<![CDATA[SPAN - JOURNAL]]>Sat, 23 May 2026 18:26:47 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[S P A N Air plants have arrived!]]>Wed, 07 Oct 2020 15:01:52 GMThttps://www.wespan.ca/journal/air-plants-have-arrived
]]><![CDATA[Where’s it fRom? What’s it for?]]>Mon, 30 Mar 2020 20:34:18 GMThttps://www.wespan.ca/journal/wheres-it-from-whats-it-for
Found objects that stimulate the imagination. Who owned it ? What is it used for? How is it used? Where did it come from? We love to travel and prefer to rummage at a second hand store in a foreigner country than a souvenir shop at tourist traps. We enjoy recovering relics, seeing the beauty in patina and respect the characteristics of the wabi-sabi aesthetic - roughness, simplicity, economy, austerity, modesty, and appreciation of the ingenuous integrity of natural objects and processes.

Though our shop you may find an object of curiosity , a one of a kind or rare artifact of sorts. It may have a story of how we had obtained it, where it’s been or some narration  of embellished folklore for you to speculate on or add your story to. 

S P A N is not antique shop or a thrift store. We like to share wares that are unique and as we S P A N , we acquire curiosities and curate them amongst our favorite things . Aesthetically  pleasing or Functionally curious may make its way on our shelves and into your hands.
]]><![CDATA[higonokami pocket knives]]>Sat, 28 Mar 2020 18:06:18 GMThttps://www.wespan.ca/journal/higonokami-pocketknives
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Higonokami pocketknives proved very successful and were very popular in Japan. The popularity of the blades dwindled after the tightening of knife legislation in Japan in 1961. Known as the gentleman’s steak knife, one could conceal this when going out to dinner legally under the tightened legislation banning weapons in Japan.

Higo knives were originally known as a carpenter’s blade and This beautifully crafted folding knife is an extremely handsome accessory, whether carried as a tasteful pocket knife or a personal steak knife.

​First manufactured in 1896 in Meiji-era Japan, this style of knife is considered to be the first Japanese pocket knife. One of the key characteristics of the traditional Higo-No Kami is that when the knife is closed, part of the blade tang protrudes and can be used like a small lever to open the knife with one hand. Whether purchased for yourself or as a gift, the Higo-No Kami is a possession of understated elegance.

This full size Japanese friction folder by Nagao Higonokamia and is a simple yet eloquent knife that is more than capable of getting the job done. The handle is made from a folded sheet of brass and has kanjis (Japanese lettering) stamped into the side. The brass handle also hides the 3" damascus steel blade perfectly when closed. The simple and effective lever on the blade assists with opening. The handle is equipped with a lanyard hole making this simply designed pocket knife great for an EDC (Every Day Carry).
]]><![CDATA[AEROPRESS]]>Sat, 28 Mar 2020 18:03:52 GMThttps://www.wespan.ca/journal/aero-press
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Provided in the screw-on cap (moistened first with water), attach to the brew chamber, place the chamber on your mug of choice (ensure both are stable together), add coffee (the manual provides ratio suggestions to begin with), add enough hot water (between 195 and 205°F)  to infuse the grounds, stir, wait 10-30 seconds, then add more water. Insert the plunger and apply pressure, moving slowly - first-timers will need to take extra care here as engaging the parts can be awkward initially (if an AeroPress blooper reel existed, it would be priceless). Remove. Add more hot water to your coffee concentrate if desired or other. Done.

We take our AeroPress with us on our travels and it is the best luxury item stowed in our luggage.

We would be glad to demonstrate the ease of operation and quality of the brew will exceed your expectations.
]]><![CDATA[OUR HOME]]>Sat, 28 Mar 2020 17:16:06 GMThttps://www.wespan.ca/journal/our-home
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Our home town is Maple Bay and when we go into town, we go to our neighboring town of Crofton. We were in a ferry line up in Late February 2020 and walked the Boardwalk & Town to find a vacancy at the Mews , peeked in and our imagination for a creative space commenced as we SPANed Osborn Bay to Salt Spring Island. We are inspired by the local makers and the evolving commerce in all the neighboring towns and we will S P A N  time enjoying life with our hobbies.
“Enjoy life with your hobbies. This is considered the preferred lifestyle.”
]]><![CDATA[LITTLE SHOP THAT DID]]>Sat, 28 Mar 2020 17:14:02 GMThttps://www.wespan.ca/journal/little-shop-that-did
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We have this road side shop that was a repurposed concessions shop from Chemanius and opened our little hut to our neighborhood releasing artifacts and housewares from our personal collection and from our travels. This “little shop that could...” had inspired our hobbies to support and develop a little, local shop and creative space we call S P A N 
]]><![CDATA[August 22nd, 2016]]>Mon, 22 Aug 2016 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.wespan.ca/journal/hot-day-underway]]>