Millinery Marvels--KittyKanzashi

Since I've been incorporating origami in my millinery designs, it seems only natural that I would eventually be drawn to tsunami kanzashi: the Japanese art of creating flowers from folded fabric. I have begun to make my own tsunami kanzashi hair pins, and I am pleased with the way they have come out. However, I cannot even begin to hold a candle to the intricate work of fellow milliner KittyKanzashi.

Kanzashi hair band by kittykanzahi

Each one of these flowers was painstakingly hand crafted, with every petal folded and sown individually. Kitty's work is an impressive display of technical skill, but what I admire most about her work is the creativity of her designs. In the headband pictured above she has arranged the flowers in a "spiral galaxy pattern." In addition to hair bands and combs, Kitty makes stunning kanzashi bridal headpieces, like this crown:

Imperial Hime Bridal Crown

Tzunami kanzashi are a traditional Japanese art form, and these folded flowers have been adorning meiko for centuries. Kitty's work draws on that traditional aesthetic, but she takes it in her own, unique direction. Her creativity is expressed in this Stormy Sky Tsumani Kanazhi, which incorporates felted merino wool:

Stormy Sky Tsunami Kanzashi

I'm feeling blue....Not a bad thing: An Etsy Treasury

I seem to have hit the treasury jackpot recently. I suppose that is one advantage of making sure I keep my etsy shop updated. My peacock feather fascinator is featured in this one.



Featuring all work by Boston Handmade artists, the treasury was curated by Christina Hurley, who makes really gorgeous jewelry. This ring is absolutely stunning:

Sterling Silver Lotus Ring by Christina Hurley

Picturing Everything in Blue-an Etsy Treasury

My blue hair comb is featured in this lovely treasury on Etsy:



The treasury was curated by Neri's Designs. Neri is a graphic designer. This is one of her lovely invitations:

Please take a moment to admire the treasury and check out all of Neri's wonderful designs.

Weekly Wishlist--High Tea

Although my husband was born and raised in Kenya, his mother is British and it is her culture that he most inherited, particularly a penchant for tea. I never used to have more than an occasional cup of herbal tea on a cold winter afternoon. Since hooking up with Hassan, however, I find myself drinking at two to three cups of black tea a day. My wedding vows included a promise to make him tea whenever he was ill. When neither of us are ill we split the tea making duties. And of course, nothing makes tea better than some handmade goodness to go along with it.

 I pity the fool who doesn't want this teapot:

Mr. Tea Pot by LennyMud

And of course to remind us of why we drink tea, we could use these delightful tea bowls:

Keep Calm and Drink Tea by Holly Slay

And of course, we need something to drink. My husband prefers the simplicity of tea, Earl Grey (hot), but for myself I like the spice of a good Chai.

Loose Leaf Rooibus Chai Tea from TheRobinsNest