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?

Back on the Horse

It's been a long while between blog posts, even longer since I was posting regularly.  

The Life Instyle preparations then the actual show and then catching up on work and life afterwards I found were all consuming not to mention exhausting.  It was a great show though and I will post more on that soon.

Now, I'm back on the blogging horse, back on the market horse and back on the creative horse.  

Yesterday I had a great time at a resin workshop.  I made a couple of bangles and a couple of rings.  I can feel a new addiction coming on!  I just love the depth of colours and the smooth feeling of the resin once I've sanded it.  So lovely and cool in this weather.  The bangles I made are big and chunky though it's hard to tell in the photo below.

If you've ever wanted to have a play with resin, or like me, want to brush up on your skills, there are more workshops planned for Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne.  You can get more information here.

Editing a Range - What Didn't Make the Cut, and a Few That Did

It's been super busy around these parts  with now only three and a half days until I leave for the Sydney Life Instyle show.  

Last week, I gave you a sneak peek at a few of the pieces that will be making their debut at the show.  You'll notice the plum blossom theme there.  I find it really important to have a collection that works together, not necessarily with the same motif, but something less random than pieces that are thrown together just because they are cute.

I thought today I'd show you a few of the pieces that didn't make it into the range.

I actually kind of like these waves, but they just didn't seem to go with anything else in the range.  I think though that I'll explore this design later down the track.

These were the first waves I was working on.  I wanted something simplified, but the waves turned out to thin to really let the colour of the background show through.

I want to play some more with some butterflies at a later date, but for now, these ones were just a bit too lonely.

I love chrysanthemum designs and these teapots were heavily influenced by the stunning woodblock prints by Mizu Designs.  I think though that mine (below) turned out a bit too busy and instead I've simplified and gone with the design here.

I'm pretty attached to this cloud design, but if feels rather lonely in the collection for now.  I'm sure to be revisiting this idea after Sydney.  After all the weather we've been having on the eastern coast of Australia, I think a number of cloud designs will be popping up, Red Revival's recent one is really cute.

I felt also that these top two cranes were too busy and I didn't feel comfortable with the two cutouts in the cranes wings.  I much prefer designs to be in uneven numbers.

Instead I'll be going with these simple single cranes as well as my String of Cranes three piece brooch.

 And lastly, I said that my Kokeshi Dolls now had a younger sister who was ready to come "out in society" (I've been watching rather a lot of Jane Austen while I've been working), here she is.

I must say thank you as well for the enquiries as to when the new pieces will be available for retail, they'll be in the store after the Sydney show, most likely late February or early March.

Fashion Dolls

My Kokeshi Dolls have gone all model-y this month, striking a pose for the camera.  They're in this month's (about to hit the stands) Homespun Magazine.

A few of their younger sisters, with little pigtails are about to make their debut next week at the Sydney Life Instyle show too.

I hope all this fame doesn't go to their heads.

Life

I need some pumping music to get me going on this Sunday morning.  This is a song that always does the trick.  Not only does it have a great beat, but the lyrics are really inspiring.

And this is the original in Japanese.

What helps you get pumped?

New Look Website

I'm really excited.  After a lot of hours clicking away, both on the computer and camera, the new website is up.

You can see it over here.  What do you think?

My Creative Space

The less sexy side of crafting today.  The plastic gloves, the oh-so-bright yellow and green chemical mask, the cheap disposable beer cups.  And we won't mention the fact that I always do resin pours pre-shower and hair wash...

How about you?  Do you craft?  Is your crafting sexy?

For more creative spaces, hopefully ones that are a little more glamourous, Kootoyoo is the place to go.

A Sneak Peek...

...at some test cuts that arrived yesterday... 

...at some pieces soon to come...