Hello everyone

I would like to send a warm welcome to everyone who has registered for the project so far.

Thank you for being part of this exciting installation which seeks to celebrate the arrival of spring and connect to a wider cultural tradition. I would like to extend a special thank you to those of you who have volunteered to be Cherry Blossom co-ordinators for their stitch groups. Your help at encouraging others to take part and co-ordinate the delivery of the kits has been a great support.

Since launching the project in July I have had 260 registrations and with those who took part in the pilot group way back in January 2025 that makes a total of 280 people involved. It was everyone’s enthusiasm at the pilot workshop day that spurred me on to make the project happen. We now have makers from 9 other different countries taking part, Australia, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Korea, Kuwait, Netherlands, Spain and from the USA.

The British Korean Society have supported the project with a grant towards the cost of purchasing the fabric.

I am grateful to Heehwa Joh who kindly sourced and brought back the, Nobang , Korean silk organza in her suitcase for me from Korea. I chose this fabric as it is especially springy even after dyeing and it is that quality that holds the shape of the mandus.

When I planned the project, I booked the Colonnade House Gallery in Worthing for May 2026. Very sadly due to the withdrawal of funding for the Adur and Worthing Trust they cannot guarantee to still be operating after March 2026. I have, however booked a new venue, the Phoenix Arts Space in Brighton. The dates are slightly different so do please up date your diaries to 27th May – 7th June 2026, 12- 5pm Wednesday – Sunday each week. It is a lovely space that I am sure will showcase all your beautiful work perfectly.

So if you haven’t completed your Mandu kit yet please get stitching and send it back to me in a small box. I love opening these small boxes of delight with completed mobiles waiting to join their fellow mandu mobiles in my studio.

And if you have not yet registered for the proejct click on the button below and lest get you started.