Ever wonder how printed clothing and textiles are made? Long before large industrial machines churned out fabric, the patterns on cloth had to be created by hand! One of the ways this was done was through a technique called...
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Think you have a knack for foreign languages? Try picking up Japanese – all 2,000 characters of it! In place of an alphabet, Japanese has an extensive set of pictograms called kanji. According to the Koujiten, an ancient dictionary...
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The Chinese New Year is one of the most important holidays for countless families around the world. But what is it? And how do people celebrate? Simply put, the Chinese New Year celebrates…well…the New Year! It falls on a...
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Featured on necklaces, rings, and bracelets, this special material looks and feels like elephant ivory. But it’s actually a nut! Read on to learn more about Tagua nut and its history. What is Tagua Nut? Tagua nut is a...
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A tetsubin is a traditional Japanese tea kettle and an icon of Japanese culture. Made of cast iron, tetsubin are super sturdy and solid to boot! Tetsubin have been around for hundreds of years. The kettles became commonplace in Japan during...
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Full of antioxidants, matcha is a popular and nutritious way to enjoy green tea. It’s frothy, has a distinct taste, and delivers a burst of energy that rivals coffee. A standard offering at many tea shops and cafes, matcha...
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Winter is a time to bundle up in warm clothes. Want a material that is snuggly and super soft? Look no further than the alpaca. The History of The Alpaca Alpacas are a species of camelid, related to camels...
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In the U.S., we have our noisemakers, our champagne, and our midnight smooches on New Year’s Eve. Want to add some new traditions to the mix? Try these fun customs from around the world. Ring Bells – Japan At...
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The story of Thai jewelry is a fascinating blend of history and varied cultural traditions! Hill Tribe Silver Perhaps the most famous of all Thai jewelry is Hill Tribe Silver. You may have spotted it online, or even own...
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Ancient cultures often give us a unique perspective on life. For example, the Native American traditions are rich with stories of how the people were connected with nature and the world around them. Often these connections are to unseen...
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Turquoise may not sparkle like diamonds or glow like amber. And yet, this opaque blue stone has been prized and coveted for millennia. It’s one of history’s oldest gemstones, and some of the earliest evidence we have for its...
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