Marianas Variety Article Kimekomi Doll Article

Dress your own Kimekome Doll
By Poonam Hemlani
Variety News Staff

Scoot over Barbie. Eat your heart out Bratz. Nice try bebe doll. Jem has nothing on the every doll maker’s delight—the Kimekome.

No it’s not a new brand of soy sauce, or the latest tagalog flick at Guam Premium outlets, or the corner shop located at the Dededo mall, or a third choice side order at Imperial Garden.

Joan Egurrola of the Sandbox paper art and crafts studio enlightened Variety, “It’s a Japanese doll making technique that’s over a thousand years old and before they used to hand carve the wood but of course nowadays they have it pre-made. The wood is already made and what it is a tucking. It takes about eight or ten hours to complete a doll as there is a whole concept to it.”
The doll form is carved of wood and then covered with pieces of fabric which are inserted into slits in the wood to give the illusion of clothing. The wood is carved into the shape of a doll in full clothing, and all effect of folding and draping of fabric is achieved in the carving process.
“You still have to prepare the wood, and there’s gluing involved. The wood has to be sanded down and grooves have to be smooth,” explained Egurrola.
When the fabric is added, it is stretched tightly across the form and the edges tucked into the grooves, perfectly fitting over its area of the 'clothing'. This method can be so well done that until touching the figure, it seems as if the doll is wearing regular clothing.
Mae Cotton who holds classes at the Sandbox has been an instructor for over 30years. “She’s an expert who’s certified to do it, they actually have universities in Japan. There’s different steps, the classes here are for beginners and then it gets tougher towards the end and you actually have to paint the face.”

The Kimekome technique requires steady hands and an intricate one on one type of learning. “Most of the time the class is no more than two or three people that’s a good number for Mae because she really needs to sit down and do it with you,” explained Egurrola.

The adult only class starts at $154.00, which comes equipped with a starter kit. Egurrola explained that the process of becoming a Kimekome “expert” per say involves the achievement of finishing the doll empire in its entirety. “There is an empress and an emperor, a lady of the house and there’s a certain amount of children and servants and so forth. So in order for you to graduate you have to complete all the dolls.

Get with the program, create your very own Kimekome doll. Call the Sandbox for available class times at 648-4278.

Marianas Variety Article Crochet Article September 2006

Pardon me, do you Crochet?
By Poonam Hemlani
Variety News Staff


All the great aunts do it. Your next-door neighbor may be doing it. Your sister might be in the process of it. Come to think of it, all the cool girls are doing it. Curious? No, it's not naughty. Everybody is crocheting. Crocheting is the rage today.
Through world wars, our mothers and grandmothers and great-grandmothers crocheted socks and mittens for the soldiers at war. Baby blankets and lace dollies have been the norm.
Remember in December there was always that horrid, ugly heap of yarn that was pretending to be a sweater you received as a Christmas gift from a distant relative? But no longer. Today crocheting is chic. Instead of coarse yarn there is chenille, silk, mohair and so much more. Instead of boring colors you can choose anything from pugua red and Pepto Bismol pink to lima bean green. Crocheting has indeed jumped in popularity, especially with the younger gals.
For those of you lost, here is a quick little lesson. Crocheting involves one needle known as a hook and knitting involves two needles. They both involve some sort of string but usually yarn.

Amy Egurrola explained, “It’s a lost art but it’s coming back again. I see a lot of tops in the stores made from crochet and I am really satisfied that people are starting to like them as well.”

Egurrola stated how she got started conducting classes, and how she is never going to be able to let it go. “One summer I just started doing it. I was teaching my two girls Joan and Sheila. We did bed spreads, table covers, they learned the basics and afterwards I kept doing it. My daughter asked me to help instruct in her craft business.”

What was expected to be a short term aid, and to be kept minimal expanded in no time. “We started out and I wanted to do two or three classes, but my class became bigger and bigger. My students, I mean they are looking forward to coming to classes on Saturdays,” exclaimed Egurrola.


Egurrola was hoping to keep her items on display but incidentally they have been selling like hot cakes. “People kept buying them some people are really persistent. I wanted to keep them in the store. Now I can’t quit anymore,” giggled Egurrola.

People from all walks of life have been needling around in Egurrola’s class. “ I have some doctors in the class some military wives and they really joy coming. They say it’s not just the crochet but they are also looking forward to meeting new people and making new friends.”
Egurrola is absolutely delighted by the outcome of her classes, “I’m so happy I met a lot of people and I am still looking forward to more people coming and learning the basics. What you learn that is a bonus, because then you can crochet something for your loved one. It’s like a heirloom once you learn it, you can pass it from generation to generation. It’s a special thing knowing you have created something for your special loved ones.”

A woman from the south (not Agat), as Egurrola reminisced once told her, “I will be a crochet diva when I go back to Georgia, and she started without knowing how to even hold the crochet stick. She was so nervous but now she is so happy that she is in the intermediate class,” concluded Egurrola.

