My Creative Space

My creative space this week has been mostly occupied with working with other people's amazing artwork.  I've been busy preparing and hanging the Reincarnated Kimono Project exhibition which will be all ready for viewing from tomorrow afternoon.

Here's a sneak peek of some of the gorgeous pieces in the show....

I'll do a full blog tour of the show this coming Saturday if you can't make it in to the show.

And hanging exhibition has been such a pleasure surrounded by the flowery goodness that is Hanasho.

For more creative spaces, head over to Kootoyoo.

Close yet....

I'm working on my pieces for the Reincarnated Kimono Project today.  But now I'm stuck.  One piece is almost there... but the shape isn't quite right... it's one of those moments when I'm not sure if I should pull it all apart and start again, or if it just needs some tweaking....  I'm not sure if I've taken it too far... if I need to simplify....  so for at least a couple of hours I need to step away from it.  Do you ever get stuck like this?  What helps you?

On another note, a thank you to everyone who got involved in my Japan Relief auctions.  And congratulations to the winners, Jen and Julia!

My Creative Space

I'm letting my creative spirit take flight for a few days....  I've booked the weekend out so that I can complete my work for the Reincarnated Kimono Project exhibition that is hanging... next week!

I'm so inspired by the amazing creations that I've been getting sneak peeks of, and I feel like I need to lift my game a bit.  You can see a few for yourself here, here, here and here.

Today, I'm experimenting a little.  I'm not sure if it's something that will make it to the show or not,  but I'm playing with kimono wings and resin.

For more creative spaces, head to Kootoyoo.

Taste Test Tuesday

Feeling foxy?

Vintage look felted long scarf Sultry Fox by Rudman

Fantastic Mr Fox - Cushion by kushkush

Fox, Forest, Frost by blackoutwell

Miss Fox Wood Brooch by craftyfolk

The Fantastic Fox Wrist-Poche by littleoddforest

All found using Etsy's Taste Test.

Japan Relief Auction - Vintage Kimono Fabric Bundle

My second auction to raise fund for the Japan Relief.  A bundle of vintage kimono fabrics from my collection.

There is a mix of fabrics, though mostly silk.  All together there is over 7 metres in there, most fabrics at the standard kimono panel width of 30 - 35cm, a couple are a bit narrower.

This big bold origami crane pattern comes from a woman's haori coat.

I love the Samurai helmet on this boy's fabric.

And look at these cranes, one a yummy crepe and the other a fabulously cute origami crane print.

The nitty-gritty of the auction...

1. The auction ends at 9pm (Brisbane time) on March 26th, 2011.
2. To bid, leave a comment on this blog post with the amount you wish.  You can keep checking on the post during the week to make sure you haven't been out-bid.  The starting bid is the first bidders choice.
3. Bids are to be made in Australian dollars, in full dollar amounts.
4. Make sue when you bid that I'll be able to contact you if you win, either with a link to your own blog or an email address.
5. I'll post the fabric anywhere in the world.
6. The full winning bid amount will be donated to the Red Cross Japan Disaster Appeal.

I'm also auctioning one of my hand embroidered kimono cranes for the appeal here.

For other great Japan Relief auctions and raffles, please visit A Bit Of This and A Bit Of That, the co-ordinator of this great event.

Time to get this party started!  Do I have a first bid?

Japan Relief Auction - Kimono Crane

As most of my regular readers will know, Japan was my beloved home for six years.  I lived there twice, once when single and then later as a newlywed.  It's a country I adore and is filled with people that I love.  A place I hold so dear to my heart.

Last week's tragedy broke my heart, as it did people all around the world, whether you've ever been there or not.  I found it hard to talk about and still do.  I am so lucky however that my friends and their families are all safe, even though quite scared and nervous.

I'd like to help give back to the country that has inspired me for so long now.

I'm going to open two blog auctions today.  The Kimono Crane pictured below, and in a moment, in another post, a bundle of vintage kimono fabrics.

This Japanese origami crane has been hand folded the traditional way, but in antique kimono silk.  The particular kimono this crane comes from was a celebratory gown so comes infused with well wishes.  The words "Joy" and "Love" have been hand embroidered on the wings.

