 I was expecting Zoshigaya to be bustling, if not completely rammed, on the Thursday of Golden Week. But it was quiet, relaxing and a surprisingly green oasis away from the busyness of Ikebukuro (which is apparently the second most busy station in the world after Shinjuku). Life in this area somehow feels a little slower compared to my bustling town of Shimokitazawa. Zoshigaya is not a place I'd ever been to before. I actually had no idea that it was even there, although I do vaguely remember hearing about it from creative friends. I was expecting yet another concreted area of the city with generic buildings and chain stores, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Retro vibes abound, sympathetic renovations of gorgeously historical buildings, no clearing the way for modernism in this small neighbourhood. Thank goodness.
If you’re coming from Ikebukuro, Zoshigaya is around a 10-15 minute walk from Ikebukuro central on the Yamanote/ Saikyo/ Fukutoshin/ Morunouchi lines or a 3 minute walk from Zoshigaya Station (Fukutoshin Line). I recommend getting off at Zoshigaya on the Fukutoshin line (around 20 mins from Shibuya) Exit 3. Take a left out of the station, cross over the train line on your right and walk a little ahead. To the right you’ll see a Zelkova-lined avenue (around 3 minutes from the station).  I wandered through this shady road and stopped for a delicious iced coffee at Kiazuma Coffee, a beautifully rustic, renovated Japanese shop house with the cutest second floor accessed up a ladder-esque set of stairs. The speciality beans are ground as your coffee is ordered. It doesn’t get fresher, or tastier.
The main reason for visiting Zoshigaya was to meet up with Ken Tanaka (@kenfrog), a Fukuoka-born artist, who was exhibiting in Kiazuma coffee shop. Ken’s circular works on canvas are mesmerising and are all hand-drawn in pen without a plan. I love the idea of meditative drawing and Ken is such an interesting artist I really wanted to meet him in person. The canvas I was hoping to buy had already been sold, so I commissioned one for my birthday gift (which I can’t wait to receive).
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 If you're a flower lover in Tokyo, head to Hanegi Koen mid-late February to view the more than 650 'Ume' trees in bloom. The scent is incredible and if you're lucky, you'll be able to catch the bustling Plum Festival with food, drinks and plants for sale. Unfortunately, this has been cancelled in recent years due to Covid-19, but hopefully it will return soon.
The plum grove is located on a small hillside on the Umegaoka side of the park. To be honest, we only go to that side of the park in Spring to see the blossoms, the rest of the year the kids are playing in the mud park and maze on the opposite side. This park is a firm family favourite with lots to do for the kids, food trucks at the weekend and a small shop selling icecreams, sweets, park equipment and coffee.
If you're into walking, walk from Shimokitazawa central to Shin Daita station via the new developments Tefu and Bonus Track, then along to Umegaoka Station. The walk takes around 30 minutes. On the way back, why not pop into Shirohige's Cream Puff Factory and munch on a Tottoro cream puff? ACCESS: Umegaoka Station, Odakyu Line: 13 mins from Shinjuku Higashi Matsubara Station, Inokashira Line: 8 mins from Shibuya You might also enjoy...
 It seems like an age ago that the first February collection was born. At that time I was full of hope and excited for the possibility of 2020. We felt privileged that Tokyo was the Olympic host, it was a leap year and anything seemed possible. I was bracing myself for a great year in my business, getting my stock prepared early in readiness for the influx of tourism we were about to experience. But we all know what happened next. Very soon after the launch of the Leap Collection, the world ground to a halt and the Olympics visitors never came. It took until the Summer of 2021 for the Olympics to go ahead (not very well-received in Japan) and Athletes competed in empty stadiums. Supply chains were broken, shipping ceased and we were all terrified of the silent killer. Still are.
Yet through all of that terrible stuff, my business survived. Indeed, it seem to blossom and thrive in a way I didn't foresee. My focus changed to helping others to start and grow their handmade businesses through the Overseas Makers Guild Facebook community and lots of new products were imagined and created for Biku. I held lots of online events, took part in virtual markets and even hosted Zoom Bingo nights as a way to support my lovely customers- and, of course, to make a living. And here we are two years later, ready to launch the third one-of-a-kind collection, still in the midst of the pandemic and a huge surge of cases in Tokyo.
