Hug Mug magazine picnic shoot!
This picnic shoot for Hug Mug magazine was one of the best photo shoots I've ever worked on!
Thank you so much Maki-san and the Hug Mug team!
xoxo
Hello Tokyo excerpt in Inside Out Magazine!
You guys!
I really want to use #blessed but I'll save you from that. But seriously, sometimes I have no idea how I have such supportive people in my life. Yesterday, the day my new book 'Hello Tokyo' launched, I received an email from the Managing Editor of Inside Out magazine with the subject line 'Happy 'Hello Tokyo' Release Day!!'. I can't even manage to remember my own deadlines, so it baffles me that such an overachiever like Lee Tran Lam who does more in one day than even a super human can, is able to remember my book release date.
On top of that, and surely it's not in her job description to be making PDF files to send to people who are in the pages of their beautiful magazine, but attached to her email was a PDF of the cover and the 'Hello Tokyo' story. Like - seriously! How does she do it all?
By the way, Lee Tran Lam not only is Managing Director of Inside Out magazine, but does this radio show, makes these amazing zines, writes this popular food blog, produces this podcast, and is probably developing a cure for diseases in her free time.
OMG - Live update! Just as I was looking for the above links I clicked over to LTL's page and found that she had mentioned 'Hello Tokyo' on her page and instantly started crying! This lady is sooooo sweet! I (thought I) had resumed control over my emotions and phoned her to thank her, but of course as soon as I heard her happy voice I started crying again! ha ha! Professionalism points to Sandwich - ZERO!
Anyway, please go and pick up a copy of this amazing mag. And also Yen and Frankie who have also been so kind as to write about 'Hello Tokyo' in their new issues. Thank you so much Lee Tran, Sophie and Annie! xoxo
I feel so lucky to have moved away from Australia, but still have the support of such brilliant people.
Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo
The making of 'Hello Tokyo' video
Sandwiches!
I made a little movie of the making of my new book 'Hello Tokyo'!
Hello Tokyo: Handmade projects and fun ideas for a cute Tokyo-inspired lifestyle
VIDEO MUSIC by: Lullatone
'Outside sandwiches' from the 'Sounds of Spring' EP
https://lullatone.bandcamp.com/album/the-sounds-of-spring-ep
Lullatone's Shawn mentioned that he snuck in the name 'Sandwich' as a little message to me, but I'm sure he's just being charming as always.
But in any case - if you don't already have this album you must rush over to their website and download it right away! Sooooo super cute!
PHOTOS: BOCO
Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo
Hello Tokyo on sale today!
You guys!!!
Today is the day!
My very first English language book is on sale today! 'Hello Tokyo' is out with Murdoch Books Australia who (in conjunction with my literary agents Curtis Brown) were so incredibly wonderful to work with. They really let me put my own voice to all aspects of this book, allowing me to direct everything from the pagination, design, styling, projects, chapter breakdowns, and even selecting the right paper stock and gold foil for the cover. The book is like a hard copy of this blog, with stories about living in Tokyo, projects to create a cute Tokyo-inspired lifestyle, and pages on collaborations and past projects I've worked on.
I'm so excited to share some sneak peeks of the book, and behind the scenes of the book with you.
THIS amazing team!
Murdoch says:
This book by Japanese-based Australian blogger/crafter/designer/zine publisher Ebony Bizys (aka Hello Sandwich) is a cute and quirky guide to living a handmade lifestyle, filled with projects and ideas inspired by Ebony's life in Tokyo. Capturing the charm, humour and originality of her eclectic and highly successful blog, Hello Sandwich, this book features craft projects and inspirational styling ideas, and gives the reader a glimpse of Japanese culture.
Hello Tokyo is the quintessential Hello Sandwich publication. It captures Ebony's fascination with the myriad treasures of everyday existence, ranging from personalised crafts such as handmade stationery and clothing accessories, as well as decorative items and storage solutions for the home; to recording your daily life and travels with a camera, journal or even a blog; to hosting, theming and styling a fun party or picnic.
Author bio:
Ebony Bizys is an Australian craft artist, designer and blogger based in Tokyo. Before moving to Tokyo in 2010, Bizys worked at Australian Vogue magazines for 11 years, most recently in the position of Deputy Art Director at Vogue Living. Since moving to Tokyo, Bizys has art directed a Japanese book, designed a Japanese fashion website, been commissioned by Vogue Japan to make artwork for their publication, collaborated with Japanese masking tape brand 'mt' on workshops, and has appeared in many Japanese books and magazines. Bizys also holds regular craft workshops, blogs for Vogue Japan and promotes Martha Stewart Crafts in Japan. In July 2012 she released a craft book with publisher BNN. She records her daily life on her hugely successful cult blog Hello Sandwich: hellosandwich.jp
And, OMG if you see 'Hello Tokyo' in any bookshops, PLEASE shuffle it to the front of any stacks! Ha ha! Is that too naughty? I secretly do it for my friends books when I see them in Tokyo bookstores. And, ha ha, okay, I just might have done it a few times with my Japanese book!
