A woman who turns a phrase in many a language, Roberta Armstrong began her love affair with the Japanese washi craft/art in 2001 while visiting her son in Japan. With washi, a handcrafted paper, Roberta creates delightful jewelry — necklaces, brooches that double as pendants, earrings (both clip-on and pierced), cuff links and button covers. The pieces are simply beautiful and softly elegant — not flashy, though they do shine immensely.

“I carefully put six coats of lacquer on each piece,” she explains.



Why so many?

“I made a pillbox for a friend who keeps it in what she describes as "the purse from hell," Armstrong says. After five years, the box itself is rather dinged-up, but the paper is completely intact.” Armstrong also makes striking key chains, covered tea tins, inventive tape measures, treasure boxes for keepsakes, and washi-covered kaleidoscopes.

“People seem to love them," she says. "They require high-quality mirror to produce images. The giblets can be anything clear and bright: stained glass bits, pony beads, oddments of plastic, jewels.”

She adds glitter, beads, and jewels to the outsides with the washi for increased dazzle.



“Washi paper itself is made from mulberry pulp, and is intended to behave more like fabric than paper. It's moldable, not crisp,”Armstrong adds.

Armstrong showed me her stunning array of paper with patterns and textures galore. Graceful gold cranes on scarlet amid looping black swirls, blue bubble shapes mingle in pearl water; delicate purple nudges pink wispy flowers. I understand why it’s challenging for her to choose what part of the paper to use. You see, only a very small image —think half dollar to dime size — will actually be used on the face of the items she creates.



Inspired by a longing to make something beautiful, Armstrong strives to emulate the Japanese. “They pare things down to the absolute essentials, and what's left is a loveliness that leaves one gasping. Who else could have created ikebana and haiku? I keep coming back to the Japanese and their art and craft traditions. That's where my inspiration and aspiration lie.”



Her self-effacing, humble manner is endearing; her washi jewelry enchanting.

For purchases contact Roberta Armstrong at robepi@juno.com or 253.752.0654