It hangs from a looped ribbon, like this one.  The ribbon is also adorned with Czech and Japanese beads.  The wingspan is about 18cm.

The origami crane is a well-known symbol of peace.  In Japanese culture, the crane is also a symbol of longevity, fidelity and a happy marriage.  

The nitty-gritty of the auction...

1. The auction ends at 9pm (Brisbane time) on March 26th, 2011.
2. To bid, leave a comment on this blog post with the amount you wish.  You can keep checking on the post during the week to make sure you haven't been out-bid.  The starting bid is the first bidders choice.
3. Bids are to be made in Australian dollars, in dollar amounts.
4. Make sure that when you bid I can contact you somehow if you win, either with a link to your own blog or an email address.
5. I'll post the crane to yourself (or someone of your choosing) anywhere in the world.
6. The full winning bid amount will be donated to the Red Cross Japan Disaster Appeal.

For other great Japan Relief auctions and raffles, please visit A Bit Of This and A Bit Of That, the organiser of this event.

So, without further ado... let's get this auction started!

... update... the other auction, a bundle of gorgeous vintage kimono fabrics is now up, over here....

Let's Go Shopping - The Japan Relief Edition

I'm joining in BrisStyle's Let's Go Shopping meme today, inspired by Wicked Child Design's Japan Relief theme.  

Japan Relief Each Card Hand Drawn Original by ReincarnationStation

Japanese Origami Crane Earrings Pray For Japan by makeawishaz

SADAKO Limited Edition Print - A4 by birdyandme

Thinking of Home (Japan Earthquake Relief) by Naokosstoop

Japan Relief - I Heart You Ninjas - Wood Peg People by Pegged

There are lots of other ways you can help raise money for the Japan appeal.  Poppytalk has some links.  And A Bit Of This and A Bit Of That has been great at organising blog auctions and raffles.  

I'll be adding a couple of my own blog auctions here later today, one an abundance of kimono fabric, and the second of one of my very limited edition kimono cranes.

Meet the Artists - The Reincarnated Kimono Project

I'm very excited to announce the artists taking part in The Reincarnated Kimono Project.

Fifteen artists are taking pieces from the same two kimonos and creating a piece in their own style.  There are fashion pieces for both young and not-as-young, mixed media artworks, softies, fabric origami, bags, a quilt, and jewellery.  The artists are now weaving their magic on the vintage fabric and I'll give a blog tour of the exhibition once it's up.

The artists for the show are;

Myself, but I'm sure you already guessed that.  I'll be creating a couple of my signature jewellery pieces and one of my embroidered kimono cranes for the exhibition.

Deanne Mayocchi of Maiocchi fame, a Brisbane based designer of whose work I've been a fan for a long time.  She creates the most fabulous fashion pieces influenced by Japanese textiles.

Nicole Lacey of Hot Toffee is a fellow artist that has also lived in Japan for six years.  She makes the sweetest (no pun intended) glass jewellery, but has a special mixed media piece she's creating especially for the show...

Stephanie Morris of Wimcee has a real fun sense of colour, I especially love her fabric collage bags and pouches.

Kate Allan of Dash Robin, the creator of all sorts of wonderful things.  For the exhibition she's embracing and celebrating the flaws that time has given the kimonos.

Samantha Gilkes of Jetta's Nest, paints and illustrates with such a funky style and will also be showing a mixed media piece inspired by the kimono fabric.

Robyn Dixon of Hot Fudge, at BrisStyle we best know her as the fabulous crafter of gorgeous children's clothes, but she's also a quilter and will be patching up a storm for the show.

Gill Pyke of Catamation will be working her origami magic on her fabric pieces.  Gill is another artist who is inspired by the time she lived in Japan.

Rachael Smith of Penelope and Pip is best known for her scrumptious illustrations but is creating something quite different for the project...

Chrissy Foreman C is both a talented artist and jeweller.  We shall see soon what the fabric inspired her to create.

Danielle Wood of Manx Minx creates critters with character.  I can't wait to see her kimono critter with character!  Now say that three times quickly!