Because I'm not in Tokyo, if you happen to be able to take a snap in any bookstores and either email me the shots to: hellosandwichblog (at) gmail (dot) com or use the hashtag #HelloTokyoBook I would LOVE to see it!
Hello Tokyo: Handmade projects and fun ideas for a cute Tokyo-inspired lifestyle
Amazon says:
Hello Tokyo by Japanese blogger, crafter and designer Ebony Bizys is a cute and quirky guide to living a handmade lifestyle, inspired by Ebony s life in Tokyo. Capturing the charm, humour and originality of her eclectic and highly successful blog, Hello Sandwich, Hello Tokyo presents over 30 craft projects, as well as other tidbits and a peek into Japanese culture. Learn how to make hand-sewn cushions, charm necklaces, a memory walking book, corsages and a 'party-in-a-box' as well as handmade stationery including notebooks and envelopes, quirky post packages and gift tags, and much more. The projects 'make everyday life more pleasurable through the daily use of cute handmade items'.
You can find the book at:
Kinokuniya
www.kinokuniya.com.au
Booktopia
www.Booktopia.com.au
Bookworld
www.bookworld.com.au
Dymocks (in store or online
www.dymocks.com.au
Myer
David Jones
And at all good book retailers especially Metropolis, Ariel and Kunstler!
Hello Tokyo will be available a month later through:
Waterstones
www.waterstones.com
Amazon
www.amazon.co.uk
Book Depository
www.bookdepository.com
Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo
Jiji-chan
Last night I knelt in front of a butsudan, lit incense, rang a bell, and prayed to my Japanese grandpa who passed away a month ago, almost to the exact week that my father passed away two years ago.
Memories of Jiji-chan grating daikon in his regular seat at the dining table are so vivid. If I close my eyes I can see him walking slowly with the aid of his walking sticks around the park next to my apartment. He was always dressed in a beautiful shirt, a hat, and more often than not, suspenders.
With tears in her eyes, his granddaughter, Satomi-chan told me how he loved three things in life; food, sleeping and Baba-chan.
Baba-chan told me how Jiji-chan would often say 'we should invite Ebony over for dinner' before looking up at my apartment through his bathroom window and then say 'oh, the lights are off so she must be out'. Jiji-chan was like the grandpa I never had.
Although I promised myself I wouldn't, I cried. We all cried. We offered Jiji-chan wine, beer and Nihon-shu. We looked through photo albums of when Jiji-chan was a teenager. We smelt his fragrance. We held our drinks up and said 'kanpai' to him before he makes his journey to his hometown Aizu.
Meeting Jiji-chan was a miracle in my life.
Jiji-chan, the amazing name you were given by the monk upon departing this earth is a testament to the wonderful things you did in this life. You'll never be forgotten Jiji-chan.
xoxo
Hello Sandwich Tokyo Guide Zine (Third Edition)
Hello Sandwiches!
I'm so sorry for the super long gap in between posts.
Thank you all so much for ordering the Tokyo guides! We sent out 700 copies on the first send out!
Hello Sandwich HQ looked like this just before the postman arrived to collect the zines!
Here is a little sneak peek of the inside of the zine.
Inside the zine you'll find all of the places I regularly visit, making it a local's guide to Tokyo.
This time I've also included a 32 page book-in-book supplement where I interview lovely shop owners, suggest tips on enjoying the perfect picnic in Tokyo (from where to pick up a bento, to setting up in the best spot in the park), record store listings, gallery suggestions and even some hotel room friendly craft tutorials.
Thank you to those of you who were interested in a PDF version, but I won't be releasing a PDF of the guide. There's something lovely about an actual zine to hold in your hands, and because things change so quickly in Tokyo, I print a limited run for each edition.
There are only just a few of the Hello Sandwich Tokyo (Third Edition) Guides left so please pop over here to order your copy if you don't want to miss out.
Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo
5 years of living in Tokyo!
Sandwiches!
Exactly five years today I packed up my life and moved to Tokyo!!!
F I V E Y E A R S !
Love you, Japan!
xoxo