Wrap It Like A Sister

I’ve been struggling with how to present the next “Inner-Sister.” So, instead of digging in and working it out, I decided to fall back on my avoidant behavior and write about something shiny and pretty…

When the first order came through The Inner-Sisters Secret Society on-line store, I knew I wanted to send it out in a way that felt as intentional as my work. I had a stash of the usual shipping supplies - bubble wrap, tape, padded envelopes - but none of it felt right. Plastic and cardboard felt transactional, not transformational. The Inner-Sisters are about sharing our stories, and I wanted the packaging to carry that same spirit—an opening gesture as meaningful as the art inside.

So I started experimenting. I pulled out scraps of fabric and began wrapping the frames. I loved the look, but realized that scraps, if tossed, would end up in a landfill, just like bubble wrap. And then I opened my drawer of scarves - beautiful fabrics that are steeped in history and utility—and the answer was clear. The Inner-Sisters would adopt the ancient Japanese art of Furoshiki.

The Philosophy of Furoshiki: Furoshiki is more than a clever way to wrap a package; it’s a centuries-old Japanese practice rooted in sustainability, creativity, and care. At its simplest, Furoshiki transforms a square of cloth into functional beauty—folded, knotted, and repurposed again and again.

But the philosophy goes deeper. Furoshiki embodies the idea that nothing is ever just one thing. A scarf can be wrapping today, tied on a handbag tomorrow, a table-top covering next week. Objects live many lives, carrying meaning across each transformation. There is no “throwaway” moment—only continuity.

Furoshiki honors what already exists, layering meaning with every fold, and celebrating the beauty of reinvention. It mirrors the philosophy of the Inner-Sisters: the parts of us that have always been there can then adapt, protect, and transform, reemerging in new forms.

Scarves Hold Stories: Scarves are both practical and beautiful - they are meant to be reused, reinvented and remembered. That’s why I get them from thrift stores and vintage shops. Each scarf already has a story, and when it wraps your artwork, that story is folded into your own. Unwrapping becomes a kind of ritual when the packaging itself matters. With Furoshiki, each knot and fold is intentional. The moment of untying becomes an invitation to pause, to notice, to appreciate. It’s not just about getting to what’s inside—it’s about honoring the journey to it.

That’s what I want for anyone drawn to The Inner-Sisters on their own journey. Every package should feel like a small ceremony, a slowing down, a reminder that beauty can be found in the smallest details.

So, unwrap slowly. There are stories in the folds.