Have a lovely Thanksgiving! (And to make your own Amigurumi Turkey, visit Stacey Trock’s Fresh Stitching.)
And to everyone else, um, Happy Thursday!
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Bento at Japanistic
Category Archives: Craft
Ceramics by Hitomi Nakagawa
Delicate ceramics from artist Hitomi Nakagawa. Some available at Iichi. And I am really in need of that Gray Cross Dish! (hint hint to anyone in my family who might be reading this.)
My house is full of crazy colors and yet, I am so drawn the simplicity of some Japanese ceramics in a way I don’t quite understand. These do the trick for me completely.
I love her photo too. Doesn’t it make you want to buy something from her? (Like perhaps a gray cross bowl you give me for Christmas?)
Samurai Felt birds take flight.
Although I’m a knitter, the art of felting is a mystery to me. While I don’t understand it, I am in awe of the artistry behind these felted birds from Samurai Felt.
So lifelike they look ready to take flight, the artist , based in Hyogo, Japan, says “I have needled felt little animals out of wool since last year,inspired from nature near by my habitation. I realy [sic] love the beauty of nature animals and birds, so I always strive to make them as realstic [sic] as possible.” (via)
If only these sweet friends would visit the bird bath in my backyard.
A Japanese Spring Girl to brighten your Autumn chills.
On a gorgeous Monday, I am drawn to these images from Lil Sonny Sky.
Her series of Japanese Spring Girls is quite beguiling. Simple, and yet, entirely lively and joyful.
I’m also in love with her Japanese Rain print.
There’s also her Kokeshi Doll print.
Can you see one of these on your wall? I certainly can.
Posted in Craft, Things I'd like to have, art
Tagged Folksy, Japanese Spring Girl, Kokeshi, Lil Sonny Sky
Is iichi in English the new Japanese Etsy?
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?
Washi Tape Silhouettes
Thanks to Design Editor, I learned about this quick, easy, and cool Washi Tape Silhouette Tutorial at Leukst.
So easy, even I can do it!
You will need: masking tape in various colors, scissors and baking paper. Draw your silhouette (or any other shape) onto the baking sheet. Paste strips of masking tape over it, it doesn’t have to be neat but they must overlap. Because the transparent nature of the masking tape you can now easily cut out the form with a pair of sharp scissors. Pull the masking tape from the baking paper and paste it where you want! (via)
And Voila! Holiday gifts anyone??
Posted in Craft, DIY, This inspires me
Tagged Design Editor, Leukst, Washi Tape Portraits, Washi Tape Silhouettes
Ceramics that are unsuitable for backpacking! (and cute mice too.)
I love you, little mouse. From One Kiln Ceramics.
If you aren’t a mouse fan, perhaps you enjoy backpacking? But you can’t take this porcelain set. Because it is UNSUITABLE for backpacking, also at One Kiln.
And yes, I love the buttons too.
Yes, I know. I’ve had a bit of a ceramics fixation lately, mostly because I have madly loading new products in the Ceramics section at Japanistic. Take a peek, please.
Porcelain from Yumiko Iihoshi
Today’s want: delicate ceramics from Yumiko Iihoshi Porcelain.
It is my ideal to make pieces that are infused with nostalgia.
Inspiring people to reflect and reminisce about time gone by….
The handmade line is not overly stylized or crafted .
The product line has a unique touch that stands apart from basic line.
I want to create a range of pieces that are on the boundary between handmade and conventional goods. (via)
Did you know that Japanistic has ceramics too? New treasures added last night, and more coming soon.
Posted in Craft, New Product
Washi Tape Creations, or craft ideas I might have to try.
Yesterday, while arranging my office supplies yet again, and stamping washi tape labels for things like boxes of tacks, I fell down the rabbit hole again, into the wonderful world of Washi Tape.
I love the washi tape decorated boxes above.
Loving these Washi Tape Flower postcards with vintage book pages.
Having a party? How about Washi Tape Cupcake Toppers?
Love this adorable desktop notes and photo holder.
The artist says that “this one looks a bit festive;)
Made out of upcycled cardboard, card stock and washi-tape.
Hinged with washi-tape.“(via) Clever and useful!
These Vintage French Postcard Graduation Announcements are another favorite.
“Vintage Paris postcards + air mail-themed washi tape + vintage Paris stamp” (via)
What a great idea! And I love the fact that the washi tape is used as just an accent.
I also like the creativity of jazzing up a digital camera with washi tape.
Customized Classica
“I’m sure some purists will freak out about this … but I really hated the white (faux leather-ish) cover on my Natura Classica. So I took it off and covered it with colorful washi tape. I didn’t think it would be possible to love this camera more, but I’m even more excited about using it now! :-)
P.S. — The cover came off REALLY easily, so I saved it and will make a template from it if I decide to recover it with leather or another suitable material.” (via)
Not sure I would be brave enough to do this on my own, but I totally respect that she did!
I know it’s the tail end of summer but I still love these Washi Tape Votives.
That’s it for today, since I want to leave you in suspense over the weekend about what other Washi Tape Wonders I might have found. (Remember-if you need your own supply, we’ve got it at and plenty more in the Craft Section at Japanistic!)
A weekend project – DIY Ponytail bands from Hug Mug
Today’s post, a DIY project from Japanese kid’s fashion magazine Hug Mug.
I know many young ones who would be THRILLED to have these cute pom poms adorning their pony tails. And the directions make them
Wouldn’t this be a fun birthday party activity? Perhaps I am deluding myself but I think even I could do this.
Too lazy or unskilled to make these? That’s okay. We have cool Japanese ponytail bands at Japanistic, ready to wear as soon as you take them out of the box! (And I confess – sometimes I wear a few around my wrist, just because.)