Thea Samios of Thea and Sami is a screenprinter who produces beautiful work with an organic Australian feel.  Her inspiration of "Australia meets Japan in the garden" really has me excited.

Emma Kidson of Emma Kidson Jewellery's stunning pieces are inspired by all things Japanese and is another artist who has spent time living there.

Amelia  Apogremiotis of Nan's Garden has been using kimono fabric in their delightful range of children's clothes for a while now and will be contributing a cute kimono piece for this show.

Catherine Savage of Made by Maisie creates gorgeous dolls, each with their own name.  I think one of her Kokeshi dolls is going to look just lovely dressed in real kimono fabric.

The exhibition will be run for the month of April at Hanasho, 5/235 Boundary Street West End.  I hope you can come along to see how diversely these two vintage kimonos have inspired fifteen artists.

My Creative Space

As with most crafters, I have a stack of different pens, pencils, brushes and pairs of scissors, all for different tasks.  For a long time now they have all been thrown together in a drawer and each time I was looking for something, it would take me a while to rummage through to find what I was looking for.

No longer.

Now they're all neatly organised in jars.  The jars are housed in a pretty bamboo tray so that it they can be easily carried from one area to the next depending on the work I'm doing.

The jars were really fun (and super quick) to pretty up with some Japanese masking tape.

Do you have a creative space?  Is it organised or a creative mess?

For more creative spaces, drop by Kootoyoo.

Japan

My love to all in Japan at this time.

My Creative Space

... or rather the entrance to my creative space.

My little creative space lives in a bedroom at the top of a set of stairs.  It's a good sized room with large built-in cupboards, but somehow I still find it's just not big enough.  Until last week outside the room was an ugly brown set of shelves piled with packing boxes and envelopes.  I'd had enough of feeling like I was living in a warehouse (and subjecting my family to it as well), so did a big clear out of the linen cupboard to store the boxes and envelopes in there instead.

That then gave me a couple of thin, but deliciously clear, spaces to play with.

On the then wall between my room and the bathroom, I hung a canvas and popped Molly the Mannequin.  The canvas has had vintage kimono fabric stretched over it.  Molly is wearing a few of my kanzashi necklaces.

Then at the top of the stairs, a vintage suitcase (thanks mum!), a pile of current reading and some embroidery hoops.  Some of my kimonos are stored in the suitcase and it looks so much prettier than the ugly bags they were being held in.

The embroidery hoops have some of the vintage kimono fabric that I created my first three piece crane brooch from, and the brooches have now been added onto the hoop as well.

It's so lovely having a pretty entrance to my space.  I feel inspired before I even enter the room.

For more creative spaces, hop by Kootoyoo.

Bookcase Tour - The Art of Resin Jewelry

The book that began an obsession for me, The Art of Resin Jewelry by Sherri Haab.

When I first started playing with resin as something more than just a coating, I was living in Japan.  There certainly wasn't any access to English-language classes I could take over there, so it was something I had to teach myself through books.  This book was a great introduction and I continue to go back to it as a reference book when I'm trying something new.

Just look at these scrumptious colours.  It was the colours that first drew me to resin, something about the way it looks when the light hits a piece...

The book starts by going through the basics including; types of resin, safety, colouring, finishing and also some jewellery making basics. 

It then continues with a number of projects using different techniques.  This sweet pressed flower bracelet uses resin as a clear coating.

It was this next picture that sealed the deal for me when I was trying to choose online a book to buy.  I had the idea of embedding vintage kimono fabric into resin, and here was a project that included just that.

This next project uses pre-made candy moulds with hand painting to make these sweet little pins.  With Easter coming up soon, it might be a great time to keep an eye out of chocolate moulds....

One of the really fun things about playing with resin is adding things to it.  This glitter gem bead necklace is so fun.

The book also goes through how to make your own moulds using both liquid silicone and moulding putting.

Each time I flick through this book, I'm inspired by a new idea, something else I want to try.  

The Art of Resin Jewelry by Sherri Haab 

ISBN 0-8230-0344-2

Taste Test Tuesday

I'm feeling a little fragile today, so while I was out to do some banking I decided to make a detour.  With some birthday present money I went to buy a DVD to cheer myself up.  I found myself drawn to the old movies and came home with a copy of Heidi with Shirley Temple.

