Monday 21 March 2011

Web Shop open with new bags

2 new bags in my Web Shop!

Web Shop

I am donating part of sales to the Red cross Japan earthquake relief.

Sunday 20 March 2011

Japanese soul

This is the famous poem which every Japanese people knows:

"Ame ni mo makezu" (not losing to the rain)

not losing to the rain
not losing to the wind
not losing to the snow nor to summer's heat
with a strong body
unfettered by desire
never losing temper
cultivating a quiet joy
every day four bowls of brown rice
miso soup and some vegetables to eat
count yourself last and put others before you
watching and listening, and understanding
and never forgetting
in the shade of the woods of the pines of the fields
being in a little thatched hut
if there is a sick child to the east
going and nursing over them
if there is a tired mother to the west
going and shouldering her sheaf of rice
if there is someone near death to the south
going and saying there's no need to be afraid
if there is a quarrel or a suit to the north
telling them to leave off with such waste
when there's drought, shedding tears of sympathy
when the summer's cold, wandering upset
called a blockhead by everyone
without being praised
without being blamed
such a person
I want to become

by Kenji Miyazawa
(1896-1933, born in Iwate)

It has been forgotten, but has come back into the modern Japanese soul.

Tuesday 15 March 2011

Tweets from Japan

My friend had sent me this link (Japanese one),
and found that the site has been translated into English
so I put the English link here for you to read.

https://docs.google.com/document/pub?id=1oR7mRBNCog-FeVrtl0dD4Suoi2hL0XE4YOoAPdCyZ3w

Needless to say, I am very proud to be Japanese.

Monday 14 March 2011

Japanese earthquake

The news of Japanese earthquake was just beyond belief.
I am still recovering from the shock.
I have watched NHK news and internet updates every day,
and read blogs of those people living in western side of Japan
that are not affected by the earthquake.
They were all shocked by the news, and felt terribly sorry for the people
who were in the middle of this disaster.
However, they have realised that there is no use of anyone feeling just sorry
and be depressed over the disaster.
The most sensible thing to do is to live normally as you can,
and be a light for people who are in the midst of this disaster.
One person had said, "don't be afraid to make someone smile because of this disaster".
A person who had survived the disaster had actually said that she enjoy seeing
beautiful handmade clothes and bags on the net.
I was a bit hesitant of continuing making bags, but after I read this story,
I have made up my mind to continue with my creation, with a hope that someone
can feel happy just seeing it.

Friday 11 March 2011

Handy Laundry bag

I have made this handy laundry bag because the handle of my plastic laundry basket got broken.
I have used the water proof canvas cotton outside, and water resistant fabric for the lining.

See how it settles nicely on my laundry trolley!
It is stable on the trolley because I put a thick foam at the bottom of the bag.

This is the foam I used and you can get it at Clarks and rubbers if you are in WA.

The handle is long enough for me to carry it on my shoulder.
It makes more sense to me to carry heavy loads of clothes on your shoulder than with my hip!
(because you need one hand to open and close the door, and so I have to support the basket with my hip)
You can also use this as a normal tote bag, an organiser of your car trunk, etc.

And the best thing about this bag is that you can fold it flat so it won't take space in your laundry!
The size of this bag is W 42cm, H 30cm, D 30cm.

Sunday 6 March 2011

cute poodle charm made by clay

This is the cute poodle charm I made yesterday with the air drying clay.
The clay I use is imported from Japan, and it becomes water resistant and very strong when it dries.
The size of this poodle is app 3cm high, 2cm wide, and 3cm deep.
I will put it in the Japanese auction sometime next week.

It's just soooo cute even from side.

Also from back. 
My poodle has a long tail, but since it will be a bag charm, I made the tail short so it won't get damaged easily.

The doggy is eating a special cake!
This cake is also made by the clay, and I put a biting mark on it.

The two poodles behind are the first ones I made, and they look exactly like my dog and my mum's dog, so I will be keeping them at home.

Thursday 3 March 2011

Japanese retro bag

This simple shoulder bag is designed with a "fishing" theme from the Japanese literature "Botchan" by Soseki Natume.

If you see it closely, you can read part of the story ( if you can read Japanese).
I have used my original technique to sew the story onto the fabric.

This is the back side of the bag, and it has one leather pocket.
I actually like this side as well.

One frase from the story printed in larger font.

I have used these vivid colours inside as it is "IKI".
To me, "iki" means fashionable, but in Edo way.

 
The leather lid is closed with the magnet hock.