Directions Magazine Editorial Joan Egurrola Sandbox Guam

Directions Magazine
JOAN P. EGURROLAProfile Directions MagazineMixed-Media Artist and OwnerSandbox Studio http://thesandboxstudioguam.comBy Nan Ducklow

Joane Egurrola’s life has been a series of amazing journeys. Her discoveries have been important, about herself and the things that are important to her. These journeys have been filled with disappointments, great pleasures, surprises, and ultimately self-fulfillment.

“I spent ten years working in luxury retail. I lived for the excitement in a fast paced, high fashion, luxury world industry. I loved the rush of the new season collections that produced amazing ‘must haves’ and cutting edge fashion. Although it was an exciting life, my heart was always elsewhere. I needed to believe I was contributing more towards the well being of people around me. I find success in helping others succeed. After walking away from my last job at Dior, I found a replacement in one of my staff. It was one of my greatest joys as a manager knowing that I helped groom an individual to a successful career.

As a passionate person and mixed media artist by heart, I started my new career by creating ‘CardsbyJoane’, which quickly evolved into an entire studio concept store now called ‘The Sandbox’.” Almost by default, she realized that her happiness at leaving her old lifestyle behind and her new found success came from helping others find and fulfill their creative potential. “I love the expression on people's faces when they realize they are really talented. Never under estimate yourself.

”Egurrola knows she is successful because she is happy, and more importantly, her employees are happy. “You really have to love what you do. I don’t get up to work everyday. I get up to play! As long as your employees have a sense of purpose and believe in what they are involved with, they will give you 100-percent. People are different and motivated by different things. It’s extremely important to understand your staff and know what works for them as individuals before you can lead; otherwise you will leave someone behind and form a weak link in your team.” She continued, “Balancing the welfare of employees and producing high levels of productivity is a challenge. It is important that employees are motivated, have clear goals, and constantly working with you to become the best in order to surpass their capacity.

I hire people with unique qualities, individuals that live with gusto and have a deep passion for what they do.”



This woman knows herself very well, accepts herself for who she is, and celebrates her special-ness. “Everyone who knows me knows that as a child I was a pure tomboy, then turned into a jock/cheerleader, turned pageant queen, turned high fashion guru, now turned artist. I have been called eccentric, eclectic, weird, loner and hard to understand. I love to live free, ever changing and exploring different aspects of who I am. My motto for life is Live Free,Love Much, Laugh Often,“

Guam is home to me. You can’t deny the beauty of Guam and it’s people. I feel so lucky to call Guam my home. Living here is like living in a beautiful postcard.” Even her description of her adopted home is artistic. Egurrola sees art everywhere. “There is so much talent on this island. I have met so many local artist and crafter that are just as passionate about their craft and they have inspired me beyond imagination. Thinking back, some of the fondest memories in my childhood were learning skills such as baking and crocheting from my mother. The most amazing woman I know is my Mother, who taught me the quality of your work reflects who you are as a person. It's amazing what you can do when you have others encouraging you to do your best and harvest those hidden talents. Passing on these skills and ethics to children are gifts of love. When it comes to art, it's not about right or wrong, it's about your personal expression and the emotions that are inspired viewing it.

”About Directions Magazine:Directions is an essential magazine to keep business people throughout the island connected. It also serves as a point of inspiration for those seeking motivation. It has everything you need. It’s straightforward, smart looking, with in-depth analytical stories on breaking business news delivered monthly.

Name:Joan P.EgurrolaPosition: Owner, The Sandbox StudioNature of Job:A Mixed-Media artist and owner of Sandbox Studio, teaching courses in crochet, various paper art, and painting.Best thing About Job: Helping others fulfill their creative potential. Working with children and being inspired by their outlook on life.Secret to Professional Success: You really have to love what you do. I don’t get up to work everyday. I get up to play! As long as your employees have a sense of purpose and believe in what they are involved with, they will give you 100%.Hiring Practices: I hire those with unique qualities, individuals that live with gusto and have a deep passion for what they do.Family: Parents: Jose and Amelita Egurrola, Siblings: Neil Egurrola (wife Geolyn Diaz) Children, Camerin, Maria , Jose Egurrola; She ila Kobayashi ( husband Ronald Kobayashi MD)Children, Troy and Aaron Kobayashi.Education: George Washington High School, Guam; Guam Community College, and University of Michigan.Community Involvement:Incoming member Soroptimists International of the Marianas.Last book Read (that helped or motivated you personally and/or professionally?) and Author:Ghost Soldiers by Hampton SidesWhen No One is Looking: I am doing my good deed of the day.As a Child: I was all tomboy. I would run the streets without a shirt, eat bugs, climb trees, play war games in the jungle, and play baseball on dirt streets. My brother would use me as a shooting target or a test pilot for his modified bikes, make shift Go-Carts and test the strength of tree branches. Every Sunday my Dad would take me and my siblings to Ypao beach to swim, I would drift in the water for hours.Biggest pet peeve: As a self-proclaimed “fixer”, I am loath to those who choose to dwell on worriment instead of moving forth to resolve the issue.Motto: Live Free,Love Much, Laugh Often,!