tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59455831728199654982024-03-14T17:11:15.605+09:00bikudesignsModern Vintage Design from JapanAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.comBlogger94125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-34954658097030352932018-02-21T11:02:00.002+09:002018-02-21T11:02:43.193+09:00BLOG HAS MOVED!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>I've now moved my blog over to my main website:</b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><b>Hope to see you over there!</b></span></h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-67348408948448417782017-11-25T15:29:00.001+09:002017-11-25T15:33:01.889+09:00NOVEMBER BLOG FEATURE: Laura Pearson from RYDEN REIRYDEN REI handmade baby clothing and accessories<br />
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<b><i>Designer and creator Laura, living in Tokyo and loving Japanese design</i></b></div>
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First of all, thank you so much to Victoria for featuring me and my brand RYDEN REI, I really appreciate it!<br />
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I often get asked what RYDEN REI means, the short answer is it is the name of my little boy. I created the brand for him, so hopefully he will appreciate the work and love I have put into it. Maybe he will pass on some of my creations to his kids. Hopefully he won’t look back at his modelling days for me and cringe! But seriously he is just too cute for that.<br />
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<b><i>Baby Ryden in the new, super cozy, fleece-lined winter onesie </i></b></div>
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I am Scottish and studied Textile Design and Performance Costume in Edinburgh. I was always influenced by Japan in my designs and somehow knew I was going to move here even before I met my Japanese/English husband Phil. I notice that tradition in Japan is somehow still prevalent in daily life and I am often inspired by this. I hope to bring a fresh approach to traditional design and give it a modern edge. <br />
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In the past I studied a few Japanese textile dying and print techniques such as Shibori and Katazome. I feel there is an added value to slow fashion produced by hand, each piece is special and unique. At the moment I am concentrating on the stencil-dying technique Katazome, although my process is not exactly the same. I make plastic stencils instead of thick washi and use water-based t-shirt printing ink instead of rice paste dyes.<br />
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<i><b>Hand printed sushi design baby blanket </b></i></div>
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First, I draw out my design a few times, being careful to think about how I will cut it if it is too complex. Then I trace the design onto acetate and use a blade to cut out the parts I want to be printed. I use a combination of a roller and stipple brush to distribute the ink depending on the size of the design. It really is a labor of love, but I feel the imperfection in the final product is more beautiful than that of mass produced digital or latex printing.<br />
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<i><b>Drawing out my designs before printing </b></i></div>
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I work in my spare room, well sometimes it spreads elsewhere but it takes a lot of space to cut out fabrics, create patterns, set up photoshoots, sew and overlock …<br />
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Recently I have been asked to do some custom orders so I have been working on those. The way I work allows you to customize pretty much anything. It is really nice to be able to make something with your customers' personality infused in the final design. Previously I worked in the bespoke fashion industry in Beijing, Hong Kong and London. I created products together with my clients and always loved the personal process. The feeling you get when your customer loves what you have made for them is priceless.<br />
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<i><b>Design and sewing work station next to kimono collection and sumo poster </b></i></div>
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My webpage is up and ready to shop and I have also created an Etsy page because I really enjoy the international, handmade-loving community that comes along with it. I also post my inspirations and updates on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest so you can find me on any or all of those. It is a lot to manage for one person, but I hope to inspire people to explore their inner creativity and put something out there for others to enjoy!<br />
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Email: rydenrei@gmail.com<br />
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Website <a href="https://rydenrei.com/">https://rydenrei.com/</a><br />
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Etsy <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/RYDENREI">https://www.etsy.com/shop/RYDENREI</a><br />
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Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/rydenrei/">https://www.instagram.com/rydenrei/</a><br />
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Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/RYDENREI/">https://www.facebook.com/RYDENREI/</a><br />
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Pinterest <a href="https://www.pinterest.jp/rydenrei/">https://www.pinterest.jp/rydenrei/</a><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-42949749376060936482017-10-09T23:12:00.001+09:002017-10-12T21:10:58.124+09:00OCTOBER BLOG FEATURE: Corin Kanazawa Stylist<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hello everyone! I’m Corin of Corin Kanazawa Stylist, based in Tokyo. I’ve lived in Japan on and off for 17 years – 10 years in the beautiful countryside of Akita City in North Eastern Japan, and 7 years in Tokyo, where I currently live with my husband and 3 cheeky monkeys (two girls 9 and 7 and a little 3 year old boy). </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A year ago I embarked on my dream of starting my own business offering personal styling, closet detoxing (de-cluttering and coordinating) as well as personal shopping experiences. I love being a mum but also love having a creative outlet and working with wonderful women to achieve their best looks and boost confidence. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My passion for fashion began at an early age. As a young child, I adored playing dress-up with grandmother’s sumptuous silk scarf collection, plodding around her bedroom in her glamorous high-heeled shoes and wrapping myself in her beautiful woolen coats. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’ve always loved clothes and shopping and helping friends and family to style their best looks. I worked in fashion for a number of years in my home town of Melbourne, Australia, working with local and international brands including Louis Vuitton where I discovered the significant impact that the right fabric, fit and style has on enhancing body shape and personal style. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The amazing range of colour, fabric and design in this incredibly fashion-forward city re-fueled my love of fashion and styling. In October 2016 I decided to offer personal styling and personal shopping for the English-speaking Tokyo community. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before shopping for new items, its important to be familiar with existing items in your closet and be confident coordinating any new pieces into the mix. This is why a closet detox, styling & personal shopping session can actually help save money in the long run, preventing regrettable purchases. </span><br />
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After a closet detox</div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I visit client’s homes and together, we carefully scan closets deciding which pieces to keep, letting go of items that no longer suit needs, body shape and/or lifestyle. We follow up with an exciting day of personal shopping where we try on pieces that I have pre-selected and items we find on the day, choosing the best items to coordinate with your newly detoxed closet! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I offer two styling packages: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The Full Seasonal Styling Package, which includes an initial consultation, followed by a home closet detox and styling session, and finally a day of personal shopping. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Some clients prefer booking a Closet Detox & Styling package initially, which includes an initial consultation followed by a home closet detox and styling session - where I show clients how to coordinate their items based on their lifestyle and body shape. Most clients generally follow up with a personal shopping experience to fill in the gaps (which are usually significant after a thorough detox!) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This month I’m very excited to be celebrating one year of styling in Tokyo and for the first time, in Kansai! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love helping boost confidence through refreshing my clients’ wardrobes and looks. Having an accessible closet filled with pieces that are easy to coordinate without fuss or confusion, truly saves time and money in our very busy and sometimes stressful lives. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you open your closet to get dressed or head out shopping and feel at all anxious, stressed or confused about what to wear or buy, consider contacting me to chat about how I can help you achieve your best look through a fun yet efficient closet detox & personal shopping experience. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You can contact me here:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://m.facebook.com/corinstylist/" target="_blank">https://m.facebook.com/corinstylist/ </a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/corinstylist/">https://www.instagram.com/corinstylist/</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Email: <a href="mailto:corin@corinstylist.com">corin@corinstylist.com</a> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I can’t wait to hear from you to help you embark on your style journey!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-30108220809249903012017-09-13T21:51:00.003+09:002017-09-13T21:51:57.241+09:00SEPTEMBER BLOG FEATURE: Vicky Kobayashi from Ice Flower Crochet<div class="x_gmail-p1" style="color: #212121; font-size: 15px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I’m originally from Derby in England, and came to Japan twenty six years ago on a one year contract!<span class="x_gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>(How did that happen? ) I live in Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, with my Japanese husband and the younger of our two sons, who is a high schooler. The elder is at university in Tokyo. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I came to Japan originally to teach English, and twenty six years later that has morphed into my own small English school where I teach all ages, from toddlers to retirees. I love it, and I love the connections it gives me to our community.</span></div>
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<span class="x_gmail-s1" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I learned to knit and crochet from a friend while at university, and have never stopped making things since! So many people said “You could sell that,” that two years ago I took my courage in two hands and started Ice Flower Crochet, my small bespoke crochet business. My true love is making blankets, but I also make hats, scarves, garlands, wreaths, seasonal decorations, washcloths - almost anything that anyone asks me to make or that I’m inspired to make. I love to play with colours. The more colours the better, in my opinion! I love that I can make the same blanket with the same stitch but change the colours and get an entirely different result each time. I take pride in the quality of my work and my attention to detail. I also use high quality easy care yarns for most of my work, so that it can be used, worn and loved for years.</span></div>
