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| This image was what started it all! A Chinese child's hat! |
My Father's Day present this year was being told that I would be a grandfather in late November. Of course I was elated. I too had wanted children and despite all that has happened in the past few years, this is one decision I have never regretted.
My daughter and her husband were happy but insisted that they not be told the sex so that it would be a surprise when the baby was born. Since I just turned 73, I was very happy because I often wondered if I would ever have a grandchild ... be a grandfather. Of course your children never appreciate nagging about such things, as all parents know.
As the time has approached though I became aware of the many things new parents need. My daughter had pretty much decorated the room they would use for a nursery so I wondered what I could add to it.
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| What child wouldn't want to wear these? |
Before my trip to China this month my friend there sent pictures of things he had found for the new baby. I was amazed! I had never seen anything like this in the U.S. I knew then that the hunt in China was on.
Culturally China goes back, well, millenniums. The trip started this time in Shanghai but was actually a visit to the ancient homes and gardens in Suzhou and Yangzhou. The "Humble Administrators Garden" in Suzhou was built in 1509. It is a fairyland of lakes and ponds, manmade mountains gathered from local rocks and somehow put together, amazing pavilions, bridges and buildings. Thousands can wander at once, and they did, but there is still open space.
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| Memories of my daughter carrying her "hippie cup" around made me stop |
Because of the one child policy started in the late 1970's, China veered from the average family of four or five to just one. As we all know, single children are doted on and China is no exception. And just like here, it is expensive to raise children. However, there were so many on the garden tours and in the complex my friend is living in, and being an expectant grandfather, I couldn't help but notice the kids and what they were wearing. Believe me when I say they have far cuter clothes than what you see here.
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| You poked the nose and the straw is revealed. That it had a glass bowl rather than plastic sold me. |
A 20 minute walk from my friends condo there was a large four-story mall, Golden Eagle 2. Like similar malls I had seen in other Chinese cities, part or all of one floor is devoted to kids things ... clothes, activities, toys, etc. So, despite my phones daily warning of "unhealthful air" I would spend an hour walking at first a different direction each day and then longer walks in directions that interested me.
I spent four hours one day, alone, at the mall checking out the baby stores. There were many but the prices were very high, even for China. I felt $100 for a cute outfit that might be worn a few times before becoming too small was a bit much so passed ... until I happened on a store that sold the nitty gritty of baby things, diapers, cups, pins, all the essentials. I saw this chicken tippie cup and had to buy it. The outside is soft to the touch and the wings make it easy to hold or carry around. That the inside had a glass container to hold the milk, juice or whatever sold me. There is still too much we don't know about plastics and juices.
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| Winter is coming in North Carolina |
However, it was the day I got lost that I found another baby store that had many of the same things I had looked at at the mall and the prices were considerably less. As I wandered through I found many things I liked but as the wonderful sales girls tried the language barrier was too great. I promised I would be back with my friend. I told him about my discovery that night and so the next day after work we wandered over.
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| The winter bear was the selling touch! |
They wanted to know the sex of the baby and I explained I didn't know so I felt anything blue or pink was out. We looked and looked and I must admit my friend Qiang was better at this than me. He wisely noted that yellow, orange or green was neutral and since we didn't know sex or size, start with something simple that will be used now or shortly after birth. So I got this cute jumper, several hats and a nightshirt, something they will go through about three a day from past experience.
It was great fun and the girls were all happy. The customers, all with kids that came in, settled in to watch the show!
Graphics and particularly cartoon graphics are everywhere in China. We may smirk at Hello Kitty but everyone, adults as well as kids wear cartoon graphics there. Logos, posters, even political slogans will often sport some kind of what we would consider a kiddie cartoon. Their Chinese characters are so beautiful that artists spend an entire lifetime honing their skills. This trip was visiting both one of the largest cities in the world and smaller, often ancient cities that have been lived in since before 700 B.C. Graphics are seen and worm everywhere.
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| You have to admit, the "ears" make the hat!!! |
One of the things I found so intriguing was that even the simplest of things had a unique twist. Looking at baby hats I couldn't resist this one with tiny ears sewn on top. I had seen many children with some variation and couldn't resist.
Once I know the sex and size of my grandchild, I WILL be back. These items are now on their way to the soon to be parents. And truth be told, I can't wait to see photos of the baby all decked out in these wonderfully imaginary baby clothes.
Clothing like art or even a painting is just another form of design. Some places seem to do it better than others.
Thank you for reading my blog. I invite you to take the time to read earlier blogs where my emphasis is to explore the ways art and design affects our daily lives ... and always has. I share with you what inspires me with the hope that it will inspire you as well. Comments are always welcomed!
Be sure to check my ETSY store ... KrugsStudio.etsy.com. I am adding many new and exciting, collectible birdhouses and craft items. Many of the items talked about here will be for sale there!
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