Besides all the packing and planning I've been gripped by a Zakka-mania. I can't remember where I first read about Zakka. It must have been on a blog. However now I'm quite into the subject. So I decided to write a piece about it for my fellow crafters.
from Wikipedia
"Zakka (from the Japanese 'zak-ka' or 'many things') is a fashion and design phenomenon that has spread from Japan throughout Asia. The term refers to everything and anything that improves your home, life and outlook. It is primarily based on household items from the West that are regarded as kitsch in their countries of origin.
Zakka has also been described as "the art of seeing the savvy in the ordinary and mundane". The zakka boom could be recognized as merely another in a series of consumer fads, but it also touches issues of self-expression and spirituality. Cute, corny and kitschy is not enough. To qualify as a zakka, a product must be attractive, sensitive, and laden with subtext."
Ofcourse Zakka means zip unless you have a look. A very good guide on this has been made by Julie Anderson. Have a listen to episode five of her podcast Stitch-Cast it's all about Japanese Craft Books. If you click that link you will get to she show notes with links to usefull sites and there is also a button to listen to the podcast.
And then there is this great blog called Crafting Japanese. This blog shows Zakka books with pictures of what people made from the books. This way you will know what kind of projects are in the book before you buy it. Because as we all know: It's hard to judge a book by it's cover!
Finaly a few projects that have a Zakka feel:
Go to this Owl Pattern Thread and scroll down to the post of Sewing Stars, here you will find the pattern. For a number of example please visit the Crafting Japanese site. You will find more free patterns on this page as well.
You might have seen this creative woman on Martha Stewart showing how to make your own cute little teacup pincushions (which you can also buy from her). But Betz has a fabulous blog with all sort of crafty info. One of the most fun is this tutorial to make a great Felted Brooch. She makes it look so easy!!
I soo love strawberries. They are fantastic to eat, but also cute to look at. Like these pincushions on Martha Stewart. Aren't they cute??
Talk about cute what about these knitted strawberries designed by Pezdiva?? She kindly included the pattern in the comments to her picture.
I might do more of these tutorial overviews if you like. :) These should keep you busy a while.
1 comment:
thanks for visiting my blog. :)
i would never try knitting...i'm way too clumsy for that kind of stuff!
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