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<span class="x_gmail-s1" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It is my pleasure to listen to what clients would like, to consult with them over colours and materials and to produce something that they will love and use. Some people have a very clear image of what they want, for others anything goes, and for still others, “They’ll know it when they see it.” Any of these approaches is fine by me! I love to get to know my customers and see glimpses of their home that they share with me for colour and style inspiration. I like to think that we become friends during the process.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My other love that rivals crochet for me is my garden. We moved into our house fifteen years ago and it has a big garden compared to most houses in Japan. It was already established, with trees and rocks placed by the previous owners, but we have changed a lot, and each year add more plants and move things about a bit. My aim is to have colour throughout the very short growing season, (we have snow for five or six months of the year here) and to have a space full of textures, colours and height. The summer here is short and intense and I want to wring every drop of colour out of it before being plunged back into white and grey. I take inspiration for my crochet from the colours and textures of the flowers we grow there. I’ve learned that in nature, colours never clash, and so I try to find new and interesting ways to combine colours that are pleasing to the eye and exciting to work with.<span class="x_gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ice Flower Crochet is very much my love but it’s not my main work, and I have to be careful to balance crochet with my regular career, which is pretty busy to be honest. I don’t think I can do *more* crochet, so I think I’d like to do *more inspired* crochet, but I’m not sure exactly what that will be until the inspiration grabs me. When I do get inspired, food and housework go out of the window for a few days, but the family have learned to see the signs, sigh, and get out the kitchen knives for themselves!<span class="x_gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My husband laughs at the places he sees me wielding my hook:<span class="x_gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>In the car, of course; in any sort of waiting room, here and there throughout the day as I have little gaps of time, and this past summer at a jazz concert and in a beer garden!<span class="x_gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>I always have three or more projects or commissions on the go at any one time; a little one that fits into a cotton bag that slips into my handbag, a giant blanket project on the sofa next to me, and on my desk is usually a difficult fiddly thing that needs bright light and a flat surface.</span><br />
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<span class="x_gmail-s1" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you are interested in commissioning a piece, please contact me via Facebook or Instagram and I’ll be thrilled to discuss what you’d like with you. And if you’d enjoy lots of colourful photos of current pieces in progress, and occasional shots of my garden too, then please “like” me on Facebook or follow me on Instagram for regular updates.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Contact and follow me here:<span class="x_gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><br />
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<span class="x_gmail-s1" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/IceFlowerCrochet/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/IceFlowerCrochet/</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I currently only sell within Japan, and everything I have available for immediate sale is in the “Available Now” photo album on my Facebook page. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-16663780275351866922017-08-13T08:35:00.004+09:002017-08-13T08:38:46.226+09:00AUGUST BLOG FEATURE: Edwina Rivers from Designer Rascal<div style="color: #212121; direction: ltr; font-family: wf_segoe-ui_normal, 'Segoe UI', 'Segoe WP', Tahoma, Arial, sans-serif, serif, EmojiFont; font-size: 15px;">
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Hi there and hello from my dining table, aka my office! </div>
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<span style="color: #212121;">My name is </span><span class="currentHitHighlight" id="0.12602629656464714" name="searchHitInReadingPane" style="background-color: white;">Edwina</span><span style="color: #212121;"> and I am the crazy, manic and exhausted face behind my business, Designer Rascal and my Instagram page Life of a Pilot Wife. </span></div>
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As you might have guessed, I'm married to a pilot who is here to gain his command on a private jet. Sounds like a great gig but having him on call 24/7 and away weeks at a time, means this crazy lady is left with the joyful and thoroughly rewarding job of full time solo parenting to Ollie and Annabel. So, as a result of permanent brain frazzle, Designer Rascal was born. </div>
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Designer Rascal is what I like to call my sanity project. It was launched earlier this year so still very early and exciting days for my business. I am currently in the process of setting up my personal blog and doing my best to truly establish my business presence here in Tokyo and throughout Japan. </div>
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So back to the topic on hand. I sew kids clothes (mainly girls) for ages ranging from newborn through to 10 year olds. I got to the point where I was making a dress a day just for me so I thought it was time to start focusing my efforts on a project that will hopefully bring joy to others and myself along the way. Residing in Tokyo means I have access to some amazing fabric options that are produced or at least printed in Japan (Liberty of London for example). </div>
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One of my main focuses this year has been on ethical trade. We so easily get carried away on how cheap something is and forget about the chain supply chain behind the garment. While handmade might be perceived as hobbyist or unnecessarily expensive, I hope that it will in the end provide a greater reward for all involved. </div>
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I have had the pleasure of meeting some fabulous Rascals in Tokyo and Osaka who have so kindly helped with my photo shoots. I hope to kick off my Autumn/Winter line with a photo shoot in September. Please feel free to contact me if you have a budding fashionista wanting to do some modelling. </div>
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I'm very keen to collaborate with other small businesses or work with schools and larger businesses to assist fundraising efforts so please give me a shout. </div>
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You will find my daily ramblings here: <a dir="ltr" href="http://www.instagram.com/lifeofapilotwife" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/lifeofapilotwife</a></div>
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Designer Rascal </div>
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<a dir="ltr" href="http://www.designerrascal.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.designerrascal.com</a></div>
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<a dir="ltr" href="http://www.instagram.com/designerrascal" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.instagram.com/designerrascal</a></div>
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I look forward to meeting some of you in the near future. Thanks for stopping by. </div>
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<span class="highlight" id="0.8939114490096534" name="searchHitInReadingPane" style="background-color: white;">Edwina</span><span style="color: #212121;"> x</span></div>
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P.S those of you in Shimokitizawa, please don't judge me for being the neighbourhood crazy lady!</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-33020323869052681282017-07-08T19:01:00.001+09:002017-07-08T19:13:16.067+09:00JULY BLOG FEATURE: Joanne Tomooka from Kiora Cottage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWfm07KI800f5uT0F9ofxxomVAzCaY36UdyoecbiUQFi95KUTJXpqfC0QB20Dgk0fX2INlr9nJG-gVW7pu-ToASSCVBCwb9hCn5nGtYVaQ4EkGTFZBh6e6CNAKTDGvtMNbHEi4TVjZzE/s1600/Jo+Tomooka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="683" data-original-width="1024" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpWfm07KI800f5uT0F9ofxxomVAzCaY36UdyoecbiUQFi95KUTJXpqfC0QB20Dgk0fX2INlr9nJG-gVW7pu-ToASSCVBCwb9hCn5nGtYVaQ4EkGTFZBh6e6CNAKTDGvtMNbHEi4TVjZzE/s400/Jo+Tomooka.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I originally came to Japan from New Zealand on the JET Scheme (Japan Exchange Teaching Programme) in 1996 with the intention of making some money to pay off my student loans before heading back to New Zealand. After three years of assistant “teaching” at primary and junior high schools I decided I really liked the country life here in Oita prefecture, married a local Japanese man and decided to stay for good. </span><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have two children – my daughter is 16 and is now studying at high school in New Zealand and my son is 14 and at junior high school here in Japan. </span><span style="font-family: 'trebuchet ms', sans-serif;">Over the years I have taught English at private language schools, kindergartens and community centers as well as doing work in the outdoor education industry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A few years ago I was admitted to hospital for a couple of months with an auto-immune disease. It was a turning point for me where I really looked at how much I was hating teaching and decided to give it up completely and focus on my cookie and jam business that I had slowly been building up. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My business is called 'Kiora Cottage' and although in the past I have offered farm-stay style accommodation, I am now focusing exclusively on making jam, cookies, granola etc. which I sell at local shops. I am also involved in running a market twice a year that attracts over 40 stall holders and an increasing number of customers.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">My current business has been slowly growing through word of mouth and I now have a lot of repeat customers. My real focus is on making cookies that people want to buy and eat every day, rather than the beautifully packaged cookies that people only ever buy to give to other people and that don’t actually have much flavor. I take care to use ingredients that are as natural as possible, with an emphasis on butter rather than margarine, and eggs from our own free range chickens. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The business grew through my desire to feed my children snacks which were full of flavor rather than preservatives. My grandmother was a jam maker, so I use a lot of her recipes and love the fact that I am continuing on in her footsteps. I try hard to fit my business to my own personal needs and the needs of my family, rather than the need to make money. I make enough to supplement my husband’ income, but it doesn’t take over my life. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So far 2017 has been a really hard year for me, with the death of my father-in-law and my Nanna, but I am working towards my dream of opening my own shop in my cottage in October. The idea behind the shop is to bring international craft and flavor to the countryside of Japan and it will feature my own baked goods as well as handmade craft items made by expats who are living all around Japan. So far I have made some great contacts with people from many countries who are living here in Japan and who are making incredible things. I also have some amazing locals who are working with me to make some unique items for “Kiora Cottage”. I love the idea of being able to support people here in Japan who are trying to make a living doing things other than English teaching. I am also really looking forward to meeting directly with my customers, rather than selling through a third party. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Most of my free time is spent in the garden, looking after my family, sewing and doing Sudoku puzzles! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">If you know of any expats living in Japan who are making amazing things and who might be interested in putting their items in my shop it would be wonderful if you could contact me. You can also follow the progress of my new shop on my facebook page and hopefully a webpage will be added in the very near future. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">CONTACT AND FOLLOW ME HERE:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">E-mail: jotomooka@gmail.com </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kioracottage/">https://www.facebook.com/kioracottage/</a></span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-43101583123445965622017-06-23T21:30:00.001+09:002017-06-23T21:44:19.458+09:00JUNE BLOG FEATURE: JJ from Genki Kids Rainbow Art<blockquote style="color: #212121;" type="cite">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">Hello. Hello. Call me JJ ok. I'm a passionate and creative Aussie expat Mum in Osaka. I took advantage of my naturally colourful self to be an arty Mum when my daughter was young, so we could spend the early years together everyday. I've been in Osaka about two decades, but yeh, I'm still a happy bilingual novice.</span></blockquote>