The unwavering resilience of nature and its circularity has been at the forefront of my mind since the triple disaster of 2011 and the story of 'The Little Branch that Could' sparked the idea (you can read the article below). I see a lot of people around me who have blossomed during the last two years and I feel we have woken up to the treadmills we were on. We want more, we want to give more, we want to appreciate more and feel gratitude fully. I think we will look back at this time as a time of blossoming and growth, of understanding of what matters and what really doesn't. Welcome to Bloom. 🌸 You might also like... Calling all Japanophiles! We've created a selection of products created by Japan-based makers to please any Japan lover. Art, stationery, fabric items, jewellery, garden supplies and even a craft pattern are all included in this handy guide. 1. ART BY ERICA WARD ILLUSTRATION
2. SUBSCRIPTION STATIONERY BY NEKO NEKO POST
Neko Neko Post creates packages filled with an assortment of beautiful hand-chosen Japanese stationery and delivers it to your doorstep monthly. Neko Neko Post was created to share the best parts of Japanese stationery with the world. The packages are filled with greeting cards, postcards and stickers to inspire you to share some beautiful handwritten messages with your family and friends. A portion of all Neko Neko Post sales is donated to cat shelters in Japan. Website: www.nekonekopost.com IG: www.instagram.com/nekonekopost/ 3. KIMONO JEWELLERY BY BIKUDESIGNS
If bright, bold, cheerful and colourful is your thing, look no further than Bikudesigns' handmade vintage kimono accessories. Victoria incorporates personally-sourced Japanese textiles and other found objects into her one-of-a-kind jewellery pieces. Comfortable, light and adaptable pieces, perfect for your Christmas party wardrobe. https://www.bikudesigns.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/bikudesigns/ 4. ART BY FROM JUJU WITH LOVE
Juliette Fortuit Innocenti is a creator who has lived in Tokyo since 2013. A former Chanel visual merchandiser from Paris, she has now turned her hand to creating one-of-a-kind art pieces with a Japanese flair. FB: https://m.facebook.com/FromJujuWithLove/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/fromjujuwithlove/?hl=fr 5. EMBROIDERY PATTERN FROM THREE HOUSES DESIGNS
6. QUILLED PAPER FUJI FROM L ROSE STUDIOS
7. CHRISTMAS CARDS FROM KIMONO KOMONO DESIGNS
8. FUJI PLANTERS BY SHIZEN NATURA
9. KIMONO TRINKET BOWL BY KOTTO KIMONO
10. KIMONO POUCHES BY TABI TABI YA
BONUS IDEA! PLAN YOUR HOLIDAY IN JAPAN ONLINE EXPERIENCE FROM ARIGATO JAPAN
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In the old days it would be aftershave, soap-on-a-rope, boring socks...poor dads all over the world! With this in mind we've curated a selection of gifts for the men in your life to avoid that last dash for the aftershave gift sets aisle (but, seriously, women would love these gifts too). Happy browsing. 1. TABI SOCKS FROM TABI TABI YA
2. KIMONO CUFFLINKS FROM BIKUDESIGNS
3. DIORAMA BY FROM JUJU WITH LOVE
Juliette Fortuit Innocenti is a creator who has lived in Tokyo since 2013. A former Chanel visual merchandiser from Paris, she has now turned her hand to creating one-of-a-kind art pieces with a Japanese pop culture flair. FB: https://m.facebook.com/FromJujuWithLove/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/fromjujuwithlove/ 4. FACE MASKS FROM KIMONO KOMONO DESIGNS
5. GARDENING KIT FROM SHIZEN NATURA
The perfect gift for your favorite green thumb or aspiring gardener, this beautifully hand painted set includes everything one needs to start or grow a plant collection. Abstract brushstrokes in various shades of green, subtle metallic accents, and random clusters of blush pink dots come together to form the perfect setting for any plant. The set includes two hand painted pots in different sizes, a hand painted trowel, a hand painted propagation station with holes for three glass tubes, and three liters of high quality, organic potting soil. Pots are sealed against UV and water damage, and can be used either indoors or outdoors. https://www.instagram.com/shizen.natura/ 6. ONLINE COCKTAIL EXPERIENCE FROM ARIGATO JAPAN
https://arigatojapan.co.jp/ IG:https://www.instagram.com/arigatojapan T: https://twitter.com/Japanfoodtour FB: https://www.facebook.com/arigatojapanfoodtours P: https://www.pinterest.jp/ArigatoJapanFoodTours/ 7. COCKTAIL TRAY FROM CHIMPS TEA PARTY
8. SUBSCRIPTION STATIONERY FROM NEKO NEKO POST
9. COOKING CLASS AT BEST LIVING JAPAN STUDIO
10. FRAMED ORIGAMI BY HANAWA ORIGAMI
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Run a hot bath, sprinkle in some bath salts, scrape up your hair, slap on a face mask, then head for a soak armed with a good book and a sparkling beverage of your choice. Afterwards, snuggle up on your sofa in the flickering candlelight while catching up on your fave show. Actually. Living. The. Dream. Enjoy this selection of snuggly products to snag for your loved ones this holiday season. Did we miss anything? 1. BLANKETS BY TURQUOISE PORT
These versatile cotton blankets have so many uses – add texture and colour to your space: protect items of furniture; decorate a bed, sofa or armchair; use them to snuggle up on colder evenings. Blankets and cushions are the finishing touches that make your place feel homely and unique and can be moved from room to room to introduce colour and texture. www.turquoiseport.com fb:www.facebook.com/TurquoisePort insta:www.instagram.com/turquoiseport 2. BATH SALTS BY SHIZEN NATURA
