Recently one of the TalkTemari gals posed some  question to the groups in order to gather information for introducing Temari in her home country of The Netherlands; Janny graciously agreed that we could share the input here as well.

       So - to the questions of Why do you love to do Temari??  Is or was it important for you to learn as soon as possible how to make the complex patterns or did you explore the posibilities of a division first and moved then on to the next??  What is your favorite pattern??  If you find a Temari, in a book or on the internet, that you want to make, do you copy the colours that are being used, do you make your own choise of colours and if neccesary buy them, or do you just choose from the colours you have??  Did you make a lot of Temari's you didn't finish, because: the pattern was to complecated or that you made a mess of it yourself, or that you just didn't feel like finising it. If you want to add your thoughts in here, drop a note.

From Janny: I just love it, because the first time I saw a Temari, I was sold. The never ending possibilities of decorating fascinates me and stimulates my creativity.

From Ginny: When I first saw temari it was love at first sight because they played to all the things I like wrapped up in one package: The geomety, and colors; I've always loved things like kaleidoscopes, beads etc.... and it's a free standing project that doesn't further require framing, etc. It's also "free" embroidery in that you are not following a printed or counted design per se and use the stitches to build the design. It requires a relatively small knowledge base to open up limitless designs and patterns, and it's a compact, easily tranportable craft. The history and heritage also fascinates me. I believe that temari is pasison for me - I never tired of doing it (at least I haven't in over six years of doing virtually only temari now, including doing 200 teenies for wedding favors for a friend), and find it to be extremely calming and meditative. I can honestly say that I am happiest and most relaxed when I am stitching, and even prepping the balls is extremely calming for me - I can put myself to sleep wrapping maris. I taught myself from the English books and stepped through them in order, working more simple ones before more complext but now I continually do a mix of varied complexities.  I can't say that I have one favorite pattern - most all of them fascinate me. I have a pretty full color palette so I often will choose other colors than how the ball is originally shown when I try a new pattern....  there have only been a few temari that I started and did not finish because I got stuck trying to figure it out; other than that they all get done.

From Terry: Here's some of the things that I love about making Temari: You complete a ball in a relatively short period of time--so you get a lot of "instant" gratification.  You finish faster than in a lot of other arts or crafts. It's an excellent mixture of craft and art.  You have the craft of stitching mixed with the art of design, color and even texture.  Once you have the basics, you can even create your own designs. It's a 3 dimensional art, one that invites everyone to pick it up to look at it from all sides--so it invites interactivity. There are few basic stitches and few marking patterns (not hundreds).  But with these you end of with almost limitless design capability. You can take an existing design and just change colors and end up with something that sometimes looks totally different.
The majority of patterns are geometric which appeals to people who like "order" or symmetry.  And (once people are told) amazingly normally done without a ruler. Uses inexpensive items--sometimes even recycling items. A basic ball's cost, with inexpensive threads, would be around $2-$5 (american). All items to complete a ball can be easily but in a small bag, sack, purse which makes it portable--can be done easily in a variety of places. Continues a craft/art that's been in existence 500-600 years.

From Deb: You asked a very good question. Why am I a Temari lover? It's very simple really. It has a lot to do with being able to express yourself in the form of a 3 inch ball... I've always been crafty; I was an art major in college. I crochet, sew, paint, make stained glass & beaded jewelry, but what got me was the intricateness of the patterns, the delicateness of it & the myriad of color combinations. My all time favorite pattern is the Kiku. I have made it in so many
different colors and sizes, including an 8 inch Temari, and it always looks beautiful. I am a cancer survivor. I discovered Temari soon after finishing my
radiation treatment & making Temari's allows me another venue to express my joy and gratitude at being alive...I've given away over 2 dozen in the last year and a half, and each person who's received one has received a part of me.

From Anne W: I love temari for a number of reasons, but I think the most important one is the state of mind that I get in when I'm working on one whether it be wrapping the mari, measuring for the divisions, picking the colors and textures, or doing the actual stitching.  It's very therapeutic for me. I also love the fact that you can design in your head no matter where you are, make a few notes to help you remember, then see your design take shape while you stitch it.  I love the feel of the different fibers, and holding the roundness of the mari in my hands, whether it be a sphere or an egg.  The satisfaction felt with a beautifully done temari in your hands is just an added bonus. I give a lot of mine away, and the people I give them to know that thoughts of them went into every stitch, and when I'm in their homes and see it on display, I hope that thoughts of me (good ones, I hope!) are in their thoughts when they look at it.
 Of course, let's not forget the FUN involved in the shopping for the materials.  Finding a new color or fiber never ceases to improve my mood, and from the
look of my stash, I must be happy all the time!