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<span class="x_Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; line-height: 24px;">I hold creativity workshops and parties for children, and I facilitate arty crafty workshops for women (with wine). Prioritizing child led learning and child centred fun in an academic, educational Japanese world, seems essential for building imaginative skills, and fostering confidence and self identity. Allowing women the opportunity to learn new skills, bond with others, and share time in a meaningful way, is something both expat and Japanese ladies crave in their busy everyday. It's always a fun and enthralling role to have. Oh yes. It deeply is. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: 18px;">The things I adore are exploring backstreets, discovering local life, and photographing all the beauty I see daily on Instagram. I love vintage fashion, weekday cafes, and chatting to locals. I'm inspired by curiosity in kids, cloud art, kindness, and free fun. In 2017 I want to write more postcards, create more rituals, and make umeshu. How about you? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 18px;">I photograph always. On my old 4s. But who cares right? Check out my insta hashtag for original arty kid photo fun at #genkikidsrainbowartclass , and my Facebook public page of super ideas for creative kid inspiration, "GENKI kids Rainbow ART". </span><span class="x_Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;">Mail me on Instagram or FB if you have ideas, wanna hold a workshop, or just wanna share the best latte art in Osaka together.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 18px;">Being open, caring and forever open to new ways of building a creative life is essential to a youthful outlook, and a heart that radiates authenticity. Well, that's my way of living anyhow. My #osakalife . Kanpai! </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Get in touch:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Facebook:<a href="https://www.facebook.com/genkikidsrainbowart">https://www.facebook.com/genkikidsrainbowart</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/starlightjj/">https://www.instagram.com/starlightjj/</a></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-4788326382430623392017-05-14T21:44:00.000+09:002017-05-14T21:52:13.907+09:00SPECIAL BLOG FEATURE: Lindsey Sawada from Setagaya Yoga Studio<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hi, I'm Lindsey from England. I have been living in Kyodo, Setagaya (Tokyo) for 20 years. I live with my husband, daughter, mother-in-law, and my grumpy old rescue cat.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have been working with children for the past 27 years starting with babysitting at age 14, followed by volunteering with a youth centre for children with Downs Syndrome, several nanny positions, taught at a preschool, junior high and high school. I also teach dance, fitness and yoga. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am now the owner of Setagaya Yoga Studio. The classes at the studio are for children and their mummies. The classes can be taught in English, Japanese or a combination of both depending on the student's needs. The studio looks out onto a garden where, on nice days, we can take the classes outdoors. Even on the days that the classes are indoors it's really nice to look out onto the green space. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It's has been an amazing journey to be able to get to a point in my life where I know that what I do isn't just beneficial to me but can be beneficial to other people. The things that I can pass on can go on to be shared by others. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I don't know of other yoga studios designated specifically for children in Tokyo yet, so the idea is pretty new here. A lot of people ask me how I manage to get young children to concentrate on yoga asanas (poses) for 40-50 minutes at a time and the answer to that is that I don't. At the studio, even though we do a lot of asana, they are disguised by walking around on all fours pretending to be wild animals, or rolling ourselves up in the mats pretending to be sushi, we dance, sing, we also touch on yogic principles through story-telling and role-play. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Children gain confidence by leading some of the activities too. I have had some great feedback from parents about children having a more relaxed air about them when they get home, being kinder to their siblings as well as sleeping better at night. Kids' yoga has been scientifically proven to help children manage stress and build concentration. I particularly like that yoga is non-competitive so children can exercise without the pressure of winning or losing. The meaning of yoga is 'union' and we definitely see cooperation and union going on during class.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The stretch classes for mums are invaluable at realigning the body, easing aches, pains and stiffness. We use breathing techniques which help to keep us relaxed with our kids even through their occasionally challenging behaviour. I also really like to work on having a flexible and aligned spine because it leads to optimal organ health, improved circulation, digestion and mobility. These stretch classes are not difficult, most of the poses are taken sitting down. The goal is to obtain alignment in the gentlest way possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #454545;">Gillian Lynne the dancer/ choreographer is a huge inspiration to me. When she was a young girl at school she couldn't sit still and focus, often disrupting other children. She was sent to see a specialist who gave her the diagnosis of being a dancer instead of someone with some sort of disorder like her teachers and mother had expected. Gillian began ballet, found her passion and eventually went on to have a marvellous career in dance and even choreographed the world famous musical Cats. Gillian still works in dance at age 91! Both Gillian and I know that some of us just don't learn optimally through sitting still with books but through moving our bodies. </span><span class="contextualExtensionHighlight ms-font-color-themePrimary ms-border-color-themePrimary ident_3455_3578" role="button" style="border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: rgb(0, 120, 215); cursor: pointer;" tabindex="0">Kids yoga undoubtedly addresses the confinement and stress that children can feel through being sat in a classroom all day.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">This spring Tokyo gardeners are inspiring me a lot too. People have such tiny spaces of earth, or little balconies that are made to look exquisite. Whilst chatting to gardeners and admiring their work I have made a lot of new friends some who have come over to look at my garden and given me advice about how to make it into my ideal functional yet aesthetically pleasing space - it's a work in progress that I suspect may take me years.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">In 2017 I will continue to deepen my knowledge of teaching yoga for children, continue to practice meditation and yoga. I will also try to continue to be as good and kind of a person that I can be by helping wherever I possibly can, even if it's just offering a smile to people on the street - something that I think is really lacking in big cities.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I spend my free time:</span></div>
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<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Driving across town to take my daughter to circus class. </span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hanging upside down at aerial fitness classes.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Doing yoga.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Spending time with my family by the beach or in nature.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Gardening.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Drinking deep red wines.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Meeting new people in my neighbourhood and discovering new places to eat.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I love to read too. At the moment I'm reading 'You Have 4 Minutes to Change Your Life', a book offering 4 minute meditations to help find balance. It's pretty nice for busy people and beginner meditators.</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Contact and follow me here:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #454545;">Facebook -</span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/setagayayogastudio"><span style="color: #e4af0a;">www.facebook.com/setagayay</span><span style="color: #e4af0a;">ogastudio</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instagram -<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1818968286"> </a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sawadalindsey/">https://www.instagram.com/sawadalindsey/</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Website - <span style="color: #e4af0a;"><a href="http://www.setagayayogastudio.com/">www.setagayayogastudio.com</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #454545;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Email - <span style="color: #e4af0a;"><a href="mailto:setagayayogastudio@gmail.com">setagayayogastudio@gmail.com</a></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Tel - 090-5317-4121</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The studio is open Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><u>Mama Stretch classes</u> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">9:30am -10:30am</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">11:00am- 12:00pm</span></div>
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<u><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Kids Yoga Classes</span></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">3:00pm -3:40pm (ages 3 and 4)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">4:00pm - 4:45pm ( ages 5 and 6)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">5:00pm - 5:50pm ( ages 7 and 8)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">For other requests please enquire, I'm very open to suggestions and am happy to volunteer at events etc. I hope to see loads of you at the studio soon. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Setagaya Yoga Studio</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-31190972752149445262017-04-30T08:11:00.004+09:002017-04-30T09:34:19.362+09:00APRIL BLOG FEATURE: Erinn LaMattery from Off on a Whim <div class="" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Beginning
in California, I embarked on a journey around the world, eventually
settling into life in the foothills of the beautiful Mt. Koya in Japan.