3. SHAWL BY ITOMAKIMAKI
From her studio in Nara, Japan, Elizabeth O'Brien creates free-style, handwoven, Saori style shawls, scarves, cowls, curtains, pillows, wall art, rugs and more. Items are made with natural fibers (plant and/or animal), and custom designed orders aer welcome. https://itomakimaki.handcrafted.jp/ IG: www.instagram.com/itomakimaki_/ 4. PET BEDS BY SWEET DREAM PET BASKETS
Cats and dogs love to cuddle up in a handmade Sweet Dream Basket! It is such a happiness to watch your pet sleep in one of our special Holiday Baskets we created for you and your pet! You can use Sweet Dream Baskets as a gift, decor and storage item, as they are beautiful accessories for your house too! Please contact us for custom orders and inquiries! www.sweetdreambaskets.com ETSY:https://www.etsy.com/shop/SweetyDreamPets IG:https://www.instagram.com/sweet_dream_pet_baskets/ 5. CANDLES WITH A CAUSE BY DD'S DEN
6. KIMONO HEADBANDS BY BIKUDESIGNS
THE perfect accessory for a night of pampering! Pop on your headband, then your face mask and have a long soak in the bath before relaxing with a glass of something yummy in front of your fave TV show. Or gift this to someone else so they have can a perfect night instead! www.bikudesigns.com IG: www.instagram.com/bikudesigns/ FB: www.facebook.com/bikudesigns/ 7. RETRO CUSHIONS BY CHIMPS TEA PARTY
Flower power double sided cushions inspired by kitsch 1960's caravan curtains. Both sides have a bold floral print made using paper collage. One side is black, and one side is pink so you can flip it over when you fancy a change! Shop here: https://www.chimpsteaparty.com/products/pre-order-flower-power-cushion IG: https://www.instagram.com/chimpsteaparty/ 8. CRAFT WHILE YOU SNUGGLE FROM THREE HOUSES DESIGNS
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One of the benefits of getting ready early for the Christmas season is that you can have a great time in the festive season yourself. No rushing around the shops at the last minute buying ill-considered gifts, no stress, just a relaxed holiday season. This selection of Christmas themed gifts will get you ready early for the holidays. 1. CHRISTMAS STOCKINGS FROM KATIE SO CRAFTY
2. KIMONO CHRISTMAS CARDS BY BIKUDESIGNS
3. CHRISTMAS TEA TOWELS BY TOKYO DESSERTS
vGet your kitchen holiday-ready! Luxurious full-sized cotton tea towels with unique holiday designs to bring Christmas cheer to your kitchen. SHOP: https://tokyodesserts.blogspot.com/p/online-shop.html FB: https://www.facebook.com/TokyoDesserts IG: https://www.instagram.com/katsmats/ 4. KIMONO CHRISTMAS BAUBLES BY KIMONO KOMONO DESIGNS
Add a touch of japanese flair to your Christmas tree this year with Jelena Uechi's Kimekomi Christmas tree baubles. The decorations are handmade using silk kimono fabrics and come in a set of four. FB: http://www.facebook.com/Kimonokomonodesigns ETSY: www.kimonokomonodesigns.etsy.com IG: www.instagram.com/kimonokomonodesigns 5. CHRISTMAS CARDS BY ERICA WARD ILLUSTRATION
A bright Christmas greeting from Japan! The gentle smile of a maiko is illuminated by the glow of tiny holiday lights, and the fragrance of pine, cinnamon, and clove seems to emanate from this pen and watercolor design that combines holiday motifs and Kyoto style. Blank inside, white envelope included. Sold single, and in sets of three, five, and ten. A4 prints of this design are also available (195kg Vent Nouveau Paper). https://ericawardart.com/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/erica.ward.illustration/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/ericawardart Twitter: https://twitter.com/ericaeward 6. PERSONALISED KIMONO DECORATIONS BY BIKUDESIGNS
Handmade decorations, personalised with your name and year on the reverse. Made from personally-source vintage kimono fabric and sustainably sourced laser-cut wood, these snowflakes would be a perfect keepsake for family members. Each decoration comes individually boxed in Bikudesigns branded packaging. Visit the Christmas Store: www.bikudesigns.com/christmas-store.html IG: www.instagram.com/bikudesigns/ FB: www.facebook.com/bikudesigns/ 7. CHRISTMAS CRACKER RUNNER FROM CHIMPS TEA PARTY
Fill your kitchen or dining room with joy and celebration this christmas with this statement table runner. Bright pink with a giant red christmas cracker design exploding with stars and confetti. https://www.chimpsteaparty.com/products/handmade-to-order-christmas-cracker-table-runner IG: https://www.instagram.com/chimpsteaparty/ 8. HOLIDAYS IN JAPAN ONLINE EXPERIENCE FROM ARIGATO JAPAN  Meet up with the Arigato Japan team for this online interactive experience to celebrate the winter season and learn all about the holidays in Japan! On this 1 hour and 15-minute online experience, we will share Christmas and New Year in Japan from a local’s perspective. You will get to hear about the history, culture, as well as stories, fun facts, trivia and even make your own Japanese-style holiday decoration together online. Arigot Japan virtual tours are fun, family-friendly and interactive. Great for ALL ages to experience together. https://arigatojapan.co.jp/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/arigatojapan T: https://twitter.com/Japanfoodtour FB: https://www.facebook.com/arigatojapanfoodtours P: https://www.pinterest.jp/ArigatoJapanFoodTours/ YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY...
