Send Pretty Mail #41-45 - Kokeshi Mail

How is it already the end of September? Slow down 2013, you move too fast! Since this month was so sneaky, I decided to send out this month's 5 pieces of pretty mail in one go. I've had these adorable kokeshi stamps staring at me for months now, clearly needing an outing! Sorry, no source for these - but we do hope to be carrying some cute rubber stamps for the holidays.

Cute stamps are perfect for dressing up simple index cards or other blank cards. How lovely is this kokeshi family? I must admit, I have a serious soft spot for these traditional Japanese wooden dolls.

With a few folds (and some extra trust in the postal service), basic paper bags can double as envelopes. But first, a little more stamping. 

Rather than just writing the address onto your envelope, grab your favourite marker and doodle some fancy labels onto label paper. Cut out and stick. Fancy!

Inspired by the pretty mail I received from Andrea, I wanted to include a little DIY kit in this month's mail. Since my Japanese paper doll tutorial continues to be so popular, they seemed like the perfect fit! A paper DIY kit is light and flat for mailing and such a delight to receive. Sorry, we don't carry the chiyogami anymore... but may again. I'll be sure to let you know. 

A few strips of washi tape add a little golden glamour while holding the paper bag in envelope form. All finished and ready for mailing.What's the best surprise you've found in your mailbox?

Best of Omiyage - Japanese Paper Dolls

Based on traditional shiori ningyo, these folded paper dolls make wonderful bookmarks or decorations for gifts and cards.

Learn how to fold sweet Japanese paper dolls.


While we're on vacation, we thought we'd take a look back at some of our most popular posts from the past 2 years. Just click on the picture and you'll be directed to the full post.

Best of Omiyage - Pretty Pencils

There's no excuse for boring pencils, when prettifying them is so simple (and satisfying).


Learn how to add a little wow to a classic school supply.


While we're on vacation, we thought we'd take a look back at some of our most popular posts from the past 2 years. Just click on the picture and you'll be directed to the full post.

DIY: Spiderweb Kirigami

If you've been following Omiyage Blogs for awhile, you might have noticed that we love kirigami!

With Halloween around the corner, how about some festive papercutting for the occasion? Try making spiderweb kirigami!

Here's how:

Start with a piece of square origami paper in your desired size.
We used our favourite 50 Colours Origami Paper - the 7.5cm / 3" size.

1. Fold paper in half diagonally. Crease well.

2. Fold paper in half again. Crease well.

3. Turn paper so that the top point is facing down / towards you. Visualize dividing the triangle into 3 equal parts. Fold the right third towards the left. Crease well. Then fold the left third over the right. Crease well. This part may take practice or refolding to get three equal parts - no worries, just keep trying!

4. Cut straight across the top of the folded triangle. Discard the paper parts in red.

5. Cut the top of your triangle into a curve. Discard the red part. Copying the top curve, cut lines along the entire length of the triangle leaving a thin line of paper at the end of each cut. Cut as many strips as you can / would like.

6. Cut out every other strip - seen in red - and discard. Cut off tip. Don't cut off the tip until all other strips have been cut and removed - just in case!

7. Carefully unfold to discover your kirigami spiderweb. If desired, you can gently press with a warm, dry iron to remove creases.

8. Use your spiderwebs anyway you'd like - decorate a table, string into a garland, use in a handmade card.

Happy spiderwebbing! If you cut some spiderwebs of your own, why not share images of your creations on Omiyage's Facebook page!

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!

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

DIY: Pretty Pencils Redux

Last year around this time we shared this fun & easy paper-covered pencil tutorial with you. Perfect for back to school or as an anytime gift!

Want to try it? Here's the tutorial!

Want yours covered in pretty washi paper too? Check out our Omiyage Paper Packs.

And as an extra back-to-school bonus - we'll send a free package of washi paper strips to the first 5 people who email us at info(at)omiyage.ca about them. Each pack will include (at least) 10 washi paper strips perfectly sized for covering pencils - those you'll have to provide yourself! Open internationally. All packs have now been claimed!

DIY: Lovely Washi Eggs

Image: Carol Browne

This Easter, why not try decorating eggs with Japanese washi paper?  A little finicky, but pretty straightforward - time to whip your decoupage skills into shape!  Here's a great pictorial tutorial.

