Hello Tokyo fabric range from Lisa Tilse at the red thread - 30% off

Lisa Tilse (the red thread) is well known for her beautifully designed craft panels and softie DIY kits, as well as her graphic design, craft, styling and art. Lisa has taken her love for cute Japanese kawaii-style design and created a gorgeous range of fabric and craft panels for Robert Kaufman Fabrics. I got a sneak-peek of the fabrics when Lisa came over to do a mini photo-shoot in my daughter's bedroom:

The Hello Tokyo range is absolutely gorgeous in real life too. I love the fun, bright colour palette, and of course those super-cute Japanese kokeshi dolls and sweet kitty cat character panels to sew up into cushions and softies, or use for applique.

The Hello Tokyo fabric range will be available in the US later in the year, and is stocked in Australia at various retailers now (no stockist list yet, but check via your favourite search engine). And we're in luck! the remnant warehouse is offering Hello Tokyo at 30% off for Australian customers until 18th June, 2013. (Prices are displayed at the full cost – discount is applied at checkout). I can't even wait to have a quilt made with these fabrics. I might even try my hand at it myself. Happy shopping and crafting!

Images: Lisa Tilse | the red thread

(prices displayed are the full cost – discount is applied at checkout) - See more at: http://www.theredthreadblog.com/#sthash.ldjcTuEa.dpuf

Hip Products: Kimono Reincarnate

After living for a combined six years in Japan, Melanie Gray Augustin returned to Australia and started her Kimono Reincarnate jewellery label to share her love of Japanese art, kimono fabric and 'kawaii' culture with the rest of the world.

Using combinations of vintage kimono fabrics, Japanese cottons, silver, crystal clear resin, bamboo and brightly coloured, and laser cut acrylics, Mel creates amazing brooches and necklaces to add a little Nihon-chic to your wardrobe. Many Kimono Reincarnate pieces are limited edition or one-off, so if you see something you like, best grab it quick smart.

I met Mel at a Brown Owls get-together in Brisbane a few years ago (remember me, Mel?) and have been keeping an eye on her work, but the recent launch of her paper crane brooch begged to be showcased. The crane brooches are laser-cut from sustainable bamboo, hand-sanded, and painted with delicate plum flowers to bring a little peace, love, health and longevity to the wearer. I truly love all of Mel's work, and I know my big girl would love those kawaii pendant necklaces too.

You can find Kimono Reincarnate in the online store, the Etsy store and at stockists around Australia. You can read more about Mel and all things Japanese and crafty and good over at her blog.

Images: Kimono Reincarnate

Stylish Kids: Oishi-m

I'm totally in love with the vintage-meets-Japanese-meets-denim duds from Victorian kids clothing label Oishi-m. Hip, unique, and super-practical for little ones.

Oishi-m (pronounced Oy-shee-em) combines delicious retro, vintage and kimono fabric with denim and cotton to create a practical and clever range for babies and kids. The current range for boys and girls in sizes 000-2 includes shorts and skinny-leg jeans with plenty of room for a nappy, cute-as-can-be shrugs, and t-shirts up to size 4. The emphasis is on layering and smart details such as the tummy warmer on shorts and jeans and cuffs that can be rolled up or down.

You can find Oishi-m in the online store (International shipping available and free shipping across Australia!), at stockists in Victoria and online and at upcoming markets.

The Oishi-m team have promised to send me some products to roadtest, so keep a look out here for a review of these cute products in the coming weeks. (update: review here)

For more Australian kids fashion, check out Bondville Kids. And shop online for kids fashion from great stores in the Australian Online Kids and Baby Store Directory.

Images: Oishi-m

Welcome New Sponsor Duckcloth

It's so great to welcome new Bondville sponsors as I always have so much in common with them; particularly those that strongly support Australian design and artists. The Duckcloth online textiles and fabric store is no exception, with a strong selection of my favourite Aussie designers including Shannon Lamden (Aunty Cookie), Ink and Spindle, Kristen Doran, Pippijoe, Prints Charming, Saffron Craig, Shibori, Sprout Design, The Cut Cloth, and Thea and Sami,

Apart from our Aussie textile designers, Duckcloth also has a great range of natural fabrics (cotton, linen and hemp) including Japanese design, contemporary, floral, basics (spots, stripes, solids), children's, eco-friendly and American design in medium and light-weight fabric. You'll also find a huge range of sewing patterns (clothing, softies, homewares and accessories) and gift ideas.

These are a few of my favourites finds from Duckcloth:
Top:
Ladybird Garden notepad by Aussie Kristen Doran
Parrots material by Saffron Craig
Middle:
Bonsai charcoal on cream hemp by Lara Cameron (Ink & Spindle)
Baby Chibi Doll pattern by One Red Robin
Bottom:
Acacia olive on linen by Lara Cameron (Ink & Spindle)
Pohutukawa material by Ingrid Andersen made into a laundry hamper

Head over to the Duckcloth website to order textiles and sign up for the newsletter to be alerted of sales and new fabrics. And check out the Duckcloth blog for gorgeous fabric and craft ideas.