Gifts for mum, sister, sister-in-law, Auntie, Grandma or your BFF...we've got you covered. Whether they're a party animal, a nature-lover or a home-body you'll be able to find something for everyone in this selection of gifts. Let's dive in... 1. BEADED PARTY CLUTCH FROM TURQUOISE PORT
2. JAPAN SOUVENIR BY HANAWA ORIGAMI
3. GARDENER'S DREAM BY SHIZEN NATURA
This Sunshine & Sakura set is the perfect gift for any plant lover. The beautiful blush pink base is neutral enough to complement just about any design scheme, and brushstrokes of white, yellow and clay pink provide subtle contrast. Each piece is finished with rose gold paint splatter that glistens in the sunlight, instantly elevating plant pots to interior design pieces. The set includes two hand painted pots in different sizes, a hand painted trowel, a hand painted propagation station with holes for three glass tubes, and three liters of high quality, organic potting soil. Pots are sealed against UV and water damage, and can be used either indoors or outdoors. IG: www.instagram.com/shizen.natura/ 4. HAND WOVEN SHAWLS BY ITOMAKIMAKI
From her studio in Nara, Elizabeth O'Brien creates free-style, handwoven, Saori style shawls, scarves, cowls, curtains, pillows, wall art, rugs and more. Items are made with natural fibers (plant and/or animal), and custom designed pieces are welcome. https://itomakimaki.handcrafted.jp/ IG: www.instagram.com/itomakimaki_/ 5. CROCHET EARRINGS BY NURO CROCHET
Treat yourself with these micro-crochet floral earrings made from pure cotton lace thread. Pocket-friendly, Sustainable, and handmade in Nagoya Japan by Nuzrath Hameedha. Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NuroCrochets IG:www.instagram.com/nuro.flower.crochet FB: www.facebook.com/nurocrochets 6. VINTAGE KIMONO POUCH BY KIMONO KOMONO DESIGNS
Bright colored re-purposed vintage kimono fabric pouch by Jelena Uechi in Nagoya. This pouch is firm and sturdy and is suitable for make up, bank books, insurance cards and other bits and pieces. A fantastic way to organise the bits and bobs floating around the bottom of your handbag. FB: http://www.facebook.com/Kimonokomonodesigns Etsy: www.Kimonokomonodesigns.etsy.com IG: www.instagram.com/Kimonokomonodesigns 7. TREE OF LIFE DECORATION BY OFF ON A WHIM
Give a gift that brings a smile and warm feelings all year long. This Tree of Life decoration by Erinn LaMattery is handcrafted from copper wire and natural stones and is filled with the energy and peace Mother Nature brings to our lives. These unique gifts will never be forgotten and are a daily reminder of how much you love and are loved. BUY HERE: offonawhim.com/search?page=1&q=tree+of+life FB: facebook.com/offonawhim IG: instagram.com/offonawhim 8. THE GIFT OF LEARNING FROM BEST LIVING JAPAN
9. UNIQUE NECKLACE FROM RISING MOON CRYSTALS
Blue goldstone point, adorned with a genuine moonstone from Jaipur India and paired with an ornate moon. This pendant is provided with a quality stainless steel chain. Stainless steel is kind to skin, extra strong and non-tarnish. Jezebel Ono is a maker based in Chiba, Japan. www.risingmooncrystals.com/ 10. HAORI JACKET FROM TABI TABI YA
11. KIMONO EARRINGS BY BIKUDESIGNS
Handmade vintage kimono accessories made in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo by Victoria Close. Every piece is one-of-a-kind and a perfect reminder of Japan. www.bikudesigns.com IG: www.instagram.com/bikudesigns/ FB: www.facebook.com/bikudesigns/ 12. GREEN TEA EXPERIENCE FROM ARIGATO JAPAN
BONUS IDEA: PREMIUM JEWELLERY BY ATELIER SHINJI GINZA
If you are looking for that something special, look no further than uniquely Japanese handcrafted jewelry from family-run Tokyo-based Atelier Shinji Ginza. Contemporary, seasonal and traditional Japanese motifs make up most of the collection, together with timeless nature motifs inspired by classic Art Nouveau styles. IG: www.instagram.com/atelier_shinji_ginza/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/atelier.shinji.ginza Web (and online store): http://www.ateliershinji.com YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY...