Looking for more Easter ideas?  Check out my guest post over on Oh My! Handmade Goodness for links to more than 25 great Spring projects.

DIY: Paper Angels

Visit Canadian Living's Craft Blog this morning and you'll find our step by step tutorial for Paper Angels.

Need some beautiful paper?  Our washi paper packs are 25% off - today only!

Happy Crafting!

12 Days of Christmas - Day 7

From December 1st to 12th, you'll find a great deal a day on Omiyage.ca

While we won't be offering you golden rings, milk maids or pear trees, we are offering discounts on some sweet products.  Unique products perfect for stocking stuffers and gifts.

On the seventh day of Christmas, Omiyage offers you...  25% Off Washi Paper Packs

From perfectly petite chiyogami blossoms to letter sized sheets, our paper packs are wonderful for paper crafters, scrapbookers and those looking to get a taste for traditional Japanese papers.

Check out our full selection of Paper Packs at Omiyage.ca

Trimming the Tree

A sneak peek at our tree... trimmed for the season with handmade washi ornaments and garlands in red, black and gold.

Do you make your own ornaments?  We try to add a little something handmade to our tree every year.

We'll be sharing how we made these ornaments, and even more, a little later on.  In the meantime, washi paper packs and full sized sheets are available on Omiyage.ca

DIY: Chiyogami Gem Pendant in Matching Gift Tin

We are thrilled to be sharing this Guest Post from Karen Kelsky of Paper Demon Jewelry with you!  Karen creates stunning modern accessories from traditional Japanese materials.  Visit  our post on Paper Demon Jewelry or head right to Karen's etsy shop to check out all the lovely, Japanese-inspired pieces she creates.  Today, Karen has generously offered to teach us how to make a simple but striking chiyogami gem pendant in matching tin.  A great gift project to try your hand at as the holiday season approaches! 

Chiyogami Gem Pendant in Matching Gift Tin Tutorial

by Karen Kelsky of Paper Demon Jewelry 

 

Supplies:

• Chiyogami paper from Omiyage.ca
• 7/8" glass gems
• 7/8" square craft punch (optional - can also hand-cut paper)
• Aanraku bails in gold or silver
• small glass / acrylic topped jewelry tin
• Diamond Glaze
• Mod Podge
• E6000 Glue
• Scissors
• Toothpick 

Step One:
Punch or cut out chiyogami paper in a 7/8" square, centering the pattern that you want on your pendant.

Step Two:
Check the size of the square and trim off any overhanging edges.  You don't want any paper at all hanging off the edge of the square, even a tiny bit (it prevents the glue from achieving a perfect, durable bond).  The photo below shows excess paper that needs to be trimmed off.

Step Three:
Coat the bottom of the glass with a thin layer of Diamond Glaze, and attach the paper, centering carefully but quickly (Diamond Glaze sets fast!)

Step Four:
Check that you're happy with your image.  When dry, coat the back with another thin layer of Diamond Glaze.

Step Five:
While you're waiting for the Diamond Glaze to dry, make the matching tin.  Trace a circle in pencil on the same paper as your pendant, using your tin as a guide. 

Step Six:
Cut out the circle, and apply Mod Podge (NOT Diamond Glaze!) directly to the printed side of the paper.  Press the circle, printed side down, directly into the lid of the tin. 

Step Seven:
Check the tin lid to make sure you're happy with it.  You can peel out the paper and reapply once if you need to.

Step Eight:
Once your pendant back is dry, you will attach the bail.  You have two options - a quick glue option, or a Diamond Glaze option that gives it a more finished look.


a) For the glue option: Just put a drop of E6000 glue on the inside of the Aanraku bail, and press the bail, glue side down, in the center of your pendant.  Make sure that you know which side is the top of the pendant!

b) For the Diamond Glaze option: squeeze a dime-sized drop of Diamond Glaze on the back of the pendant.  Use the toothpick to smooth it evenly to reach all the edges and corners.  Place the Aanraku bail on the top edge, centering it.  Use the toothpick to press it down.  Wait a few minutes, and then finish by squeezing a small amount of Diamond Glaze over the back of the bail.  Press a couple times with the toothpick to make sure the bail has bonded with the pendant (the glaze can make it "float" if it is a thick layer).

Step Nine:
Hang the pendant on a cord of your choice if you wish.  Put a bit of cotton fluff inside the tin, if desired, and place your necklace in the tin, and be prepared for the oohs and aaahs!

