Totoro!

Anime nuts, Manga enthusiasts.... thats the best way to describe myself, my partner and my little sister.

It was her birthday the day after mine and as a special gift her best friend wanted to give her a friendship charm with a difference. So I made them a pair of Totoro pandora charms for their bracelets

Kumihimo

As anyone who knows me well will tell you... I adore Japanese culture. I have spent years studying the language and culture in school as part of a GCSE, Visited there in 2005 and naturally keep in touch with my friends over there. In my spare time I spend a lot of time getting to grips with the culture, research and study.

Recently my birthday past... woohoo... not! That day isn't really important to me, I ask for presents, it makes me feel weird being given gifts as I generally prefer to earn what I have and get it myself. Hey that's just me though.

This year Though Cai's Mother got me a gift without me know it, she's such a lovely lady. Myself loving crafts almost as much as she and Cai do, I received a lovely gift indeed;

A book on the art of Kumihimo and a starter kit to go with it.

I'm already hooked, I have started making myself a new obi-jime to go with my new antique kimono. Oh yea... I collect Vintage/authentic/antique Japanese Kimono, obi etc as well as victorian clothing.

For those that don't know Kumihimo is the japanese art of braiding, usually with stunning silks. Its dates back to the Edo period and was used originally in Samurai Armour between the lacquered scales to lace them together. It's now used in fashion and other decorative art forms.

The craft is very time consuming but so relaxing. I can't wait to finish my first full piece.