Images: Duckcloth

Australian Artist Spotlight: Mizu Designs

Mizu Designs prints and cards are for lovers of tea and all things Japanese. I fall into both categories (how can you resist teapots?), so was very interested to find out more.

Mizu Designs is the label of Kylie Budge - print-maker and illustrator. Kylie studied woodblock printing in Kyoto (where she lived for seven years) and the traditional Japanese method of printmaking called Moku. Kylie painstakingly creates her woodblock prints with watercolour inks, Japanese paper, a bamboo leaf-covered baren (not a press) and traditional carving tools.

In the Mizu Designs Etsy store you will find beautiful woodblock, lino, silkscreen and giclee prints alongside greeting cards and 3D art. Check out the Mizu Designs blog for behind-the-scenes info on Kylie's printmaking.

Images: Mizu Designs

Hip Products: Kenji Uranishi ceramics

I've really enjoyed looking through the dreamy collection of Japanese ceramics artist Kenji Uranishi who has been based in Brisbane since 2004. Kenji has such a delicate touch - the use of super-soft colour, sweet images and lines drawn so lightly on his pieces, and the intricate detail in his honeycomb-like work.

Kenji also collaborates with Mel Robson (see profile here) on Sandwich Mountain and the adventures of the Little People - a fantastic collection of miniature figurines that are photographed as they adventure across the Australian countryside (and the world!).


Lucky you if you are in Sydney in the next month - Kenji will have a solo exhibition at the Helen Stephens Gallery from 15th July until 12th August, 2009. You can also view Kenji's work (along with other talented ceramicists) as part of the Australian Ceramics Trienniale 2009 at Object gallery in Sydney from 11th to 28th July, 2009 (where you will also find a collection of Kenji and Mel's Little People).

You can find Kenji Uranishi ceramics at the Queensland Art Gallery store (Brisbane), Artisan (Brisbane), Object (Sydney), Helen Stephens Gallery and All Hand Made (Sydney), Craft Victoria (Melbourne), Five Boroughs (Melbourne), Pomme (Mornington Peninsula VIC) and Antipodes Gallery (Sorrento Vic).

Keep an eye out on Kenji's blog Kamenendo for new designs and exhibition details.

Images: Kenji Uranishi

Hip Products: Fukutoshi Ueno Dress-Code stools

Holy cow. Thanks to talented designer Nicole from Hot Toffee, I found these amazing Dress-Code stools by Fukutoshi Ueno. Based in Brisbane for the last 16 years, Toshi is inspired by the concept of bringing Nature indoors to connect more closely with it.

Produced in three fantastic designs, (Botan, Tsubaki and Kiku), the Dress-Code stool was designed in collaboration with Akira Isogawa. The stool is inspired by Toshi's Japanese heritage - partly by the fine art of the tea ceremony and partly by the lesser known incense ceremony. This ceremony, dating back to the 9th century, evokes the romantic story of nobleman Hikaru Genji. Genji had many lovers and different symbols to signify each lover. These symbols were printed on individual incense boxes and Toshi has used these symbols as the basis of his design, fleshed out into three dimensional pieces.

Expertly handcrafted using heirloom woods such as rosewood and teak, Toshi's pieces are made for longevity with the intention of passing from generation to generation. I would adore a Dress-Code piece for our living room, or as a bedside table, or a special piece for a nursery.

If you would like to know a little more about Toshi, you can find a great interview with him on the Living Edge blog.

Update 13th June 2009: Dress-Code stools are now available from Living Edge (although I don't see them on the website yet) or you can order from Toshi directly. There are now 2 collections available: the Premier Collection, made from solid silver ash (only 50 pieces of each pattern produced); and the Cafe Collection, made from fine quality marine plywood.

Image: Fukutoshi Ueno

When in Vancouver, Must Do JAPA DOG

My sister has been raving about the Japanese-style hotdogs from street vendor JAPA DOG in Vancouver. When we were there last month, we happened to stay in the hotel right next door, so ventured out on our first jet-lagged night to try the local delicacy.

Signs on the stand scream out "Eat JAPA DOG!", promote all the famouse people that have eaten there, and display the unusual hotdog flavours include Misomayo(turkey smokie laden with special miso sauce, Kaiware, and japanese mayo), Oroshi (bratwurst laden with special soy sauce, green onions, and daikon), and Terimayo (smothered in Japanese mayo, nori, teriyaki sauce, and fried onions). It's a fun, kitschy experience that puts JAPA DOG high on my list of must-do's in Vancouver.

You can find JAPA DOG at the corner of Burrard and Haro St, downtown Vancouver, BC.

Image: bbqmag at Flickr

Sale: Wasabi Kids

Our favourite Japanese-flavoured kidswear label Wasabi Kids is having a 50% off sale to get ready for the next season. This is a huge saving! For Brisbane locals, Wasabi Kids will be showing off their new season stock at the Red Hill Fair on Saturday 26th July, Woolcock Park, Red Hill, QLD. Check out the Wasabi Kids website for 50% Savings!

Image: from Wasabi Kids