Came upon this lovely Washi Tape Journal from Etsy seller RuthBleakley. So pretty.
While looking through her blog, I also discovered this tutorial to make Washi Paper Eggs. Perhaps it’s not seasonal, but I don’t care. The eggs would make great decorations any time of year.
To see the whole tutorial, visit Ruth Bleakley’s Blog.
Another amazing item from Belle Maison Monthly.
Make your broth, and then add one of these adorable bear biscuits which dissolves in your soup. It’s so adorable, who cares what it tastes like.
My husband is away on business, my kid is home sick, the dog needs to be walked, the house is still filled with the boxes of Christmas decorations that need to be put away–and these guys are making it all better. Why are they making me smile so much?
Via the Design Festa Blog.
Another bit of wonderful from the Belle Maison Monthly subscription plan. This towel series has my name all over it.
And yes – the peanut towel just gets me.
Is that a ghost on the yellow towel? A ghost who loves candy?
Smiling fruits and veggies, a monkey at Le Tour Eiffel, and cheerful critters jumping for joy. Don’t we all need something like this at least once a month?
I am a big fan of boxes with secret compartments. In fact, my son spent much of the weekend carving the insides out of an old textbook to make his own disguised hiding place for his “treasures.”
I love this handcrafted wooden Bento Puzzle Box from Oka Craft, the studio of Hiroyuki Oka…
“How to open” of this box is easy and unique. It is opened by only 3steps.
Step1) Remove the lid of the luch box
Step2) Pick up the Deep-fried shrimp with chopsticks
Step3) Remove the Boiled rice >>> OPEN!(Small space is under boiled rice)
While the Bento Box drew me to it immediately, I am equally enamored of the more ornate styles, many with inlaid designs in an assortment of woods. Simply beautiful!
The art form is called Himitsu Bako. “Himitsu Bako” is one of the woodwork handed down from old times in Japan. The origin goes back even to the Meiji era(1868～).If the whole surface of a square box or a part is moved in order, the lid opens.With this mechanism, it is truly a puzzle!.also the puzzle box is decorated with traditional Hakone-cho, Odawara district artwork.The mosaic and wood inlaid work a traditional handicraft are used. the marquetry and wood inlaid work serves as the pattern for the box,and it is thinly sliced and pasted on the box. Metal parts are not used at all for making of this box. This is made from ONLY! wood.
Made in Japan but available for U.S. shipping at the Japanese Puzzle Box Shop on Etsy.
Love this Triangular Box.
I can think of many, many treasures to store in these! What goodies would you hide in your secret box?
2011 left, well, a little something to be desired. Personally, I am looking forward to 2012 with great enthusiasm, starting with a long desired trip to Vietnam in February. Today, I’ve been collecting mental images to welcome the Year of the Dragon with excitement.
A beautiful 2012 Calendar from Ask Alice.
Year of the Dragon Fortune Cards. Scratch the gold and reveal your fortune! (via)
Cards, cards, cards. (via and thanks to Yoshizen for the head’s up.)
50 yen stamps. (via)
Dragon goodies of all sorts! (via)
Dragon Thing-a-Ma-Bobs? (via)
Monsters!
We are dragons living in Furano of Japan.
2012 is our year おいらは 北海道の富良野 ニングルテラスに住んでる「富良ごん」だい。文句あるか～ (via)
The gorgeous window display at Takashimaya.
And of course, Nengajo, New Year’s Postcards.
Most compelling for me, and a reminder to slow down and appreciate the very act of making a “card”, these hand-crafted and fired clay New Year’s “cards” honoring the Year of the Dragon.
From Flickr user Masayon123, these incredible “cards.”
Can you imagine actually sending these through the mail??
Interesting Factoid?
A Japanese postbox. The left slot is for new year cards only between December 15th to January 7th.
日本の郵便ポスト。左の投函口は12月15日から翌年1月7日まで年賀状専用。(via)
This letter will be delivered on the very day of January 1st if you put this stamp under postage stamps which means Happy New Year.
このスタンプを切手の下に押せば、元旦に配達されます。(via)
While my family and I are enjoying a relaxing New Year’s Day together, Japanese postal workers will be busy, delivering countless numbers of New Year’s greetings to families around the country. Sounds quite lovely to me.
Wherever you and your family are starting the year, all of us at Japanistic wish you good health and happiness in 2012!
It might be time to admit I have a problem. The Washi Tape Collection is ever larger.
Have your own Washi Tape problem? It’s okay. Show us a photo. You’ll feel better.
This may seem like a completely mundane post for this time of year, but the New Year makes me want new things. And one of these bags from Semi would do nicely.
Billboards into Bags.
Totes, phone cases and laptop cases too.
Yes, I know I already got some lovely Christmas presents. But maybe a little gift for myself?
Japanistic is hitting the road this week. Well, sort of. My son is going to New York with his grandmother, and lucky him, he gets to go Taro’s Origami Studio.
Recently profiled in New York magazine, the shop is the brainchild of origami artist, and Patent Attorney (!) Taro Yaguchi.
“Taro’s Origami Studio is a space dedicated to the art and expression of origami folding. By folding origami one at a time with focus and care, one can enjoy the beauty of process itself while your creativity is expressed from a sheet of paper to something completely new. Taro’s Origami Studio offers Drop in & try out corners, classes and workshops for all levels of children and adults.”
The shop welcomes everyone from beginners to more advanced origami practitioners and has classes for kids, adults, and space for parties too. My son’s birthday is in January and I only wish we lived close enough to have his party there!
No reason to be nervous, as Taro’s motto lets you know.
Even if you are totally new to origami, with a little practice, you’ll be making beautiful origami in no time. Just remember the following tips:
If you are in NY, support a small independent business, hone your origami skills, and, of course, send us a photo of your work.
Can’t wait to see what my son comes home with!
Posted in Origami, Papercraft, This inspires me, art
Tagged Origami in Park Slope, Taro Yaguchi, Taro's Origami Studio
I saw a link to this on the Japan Pulse blog and I am so in want right now. So much better than a Snuggie, the Humanoid Sleeping Bag!
Taking the mummy bag to entirely new levels of amazing, from Doppelganger Sports.
And yes, this bag has some incredible features. Need to walk? No worries. Just zip up your legs.
Clearly it’s great for just lounging around.
Need to get your work on? No problem.
A handy pocket for your reading materials.
Unzip to use your hands.
Easy to clean, I guess. Rinse and wear?
One thing that might make it even better? A butt flap, like in a union suit. Because really, do you want to take the whole thing off to go to the bathroom? If you are already wearing a full-body sleeping bag, let the laziness reign supreme!
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