This beautiful little town has been home to my family of 4 children for
over 16 years, giving them a peaceful and secure upbringing.</span></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i>Okunoin Cemetery at Mt. Koya, my place of peace</i></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Besides
the birth of my last child, this town has also been home to Off on a
Whim, a custom made jewelry business built upon the Japanese Power Stone
philosophy that each stone holds the power to support and assist you
during your daily journey through life. I work closely with customers to
build their perfect pieces with colors and stones that represent the
challenges they are facing, in memory of departed loved ones, and in
celebration of life’s victories. My materials come straight from the
earth as I choose not to work with plastics, giving customers that
connection to the world around them. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b>Desert Pearl, one of our popular items, in triple layer</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">So
many people have played a large part in helping me move forward with
this business and grow it to where we are today. Color and nature are my
greatest inspiration, springtime flowers, summer trees, fall leaves,
winter skies, I try to pull what is around me into my work. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="">Recently popular, Off on a Whim Tree of Life Suncatchers, </span></b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b><span class="">measuring around 13cm end to end, great gifts!</span></b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">This
year I want to focus on creating some tutorials for YouTube and
building up a YouTube channel, as well as develop a newsletter. I hope
to cut back my day job hours so I can focus better on turnaround time
for my work. I have plans to reach out to brick and mortar shops for
some consignment and wholesale contracts, and am considering starting up
workshops to teach the basics to people who are interested to make
their own pieces. I'm also beginning to collaborate with other artists to create
new pieces.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17498856_1276396662449906_1184579783679012335_n.jpg?oh=d2008f7f822dee2bbcab72728cd0142c&oe=59901A6D" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://scontent.xx.fbcdn.net/v/t1.0-9/17498856_1276396662449906_1184579783679012335_n.jpg?oh=d2008f7f822dee2bbcab72728cd0142c&oe=59901A6D" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><i><b>I started branching out in gold filled and diamond chip pieces</b></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Isn’t
free time a myth? Raising and providing for 4 children has effectively
ended the luxury of free time. But when it does manage to skitter across
my path, you can find me reading a book, doing a puzzle, or just
chilling with a TV show. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class=""><i class="">Contact and follow me here: </i></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Facebook: <a class="" href="http://www.facebook.com/offonawhim" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><span class="">www.facebook.com/offonawhim</span></a> </span></span></div>
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<div class="" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Blog: <a class="" href="https://offonawhim.wordpress.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://offonawhim.wordpress.com</a></span></span></div>
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<div class="" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Website: <a class="" href="http://www.offonawhimjewelry.etsy.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.offonawhimjewelry.etsy.com</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Instagram: <a class="" href="https://www.instagram.com/offonawhim" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://www.instagram.com/offonawhim</a>.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class=""><i class="">You
can order/ buy my work here! And take advantage of our limited time
offer for 15% off your order on Etsy through June 30, 2017. Enter </i></span><b class="" style="text-decoration: underline;">BikuLove </b>at checkout to apply it!</span></div>
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<div class="" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Etsy: shop <a class="" href="http://www.offonawhimjewelry.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.offonawhimjewelry.com</a></span></span></div>
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<div class="" style="font-size: 11px; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span class="">Website: <a class="" href="http://www.offonawhim.ecwid.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">www.offonawhim.ecwid.com</a></span></span><br />
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<span class=""></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-26617455277298845552017-03-23T13:09:00.001+09:002017-03-23T13:20:56.355+09:00MARCH BLOG FEATURE: Kirstyn Takahashi from The Cake Fairy<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm Kirstyn from NZ. Now living in Tokyo with my husband and two children. I am also known as the Cake Fairy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I have really fond memories of choosing which birthday cake I
wanted from a cake book when I was young. I would often help my parents
create the cake and began making them for my teachers and family too.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">When my kids turned 1 respectively I wanted to give them a birthday
cake as exciting as I remembered my childhood cakes to be, but was
unable to find anything similar here in Tokyo at the time. Most Japanese
celebrations revolve around strawberry cream shortcakes which are not
overly decorated, so there is a niche here for those who want something
more western and colorful.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBpKPv2eTc7sinIUjvRpTHMmCSiaDlp78Hl_SMfBcU0j2eCYbUCO2tAjCqFs17oksfDARao4w7N4flk7ajdBaLXG03EsQYc9JZ7VcBrIT5VNJftqbyFU-uGFB5RIcAaJUaKixzKl6-6U/s1600/FullSizeRender%252887%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOBpKPv2eTc7sinIUjvRpTHMmCSiaDlp78Hl_SMfBcU0j2eCYbUCO2tAjCqFs17oksfDARao4w7N4flk7ajdBaLXG03EsQYc9JZ7VcBrIT5VNJftqbyFU-uGFB5RIcAaJUaKixzKl6-6U/s400/FullSizeRender%252887%2529.jpg" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Created for a Sony Pictures event for Angry Birds</b></span>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I sharpened up my skills and began making cakes for my family and
friends' celebrations. I realized that it was really a passion for me and
I am still so excited every time when I get to make someone else happy
with my cakes. It's such a privilege to share people's special
occasions. I like to see how kids change in their cake requests from
year to year, and I love hearing the stories of people's lives. Husbands
who surprise their wives with thoughtful cakes, parents who book their
child's first birthday cakes months ahead because they are so excited! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWqxnFe-q9QvGpADbXceMs1v5_53OOEH4fl9LKo7eh6au0d8bca5YzYCNu0fSGIPQLpsJU5VkwIWdDmT4vPO35bo14hzc5xXuBO0KzwGBbUXoAH21udii8-giJPboR-1V8HZ6yNrx7Vg/s1600/FullSizeRender%252886%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTWqxnFe-q9QvGpADbXceMs1v5_53OOEH4fl9LKo7eh6au0d8bca5YzYCNu0fSGIPQLpsJU5VkwIWdDmT4vPO35bo14hzc5xXuBO0KzwGBbUXoAH21udii8-giJPboR-1V8HZ6yNrx7Vg/s400/FullSizeRender%252886%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A request from my son for a realistic Stag beetle cake</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cake decorating is very labor intensive so I find it hard to get
long periods of uninterrupted time to create. I am thankful that my
family and friends have been so supportive of me and I am lucky to be
able to balance orders around the other responsibilities in my life in
an attempt to get some balance. That being said, I often feel like I am
sliding through on the skin of my teeth every day.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"> A custom cake to match a party dress</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I try to push the limits with my cakes where I can. I love the
challenge of interesting and unusual requests. I hope to make people say
"Wow!", and the best comment, "I can't believe it's a cake!" Sometimes gravity is
an annoying obstacle however!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b> Anyone for a slice of Gruffalo?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I am so blessed to enjoy what I do and create customized, one-of-a-kind cakes, making happy memories for people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Here are some more of my
favorites:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Contact me at:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cakefairy.jp/" target="_blank">www.cakefairy.jp</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><a href="mailto:kjcakefairy@hotmail.com" target="_blank">kjcakefairy@hotmail.com</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Facebook: <a href="https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=138257363051599" target="_blank">https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=138257363051599</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Instagram: cakefairytokyo </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-32671923080967240842017-02-28T13:14:00.001+09:002017-03-05T10:07:41.279+09:00FEBRUARY BLOG FEATURE: Kumiko Kato from Kamay Kitchen<div class="">
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I'm originally from Hiroshima and now live in Shimokitazawa. I'm married with one child.<br />
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I run a small restaurant/ cafe called Kamay Kitchen which serves Teishoku (set menu meals), cakes, drinks, etc. We cook a fusion of Japanese and Philippine home-cooked recipes and try to use organic rice and vegetables as much as possible. We don’t use any MSG and try very hard to avoid GMO foods.<br />
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I sometimes do bento (Japanese lunch box) catering as well as outside catering for camping events and festivals.<br />
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Our place is super kid and baby-friendly. There is a tatami area with toys, a diaper changing table, and kids' chairs. We do two kinds of sets for babies and children. Of course, the place is no smoking.