To help you find the perfect holiday gift for lovers of all things interiors, we created a list of holiday gift ideas that any home lover would be thrilled to receive. From hand-forged Japanese knives to gorgeous scented candles, there's sure to be something on our list to make your friends and family smile this holiday season. 1. HANDMADE KNIVES FROM SHIMANE FROM JIKUU
2. SCREEN PRINTED PLANT BAGS FROM INK & BEAR
3. ETHICAL SOY CANDLES FROM DD'S DEN
4. SUSHI MAGNETS FROM L ROSE STUDIO
5. ORIGAMI FROM HANAWA
6. VINTAGE KIMONO DECORATIONS FROM BIKUDESIGNS
Victoria Close is the founder of the vintage kimono jewellery brand, Bikudesigns. Victoria is a long-term resident of Tokyo and has recently added some new holiday items to her jewellery collection. www.bikudesigns.com IG: www.instagram.com/bikudesigns/ FB: www.facebook.com/bikudesigns/ 7. ORIGINAL ART CREATED BY FROM JUJU WITH LOVE
8. GREEN FINGERED GIFTS FROM SHIZEN NATURA
9. SOY CANDLES FROM TURQUOISE PORT
10. RECYCLED OBI CUSHIONS FROM TABI TABI YA
BONUS GIFT IDEA: WALL HANGING FROM ITOMAKIMAKI
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 Email marketing is definitely alive and kicking in 2021. After a worldwide pandemic, when businesses and events went virtual, a newsletter is still the best way to reach your ideal customers. Here's why I still think they are brilliant (even though secretly they feel a bit 1998). 1. Connection with your audience When people get to know, like and trust you, they are more likely to buy from you. And buy from you again, and again, and again. 1000 true fans are all you need for a fabulously successful handmade business. 2. Building Personal Relationships Getting an email straight into your inbox is a more intimate experience for your customers than scrolling through Instagram and maybe or maybe not seeing your posts. 3. You Own Your Email List What if Facebook and Instagram closed tomorrow? What if your account got deleted? You still have a way to get in front of the people on your list, and as they are your best customers.... 4. Less Work Mailing list subscribers are more invested in your products than social media followers so are more likely to buy. This means you have to create less content for your social channels overall. 5. Your Biggest Asset Sales are down, in-person events are cancelled, you have a busy month with family situations...whatever spanner in the works that prevents you from making sales can be solved by emailing your list with an offer, launch or event. 6. Longevity Social media platforms come and go but people hold on to their email addresses for years, even decades. 7. Website analytics Subscribers are far more likely to click through to your website from your newsletter than they are to find your link in bio or Google you. This helps with your Google ranking too. 8. Repurposing Content We create so much content in all areas of our business and our followers only see a small percentage of it. Isn't it exhausting? You can add events, press, podcast appearances, testimonials, new products, blog posts, video links and so much more to your newsletter. I've even added my FAQ page and About Me page from my website to my newsletter. 9. Valuing your community By adding bits and pieces of valuable content, your community will value you and feel like you value them. Just remember that the content needs to make sense for your brand. How about adding tutorials, recipes, travel tips, how-to guides, quizzes, checklists, freebies, mini-courses, meet-ups to your newsletters? 10. Valuable feedback If you want to test a new product or launch something, you'll get a more useful and engaged response from an audience that knows you well. BONUS Accountability When you write something down and send it out to several hundred people, it's amazing what that does for your motivation to get things done. The feeling of not letting people down can be a great driver for your business. You might also like...
Hello. My name is Victoria and I'm a stationery addict. Honestly, I love nothing more than walking around Tokyo stationery stores on my solo 'Artist Dates' days, with a special love for the retro-classic mom and pop stationery stores you find in local areas. Japan has some amazing products available that I haven't seen anywhere else that I use on a daily basis in the studio as well as in life. Ideas of where to shop for these lovely items is coming up soon. But first, here are a few of my faves... 1. MT Tape
Any masking tape fans here? I'm really fussy about my masking tape selection, not just for the designs and colours but the quality of the tape itself. MT is my go-to tape due to the durability and stickability, and I don't even mind the extra spend if it stays where it is and looks gorgeous. If there's such a thing as a 'masking tape snob', I'm it. 2. Masking Tape Cutter
This Kokuyo cutter was a revolution to how I cut my masking tape. It cuts in a perfectly straight line, is super ergonomic to use with minimal effort and looks beautiful on my packaging. As the blade is so good, it also means that I use/ waste much less tape. 3. BuJo (Bullet Journal) Body Scanner/ Outfit Stamp
I try to do a bullet journal every day before I start work. Although I don't really use the official BuJo method, I do use an actual journal designed for bullet journalling to plan my days (mine is from Leuchtturm) . I love to think about how I feel at the start of each day and this stamp helps to pin point any pains and issues that I have physically. I also try to plan the feeling that I want at the end of each day which this body shape helps me focus on. 4. Staple-less staple
This cool Harinacs device punches a hole in pieces of paper and somehow folds the bits together to attach them without staples. I have no idea how it works, other than it works and I don't need to buy staples anymore. What's not to love?! 5. Slim Scissors
These slim scissors, about the size of a pen only a bit flatter, are also from Kokuyo. These are the perfect addition to my on-the-go sketchbook kit for those weekends away (remember those?!) or for a grab-and-go day working at a coffee shop or co-working space (pre-Covid). I've always loved to make collages with bits and pieces of tickets and leaflets while I'm on the go, so these are the perfect light-weight, non-bulky pair. 6. Yamato Starch Paste
I love, love, love this glue, used by schools up and down Japan. You can use your fingers to spread it and clean up is fast and easy. Although the plastic packaging is a bit of a turn-off, Yamato have worked hard to make their refills out of paper containers. You can read more about that here. 7. Zebra Mildliners
Perhaps it's because it's Spring that I'm loving all the pastels, or perhaps it's the annoying bleed through the paper of regular highlighters that led me to these Zebra Mildliners. Much more subtle in their colours compared to the 80s/90s versions, these ones show you the important stuff without it being visible from space. The image on the right shows the difference between the Zebra colours and a regular highlighter. 8. Zebra Sarasa Pens
I I ever leave Japan, I am stocking up on YEARS worth of these pens. I'm a pretty heavy-handed writer so I need a sturdy pen to stand up to the pressure (hello sillicone grip?) and they make my handwriting look all grown-up and pretty. And Zebra is always coming up with new and fantastic colours which I just can't resist. And they do refills too. BONUS INFO: Sarasa means calico or printed cotton chintz in Japanese and was a fabric favoured by the Samurai. The big question is 'where do I get my hands on all this goodness?' That, my friends, is coming up soon where I'll take you to some stationery stores, stores that carry stationery, some local places and some amazing temples of stationery. Are you in? I always feature my new blog posts in my newsletter, so get on the list for alerts here. You might also like...
