Giveaway! Ukihashi - The Restless Chopstick

As the temperature dips, we find ourselves indulging in bowl after bowl (after bowl) of ramen. It's a bit of a guilty pleasure around here - we've been stretching our noodle repertoire, dabbling in miso ramen and (a new favourite) mapo doufu ramen. It's the perfect way to warm your belly on a cool day.

Why all this talk of noodles? We're pretty devout chopstick users around here (don't even try to serve Elias a salad without a pair) and our favourites just happen to be the fantastic Ukihashi - Restless Chopsticks from Japanese design house +d.

Designed by Mikiya Kobayashi, these unique chopsticks point up at the tip eliminating the need for a chopstick rest and ensuring the eating tips never touch the tabletop. Because who wants to focus on keeping their chopsticks properly rested when there's a big bowl of deliciousness to devour?

Want to try Ukihashi for yourself? Pop on over to the shop and pick up a pair. We're also giving away 2 pairs in your choice of blue, yellow or white!

Here's how to win:

1. Leave us a comment on this blog post with the answer to this question: What's your favourite food to eat with chopsticks? One comment per person please. Make sure you leave us someway to contact you!

2. Join our mailing list! If you're already subscribed, you're already entered. No need to leave a comment below for this one.

Tweet tweet! Want an extra chance to win? Tweet about this Ukihashi Giveaway and make sure you tag @Omiyage_ca in your tweet. Come back and leave a comment about it below. Only one comment per tweeter please!


Blog giveaway closes Friday, October 7th at 12pm EST. One pair of Ukihashi will be given away to a randomly selected commenter.

Newsletter giveaway closes Monday, October 31st at 12pm EST. One pair of Ukihashi will be given away to a randomly selected subscriber.

New! 2012 Calendars

Our selection of unique 2012 calendars have arrived. Visit Omiyage.ca for cute calendars from Shinzi Katoh, Karel Capek, Sachiko Iwabuchi and Sweets Maniac. Plus the popular Slide Calendar is back as well as some other desktop cuties! You won't find these in the local mall!

More DIY Paper Fun!

1. Paper Frames - Design*Sponge

2. Kirigami Fall Decorations - Zakka Life

3. Origami Leaves - Bloomize

4. Old Book Apple - Cheeky Magpie

Looking for more DIY's? Join Marisa over on Oh My! Handmade Goodness for 4 great DIY projects to make for yourself!

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Eloise Renouf

Blue Clouds - Eloise Renouf

Blue Block Flowers - Eloise Renouf

Shape Study Ordered - Eloise Renouf

Nothing But Rain - Eloise Renouf

Little Woodland - Eloise Renouf

Happy Monday! 

Start your week off right with an eyeful of these lovely prints by UK-based designer Eloise Renouf. I must admit that Eloise's clouds won my heart at first sight  - they're just that great! When she's not creating prints that you'll be dreaming of hanging up all over your walls, Eloise designs stationery and textiles. 

Visit Eloise's etsy shop for more eye candy and to pick up a print or two.

Today We're Loving - Chevrons

1. Dripping Chevrons - Sandra Fettingis / 2. Chevron Stripe Lucite Tray - Tilly Maison

3. Happy Birthday Card - Quill & Arrow Press / 4. Brass Chevron Charm Necklace - Jamie Cox

5. Chevron Bitty Bags - Omiyage.ca / 6. Yellow Chevron Clutch - waterpath designs

7. DIY Chevron Inspiration Boards - name 5 things / 8. Blushing Crimson Pueblo Earrings - Ditty Drops

Today, Julie from 8balloons is dropping in to share something she's loving lately - Chevrons! Over to you Julie.

Hi there! I am Julie of 8balloons and I love to write about all things paper and other beautiful inspiring creations. Please stop by and do tell what inspires you!

Since I can remember my eyes have always gravitated towards anything striped, especially chevron stripes! It seems as though chevron stripes can make anything more fun and beautiful. I have no preference to what colour the stripes are per say, just as long as it is striped!

Visit 8balloons. Connect via Twitter or Facebook.

Update: Here and There

Happy Wednesday!

Hope your week is going well. Here's what we've been up to:

• What's your secret to work-life balance? Over on Oh My! Handmade, Marisa is sharing one of hers with a little DIY round-up.
• Want to know more about Omiyage? Check out our lovely Guest Feature on 8Balloons.
• There's plenty of new Shinzi Katoh goodness in the shop - including 10 super cute deco tapes!
• 2012 Calendars are almost in the shop - they make wonderful gifts, so look for them.

And on a another note, we've been seeing a lot of delays on orders shipped to the US. If you have placed an order and have not yet received it, our apologies for the delay - we're not sure whether the slowdown is due to back-up from the Labour Day holiday, Customs, or a general USPS slowdown due to upcoming service cuts.  We're keeping an eye on it, and if you're finding your package is taking longer than usual please feel free to contact us with your concerns.

Thank you in advance for your patience!

New! Shinzi Katoh Deco Tape

New Shinzi Katoh Deco Tape now available!

New! Shinzi Katoh Sticky Notes

New Shinzi Katoh Sticky Notes now available! Add a touch of kawaii to your daily life.

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Erica Sharp

Snowflake - Erica Sharp

Charlotte - Erica Sharp

Coco - Erica Sharp

Petal - Erica Sharp

Bubble - Erica Sharp

Aren't these illustrations a great Monday morning pick-me-up? Erica Sharp combines illustration with kirigami techniques to gorgeous result! 

