Tucked away in an abandoned Akiya—a house filled with memories, dust, and forgotten treasures—was a beautiful collection of vintage kimono, waiting to be rediscovered. During a recent visit, I was invited to take as many as I wanted, and what I found was truly special.
This home is now being lovingly restored, and many of its pieces feel like time capsules from a life once fully lived.
This video takes you along for the journey. It’s a longer one, perfect for a slow moment with a cup of tea—or save it to your watchlist for when you’re ready to explore.

This week I'm doing a make-over on the genkan (hallway) in my tiny Shimokitazawa (Tokyo) studio by laying new flooring and installing Japanese shoji (paper) doors to cover up the terrible system bathroom.

If you're in Tokyo, pop in for a chat and a browse in the tiny shopping area representing 12 international makers based in Japan.

LINKS
SHOP KIMONO JEWELLERY
VISIT STUDIO BIKU
WORKSHOPS
INSTAGRAM
GOLD STAR MOVING SERVICES

Guacamole fans, here's your chance to use up your avocado skins and pits.

Follow my dye recipe to learn how to make a beautiful pink dye that's kind to you and the planet. New schedule for workshops and classes is out now. BOOK HERE

Dyeing fabric with nasty chemical dyes isn't good for you or the planet. This video shows you how you can create beautiful fabrics by simply dyeing with discarded onion skins.

Camera Setup Camera: https://amzn.to/3Yu5gB2
Tripod: https://amzn.to/3Suz7VS
Soft box light: https://amzn.to/3yoVipL
Mic: https://amzn.to/3A9d3dc

Alum: https://amzn.to/4dONv3t
Soda Ash: https://amzn.to/3SRELlg

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10% off your first jewellery order when you subscribe to the newsletter : https://www.bikudesigns.com/sign-up.html

Have you ever tried natural dyeing? How did it go? What natural materials should I dye with next?
Comment below.

Music and sound effect by Epidemic Sound. Start your free trial here: https://share.epidemicsound.com/su21ps

This video is not sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission.

About Victoria: I'm Victoria Close, designer, maker and teacher of jewellery, accessories and crafts based in Shimokitazawa in Tokyo. I'm a long-time Tokyo dweller (over 25 years) with a passion for mottainai (the regret of waste when something still has life left in it), vintage thrifting and any kind of craft. This channel is all about my love of crafts, both Japanese and non-Japanese, traditional and modern, vintage shopping, free finds, my atelier and tiny shop as well as my life in Japan. I’d love to see you at my studio in Shimokitazawa soon. 

Shopping at a shrine in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.
Come with me as I search for treasures at the Hanazono Flea Market (open almost every Sunday from early!)

Camera Setup
Camera: https://amzn.to/3Yu5gB2
Tripod: https://amzn.to/3Suz7VS
Soft box light: https://amzn.to/3yoVipL
Mic: https://amzn.to/3A9d3dc

SHRINE SALE KIT
Summer
Mosquito repellent: https://amzn.to/4dfOrhv
Mosquito ointment: https://amzn.to/3yyqxih
Winter
Disposable hot packs:https://amzn.to/4fBf4ix
Recharable kairo: https://amzn.to/3SLfGsh

10% off your first jewellery order when you subscribe to the newsletter : https://www.bikudesigns.com/sign-up.html

QUESTION: Have you ever been to a shrine market in Japan? Which one is your fave? Comment below.

Music and sound effects by Epidemic Sound. Start your free trial here: https://share.epidemicsound.com/su21ps

This video is not sponsored. Some product links are affiliate links which means if you buy something I'll receive a small commission.

About Victoria: I'm Victoria Close, designer, maker and teacher of jewellery, accessories and crafts based in Shimokitazawa in Tokyo. I'm a long-time Tokyo dweller (over 25 years) with a passion for mottainai (the regret of waste when something still has life left in it), vintage thrifting and any kind of craft.
My YouTube channel is all about my love of crafts, both Japanese and non-Japanese, traditional and modern, vintage shopping, free finds, my atelier and tiny shop and life in Japan. I’d love to see you at my studio in Shimokitazawa soon.

Grab your hammer and your flowers! What?!

This project is a great way to collect botanical memories from your travels without the worry of getting caught up with customs for bringing back organic materials from overseas. Also a great way to capture memories from special event floral arrangements.

I’d love to see you at a class at my studio in Shimokitazawa soon.

CLASSES: https://www.bikudesigns.com/workshops.html
SHOP IN PERSON: Visit the studio in Tokyo https://www.bikudesigns.com/welcome-to-studio-biku.html SHOP ONLINE https://www.bikudesigns.com/

WHAT YOU NEED
Clothing item or fabric made from 100% natural materials (silk, cotton, linen)
A hammer
Kitchen towels
A range of garden flowers/ flowers from a bouquet

More gel printing crafts to reduce your stack of 'failed' gel prints.
Let me show you a few simple ideas of how to start using your prints so they don’t end up in the recycling. This week I'm making a room divider wall hanging mobile. Beginner level!

There are more Gel Printing Project videos coming up in this series very soon, so make sure you’re subscribed to the newsletter and my YouTube channel to get the alerts when they go live.

IN-PERSON CLASSES
I’d love to see you at a class at my studio in Shimokitazawa soon.

Gel printing classes HERE
Visit the studio shop in Shimokitazawa, Tokyo
Shop kimono jewellery online

SUPPLIES LIST
PLEASE NOTE:
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Decoupage glue: https://amzn.to/3S1SPbC
Large circle paper punch (similar): https://amzn.to/461BVPQ
Sashiko thread: https://amzn.to/4bJG9x1
Silicone mat: https://amzn.to/3LkEbZd
Wooden hoop: https://amzn.to/3WjRaQW

Gel printing supplies list is HERE

Join me as I head off to the Japanese Home Centre to look for vinyl flooring for my studio kitchen. This is only the second time I've ever laid any kind of flooring and I'm bewildered by the process!

In the video I talk about the tools I bought and watch as the vinyl salesperson satufyingly cuts the flooring to size.

Join me while I unbox a delivery of 16 large kokeshi dolls that arrived at the studio in June. I'm busily researching all the maker's marks and will add these to my studio shop and webshop for sale soon.

Sign up to be the first to know when they become available: HERE
10% off your first order

VISIT THE SHOP IN SHIMOKITAZAWA HERE
WEBSHOP HERE