spots before your eyes

SHE MADE IT HERSELF

I'll admit it i'm biased and selfish and Ramona may not back me on this one, but come on she's my all time number one favourite. And she's Japanese. Her name is Yayoi (which I discovered in Tokyo is now kind of slang for nutter) And lives in an asylum, and she is in her 70's , kind of crazy, has bright pink hair, is obsessed with dots and she's made something in my hometown. Which means she was also here, while I was in Japan.

Strange how things work out.

why I think it's booty

TOKYO CRAFT FINDS

I'm back in Melbourne. Sigh. Luckily Ramona has unearthed the Nathan J show at Outre to ease me back into things. I know there was talk of a sadly underwhelming group of craft finds while I was away. But really, do airlines ever actually weigh your hand luggage? I work on the premise that if I can make the carrying of the bag look effortless it doesn't really matter that I'm hauling 15kg. And they have trolleys at airports these days don't they?
So while I sit nursing a Quasimodo like spinal curvature, I take solace in the knowledge that I also have a handy collection of craft books, strangely named chocolate (Black Horn for Men anyone?), Tabbi toe socks, fat squares, moomin cookie cutters, matcha bowls, truly old skool sake cups, a Muji filled wardrobe, my very first kokeshi doll, and a brand spanking appointment with the osteopath.

scary good not scary bad

SHOW OF THE WEEK
Regular readers of HML will know we have a secret lust for all things illo (oh if only our Pentel fineliners would behave the way we wanted them too) and Outre Gallery in Elizabeth Street is one of our regular haunts (especially when hinting very loudly to loving and devoted partners what we'd like for Christmas - cheers M!)
One of our fave penmeisters is Nathan Jurevicious, creator of Scarygirl and all round genius. we are thrilled that this week seees the opening of a new nathan J show (defrost that Visa card Beck).
Nathan himself will be in the house for book signings on Saturday, we'll be there too - one thing the Pentels are good for...autographs!

Outre Gallery 249 Elizabeth Street City www.outregallery.com

retail therapy

THEY'RE CRAFTY AND JUST OUR TYPE

Finally, on my last day in Japan, I literally fell into the local craft shop. It was a fantastic three floor affair that literally made me so excited I needed to pee. So while literally running to the nearest facilities I managed to snap some highlights on film. Yes there were acres of fantastic fabrics, trims to die for, how to books up the wazoo, Scandinavian fat squares straight from Stockholm, an overflowing remnant table and a very happening hand-crafting workroom. However top of my list was the effortlessly off kilter array of 'demonstration models'. Pure. Genius.

Lincraft eat your heart out.

read all about it

CRAFT FINDS OF THE WEEK

As far as crafty items in Tokyo the list is almost endless: genius ceramics, fabrics to die for, and all manner of bamboo, wood and laquered must haves... therefore we are both currently kicking ourselves that HML's 'Big In Japan' tour didn't think through the luggage equation before departure. As everyone knows taking nothing but the barest of essentials in a very large suitcase maximises returning goodie potential, especially given that we are peasants and herded into cattle class with its paltry baggage allowance. As self described compulsive "overpackers" it is going to be hard to try and find space for all the potential purchases .

So it's going to be trip more about the pictures of things than actual objects. Well that's the plan. The Tokyo craft finds are probably all going to be found in 2D living color in the form of craft magazines. And let's face it we've all drooled over the awsome collection of Japanese craft publications that can be seen online ...or maybe it's just us with dribble on the keyboard.

We'll just need to brush up on our kanji deciphering, so we can make sense of the extensive instructions... andto try and remember to breathe as we are choked with gingham studio envy.