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From time-to-time we hold some workshops and events in Kamay Kitchen such as Ukulele classes, cooking workshops and live music and movie events.<br />
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I'm inspired by good food, vegetables, nice music, kimono, family and friends. I spend my free time going to live concerts, dancing with a beer in my hand! I also sing and play ukulele at live events. I organise events such YANAKAMA STREET MARKET and OHIRU NO KAORI. </div>
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Contact and follow me here:<br />
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Facebook <a class="" href="https://www.facebook.com/kamaykitchen/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/kamaykitchen/</a><br />
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Blog <a class="" href="http://kamaykitchen.blogspot.jp/" target="_blank">http://kamaykitchen.blogspot.jp</a></div>
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Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/kamay_kumiko/" target="_blank">@kamay_kumiko</a></div>
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Twitter @wanatsu</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-26672486648650679662017-01-27T14:40:00.001+09:002017-01-27T14:40:54.003+09:00This Year I Choose Love <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It feels to me that this is the year of women. I'm dumbfounded by the fact that women are still having to take to the streets to protest unequal pay, angry about workplace disadvantage after childbirth and the generally sexist treatment and rhetoric being used in recent months. I think women have <b>just</b> <b>had</b> <b>enough</b>.<br />
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Why do we still feel bullied in the workplace (often from other women), feel like we are giving up a career when we have children, feel judged for our parenting decisions (to work/ to stay at home) feel guilt about working, feel guilt for parenting when we feel we should be working? No man is judged for their work-life decisions. It's a given that they will continue on the path they set out on. Or change it...whatever. We often <i>have</i> to take a diversion when we decide to become a mother. For some it's a career break, some a career diversion and for others a complete career change. I feel like we have been on a treadmill for the past 100 years. Emmeline Pankhurst must be doing flik-flaks in her grave. Or else, weeping.<br />
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This year we choose love. For me this means supporting inspirational
women I've connected with over the years both in person and through
social media. In this blog series they share insights into their lives as they juggle parenting and running a business that they find meaningful. Not only do these women work in creative fields, they creatively construct a
job to fit around their families. They are surrounded
by friends and family who are supportive of their work, which allows them to make a positive contribution (both
financially and emotionally). Yes, our lives are pretty hectic at times, but we carry on because we are passionate about what we do. In the words of an upcoming poster on this feature, "I think I skid through on the seat of my pants, balancing plates in my head most days!!" <br />
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I hope you can stop by at the end of each month to read about their fascinating lives.<br />
<br />
Victoria<br />
<br />
PS Please share the posts where you can and visit their social media accounts and business pages to show your support.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-75933492578483837062017-01-27T14:20:00.000+09:002017-01-27T14:41:42.907+09:00JANUARY BLOG FEATURE: Gretchen Miura at SORABento <span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I grew up in New Jersey, outside of NYC, and ventured west to California
to study Anthropology in college. I was lucky to travel when I was
young and eventually found myself in Asia. For the past 15 years I have
been living in northern Japan with my husband and our 4 children.
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Raising children in a different culture has been both challenging and
illuminating. I particularly appreciate the food culture of Japan and
the attitude towards providing healthy food for children, both at home
and in the schools. I am always amazed at the colorful and well balanced
bentos (packed lunches) that people make and slowly learned how to pack
them myself. I wanted to share this part of the Japanese culture that
has had such a positive influence in my life. I also love to sew which
is why I created my company SORAbento. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">SORAbento offers handmade bento bags, insulated lunch totes and other
eco-friendly bags that are based on traditional Japanese designs. These
styles cover a variety of shapes and sizes so you can carry a small
packed lunch, a larger picnic spread or your latest haul form the
farmer`s market. Quite frankly they are suitable for a multitude of uses
and you can carry anything you like!</span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SORAbento" target="_blank"><img alt="www.etsy.com/shop/SORAbento" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA6OXKUgf1vFXFiuLpj0jhe2G7PDnPcqn1yCJcO7N06rPMP9gwnTTMgkvsEihp6SCI8FPHlIWNTBEvot3oXjyPGev7y3w4nzQWFr94IOt8X1B8Of89ixBSxVe40XFF6OG5ykLsYyJ1-A4/s400/IMG_4610.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">I feel like I offer something unique in the sense that I live in Japan
and have infused the style of my bags with a subtle Japanese aesthetic.
Wabi-sabi is a word that describes a transient and simple beauty found
in nature and its organic imperfections. I strive to create a balance
between utility and beauty and hope that the customers find the bags
useful in daily life as well as a tiny bit inspiring! </span></span></div>
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<a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SORAbento" target="_blank"><img alt="www.etsy.com/shop/SORAbento" border="0" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnHa5HOC-Gf0dpUDUo5J9MHM7K-s6IYl06__gMyLCgcdGDLgaYiw5K_eHjwD9qwu6zaV9N3GdKGuKwh6-lpt0EBFT2U9YXEzolkDTUCmB6k5omhFs1E4VrjWqll5IsEZiWCEdfvhOuTOQ/s400/IMG_2537.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The amount of energy in the current `makers movement` is really
encouraging to me. Jess Brown`s rag dolls have been a constant source of
inspiration for me. With their unique heirloom look they have a special
handmade quality that appeals to me. Another favorite is Sara at
Shisodelicious on Instagram. She shares her beautiful bentos that
integrate whole foods from Japanese and Western cuisines in a truly
enlightened way! I am grateful that there is a sustained interest in
buying handmade items and healthy, locally produced food, which lies at
the heart of SORAbento.</span></span></div>
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Despite all of this talk about healthy eating I must admit that I have a
huge sweet tooth. I love to bake sweets and share them with friends
over a cup of coffee and a good chat! </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><u><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Connect with SORABento</span></b></u></span></div>
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You can learn more about SORAbento, life in rural Japan or tips on preparing bentos at my website <a href="http://www.sorabento.com/" target="_blank">www.sorabento.com</a></span></span></div>
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You can check out all the bags available for sale at <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SORAbento" target="_blank">www.etsy.com/shop/SORAbento</a></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-42033105996948533872017-01-26T14:07:00.000+09:002017-01-26T14:12:00.205+09:00An exciting deliveryAnyone who follows me on Instagram or Facebook or reads this blog will know about my obsession with all things vintage... and all things Japanese. My most favourite of all things vintage <i>and</i> Japanese is kimono, and all the accessories that go along with it. <br />
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So I was absolutely thrilled when a friend asked me if I would be interested in her mum's old kimono to use in my jewellery designs. Interested?! I almost jumped up and down on the spot and squealed! But instead said, "Yes, yes please that would be fantastic!" And a few days later she dropped off this box...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK1yfxpLw9xedSDzWgZBBvF6ewbm674hI3VxDh56yOuojemfKtBwbB_AHQzL3gqUajvm7r2bfCbmIvtVAtZI7UbypLcuszJR_GeGTPZFzFLow0wg08r2Z7O6ZWJ0upWz2Jhvcv0D2EnY/s1600/IMG_0182.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQK1yfxpLw9xedSDzWgZBBvF6ewbm674hI3VxDh56yOuojemfKtBwbB_AHQzL3gqUajvm7r2bfCbmIvtVAtZI7UbypLcuszJR_GeGTPZFzFLow0wg08r2Z7O6ZWJ0upWz2Jhvcv0D2EnY/s400/IMG_0182.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Want to see what's inside? Really? OK, let's go.<br />
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The first thing I found was a lovely cotton yukata. Can you feel my excitement building...?<br />
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And then a long haori jacket with the most exquisite lining.<br />
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Some fabulous obi for yukata (how much do you love the stripes?!)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt6oJC4yYuOu9kqC2X3BM6KFdhyphenhyphens1zVuYl-mtWob8n_Qh0cQjd2oGqiP1mesGLnSb6TCr8LicpaYCuPG3wByQhfGZtua2zecoAePETHq0BnCvRh5qO5VzZVidKLuLemN0t4Xi-pP17vs/s1600/FullSizeRender%252871%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFt6oJC4yYuOu9kqC2X3BM6KFdhyphenhyphens1zVuYl-mtWob8n_Qh0cQjd2oGqiP1mesGLnSb6TCr8LicpaYCuPG3wByQhfGZtua2zecoAePETHq0BnCvRh5qO5VzZVidKLuLemN0t4Xi-pP17vs/s400/FullSizeRender%252871%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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And then a stack of large white envelopes. Ever wondered how a kimono is stored? Each one is folded in a special way so that it is completely flat and then stored in a paper envelope like this. My heart was thumping already so I started to open them up one by one...<br />
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This deep purple kimono had a shibori (kind of Japanese tie-dye) motif and hand-stitched crosses.<br />
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A Jackson Pollock-inspired kimono. <br />
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Just look at the tiny splashes of gold outlining on the leaves. Not on all leaves, just a few clumps here and there...<br />
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A snowflake-inspired light kimono. The fabric on this one looks like a summer kimono, but I'm a bit confused about the motif. Perhaps this is so that you feel cool in the humid Japanese summer? <br />
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I think this purple kimono is my absolute favourite. I love the over-sized geometric design and the deep, deep luscious shade of purple.<br />
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A floral kimono with exquisite detail. Look at that painting!<br />
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And just when I thought it was getting near the end... 4 gorgeous obi (kimono belt).<br />
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I am one lucky designer. Now I have to work up the courage to break these beauties up. Not sure I can do it. </div>
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Thanks for reading. </div>
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Mata,</div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Victoria</i></span></span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-21035372833197503722017-01-12T12:48:00.001+09:002017-01-12T12:48:51.679+09:00Mending the nets: an epiphany <div class="x_p1">
<span class="x_s1"><br /><span class="x_Apple-converted-space"></span></span></div>
<div class="x_p2">
<span class="x_s1"></span><span class="x_s1">I'm not one to go in for New Year's
resolutions, but it's tricky not to when you have a business that has a
busy season at the end of the year. It seems natural to take stock of
what you have just achieved while you have a breather and think about
how you can develop your business.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>
</div>
<div class="x_p2">
<span class="x_s1"></span><br />
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<div class="x_p1">
<span class="x_s1">It was during one of these
development chats with my at-home advisor (read hubby) on a congested
drive to Yokohama, that the epiphany happened. He always says that when I
discuss business with him, I've already reached my own conclusions and
I'm just saying out loud what I've already decided. I think I just need
reassurance from the outside that my decisions are sound ones.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1"></span><br />
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<span class="x_s1">So, the realization was this... for
the foreseeable future I will not be running any more workshops. There.