Super VIP Tanja amused The Club the other day by showing us the Biku earrings she changed into for every client she met on Zoom. There were five zoom calls and one walking adventure involved in her day, each with a pair of earrings to match the mood. All the clients were different, so they had no idea that she was changing earrings just for them before the meeting kicked off. "The fourth client did comment on my 'energizing aura'. I credit the earring challenge to uplifting my mood." "I loved choosing the next pair, trying to match it to the mood of the topic of conversation. It actually helped me be more intentional about what atmosphere I wanted to create on the call. I had a great time entertaining myself and documenting the journey for the VIP Club." So there you have it. Slap on your lipstick and pop in your earrings and you'll feel fab while you work. We'd love to see you in your Biku jewellery on your Zoom calls... and nobody will be able to tell if you're in your joggers.
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The new Rise & Shine Collection launches on Monday 1st February 2021. Two one-of-a-kind pairs of earrings released everyday with some bonus pairs popping up throughout the month in the webshop.I'm adding denim, leather, faux leather, acrylic, vintage beads, charms, painted charms and, of course, vintage kimono to this unique collection. If you need a reminder of when the launch starts, join the mailing list to get a reminder. Prices in this collection range from ￥2500-4000 depending on materials and time to make. All earrings come boxed in a gift box. 
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Congrats to my lovely online creative friend, Lorna from Lorna Gilbert Ceramics on the launch of her fantastic Instagram charity event at the end of this month. Lorna has encouraged the handmade ceramics community to come together to take part in a one day event to sell their creations to raise money for a charity of their choice. Famous TV potters Keith Brymer Jones, Kate Malone and Sue Pryke (The Great British Throwdown) are donating their work to be raffled off. This sort of pay-it-forward initiative is JUST what the world needs right now. You can find details of the talented artists taking part, the charities they're supporting and the raffles to win amazing pottery prizes over on Lorna's second Instagram here. Follow Lorna Gilbert Ceramics on Instagram. Good luck everyone! You might also like...
This time last year I was mostly oblivious to Covid-19 and was busy planning my upcoming jewellery collections. With it being a leap year as well as the Tokyo Olympics year, 2020 was feeling particularly hopeful and exciting. In February the Leap Collection was launched with 29 pairs of earrings (one for each day of Feb) made from all the supplies I've collected over the years. It turned out that one pair per day of one-of-a-kind earrings just wasn't enough, so I then made 2 pairs a day. At the end of the month the Last Leap event rounded it all off. It was a crazy busy month, and my best February ever. Yet during all this busyness, some time in mid February, a dark cloud appeared in the distance, a grumbling, worrying cloud that was getting closer by the day. I kept 'leaping' into 2020 with gusto, but by the end of February the reality had hit. This wasn't going to be the year my business REALLY took off, this was going to be hard and scary and confusing and awful. Yet somewhere in that mess of emotions came light. I connected with so many amazing creatives all over the world in 2020 thanks to @indie_roller and I added some new products too. And even though my kids missed heaps of school, we all reconnected as a family on a whole other level. It wasn't all rainbows and butterflies, but we got through and in some ways we rebooted our thinking. Prioritising others can make you do that. So here I am approaching another year, with a little trepidation, but with more peace and quiet. Welcome to Rise and Shine. The new Collection is launching on February 1st and every single day in February. Keep sparkling, Vx You might also like...
What is a FUKUBUKURO? Traditionally in Japan at New Year businesses bundle up their products and sell them in a 'lucky bag' (the kanji 福袋 (fukubukuro) literally means happy bag). The 'happy' part comes in as you can't actually see what's in the bag before you buy. Fun right? Oh, and there are bargains to be had too, as long as you are buying from places you love. Is the Biku Fukubukuro like a traditional lucky bag? Yes...and also no. YES: There are a number of items at a discount bundle price presented in an actual bag! NO: Before you buy you know what products are included in the bag and the savings you'll make. There are no end-of-line, random items in the bags. Everything is from current stock or made especially for the bags. This year you can even request certain colours to be included in the bag. So, how do I grab one? Click the link here and you can see what's available. Make sure to request your colours before you buy though, otherwise you'll receive a random selection. Important info for UK customers. Biku will cease shipping to the UK in 2021 due to changes in VAT after Brexit. The final day for UK purchases is Monday December 28th 2020. I hope to find a work around in the future, but for the time being it will be closed at the end of 2020. When does the offer close? Monday 4th January 2021 at midnight. UK Fukubukuro will be shipped by 30th December, rest of the world and Japan shipping is on Tuesday 5th January 2021.
