I am currently very busy (again!) preparing for my upcoming solo exhibition which will take place at Gallery Palette in Tokyo from May 17 to 22, 2016. This is very exciting as it's also the occasion to launch the book and hold several workshops again - in fact I am teaching different projects everyday, schedule shared below!
I will be at the gallery every single day from 11am to 6-6:30pm and I would be delighted to meet you and introduce you to the book - and maybe sign your copy too!
Here below is the workshop schedule if you are interested in joining us.
You can make your booking by contacting:
☆ Mieko Akima-san at Gallery Palette: by email at [email protected] or by fax at 03-3402-0234
Make sure to specify clearly the project you are signing up for as well as the date and time. We also need a phone number to be able to contact you.
Also don't forget to save the date and mark it done in your agenda!
WORKSHOP #1 ☆ Merci Message Brooch
Date: 05.17.2016 (Tue)
Time: 14:30-16:30
Fee: 4,000yen + tax incl. teacher’s fee, all materials and refreshments
Max 8 people
Project: Make a cute bi-color felt brooch with the French word “Merci” which means “Thank you”. Participants are free to choose their favorite color combination among the available materials.
Techniques: - spankles are sewn in line following the word template. - Running stitch
Size: 8 x 4.5cm
WORKSHOP #2 ☆ New Special Flower Brooch (update: FULLY BOOKED) Date: 05.18.2016 (Wed - full day workshop!) Time: 11:30-13:30 & 14:30-16:30 Fee: 10,000yen + tax incl. lunch with the teacher, teacher’s fee, all materials and refreshments Max 8 people
Project: Spend a wonderful time with like-minded people and make a stunning, unique flower bouquet brooch using various materials & techniques. Participants are free to choose their favorite color combination among the available materials.
Techniques: - spankles sewn using the fish-scale technique - satin stitch (leaves) - short & long stitches (flower) - running stitch Size: 8 x 8cm
WORKSHOP #3 ☆ Pansy Double Flower Pendant
Date: 05.19.2016 (Thu) and 05.21.2016 (Sat) Time: 11:30-13:30 Fee: 5,000yen + tax incl. teacher’s fee, all materials and refreshments
Max 8 people
Project: Bringing you the popular and beloved pansy flower pendant, a best-seller! Create your own delicate pendant and choose your favorite color combination among the materials made available. Perfect piece for the Spring and Summer seasons!
Techniques: - spankles sewn using the fish-scale technique - satin stitch (leaves) - running stitch
Size: 5 x 2.5cm
WORKSHOP #4 ☆ Camellia Flower brooch
Camellia flower brooch
Date: 05.19.2016 (Thu) and 05.21.2016 (Sat) Time: from 14:30-17:00 Fee: 5,500yen + tax incl. teacher’s fee, all materials and refreshments
Max 8 people
Project: A beautiful statement piece to adorn your summer outfits, and your jackets too! This flower brooch, unlike other designs, is created with only two spankles colors, to create this unique pattern.
Techniques: - spankles sewn using the fish-scale technique, in a bi-color style. - satin stitch (leaves) - running stitch
Size: 6.5 x 5cm
WORKSHOP #5 ☆ Mokuba Lace Bracelet
Date: 05.20.2016 (Fri) & 05.22.2016 (Sun)
Time: from 11:30-13:30 Fee: 5,000yen + tax incl. teacher’s fee, all materials and refreshments
Max 8 people
Project: Create a unique and elegant bracelet using various types of sequins and beads, on a lace base by Japanese label Mokuba. Participants are free to choose their favorite color combination among the available materials.
Techniques: - sewing single beads in line - sewing a spankle & bead - how to use the lace design to create your embroidery pattern
Size: 15 x 2cm
WORKSHOP #6 ☆ Pineapple Lace Earrings
Date: 05.20.2016 (Fri) Time: from 14:30-17:00 Fee: 6,000yen + tax incl. teacher’s fee, all materials and refreshments
Max 8 people
Project:This is the latest earring design that is also featured in the book. There are created on a lace base with a very elegant style.
Techniques: - sewing single beads in line - sewing a spankle & bead - sewing spankles in in a curvy line - how to use the lace design to create your embroidery pattern
Size: 5.5 x 2cm
Reminder: You can make your booking by contacting:
☆ Mieko Akima-san at Gallery Palette: by email at [email protected] or by fax at 03-3402-0234
I may be one of the happiest person in the entire world right now, as my book, my very first book has been published here in Japan and will officially release on Friday, April 15 (tomorrow!). I received the first copies earlier this week. What an incredible feeling!
