskets!

Anime Los Angeles 5

The Oriental Fusion Handcraft had the opportunity to be part of “Anime Los Angeles (ALA)” which was held from 2nd to 4th of January. This was not just an anime fan event, but a mega-size event in which participants enjoyed forums and discussions, contests, bought merchandise, played games, made crafts, and shot photographs wearing a costume of one’s favorite anime character. 

Everything started from an invitation from Heide Nichols, the Program Division Chair of Anime Los Angeles. She called and said, “I saw the crafts that you organized at the Pasadena Public Library. Will you be interested in presenting your recycling activities to the participants who have a common interest in the Japanese culture and language through anime?” That was how we became part of the ALA. 

Bunch of left over postcards transformed into a cute little basket!

 Usually in the recycling craft workshops, milk cartons are used as the primary source of recycling. However, in this event, we were able to make possible the idea that was brought during the meeting with Heide. “I have a bunch of postcards that were used in the previous years… Would it be possible to recycle them?”

 

On the day of the event, staff from Reiyukai arrived at Hotel Marriot next to Los Angeles International Airport. Several thousand people gathered for the event . The main hall was already full of people wearing costumes creating a very animated atmosphere. Reiyukai America staff were a little bit nervous because of several factors. 1) First time to be in such a big event. 2) First attempt to introduce post card recycling and 3) there were so many people! Nevertheless, thanks to the great support and kindness given by the ALA personnel, staff from Reiyukai America could set up and organize their workshop smoothly. And no wonder. This ALA clearly differentiates from other anime events by emphasizing “fun for family.” If a child purchases a ticket, a parent can participate in the event for free. There were forums titled “Anime for Beginners and Parents” and many more. There were great and passionate attempts to encourage the participants to use anime as a media for family fun and not for a small group of maniacs or just a hobby for a kid.

In such a great atmosphere, many participants enjoyed to recycle postcards into a little useful basket. Everyone enjoyed the process of making it and they left the workshop room with a great smile of satisfaction on their faces!