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I've planned so much stuff for Sunday's Extravaganza I just don't know where to start. I'm just sooooo excited that it feels like Christmas has come early! Hope to see you for some of the events...there are LOTS! Everything will be happening over on Instagram with some bits and pieces happening on Facebook too. NOTE: This time I'm observing Tokyo timings due to the 12 hour window!      This extremely strange year has been a challenge for small businesses, but we're not letting all the cancelled in-person holiday events stop us from showing you our handmade work. Now more than ever it's time to shop independent to show our support for the solo businesses out there, the mom and pop outfits, the artists and the artisans.
So here's a simple guide of how to shop:
HOLIDAY MARKETS COMING UP Thursday 29th October Indie Eco Market- BIKU WILL BE AT THIS ONE CLOSED Thursday 5th November Indie Christmas Essentials Market CLOSED Thursday 12th November Indie Baby and Children Market CLOSED Thursday 19th November Indie Made By Hand Market- BIKU WILL BE AT THIS ONE Saturday 22nd Nov 8am to 8pm Online Market Extravaganza- BIKU WILL BE AT THIS ONE Thursday 26th November Indie Art and Illustration Market Thursday 3rd December Indie Beauty Market Thursday 10th December Indie Homewares & Foodie Market   Hosting monthly trunk shows online was a necessary decision for the survival of my business during Covid-19 times. All in-person events have been cancelled for the foreseeable future, and shipping overseas has been patchy or still closed to some countries. Simply put, my job is to buy materials, make all the things and then sell them to make a profit for my time, energy and experience. This is my full-time job, my income, not my hobby or charity work.
 Calling all kokeshi lovers!
Meet Laetitia Hébert, the founder and owner of Folkeshi, a business celebrating modern day kokeshi and kokeshi artisans. Folkeshi is a webshop dedicated to newly-made kokeshi dolls, kokeshi-inspired goods and Laetitia's book Kokeshi published last year. Laetitia works directly with Japanese artisans, focusing primarily on traditional kokeshi, but has recently started collaborations with creative artisans such as Miura Setsuko. Originally from France, Laetitia spent 5 years in Japan (2012 to 2017) living in Ashikaga, a small town in Tochigi prefecture. Ashikaga is a very quiet and traditional area which totally challenged Laetitia and her husband to speak and read Japanese.
 What would Nan do? That's what I think when I need to solve a problem. My Nan wasn't an especially gifted inventor or scientist, or guru of any kind, but she was practical. She lived through WW2, gave birth to a baby in the final year of the war (my mum) and embraced the 'make do and mend' culture with verve. Nothing was ever wasted, things were stored for later, things were made from other things, things were given away and things were adapted and fixed. There were tools in the house, in case you needed to make something, and nobody ever seemed to 'get a man in', they just did it themselves.  Nan was a sorter of objects, a giver of things (usually to those less fortunate than her). If she'd heard about the Japanese concept of 'mottainai' in her lifetime she would have nodded sagely because that's how she lived her own life and how she taught my mum to live hers. Waste not, want not. A penny saved is a penny earned. One man's trash is another man's treasure. This is why I'm so passionate about not wasting things that still have life in them. Why I based a whole business on saving damaged kimono from the landfill and to take the 'mottainai' spirit and run with it in my British way.
In Shimokitazawa I'm always thrilled to see boxes of unwanted things outside homes with a sign saying 'Please take anything you like.' In fact, we've been doing the same for many years outside our home too. It's fantastic to see another generation of 'gifters' coming through with my own children donating their things to the 'Mottainai Box' on a regular basis.  The icing on the cake, the ultimate validation of my brand message and core values filtering through to my customers happened this week. A gorgeous customer took the time and effort to return these earring boxes in pristine condition to be used again. Happy tears. My Nan would be proud. NOTE: The images above are 'mottainai' items discovered in my area this week. I took what we will use and left the rest. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE...
 Cooler days, sweaters, scarves, crisp air (and in East Japan) the bluest of blue cloudless skies. Can you tell we're coming into my favourite season of the year (in Japan anyway!)? Insects are quietening and the leaves are becoming crisp and tinged with Autumn. Christmas is approaching fast and this year more than any other we'll need a little sparkle to go with our cosy comfort. 'Home is where the heart is', they say, and we have all seen a fair amount of our homes in 2020. Zoom calls, little to no travelling, missing out on seeing family and friends in real life. But we're still here, and we're ready for a bit of cheer and a better 2021.