Said it. Wasn't so hard after all.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1">Over the last couple of years I have
fretted, worried, prepped, marketed, booked venues, searched for
materials, had no-shows, cancellations, amongst other things that I
honestly don't always find very pleasurable. The pleasure only came during
the workshops where I met so many lovely people. But it was such a lot
of work getting to that point.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="x_s1"></span><br />
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<div class="x_p1">
<span class="x_s1">Where I find absolute happiness is
when I create, designing new lines, meeting people face-to-face and
talking passionately about my work. I never talked as passionately about
the workshops, nor really about them at all. It was all a bit of an afterthought, and that's not where I want to be in business. I want more authenticity
than that.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
<div class="x_p2">
<span class="x_s1"></span><span class="x_s1">I want to shout about my work from
the rooftops, be proud of what I create, give myself time to let the
creativity flow.... not fill my head with worry.<span class="x_Apple-converted-space"> </span></span>
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<span class="x_s1">So, right now, fishing season is done and I'm busily mending my nets to get ready for new ideas and the next busy season.</span></div>
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<span class="x_s1">Thanks to everyone who came to my workshops over the last couple of years. I really appreciate your support and it was so nice to meet you.</span></div>
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<span class="x_s1"><span class="x_Apple-converted-space">Victoria</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-11401283755952620402017-01-12T10:23:00.001+09:002017-01-12T10:23:35.459+09:00My Creative Life Guest BloggersThere are so many fabulous women living creative lives here in Japan. I'm so proud to know so many women who are carving out their own little niche by running amazing businesses, many changing careers to fit around having children... and then never returning.<br />
<br />
I think they (we) are brave and passionate souls with fabulously interesting lives. I know their stories, but would you like to find out more?<br />
<br />
Each month on this blog I'll be inviting an inspirational creative to guest blog. I hope you can follow along each month.<br />
<br />
The first My Creative Life Guest Blogger is scheduled to appear at the end of January.<br />
<br />
Mata ne,<br />
<br />
VictoriaAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-42553457419301357962016-02-02T19:41:00.000+09:002016-02-02T19:45:22.930+09:00February Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissee-USzNz0mGI0vqefKJolOXZF0dBkl9Oa-O_2RPQv60Si2pa0RPrhqQQ6r08KzkZPXJHjGDbujn9hIerVorEUtN_FM3bARE-qA2-zLCPYQkB-TZsTlRd2KHGDKRW_E-lzls4rNEPFw/s1600/IMG_3936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissee-USzNz0mGI0vqefKJolOXZF0dBkl9Oa-O_2RPQv60Si2pa0RPrhqQQ6r08KzkZPXJHjGDbujn9hIerVorEUtN_FM3bARE-qA2-zLCPYQkB-TZsTlRd2KHGDKRW_E-lzls4rNEPFw/s640/IMG_3936.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: medium;">Wednesday 24th February 2016</span><br />10.00-11.30am<br />Deli Café 23<br />Shimokitazawa, Tokyo<br /><br />¥4000 per person<br /><br />Includes one drink, all tools, materials and findings.<br /><br />Choose
from a wide range of papers for your one-of-a-kind earrings. Learn how
to seal paper, add UV resin, use a hand drill and attach earring wires.<br />Please let me know if you are planning to bring a baby/ child and how old they are so that I can bring equipment/ toys for you.<br /><br />Maximum 8 participants<br /><br />Book your place <a href="http://bikudesignscraftspace.weebly.com/workshops.html" target="_blank">here</a> before February 22nd.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.co.jp/maps/place/delicafe23/@35.6623983,139.6660429,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x7ab7fd5529520549" target="_blank"><b><u>Deli Café 23 Google map</u></b></a><br />
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<b>Why not join me for lunch at Deli Café 23 after the workshop?</b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6qEauYHc-0CGZueDuHqOFzypexJ61dlx326OGQp4OXMxuf7YkBHAoKWshBEqCdMJtMRZb2Zl08VzNfoTlk4CGnHJ15LoSsXsaU3twU_zCGKbz7c81nTcDYPun17ln5BmOwm2PP_aebU/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-02-02+at+14.10.20.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim6qEauYHc-0CGZueDuHqOFzypexJ61dlx326OGQp4OXMxuf7YkBHAoKWshBEqCdMJtMRZb2Zl08VzNfoTlk4CGnHJ15LoSsXsaU3twU_zCGKbz7c81nTcDYPun17ln5BmOwm2PP_aebU/s320/Screen+shot+2016-02-02+at+14.10.20.png" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P01bQkPmrO01A-UuEKTnrnTCZztNLSMGWb41xgUFrJuO0S-mqJ9WWgO-CujfaJLVtE82ZgO8m8g8AvYcz3ARbv-GSBJt7QtXqxs9_8w2St4ZWlP_5B6VUO6hCNz2dLwoFjQWY38bbMo/s1600/Screen+shot+2016-02-02+at+14.06.30.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-P01bQkPmrO01A-UuEKTnrnTCZztNLSMGWb41xgUFrJuO0S-mqJ9WWgO-CujfaJLVtE82ZgO8m8g8AvYcz3ARbv-GSBJt7QtXqxs9_8w2St4ZWlP_5B6VUO6hCNz2dLwoFjQWY38bbMo/s320/Screen+shot+2016-02-02+at+14.06.30.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-17685688479227932442015-05-06T21:05:00.001+09:002015-05-06T21:05:18.554+09:00Giveaway Competition<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgxauTmx9z7r4-xO7Z4s1PqgCOWfACo1Wc76kJoe-qZODjGlqW_xDu7uzRa6IDJVnbDlXsYbv0-m3fDW8PxDvE9OGwICFqV2h0Wrv1_coO3qjMOKrXjua3ACDaizSml0msoZ53KS2yWQ/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPgxauTmx9z7r4-xO7Z4s1PqgCOWfACo1Wc76kJoe-qZODjGlqW_xDu7uzRa6IDJVnbDlXsYbv0-m3fDW8PxDvE9OGwICFqV2h0Wrv1_coO3qjMOKrXjua3ACDaizSml0msoZ53KS2yWQ/s1600/IMG_1507.JPG" height="323" width="400" /></a></div>
I'm giving away these Vintage Kimono Silk Earrings with sterling silver earwires this month. Easy to enter...just click the link below and find out how. Tell your friends!<br />
Good luck!<br />
Victoria <br />
<br />
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="93eb93a91" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/93eb93a91/" id="rcwidget_3c44sxed" rel="nofollow">Click here to enter the giveaway</a><br />
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-35767337959868399862015-03-19T12:22:00.001+09:002015-03-19T12:22:11.675+09:00April Workshop at The Craft Space<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAJlMs02C5cFEUzHaUjVz5yn62h9baUKiheQ4kK1cyq83Z6mmXU9oOr7XwM9wobqRBEp4venTGNL6i3M7ItG403HSikc464Pbf24sfF18grE39T_ZmKYsS4FMdv3yo95smqn9CC9o0Fw/s1600/button+workshop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAJlMs02C5cFEUzHaUjVz5yn62h9baUKiheQ4kK1cyq83Z6mmXU9oOr7XwM9wobqRBEp4venTGNL6i3M7ItG403HSikc464Pbf24sfF18grE39T_ZmKYsS4FMdv3yo95smqn9CC9o0Fw/s1600/button+workshop.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
Reserve your space here: http://bikudesignscraftspace.weebly.com/ <br />
There will be a chance to shop at a small exhibition of bikudesigns jewellery after the workshop with 10% off for all participants.<br />
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Hope you can make it!<br />
