Most people know of my deep love for all things ocean. Today’s obsessions is these tiny glassworks, by Design Festa exhibitor 6*Umi, who must be as ocean-oriented as me.
Maybe have the sea in a bottle would satisfy my mid-winter water cravings, at least for a moment.
I know you’ve been going through withdrawal because I haven’t been posting enough bags lately.
These are from Mishim, and they are perfectly simple, which makes them all the more desirable as far as I’m concerned.
Also from Mishim, ceramics like the Pomme Cup and gorgeous Cafe Au Lait bowls, salad, and soup bowls. (These would go extremely well with my old Lotta Jansdotter ceramics!)
Posted in Beauty, Design, Things I'd like to have
Tagged Mishim, Mishim Pomme Cup, Tote Bags
Of course, I want you to do all of your shopping at Japanistic, but sometimes, I can possibly allow you to shop elsewhere. Now, there’s another option for Japanese handicrafts, and yeah, it’s a good one.
Just launched in english, iichi “started as a new project with a mission to connect Japanese craft-makers with users everywhere,
Our vision is to build a trusted marketplace that is open to the world.
In the near future, we plan to offer workshops, craft fairs and other unique iichi events. We sincerely hope to see you there.” (via)
Yup. They pretty much had me at iichi! But wait-there’s more.
“iichi is a new marketplace for Japanese handmade goods. Just as with other countries, there is a rich culture of handmade craft in this small island nation.
Each region offers an abundance of natural materials and traditions rooted in its own distinctive history and personality, and there always have been people who find fascination and fulfillment in using their own hands to create things.” (via)
Still growing, the site doesn’t have a ton of product yet, but I like the direction they’re going.
Small Plates from Yoshiaki Tadaki.
Yup, I would completely have made my little boy wear this Polka Dot Bowtie when he was little!
I cannot believe this gal is called Little Chubb Chubb!!
Little Chubb Chubb artist, Kumi Takada, also makes these Angel on a Swing folks, which are the size of your thumb.
Bird ring from Tools Van de Lune.
Cute Furoshiki from Kyoko Bowskill.
The rub? The shipping ain’t cheap. But for something that’s perfectly wonderful and totally unique, it’s worth treating yourself sometimes, don’t you think?
This morning, I am sitting at home, listening to French Rap on an iTunes radio station and loading product. (I know, I know. French Rap? But seriously–give it a chance.)
I am so excited about these cards that I had to stop and tell you about them.
Last time we had these incredible Atsuhiko Misawa cards in stock at the store, they sold out so quickly, I didn’t have a chance to put them online. This time, we ordered extra so you can have them too!
Japanese artist Misawa is well-known for his collection of “wooden life-sized sculptures of animals, which are lively and humorous.” (via)
Although famous for his sculptures, Misawa works in a number of other mediums as well.
Now, you can have your own collection of his artwork with these Cards at Japanistic. Thicker than card stock, they would mail well, of course. I see them, however, with a hole punched in them and a lovely piece of ribbon strung through to hang them on my wall.
I love this cat with two differently colored eyes.
How would you hang your newest gallery pieces?
Posted in Beauty, New Product, art
Tagged Misawa Atsuhiko, Misawa Atsuhiko Animal Cards, New Product at Japanistic
I am a swimmer, with a serious open water addiction. When the weather is cold, these stunning sea life knives might satiate my need to be in the water.
Beautifully crafted in Tosa, Japan, they are my current object of WANT. Aren’t they lovely?
Posted in Awesomeness, Beauty, Things I'd like to have, This inspires me
Tagged Kujira Knife, Sea Life knives, Whale Knife
A few days ago, I tweeted about the J-Collabo exhibit and event coming on September 9th but I wanted to look a little more at some of the artists and illustrators involved.
First up today, artist Yoko Furusho.
“YOKO FURUSHO is a Japanese artist/illustrator based in New York. She was born in Tokyo and moved to New York to study illustration at the School of Visual Arts. After her graduation, she started her career as a professional illustrator/artist. She likes to draw details, textures and patterns with ink and acrylics, and often uses fashion as her inspiration. She is addicted to collecting fashion magazines and likes to look at a lot of dresses and cute textiles.” Yeah, sounds like a perfect fit for Japanistic.
She also has her own collection at the Keds Collective.
I would wear any of these!
And if I can’t have the sneakers, I’d certainly settle for this mug for my morning coffee.
And remember, if you are in NY on the 9th, you can see her work and meet her at the J-Colabo event in just a few days.
J-COLLABO Exhibition “Heritage”
The telling of Japanese fairy tales is one vehicle with which the Japanese have handed down their sense of beauty, customs, lessons, and social norms through the generations. With “Heritage,” J-COLLABO’s biannual celebration and exhibition, artists in New York present Japanese tradition in a new light, using new media and innovative collaborations across artistic platforms.
Wish I could be there!
Thanks to Japan Pulse, I’ve just learned about the new Paper Craft store, Kamigu. Showcasing a terrific collection of paper artistry this is inspiring much WANT on my part.
Particularly amazing? The Architecture Model Series by Naoki Terada.
There’s even a sticker option to dress up your models.
Kamigu has many other paper craft wonders. I love the Torinosu, or paper bird’s nest.
I also LOVE this LED Paper Flashlight.
“This is a square shaped flashlight, which is assembled from a piece of paper. It comes with a LED and a small battery. It lights up when you hold it and turns off when you release it. It’s very simple. The Lite Lite emits a square shaped and soft light through the paper. Enjoy the flashlight like a candle.”
Cool AND utilitarian. Perfect combo.
I am also intrigued by these Paper Glasses.
“These glasses look like something you might wear to a party, but they are actually a very serious paper tool. Because of the 1mm holes, it’s possible to focus your eyes without lenses. Paper goods, such as paper cups or paper plates are useful goods, when there is an emergency. These paper glasses are made to help you ride out a crisis when your glasses are broken in a disaster or accident.”
Don’t want to actually break my glasses, but really want to try these out. And who knows – with the hurricane bearing down on the East Coast of the U.S., many of us might need serious glasses replacement soon!
Posted in Awesomeness, Beauty, Craft, Design, This inspires me, art
Tagged Architecture Model Series, Japan Pulse, Kamigu, LED Paper Flashlight, Naoki Terada, Paper Glasses, Torinosu
I am loving this post over at Tokyo Telephone. A look at the Tokyo we don’t typically see. The gritty bits that make it more well-rounded and interesting.
Specifically, electricity meters.
Everyone always bangs on about how clean Japan is, and that is true to a certain extent. But aside from the shining metro stations and lack of litter, Tokyo is a city of more than thirteen million people in the metropolis. Where there’s people, there’s dirt. And I love it. Here’s a small selection of photos showing how much I like things a bit on the grubby side… (via)
I agree. No city feels real until you’ve seen past the tourist attractions and embraced the things that make it a living, breathing, peopled place. Thanks to Tokyo Telephone for showing us just a small part of that side of Tokyo!
(All images via Tokyo Telephone.)
Posted in Beauty, This inspires me, random
Tagged A slice of life in Tokyo, Electricity meters in Tokyo, Tokyo Telephone
And this one does the trick just perfectly.
I know it’s Spring now, at long last, but I love this image of the Asakusa Temple in Winter, from 1810.
Posted in Beauty, This inspires me, Vintage
Tagged Asakusa Shrine, Temple in Winter Circa 1810, Vintage Printable
Vintage Botanicals from Japan.I love the idea of a few of these framed on the wall of my living room. From one my favorite sites, Vintage Printable, which offers free downloadable images you can use for your own purposes. What better than free ephemera?
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