I find something so comforting about those childhood tales and playing with Etsy's Taste Test today, I think that really comes through.

The Marvelous Mushroom by Lambcandy

Flutter by ALPhotography

Two Songs print by munieca

Tiny Moss Mushroom and Fern Terranium Necklace by WoodlandBelle

Is there something that you find yourself drawn to when you need a little extra comfort?

Five Years

Five years ago today The Man and I were standing in a little chapel filled with family and friends.  I have such sweet memories of the day, of the loved ones around us, of the relaxed feel, of the yummy food and of course of it being the day we started our married life together.

It feels like a lot has happened in those five years.  We became ex-pats and then three years later, ex-ex-pats, or should that be "re-pats"?  We've battled illnesses and returned to health.  Our family of two grew to be a family of three with the most wonderful little girl by our sides.  My business has grown to be a full-time venture and The Man has taken on the role of stay-at-home dad so that the three of us can be together everyday.

I still feel so lucky to have such a supportive and caring man in my live, just as I did when we said our vows five years ago.

Happy Anniversary my love.

Flickr Faves on a Friday

Yesterday was Girl's Day in Japan, or more correctly, Hina Matsuri.

1. " HINA MATSURI DOLLS", 2. Wagashi for the Japanese Doll Festival (Hina-matsuri), 3. Hina Matsuri 2009, 4. baby in blanket, 5. Edo Nagashibina, 6. Ohinasama おひなさま - 御雛様, 7. HINA MATSURI 雛祭り, 8. ひな祭り Hina-matsuri, 9. べっぴんさんに囲まれて・・・

I wasn't organised enough to get decorations out this year but instead we celebrated my Grandma's 91st birthday.  After lunch we had a four generation tea party.  My grandma, mum and I drank from my Shinzi Katoh tea set, and the little one sat with her teddy bear and they played with her pink tin tea set.

The Exhibition Kimonos

Pssst.... I'll tell you a little secret... it's my birthday today!  In my inbox was the best birthday presents - a stack of really inspiring ideas for The Reincarnated Kimono Project.  Thank you so much to everyone that has submitted, the creative thought put into them is really amazing.  I've been buzzing all day!  I'll announce the artists soon.

In the meantime, I'd like you to meet two of the other stars of the show.  The kimonos that have volunteered to go under the blade and to subject themselves to needles, glue and all manner of things in the name of transformation.

Kimono number one.  Let's call her Satsuki.  If you look at her closely, she's a bit marked with age, but my oh my, those colours!  She's also made with this old type of silk crepe that is so beautiful to the touch.

And if those colours weren't enough, there are also gorgeous origami cranes printed in silver over the top.

Kimono number two.  She tells me her name is Yumiko.  I ummed and ahhed about including her.  She is just so beautiful, it's going to be hard to take her apart.  She insisted though.  She has some marks that means that she can no longer be worn.  But really wants to go out and explore the world again, and says she'd love a new look.

She's adorned with flying cranes, detailed ones as well as stylised ones in silver and gold.

And with a gorgeous garden of flowers.

I'm so excited to see these two in all their new forms.

Calling for Brisbane-ish Artists

Exciting things are afoot for this year.

I've been accepted and booked a gallery for next month for my Reincarnated Kimono Project.  Two vintage kimonos are being carefully taken apart to be reinterpreted by a number of artists in their chosen art/craft form.  I can't wait to see how the fabric changes with each artists' touch!

It's all happening soon and if you're a Brisbane-ish based artist or crafter and are interested in contributing I still have some spots and would love to hear from you!  There is information and a survey to fill out over here.

Taste Test Tuesday

Playing with the Etsy Taste Test with a lovely cup of tea by my side...

In Our Nature - Print by myfolklover

Mini Teatime reusable fabric stickers by lovemaestore

Vintage Style Bobby Pin with Teacup by lechouchou

 My Cup of Tea Art Print by yennnie

Have you found anything that's your cup of tea lately?