For a great variation, glue strong magnets on the back for gorgeous refrigerator magnets! (Neodymium magnets available at Annie Howes).





Recommended sources for supplies

• Chiyogami Paper - Omiyage (the washi paper packs are perfect for this project!)
• Glass Gems: Annie Howes (be careful! There is a lot of bad glass out there, and I've tried them all!  Annie Howe's handmade .875 inch square glass are excellent quality!)
• Aanraku Bails: Annie Howes 
• Gift Tins: Sun and Moon Crafts or Gami and Glass
• Diamond Glaze: your local hobby shop, Amazon, or various Etsy shops
• Mod Podge: your local hobby shop or Amazon  

A huge thank you to Karen for sharing this wonderful tutorial with us.  Love the chiyogami gem necklace, but would rather buy it than make it?  Not to worry, visit Paper Demon Jewelry on Etsy and you can do just that!  And don't forget to check out our full selection of gorgeous Japanese papers on Omiyage.ca!
 

Paper Demon Jewelry: Modern Jewelry, Traditional Materials

It must be clear by now that we've got a pretty big soft spot for pretty much anything with some Japanese flair.  And this is decidedly true for traditional (and not so traditional) Japanese crafts (and craft supplies!).

When we found out about Paper Demon Jewelry, we were fairly smitten.  Modern jewelry made with traditional Japanese materials?  Yes, please!  With a line of accessories ranging from bold to traditional to downright pretty and even a touch of cute, Paper Demon Jewelry is a wonderful source for unique and giftable items.  Here's a taste of some of the wonderful pieces available:

Chiyogami Gem Ring

Cherry Blossom Kanzashi Hair Stick

Origami Crane Earrings

Shoji Chokers

Want to make your own Japanese paper jewelry?  Check out this guest post from Karen of Paper Demon Jewelry sharing a fabulous tutorial for chiyogami gem pendants with matching gift tins.  It's a great DIY and perfectly giftable!

DIY: Putting Kirigami to Use - Part 1

Yesterday, we looked a little at the arts of kirigami and monkiri - Japanese paper cutting.  Today, we'd like to share our own adventures in kirigami in hopes of inspiring you to try it out yourself. It really is doable - so long as you have a sharp(ish) pair of scissors!

While there are a myriad of tutorials on exactly how to cut a kirigami flower, or templates for cutting monkiri, (go ahead and google if you must!) we think half the fun is in the experience.  In folding a piece of colourful paper into 4, 6, or 8.  Snipping away with great expectations.  Unfolding a beautiful surprise.  We encourage you to find the joy in the surprise!

For our kirigami, we turned to a selection of origami papers carried on Omiyage.ca . Origami paper is perfect for kirigami since it is so thin.

Of course, now that you've got yourself a pile of beautiful paper flowers - what do you do with them all?

Have one (or several) that you're particularly proud of?  Frame it!  Celebrate your own art. (Something we seem to rarely do!)

String them together into a garland.  These would be lovely for a party, or even wrapped around your Christmas tree!

Combine different sizes, shapes and colours into glorious paper flowers.  Wouldn't these flowers look wonderful used as gift bows?

Or how about decorating plain gift bags with a variety of kirigami?

We'll be back with some more ideas for putting your kirigami creations to use.  In the meantime, why don't you get started?  Have a great idea for using kirigami flowers?  Let us know in the comments.

Don't forget to check out our selection of origami paper on Omiyage.ca (if you're favourite is out of stock, not to worry - we're expecting new stock in the next couple of weeks).  And remember, our Washi Tape offer ends at the end of September!

DIY Inspiration: Kirigami and Monkiri

Today we're feeling inspired by kirigami or monkiri.  The art of paper cutting.

While monkiri is more focused on Japanese family crests...

Image via Springspoon

Image via Web Japan



Kirigami might remind you of snowflakes you cut as a child.  But more intricately beautiful!


Image via Rhodia Drive

Kanako Yaguchi via PingMag

Inspiring, yes? So, what are you waiting for?  Grab some paper and a sharp pair of scissors and get snipping!  (But be warned - this gets addictive!) We think origami paper is simply perfect for kirigami - check out our selection at Omiyage.ca

We'll be back tomorrow with our own kirigami and some ideas on how to put your new art to use!