From Sandy E: I like Temari because I get bored really quickly.  I haven't yet with temari, because of the many variations. Repetitive stuff like cross stitch just
doesn't cut it with me.  I also really like the ooh and aah factor I get from people, they think I'm so amazing because I can do something like this.  I say it
is easier than it looks, but they won't believe me.

From Claude: I want to add my "grain de sel" (grain of salt ?...;-)) I'm loving to do Temaris for all your reasons, and because I'm
loving mandalas and kaleidoscopes for the infinites possibilities of colours, and also because of the "zen attitude" these hobbies produced to me...

From Ruth - I particularly love two things about temari:- while there are patterns, there is also room for creativity and interpretation, unlike things like cross-stitch and tapestry, which I call 'colour by numbers' craft - each ball can be completed within a short space of time - this is very important to someone with a short attention span like me!  It means that I know I am going to finish ...

From Joan Z - I first saw temari on the Carol Duvall craft show. It appealed to me immediately. If Ii don't create something with color, after a while I feel like a pressure cooker with out a safety valve. Temari has everything I want (and need) in one craft. The color, the design,the geometry and when the stitching is done it's done. No blocking, no framing. Temari also has a spiritual aspect to it that I find joy in. Before doing temari I was suffering with depression. Medications gave me minimal relief. I bought D.V.'s first book and went through it ball by ball. I used supplies I already had. Before I finished I was hooked and already looking for the next book. My sister-in-law asked me to make a temari her. I told her she had to choose three because three is a collection. I always make three if it is their first temari. Every Temari I make is made with a part of me in it, It is given or sold with joy. I love creating something beautiful and sending it out into the world.

From Drude - The spiritual sense is one of the big factors for me as well.  I so enjoy the many levels of meaning that can be present in a Temari. Actually, I was thinking that the first balls I saw made me smile.... and, we all smile in the same language.  They still make me smile and hold my breath a little because they are so exciting to me - yes, like the effects that others have mentioned - eg. kalideoscopes, and such.

From Ellen - Well I have decided to get in on this topic as my beginning is a little different. I had many opportunities to learn this stitching through my needle work groups, but always thought it too difficult. But a couple years ago I thought I would give it a try as I wanted to be able to do something different from my friends as we all did quilting and cross stitching ect. It was a great move and I am addicted! The only thing is I need a good come back for those people who look at the pretty designs ect. and say its sort of a waste of time and why would you want spend so much time on doing the patterns etc. I guess they are the one who are missing out on a really unique and creative art form! Needless to say I am the only one doing it! Each pattern and the colors you use, gives you a great sense of accomplishment.

From Sarah B - I temari because it doesn't stress me out even when one goes wrong it is just an interesting variation.  But also because someone very special taught my to temari just before they died and everytime I make one I think of her and how happy she would be to see me doing it.

From Sue H - We lived in Tokyo while my boys were little and  I just couldn't see me trying to balance the stroller and diaper bag along with the kids and an
armload of flowers for an ikebana class, or laying out hundreds of dollars for antique kimono to practice my sumie on, or finding room among the toys for a covered tea box.  .... you get the picture...      Also, many crafts that I have done over the years often required large blocks of time to work.  Those of us with little ones rarely have that kind of time available - we are always on the go, having to drop things at a moment's notice.... "Mommmmmmmy!!!".      Temari on the other hand, can be picked up and put down as time allows. You can un-do any mistakes that occur without much waste.   It is compact - and can be tucked into a small bag (ok Nicole, Eric, stop giggling)... let's clarify that to the work-in-progress can be tucked into a small bag; taking up very little space.  Each ball becomes an adventure in creativity.  And, as has been mentioned before - temari encourages recycling various items allowing one on a tight budget to still produce a stunning item.  Why do I like temari?  I found it to be very child-friendly - I could do it for a few minutes, or for hours - I could take it along without wishing I had a car to make life easier.  Temari didn't break the budget, and even helped use up my sewing and crocheting left-overs. Then, as has been mentioned before, the mental therapy - keeping one's sanity and focus.  Being a parent can be rather stressful - and temari allows you to take out your frustrations in wrapping, and eases the strain with repetitive stitches.   Anyway, for what it's worth, this is what got me hooked on temari!