Victoria<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-42056145496765234112015-03-08T19:37:00.003+09:002015-03-10T11:41:07.749+09:00Why I Use Old Fabrics<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismKDVDdgKn03FrU3sDEqRbiUMclSYgdQZ-yQ2oWPl6QzBpSqUNAVtuXNREVxbeF0QJvF7CCntrD6zwqflFa5mUpJxXp5d3N3LxY5UEIARILq0-pICMIB8yKs3s4_8paSRH_dyTbPcypE/s1600/photo(97).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEismKDVDdgKn03FrU3sDEqRbiUMclSYgdQZ-yQ2oWPl6QzBpSqUNAVtuXNREVxbeF0QJvF7CCntrD6zwqflFa5mUpJxXp5d3N3LxY5UEIARILq0-pICMIB8yKs3s4_8paSRH_dyTbPcypE/s1600/photo(97).jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I like that the fabrics I choose for my work are limited. This makes me consider more carefully before drawing and cutting. The average size of a piece of silk in my collection is around 20cm x 20cm (some are much smaller), so I am working within a very limited scale. When it's gone, it's gone.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It's a good feeling to work with fabric that has a story. One piece I uncovered in my last purchase had a fold which had been stitched in typical kimono hand-stitching. What was interesting to me was that the fold had a hole worn into it, as if it had rubbed against something repeatedly. Instead of working I found myself dreaming about which part of the kimono it was from. (The hem I suppose only gets this much friction wear.) And then, who wore it? Where were they going? What did the kimono look like in its entirety? Anyone who knows anything about kimono fabrics, knows that two samples from the same kimono can look like two separate kimonos, so it is difficult to reconstruct the whole garment from such a tiny piece.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH972OD-2JMxVOj1YGH8pN5YRO3LbPzc2i633tgTfHNUBeDozHh-ZZHOgU7aLBMyP8OAyIb6j_oMoQoflQIZOwsxipOL-qLurjNBOQuz6fWrFOktX2G9pqI4BGQW12RsBKg5UyVYhPQg/s1600/silks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinH972OD-2JMxVOj1YGH8pN5YRO3LbPzc2i633tgTfHNUBeDozHh-ZZHOgU7aLBMyP8OAyIb6j_oMoQoflQIZOwsxipOL-qLurjNBOQuz6fWrFOktX2G9pqI4BGQW12RsBKg5UyVYhPQg/s1600/silks.jpg" height="191" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The pieces I find are from the 60s, 70s and 80s, a period of great modernisation and emancipation. Wearing kimono became much less of an everyday occurrence and worn only for special occasions: shichi go san (7,5,3 ceremony), coming of age (at age 20), graduations or weddings. Having worn full kimono on my own wedding day, it us fully understandable why western clothes overtook the traditional kimono in Japan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">The three layers are: hadajuban (underwear made of simple cotton), nagajuban (under kimono visible at the sleeves and hem), the kimono itself, as well as a plethora of strings, collars, clips, boards and padded cushions. Not forgetting the grand finale, the obi (belt) which can be tied in hundreds of ways. And then there are the tabi (socks) and the zori (shoes), the kanzashi (hair ornaments) and obidome (obi brooch clip). Of course, everyday kimono is much simpler in design, fabric and accoutrements and can be tied (with a lot of practise) by yourself.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU4pOWS3KeXgfSALJXg5Obaa_G-hTLdfr5IyNY4OBf8JZBD_p9_yAAraRvWpRWZ4enknLuAuVDqPY_sPr0D0dHlUk4Zw-nLfO-RlQY36I5Ddzp8r_mXWjJ_W5njHo6DRuJgSOvDPQR14/s1600/silks+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHU4pOWS3KeXgfSALJXg5Obaa_G-hTLdfr5IyNY4OBf8JZBD_p9_yAAraRvWpRWZ4enknLuAuVDqPY_sPr0D0dHlUk4Zw-nLfO-RlQY36I5Ddzp8r_mXWjJ_W5njHo6DRuJgSOvDPQR14/s1600/silks+2.jpg" height="152" width="640" /></a><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I love uncovering parts of fabric that are worn, or have tiny holes where someone once painstakingly hand stitched the silk. There are the occasional stains too, which is very common when silk is stored for a period of time. They don't scare me, in fact, quite the opposite. I imagine celebrations, sploshed sake, overflowing beer glasses, soy sauce, celebration food. A story of fun and happiness, positive energy and laughter all encapsulated in one pair of earrings, a necklace, ring or bracelet. Why would I want to make my work out of something new?</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-56816401756098404002015-02-18T21:59:00.002+09:002015-02-18T21:59:18.451+09:00Rabbit Cafe With Real Live Rabbits<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">'Usagi no E-hon' is one of Shimokitazawa's rabbit cafés. Up a steep, narrow wooden staircase festooned with white rabbit silhouettes, fake flowers and decals on Shimokita's Ichibangai, you will find nine fluffy bunnies. The space is immaculate and covered in all things 'rabbit'. Stuffed Peter Rabbit toys, rabbit books, trinkets, pictures, ornaments and place-mats are all rabbit themed. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A quick chat about about the 'rules' with the owner and an explanation of the deal (¥150 per person for 30 minutes, one drink or food order, no more than 90 minutes) and off we went free to mingle with the bunnies.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">I thought my 4 year old was going to faint with excitement at the sight
before her, but she didn't, she just grabbed a box of food, headed for
the bunny who had been let out of her cage and started feeding it and
stroking it, and talking to it and finally blowing kisses to it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90xJkSIaeoq_7zSPgCP0fS901rG7OmlVlTLwMMzfWKPOjv4T6cl2yAENFKM64cHOqFwYcmtEBl-bKIDkwjerPdVaySatalVVK3sJQM7qvIqX1Ao3cXrhOpRTC8nzskCX8FQOWDDk6cfM/s1600/photo(92).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi90xJkSIaeoq_7zSPgCP0fS901rG7OmlVlTLwMMzfWKPOjv4T6cl2yAENFKM64cHOqFwYcmtEBl-bKIDkwjerPdVaySatalVVK3sJQM7qvIqX1Ao3cXrhOpRTC8nzskCX8FQOWDDk6cfM/s1600/photo(92).jpg" height="400" width="393" /></a> </div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When
our drink arrived, it was of course in a rabbit-themed cup placed on a
rabbit themed place-mat with Peter Rabbit sugar sachets. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVWLsbKXh621gDqdCRcB1nxSzlYYoy82tz2jxN1mfni73xMmHL7pIZRxv-LDzaqKoIeR_XgredPQhpKTIEsHzOSKfzEt1JiKvwk7W_2Z6rsRIfdgdYeAO0a_71fK3VnfCA-QspbChkGc/s1600/photo(91).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikVWLsbKXh621gDqdCRcB1nxSzlYYoy82tz2jxN1mfni73xMmHL7pIZRxv-LDzaqKoIeR_XgredPQhpKTIEsHzOSKfzEt1JiKvwk7W_2Z6rsRIfdgdYeAO0a_71fK3VnfCA-QspbChkGc/s1600/photo(91).jpg" height="400" width="298" /> </a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">And the dessert didn't let us down either. Reasonable for ¥850 for a cake set in this part of town and so lovingly presented.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">After a quick browse of the rabbit merchandise (and there was a HUGE amount), we decided on a rabbit badge as a memory of our lovely afternoon. And off we hopped on our two minute journey home....</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-40493143804597860312015-02-11T23:34:00.004+09:002015-02-14T21:15:59.838+09:00BIKUFEED: Top 6 weird and wonderful things seen in Tokyo recently<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">1.</span>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Hips?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">No! Buttocks</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Cute Buttocks Creatures</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Got to be the best book title. Ever. No?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VjcmZh-ZMRMS17Ml-Nm4oqRz5etyhsgTSFo0OX5Uc7iRVllBwVDNlGbUPNJxrsTce31aO-NqLSSCA3Uff7pY0wTfmQJtlcolInPBKtcOqVvr1bzXl_Sz5V_rCjbE1G6EMYrB2gj4gGo/s1600/photo(83).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_VjcmZh-ZMRMS17Ml-Nm4oqRz5etyhsgTSFo0OX5Uc7iRVllBwVDNlGbUPNJxrsTce31aO-NqLSSCA3Uff7pY0wTfmQJtlcolInPBKtcOqVvr1bzXl_Sz5V_rCjbE1G6EMYrB2gj4gGo/s1600/photo(83).jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">2. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shibuya post office. Minding my own business waiting in line at the ATM. The scene outside...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBzAOk54z2xE3oVwrKj0toMjcOKnRBftn3owJPi4wryN1p1u0S83CqKWVGv9YAF_Oz4zWq3ahaExLG-QOag2ckHvaFjN1RjgEUXTmqQs-0BGefP61WS4MjgshCY46t664mRQ2umuA8EI/s1600/photo(84).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqBzAOk54z2xE3oVwrKj0toMjcOKnRBftn3owJPi4wryN1p1u0S83CqKWVGv9YAF_Oz4zWq3ahaExLG-QOag2ckHvaFjN1RjgEUXTmqQs-0BGefP61WS4MjgshCY46t664mRQ2umuA8EI/s1600/photo(84).jpg" height="640" width="478" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">3.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A