Want more? Visit her site for more eye candy. Or buy a print for yourself in Erica's shop. 

Happy Monday!

New Shinzi Katoh Postcards

We've added to our selection of Shinzi Katoh postcards. Mail 'em, save 'em, frame 'em, love 'em... they're a really great way to add a little Shinzi Katoh cuteness to your life!

DIY Fun with Paper

1. Easy Tiny Envelope Tutorial - Poppytalk

2. Cardboard Stampede - Ann Wood

3. DIY Paper Wheels - Ruffled Blog

4. Chiyogami Paper Tape - A Spoonful of Sugar

1000 Kinds of Stories Notebook

Have you had a chance to check out the new invite.L products in the shop? 

We are oh so smitten with this clever notebook!

The A 1000 Kinds of stories notebook encourages you to create a collection of 1000. Of what?

1000 days.
1000 wishes.
1000 prayers.
1000 meals.
1000 memories.

It's really up to you! What are you counting?

Let's take a peek inside:

The first page asks - "What is your dream? Then...

An opening index

1000 squares to fill with whatever you please.

Each section of 100 separated with their own cover page.

Makes a great gift for anyone embarking on a new journey - travellers, new parents, newlyweds, teachers. Or gift yourself and keep track of milestones, places, days...

We'd love to know - what 1000 stories would you track?


1st image Omiyage.ca. Remaining images via invite.L

Monday Morning Eye Candy - Honey Cup

Bunny Girl - Honey Cup

Deer Boy - Honey Cup

Pink Bird Bunny - Honey Cup

Lively Girl In The Woods - Honey Cup

Loving these whimsical illustrations from Australian artist Simone Downey's Honey Cup line.  The perfect amount of kawaii to get your Monday started with a smile!

Happy Monday!

What Friday Looks Like (2)

Indulging in a breakfast worthy of a Sunday morning.


Picking out a card for a dear friend's wedding.


Packing up orders to be sent here there and everywhere. We've had lots of South American orders this week - exciting!


Teeny spools of twine for a special project.



If you've found us a little quiet this week, it's because it's been a quiet week! We're on a bit of a half-vacation, having cut way (way) back on facebook/twitter/blogging and enjoying time out and about. Not to worry, we're still shipping as per usual and we'll be back to our regular pace mid-next-week.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Omiyage & Covet Garden

Have you spent any time with Covet Garden? This online magazine just might be our favourite e-mag!

Here's 2 great reasons to check out the latest issue of Covet Garden:

One. They're celebrating their One Year Anniversary!

Two. Omiyage has teamed up with Covet Garden for their monthly contest!

Sounds good, right? Enjoy a little eye candy, celebrate an anniversary, win something great!  Go on then, go enjoy Covet Garden for yourself!

What Friday Looks Like

A pile of delicious new invite.L stationery - waiting for its close up.


Getting started our newest washi tape inspiration wall. All about monochrome with a pop of colour!


Loving September's illustrations on our Sawako Hikita calendar and winding twine.


New washi tapes to be photographed and added to the shop. Single skinny rolls, cute patterns and airmail.


What does your Friday look like?

New Product! Divine Twine

We're thrilled to announce the latest addition to our Omiyage line up - Divine Twine!

If you don't know Divine Twine yet, we think you'll be just as happy as we are to get to know it. High-quality baker's twine in fresh and fun colours, Divine Twine is as useful as it is pretty. The 100 % cotton 4-ply twine is a little thicker than traditional baker's twine. Made in the USA, it also just happens to be biodegradable. Sounds great right?!

Use it for wrapping gifts, in craft projects, to string up a garland. We are carrying Divine Twine in 10 gorgeous colours and a few fun combo packs. The 20 yard packs come wrapped around sturdy (and attractive) cardboard spools, helping you avoid tangles! (And don't let your eyes fool you - those spools are BIG - 4" (10cm) tall!)

Also, keep an eye on our Pretty Packaging section. We've added some cute treat bags and twist ties and there's more cuteness coming.

New Shipping Rates

There's something about September which signifies a fresh start. This September at Omiyage, it means fresh new shipping rates!

Today we're debuting a brand new Flat Rate Shipping fee!

For our Canadian customers, the new rate of $7.50 offers you Expedited Shipping with Canada Post and includes insurance and a tracking number. And, really, who doesn't love the excitement of a little package tracking?

But that's not all! When you place an order under $30.00, we will do our best to offer you the best shipping rate possible. This means if you only want to buy a couple of greeting cards or a package of washi tape, your shipping is only going to be around $2.00!  Simply, if your order is within Canada Post's Letter Mail dimensions (that's 35cm x 27cm x 2cm for those of you keeping track) AND under $30.00, we're going to round the actual shipping cost up to the nearest dollar and send you a refund for the rest!

For US customers, the new rate of $7.50 offers you Canada Post Light Packet Air Mail or Small Packet Ground Service (depending on the size & weight of your order) on all orders up to 500g.

And, if your order is within Canada Post's Light Packet dimensions (that's 35cm x 27cm x 2cm for those of you keeping track) AND 100g or less, your shipping fee will only be $3.00. We'll send you a refund for the remaining $4.50 when we process your order. This is great when you're only purchasing a set of paper balloon animals or a roll (or 2) of tape!

And finally, for our International customers, the new $7.50 rate will apply for all orders up to 250g and will ship via Canada Post Air Mail.

We'll still be invoicing US and International customers for orders over their respective weight limits but the new flat rate should reduce the number of shipping supplements we've been bugging you for!

Catch you later today for some fun new product news!