These Hikari earrings embody the idea of sparkle at home. Handcrocheted, light as a feather loops swish from lucite sparkle studs. As usual this is a limited edition collection with only a few pairs in each colour-way. You can pre-order yours in the webshop and they will be shipped out within a week. These earrings are launching on Friday 11th September 2020 to the Mailing List. General release on Saturday 12th September 2020 at 9am.   Living and travelling widely in Australia and Asia over the past 18 years I noticed our beloved beaches and oceans becoming polluted with plastic and harming sea life. As a family we watched a disturbing documentary called 'A Plastic Ocean’. My then 10 year old asked me if people knew much about this plastic problem, I didn’t have an answer for him. The movie had such an impact on us that we took on the challenge of eliminating as much single use plastic from our lives as possible.
Using beeswax wraps is one way we can reduce our impact on the environment and embrace sustainable living. Beeswax wraps are the perfect alternative to plastic wrap for keeping food fresh. They are natural, reusable and versatile. Beeswax food wraps are perfect for storing cheese and prolonging the life of vegetables and fruit (avocados and apples do especially well). They are also good for covering any leftover food in bowls or for carrying sandwiches/onigiri and snacks on the go. I absolutely love sharing my story with others and listening to other people’s stories. I am consistently inspired to continue what I am doing. Working together, we can reduce our plastic waste and care for our world for future generations.
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It's been another month of staying home, no public transport or eating out. The C-19 cases are rising rapidly in Tokyo and the governor has asked us to refrain from travelling outside of Tokyo until cases slow. I hear many people talking about wanting to 'live' rather than 'exist' these days, but I believe that you can 'live' by staying home and trying out a new way of life. The old world as we know it has gone, I've already grieved the loss of it, now it's time to build a new way of living. And I'm embracing it. Are you?  BUILDING: Overseas Makers Guild It's a small but perfectly formed group of makers who are in different stages of setting up their handmade businesses overseas. We are already becoming quite international! I'm here to support, to cheer-lead and to help with the logistics of setting up overseas. Want to join? Click here to join.  MAKING: Red shiso cordial So my hubby came home with a HUGE bag of red shiso last week and I couldn't think of anything to cook with it. So I invented a quick cordial recipe and then froze it into ice cubes. I now have red shiso cordial to last me the summer! INGREDIENTS Big handful of red shiso (about twice the amount in the photo) 2 tablespoons of brown sugar The juice of a lemon 2 cups of water METHOD
Sign up here to the newsletter for more recipes.  DOING: 1000 piece jigsaw puzzles It's not something I imagined I'd be into in my 40's but this pandemic has brought out different sides to us all hasn't it? This one was from a lovely friend who visited from Australia last year and we already have the next one lined up. Anyone else into puzzles?  LISTENING: Conversations of Inspiration Podcast I have to be honest that I mostly listen to business podcasts while I work in the studio or go for a walk these days and this Podcast recommendation is no exception. Holly Tucker is a true inspiration who set up Not on the High Street to help handmade businesses sell their work online. In this podcast she meets with British founders working in a variety of fields who tell their story of how they set up their businesses. So many heartfelt moments and inspiration for anyone in business. Apple previews are here.  EATING: Home made soda bread Although we're not into the hot part of Summer in japan...yet...I still don't always fancy a hot meal in the evenings. Open sandwiches with home made bread are my fave go-to. We still go back to the original soda bread recipe we've been using for a while now as it's so easy and so instant! No yeast, no proving, no kneading. What's not to love? If you'd like to make your own bread, check out my recipe here.  Something has been bubbling under the surface for a long time. Something that I think I didn't really want to admit to myself if I'm totally honest.
I left teaching 10 years ago because I couldn't imagine life as a mum and as a full-time educator. This is the hand that many women are dealt after having children but I felt it was an easy choice that was best for the family at that point in time. I already secretly knew that I wanted to set up in business on a full-time basis, having previously had a side-business since being a teen. It was a juggle with one little one in Nursery and another as a tiny baby. I learned a lot in those first years, more than my brain could take at times. I can't tell you how often I wanted to give it all up, how I had no idea what a brand actually was never mind owning the skills to build one. I was bootstrapping (self-funding) all the way and it was just me, a studio and an extremely supportive hubby. Being a solo business owner in the handmade field means that you have to learn how to become a photographer, graphic designer, writer, social media manager, marketer, accountant, website designer and salesperson. Oh, and design and make products at the same time. It sounds as if I'm complaining. I'm not. I've never felt freer, more in control or self-motivated in my whole working life. And I should be happy with that right? Well, not exactly. You see the thing I talked about at the beginning, that niggly feeling, that secret fear is that I'm still a teacher after all, despite being out of the classroom for a decade. I want a world where people can work flexibly, feel like they're making a contribution to their family's finances, take their business wherever they travel and have fun while they work. Most of all I want to share my tips and tricks with you, so you don't have to work as crazily as I did in the beginning! It's been a long time coming, but my new FREE Facebook group OVERSEAS MAKERS GUILD to support you in building your handmade business overseas is now LIVE! (When I say 'group' there's actually only me in it so far, as you guys are the first to know.) If you are planning, in the process of setting up, or in the early stages of launching a handmade business overseas, we'd love to have you join us. |
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I'm Victoria, the founder, designer and creator at Bikudesigns, a vintage kimono accessories brand in Tokyo, Japan. Categories
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