Bali inspiration

Morning offerings in Bali

Today's Inspiration - Tsunami Kanzashi

At Little House of Kokeshi we have been admiring Tsumani Kanzashi. This is the traditional artistry of making elaborate hair pieces that dates back to the Edo period (1600-1800).

We found this amazing Kanzashi artist, Yunuko in Pingmag Tokyo Design blog and she inspired us to do some Kanzashi hair pieces.

Hope her work is inspiring for you too...

Image source: http://pingmag.jp/2008/06/12/tsumami-kanzashi/

Little House of Kokeshi fabric flower pieces...

We Love Shirt and Skirt Market!

Image source: http://www.abbotsfordconvent.com.au/whats-on/shirt-and-skirt-market

At Little House of Kokeshi one of our favourite markets is the Shirt and Skirt Market held at the beautiful Abbotsford Convent.  Held every 3rd Sunday, there is such an array of beautiful handmade products with a focus on fashion and the atmosphere is always lovely. Here is a postcards video interview with Binh the market coordinator and there is a little scan of our stall:

http://www.visitvictoria.com/videostub/2669A1D9-5383-4F7F-BF55905FE19BDA39.cfm 

There's lots to do at the Convent on Market Day, the Convent Maker's Market is held indoors on the same day.  You can also get yummy treats at, the Convent Bakery, which also serves wine and beer and pizzas. Or you can try the vegetarian buffet at Lentil as Anything, or go for soul food at Kappaya Japanese Soul Food Cafe. Or visit the Collingwood Children's Farm where the kids can get up close with farm animals.

Sunsets

Who doesnt love a sunset?  Here are some of our favourites we've snapped...

Indoor Winter Markets in Melbourne

Its always good to know which good quality craft markets run indoors during winter so you can pick up your handmade scarves and mittens! 

Mulgrave Makers Market (next market: 26th June) is a newish market in the South East of Melbourne that runs alongside the farmers market at Body Shop headquarters. I received a newsletter from them which said they will be holding the June and July markets indoors.  They also have a great blog with market updates, craft projects, classes and online resources. www.mulgravemakersmarket.com.au/Blog.aspx

Yarraville Market (Next Market 11th June) is a lovely market run from the Masonic Hall near the main street which we had a stall at last winter.  You can check out their current stallholders at http://yarravillemarkets.blogspot.com or join them at www.facebook.com/yarravillemarkets  

Sisters Market (Next Market - 4th June) Brunswick, is held at the Brunswick Town Hall and has a wide range of stalls.

North Melbourne Market (Next Market 26th June) we also had a stall at last winter and there was some very cool and quirky craft.  It is run by the Thread Den which has a clothing shop which features independent designers and holds sewing classes in Fitzroy.  The market itself runs once a month and is held in the Lithuanian Club in Errol Street, North Melbourne.

Makers Market at the convent this runs the same day as the Shirt and Skirt Market - the Makers Market is held in the Community Room on the ground floor of the Main Convent Building, whilst the shirt and Skirt Market is held in the convent gardens near the Bakery and Lentil as Anything.

Mathildas Market runs a few times a year and focuses on products for children (note not all stalls feature handmade products) their next date is 21st of August at the Malvern Town Hall.

Some outdoor markets still running through winter are:
Flemington Racecourse Craft Market (3/4 Sunday)
Elwood Community Market (1st Sat except school holidays)
Shirt and Skirt Market at the Abbotsford Convent (3rd Sunday)
Boneo Community Market (3rd Sat)
Mornington Main Street (Every Wednesday)

Happy Marketing!

1000 Cranes - Senbadsuru

There is a legend in Japan that if your fold 1000 cranes you will be granted a wish in terms of health and longevity.  After the devastating earthquake and tsumani the kids in our Japanese class attempted to make 1000.  Well we made it after lots of folding!  The children also wrote lovely prayers on the paper before folding them.  We threaded some of them on a canvas to hang up and this was the final result.

If your interested in learning how to make a crane yourself or do it as a project with kiddies, youtube tutorials are great as you can pause them as you go.  Here's one tutorial here.  Alternatively here is a online resource with printable instructions http://www.origami-fun.com/origami-crane.html.  You can also buy instructional books, Ebisu Design in Elwood, Melbourne stocks some origami books or try your local book shop -  if you can't get to a bookshop you can find these titles at Amazon:

Absolute Beginner's Origami, Origami Activities (Asian Arts and Crafts For Creative Kids), Easy Origami

                                                                

Hanging out in Hanoi