I had been sharing the process of making this book in February, with a few behind-the-scene pictures of our shooting in Tokyo (check out the post here), after which I got extremely busy writing all of the instructions and creating all the drawings for the how-to pages. Because, hey yeah, this is a DIY kind of book, where I share with the world how I create my accessories, the materials I used and a little bit of my story... This book is published here by my Japanese publisher, which of course means it's all in Japanese - I wrote it in English though.
I was in charge of getting all my instructions translated, so I worked hard (and prayed even harder) to find the awesome people who were going to help make it happen. I set up a team of three translators and we accomplished the task of writing, drawing and translating 30 pages in just three weeks! My special thanks go to my supportive translation team: Nao Lincoln, Masako Yosano and Tomoko Nakayama, for their hard-work and dedication. You are amazing ladies!
I must also thank the initiator of this project, Mieko Akima-san, creative producer, founder & owner of the wonderful Gallery Palette. This book wouldn't been here without her massive initiative, support and creativity. All photographs in the book are the stunning work of Ayako Hachisu-san, while the graphic design was done by the talented designer Kaori Maehara-san. My DIY instructions translated into Japanese were edited by Masayo Ono-san, who also coordinated everything with the graphic designer.
So, this book is the result of a beautiful teamwork between people with different backgrounds, nationalities and path of life. We didn't even have a common language as my Japanese is not very good, but somehow, we made it happen. If there is something to keep from this project, is that anything is possible if you are willing to work hard, be understanding and patient.
Dream big, smile and stay positive!
Now let's have a peek into the book:
Update: How to order the book
If you are based in Japan, or if you can read Japanese
Get your copy via the publisher's website (click here); orders are processed by Amazon Japan.
International orders:
My international customers can order the book directly from me, the advantage is that they will receive a signed copy (please specify in your email if you DON'T want a signed copy). This is the current process: 1. Email me your email address and shipping address at marie[at]etincellecreativestudio[dot]com 2. I will send you a Paypal invoice within two working days after receiving your email 3. Once your payment has been processed, I will mail you the book, usually within 1-3 days.
Cost: the book costs $22 -> $13 + $9 flat shipping rate (via airmail).
If you have any question, feel free to email me at marie[at]etincellecreativestudio[dot]com. Thank you!
Now you may wonder what's coming next. I am happy to announce that I will spend the entire day on April 28 at the Tokyo Hobby Show, at Big Sight. You can find me at my sponsors' booths, which I will share with you later one. I will most probably write most of my updates on my (NEW) Facebook page, so follow me there if you want to know where to find me at the Hobby Show. Thank you!
I held a lovely and intimate workshop at The Lace Center boutique in Tokyo last Tuesday. This cute little shop, located on the 2nd floor of a quaint red house in one of the narrow streets of Harajuku, specializes in laces from Japan and Europe. There is a big variety of lace items at various prices, mainly affordable, as well as a beautiful selection of clothes by Japanese label Miyaco. Our participants seemed to be enchanted and we had a wonderful time together. I am hoping to hold another workshop there soon, stay tuned!
〒150-0001 東京都渋谷区神宮前3-27-7 2F Jingumae Shibuya-ku Tokyo JAPAN TEL. 03-6406-0740 FAX. 03-6406-0741 OPEN. 11:00-19:00 水曜日定休日 E-Mail. [email protected] >>Google map
I caught sight of these gorgeous flowers at the nearby shop today, how beautiful are the details of the petals. Mother Nature is the best inspiration for me!
I wanted to share here on the blog the beautiful and inspiring work of French artist Aurélie Mathigot, who created a trend space for the last February edition of Playtime Tokyo.
Aurélie focuses on the observation of the everyday objects, tweaking them with stunning embroideries, crochet and ceramic. The installation was named Frozen Landscapes and immersed the visitors into a very poetic atmosphere. I encourage you to check out her series of photographies printed on canvas and embroidered if you love embroideries & art!
Read my full report about Playtime Tokyo F/W 2016-17 on Paul & Paula - click here!
A quick note to invite you to check out my report on Playtime Tokyo now available on the international blog Paul & Paula. I am a contributor to this gorgeous online space focusing on kids fashion and lifestyle designs, and I am usually blogging about Japanese labels and the Tokyo design scene. Check out my latest blog post, click here!