large paper and fabric monster. You can go inside and peer out of its
mouth. And wear a brightly coloured cape and dance around. Appeared
overnight in the middle of Shimokita and stayed for about 10 days.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7crjsCBThf1vhTcpflqFDlsjRsQe_0N2Bq9iELJm-asYorWa34fStJwvW6zC3Xsy6bCr4SFTiNSCadPtPJ08XW_4yGHbfCUe_Pff81CbEqS5Zcr_9JdpHaEmKp7CpnSEPcyoFpt7T240/s1600/photo(85).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7crjsCBThf1vhTcpflqFDlsjRsQe_0N2Bq9iELJm-asYorWa34fStJwvW6zC3Xsy6bCr4SFTiNSCadPtPJ08XW_4yGHbfCUe_Pff81CbEqS5Zcr_9JdpHaEmKp7CpnSEPcyoFpt7T240/s1600/photo(85).jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">4.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">This snail face mask:. Who knew snails had high collagen content?</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx4C-vNAHPrF1EHooWJPMYFq6SBHRjmftLiX2fZ2KfiqZUwSZqDsFuk1sKTMdv2pv6mWduYYwrQR3XOxdv7CHj5jP8bbSuAPrrqCvLl4fOd40nHh0Ff4CqhxxkN7nXnx34DeMd7ZWGN8/s1600/IMG_1627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkx4C-vNAHPrF1EHooWJPMYFq6SBHRjmftLiX2fZ2KfiqZUwSZqDsFuk1sKTMdv2pv6mWduYYwrQR3XOxdv7CHj5jP8bbSuAPrrqCvLl4fOd40nHh0Ff4CqhxxkN7nXnx34DeMd7ZWGN8/s1600/IMG_1627.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">5.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Shimokita slippers. I bought these, but....just WHY?!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dnkwvOsV1zumGd3doQ53C9vVBPIeHcZwXPRbXdM0TJeLXKy9I7UdUWGLFlROFSOAO94crT54mHXPjbvdaWT4pa4vtd8nb_C8ZYccQe-Nyb2GB0CEB_1Tv0I5Yzdtl7C0Svwr-9b90AU/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5dnkwvOsV1zumGd3doQ53C9vVBPIeHcZwXPRbXdM0TJeLXKy9I7UdUWGLFlROFSOAO94crT54mHXPjbvdaWT4pa4vtd8nb_C8ZYccQe-Nyb2GB0CEB_1Tv0I5Yzdtl7C0Svwr-9b90AU/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" height="265" width="400" /> </a></div>
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6. <span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A meat towel complete with polystyrene tray. You just can't make this stuff up...</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlheMA3Rh-c19xs0UcmtWtT26naMg8qk_bV6mWGFGJ2mdW1GHShMM6IWUZmZtn8QZ16oAboPRmNC0AqtMjehATPLgJVmR__rH9Tn5nU4DsW3_ZUzxFci-ZcUFkPw6MO7oS5lqb33G00l8/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlheMA3Rh-c19xs0UcmtWtT26naMg8qk_bV6mWGFGJ2mdW1GHShMM6IWUZmZtn8QZ16oAboPRmNC0AqtMjehATPLgJVmR__rH9Tn5nU4DsW3_ZUzxFci-ZcUFkPw6MO7oS5lqb33G00l8/s1600/IMG_1624.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">That's all for now. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mata ne,</span><br />
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<i><b><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Victoria</span></b></i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-8810152533517500802015-02-10T13:04:00.002+09:002015-02-10T13:04:22.897+09:00Wine and Craft...It's been a busy week here at bikudesigns, and it's only Tuesday!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr8USkj1yxHA9vFRP2sNtratGKhh1rIv40sLOGYfza5uvsKcQM0ubuT34bfXaT6bADMor8jlR_3CH0irDals_tevmJuY1_UkINbNdiFSq3YEoFWHuvZYJ8hyWfA4IBMzsf6ktK2kHKDA/s1600/last+one+poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNr8USkj1yxHA9vFRP2sNtratGKhh1rIv40sLOGYfza5uvsKcQM0ubuT34bfXaT6bADMor8jlR_3CH0irDals_tevmJuY1_UkINbNdiFSq3YEoFWHuvZYJ8hyWfA4IBMzsf6ktK2kHKDA/s1600/last+one+poster.jpg" height="640" width="452" /></a></div>
<br />
My first (official) craft night. Wine included, relaxed atmosphere and
new friends. Find out more info and reserve your space on my new website
(gulp!) here: <a href="http://bikudesignscraftspace.weebly.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://bikudesignscraftspace.weebly.com</a><br />
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Hope to see some of you face-to-face.<br />
Mata ne,<br />
Victoria<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-43632460765662754702015-01-19T21:35:00.000+09:002015-01-19T21:39:02.906+09:00Zawa-Zawa Shimokitazawa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHvWKBusY05lX35mh6dkCBbOowqJXZpBS_R0O0L6qS7pdCthXLsnW959gE4SEonfYJjA4xEs83ZO-0vKWd5AiNI4FAmJdu4eJ1NBBOcZounvZWO0gJj28xa0U8iymwCvIoxhe2nJasxY/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEHvWKBusY05lX35mh6dkCBbOowqJXZpBS_R0O0L6qS7pdCthXLsnW959gE4SEonfYJjA4xEs83ZO-0vKWd5AiNI4FAmJdu4eJ1NBBOcZounvZWO0gJj28xa0U8iymwCvIoxhe2nJasxY/s1600/IMG_1200.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> Welcome to Shimokitazawa. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Known for its youth subculture and bohemian vibe, Shimokita is also home to lots of families and many elderly people who have lived here all their lives. Antique and vintage clothing shops are everywhere. The trendy and unique sit alongside the traditional and old-fashioned. It's such a fun and friendly place to live with its abundance of coffee shops and restaurants, and always something interesting going on at the weekend. So inspirational for design too...I just have to step outside my door.....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">One of the three (yes, three!) local supermarkets within a few minutes of each other.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtTlZ1ErX5_sjG0WovheHIwBHHkIzIN4VKjGLaZMVpD03biJILzxnyKzcoL7NBNa94wiRxZbJP-r0P5nO2tdAYgqVpz0EVNZl2YKMlZGvoZ0ia7TWrHRcT-mQ9t_LsGpVqtoan4h8xXU/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPtTlZ1ErX5_sjG0WovheHIwBHHkIzIN4VKjGLaZMVpD03biJILzxnyKzcoL7NBNa94wiRxZbJP-r0P5nO2tdAYgqVpz0EVNZl2YKMlZGvoZ0ia7TWrHRcT-mQ9t_LsGpVqtoan4h8xXU/s1600/IMG_1202.JPG" height="266" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Colourful shutters keep the graffiti artists at bay in Shimokita (mostly). This is a shot of the Senbei (rice cracker) shop before opening time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A 4 year old's persepctive of our closest vintage shop. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">When we went in here, my daughter was amazed that I remembered having similar things in our house when I was her age. "Was that the olden days, Mummy." No, no it wasn't!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Traditional toy shop, also selling vintage-style sweets for kids. These displays change for the seasons and the upcoming festivals. Very retro, very cool, always colourful.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"> What <b><i>is</i></b> this place? Japanese speakers, no cheating please;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">A) A restaurant</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">B) A hair salon</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">C) A flower shop</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">D) A bar</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">E) All of the above</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Leave your answers on my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bikudesigns" target="_blank">Facebook</a> page to find out the answer on Friday:) </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Much more to show you next time.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Mata ne,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;">Victoria</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10423234027364881891noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5945583172819965498.post-44868375461200344612015-01-13T10:31:00.002+09:002015-01-13T10:31:49.085+09:00More kimono earringsAnother pair of kimono earrings made the other day. Loving working with these old fabrics. It has been especially challenging to find a process to encase them in resin without changing the colour. At the start I was worried about the bends and irregularities in the finished pieces, but as they are fabric, I think this adds to the end result.<br />
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