Japanese Book Covers



I love the way that Japanese bookstores such as Book 1st and Kinokuniya will cover your books in branded paper for you. In fact, its one of the things that gets me through my 5 hour Japanese class every Saturday - because its my dream to be able to read a Book 1st paper covered Japanese novel on board the Yamanote-sen.

But I also love Japanese fabric book covers - especially the hand made type! Aren't they just lovely!





















Wouldn't it be nice to custom make one of these book covers! Oh and if you like Japanese craft you might also like this blog post by the lovely Allison. And a big thank you Allison for your link to some great Tokyo Shopping Tips.

P.S. I have mentioned Lovegeek blog and their A-Z Japan list, but have you also seen Good-ness Blog's A-Z Japan? Hmmm...A Hello Sandwich Tokyo A-Z may have to follow!

Love love
Hello Sandwich
xxx

Craftastic Creative Club!







Isn't it nice when a few like minded creative types gather together to make some sweet crafty things. Like at the Brown Owls craft group, a national craft group run by the lovely Pip. Do you remember Pip's book that I mentioned here?

In today's busy pace I think an afternoon every so often to slip through a couple of crochet granny squares, string up a Polish Paper Chandelier or potato/eraser stamp ourselves a few reams of gift wrapping paper two could only be beneficial! Don't you think? How much fun would it be to make craft, sip green tea and meet with other like crafty types at a local community venue or artist run gallery? Sure, we may not quite be Leslie Hall, but we can only try right?!

Well tonight, I am proud to say that I have signed up for Brown Owls membership! And I am so excited!

Here is what Brown Owls creator Pip Lincolne had to say about her craft group:

Brown Owls is a crafty club, where you can meet other great people and work on crafty projects, together or independently. We learn from each other, chat, eat biscuits and just have nice times. It's designed to create connections, share skills and provide a nice social time for it's members. Does this sound like something you'd like to do in your neighbourhood? Yes?! Okay, you need a venue, a few members and some crafty enthusiasm! You can follow the lead of the other Brown Owls meets - or you can Brown Owl in your own way!

Some things you should know:
Please allow a few weeks for me to print up and post your memberships, people.
Brown Owls meets at LEAST every 2 weeks in Melbourne, but MONTHLY in other areas - meeting frequency is up to you.
Brown Owls is a 'learn from one-another' environment - it's not a craft 'class' (although sometimes someone nice will come and teach the whole group something!)
Brown Owls relies on member enthusiasm and participation - so try and get involved if you are not too shy. But we like shy people too.
Interstate memberships are $10 per annum (to cover admin, membership tags and postage) - and $15 for NZ and International.
All other costs (such as tea and coffee, snacks and room hire) are covered by members (hence the importance of low-cost or no-cost venues!)
I've prepared a 'Meeting and Venue Charter' for the 'prefects' in new Brown Owls packs.


Click here to visit the Brown Owls Members Blog


Kaotic Kraft Kuties

So...I was wondering...are there any Cute Sydney Crafty Creative Types out there who would be interested in a Craftastic Creative Club Meeting every once in a while? If you think this sounds like you, just leave a little comment below or email Pip and I am sure she can arrange some Brown Owls fun for you!

Love love
Hello Sandwich
xxx

Hiyashi chuka


Hiyashi Chuka bento style.



In all of my seven trips to Japan I have not once experienced a Japanese Summer! I must say, I do love winter but I thought the Jetstar sale was a good opportunity to experience another side of Tokyo AND I'm really looking forward to having a summer specialty Hiyashi chuka  when I go to Tokyo next month!

Hiyashi Chuka is a popular cold ramen dish topped with various ingredients such as ham, tomato, cucumber and egg and served with a refreshing sweet soy, ginger or sesame sauce.

Click here for a Hiyashi chuka recipe . You might also like this site and this site .

Not quite Ikebana


D-bros and Ikea





D-bros 

Little milk-bottle-like vases


Hanging jars (from capers) in my garden

My d-bros vases and a few bottles from my collection


Pretty multi-coloured glass vases

Milk bottle and a juice bottle I collected from Japan (table cloth from Newspaper Taxi)

It's not quite Ikebana but as soon as I get a bunch of flowers home I love to arrange them into a collection of little individual vases at varying heights. Don't you think they look so pretty that way? I usually put a selection on my dining table, one by our bedside tables, one by my work space and one tiny individual stem in the bathroom.

I use a collection of vessels such as a few mini milk bottles my mum gave me and some small jam / capers/ juice / mineral water bottles  that I have been collecting over the years.  But my favourite are these flat pack vases from Japanese brand d-bros (available from dedece plus in Australia) but Ikea have some cheap and cheerful alternatives.




Pretty hanging jars and bottles at a function

Romance Was Born

















I still remember the day my friend Olivia and I took Romance was Born's Anna Plunkett to the Century Tavern when she first moved to Sydney keen to show her the 'cool scene' in Sydney. Looking back now I go pink with embarrassment! Anna and her amazing label Romance was Born (with business partner Luke Sales) are the coolest kids on the block.

You can watch today's Romance Was Born's amazing 'under the sea' Fashion Week show on Vogue TV or for more info look at the Romance Was Born website.


(Joel! How cute are the stamps on the box you sent from Tokyo that is featured on the website!!)

Congratulations lovely Anna on a fantastic show!

Love love
Hello Sandwich
xxx

Pip & Pop Kawaii Pop



Oh my goodness - I am so excited about my recent discovery of Pip & Pop! (Thanks Liane!) Nicole Andrijevic and Tanya Schultz work together as collaborative duo Pip & Pop. Their art practice encompasses installation, painting, photography and wall drawings.

Here is a little note from their press release:
Their abundantly detailed and seductively colourful works are made from an eclectic mix of materials such as confectionery, plastic objects and plants, origami, vinyl, paint, and magazine cut-outs. With child-like optimism and playful working methods, they construct and transform everyday objects into elaborate and joyfully excessive artworks that explore notions of desire, abundance and blissful states of being.

Pip & Pop will be showing at The Japan Foundation in Sydney 15th May - 3rd June as part of the Facetnate series, a grant program in which one of three lucky artists will be awarded a return flight to Tokyo to further their art practice! ah hem...why didn't I know of this sooner!?!! I would have liked to submit my work for possible inclusion! There is always 2010!

Anyway, I hope you will get a chance to see it. And the Japan Foundation library is a must for any Japan lovers! For more info about the exhibition please click here.







By the way, have you watched my art video Kawaii Pop?



Very special thanks to the lovely Pip & Pop for sending through this information. I can't wait to meet you both at your Sydney opening!

楽しみにしています！
エボニー
☆