Shop Talk: Japanese Handmade, Etc.

Looks like talent runs in the family! Several weeks ago we featured Amy from Tsuruta Design and her unique handmade greeting cards and paper products. This week we're introducing Amy's cousin Satomi, a seamstress, who makes small cloth items ranging from business card holders to purses!

Having spent 14 years in Japan, Satomi started Japanese Handmade,Etc. because she wanted to share her love of crafting and of all things from Japan. Each one of Satomi's products is meticulously hand-made from her home in Seattle. This includes each and every step of the process: starting with design, pre-washing of fabrics, cutting, sewing, folding, and knotting...right through to the careful packing and shipping!


So, if you're in the market for a gift or a colorful way to tote around your personal items...check out Satomi's creations!

Shop Talk: A Stamping Sensation

Meet Jane, a scrapbooking, card making and stamping aficionado.

What's stamping, you ask?

In Jane's world of crafting, "stamping" refers to "rubber stamping" - whether it is rubber stamping with the traditional wood mounted rubber stamps or the latest clear acrylic stamps... on paper, fabric, the walls, glass, or anything else that can be decorated. She's been stamping for a little over two years and admits that while her style is all over the board, she prefers to keep her designs clean and simple. But Jane also loves lots of details and layering....all depends on her mood and the stamp set and embellishments that she's working with.

How can you get in on this crafty stamping fun? Visit Jane's Whoopsie Daisy! blog, where she'll soon be offering step-by-step tutorials on various stamping and card-making projects. Even better, she takes requests, so shoot her a note if you've got visions of that perfect card or scrapbook design. To your left you'll find a baby shower invitation, and to your right is simple and elegant orchid card.

Not only is Jane a talented artist, but she's also a mom and a teacher. Yes, she teaches pre-schoolers....but she also finds time to teach card-making classes and host stamping workshops for groups of Japanese-speaking women at her home each month. This gives Jane a chance to practice her Japanese and share her love of stamping while providing these groups of women an opportunity to spend time with each other and speak their native language - without feeling intimidated or overwhelmed.

Be sure to check out Jane's stuff, and if you live in the San Jose,
CA area, sign up for one of her classes. Happy stamping!

Shop Talk: Tsuruta Design

Do you like pretty stationery? We do! So, we were thrilled when we discovered the adorable cards and creations made by Amy at Tsuruta Designs! (Pronounced "sue - roo - ta".)

A fabulous mom of 2 who lives in Washington State, Amy produces cards and other creative items out of her home. Perhaps the quote on her website describes her best "My dream job would be to stamp all day!"

Amy's handmade designs range from adorable to elegant to edgy. Some are more Asian-themed to reflect her Japanese background, but others are ethnically ambiguous, and just darn pretty. Here are a few of our favorites:

A card with a gorgeous detailed peony on it:

Another whimsical one that had - you guessed it - a rice cooker!

...and who doesn't need some personalized stationery to remind others of your inner princess?


Amy also makes items such as gift card holders, gift tags, and gift assortments (okay, I only ran across one for her son's teachers, but maybe if you ask nicely she'll put together one for you).

In a card, this is what we think of her:


Do you have any stationery/card designers or brands that you like? Share them with us here!

Shop Talk: Favors, favors, everywhere!

So you're planning some festivities...a kid's birthday, a baby shower, a Harvest Moon get-together. You've looked at the local party store and ai-ya! - they don't carry Asian-themed decorations or favors. You're desperate...where do you turn???

As always, the internet! My Asian Heritage has found quite a few web-based resources for just the right culturally-relevant souvenirs. Move beyond buying fortune cookies from your local Chinese restaurant by visiting the following sites:

Beau-coup has large selection of high-end favors for adult occasions and/or weddings. First, create ambiance the right lighting - order festive round paper lanterns in a variety of colors and hang strategically around your venue. Then, if it's an outdoor event, keep your guests cool by handing out intricately-carved sandalwood fans, or mini-buri for a more rustic, island feel. Finally, make sure your guests remember their lovely evening by handing out personalized travel tea tins at the end of the evening.

For a kid's event, visit Asian Ideas. One click on their ”Party Supplies” category reveals a veritable treasure-trove of items ranging from Hello Kitty tiaras to a Fortune Cascade centerpiece (you have to see this to believe it). If your kid's classmate stole the show last year with pony rides in the backyard, never fear: you can purchase your very own professional Lion Dance costume (with sequins) for the very auspicious price of $888.

If you're planning a sushi party, this will become your new favorite website! You can you find sushi placemats and coasters for the dining table, a sushi shower curtain for the bathroom, sushi band-aids for any of your guests who may inadvertently injure themselves, and sushi air fresheners to keep the room smelling fresh. (I'm assuming that the air fresheners are only shaped like sushi and don't smell like it.)

Do you have favorite places to find Asian-themed party decorations and/or favors? Share them with us!

*Note: the adorable rubber-duckies in the picture with the words for fortune, happiness, health, and longevity can be found here on the Asian Ideas site.

Shop Talk Giveaway! Battle Against the Drool

Bibs are a glorious invention, especially those with designs that detract from the gobs of drool and milk that usually land between your baby's chin and chest. And, why not celebrate Chinese culture while protecting your baby’s cute outfit (and your own for that matter) from the perils of acid reflux and spit up?

Kudos to our friends at Project Nursery for clueing us in to Beth Powell’s “Bibzees” line of contemporary onesies and bib sets. Beth has even created a set with Chinese characters that read baby and deep and profound, as well as a slew of other combos for your baby rocker, surfer or diva. All bibs and toddler tees use water-based inks which are baby safe and eco-friendly (and after spending 4 days at home in California, I'm much more aware of all things eco-friendly! Wake up, New York....).


Interested in getting your hands on one of these creations? It’s easy – head over to Project Nursery, and share your spit up story in the comments section…and let them know that we sent you their way. A winner will be selected by random drawing. Hurry, as the contest is over on Friday, June 27. Have fun!

Shop Talk: Ayomi Yoshida for Target

I love everything about Target. The ads, the popcorn and icees, the bright red shopping carts, and most of all, the fact that they partner with well known designers to bring luxury brands and couture to the average consumer.

Ayomi Yoshida, a fourth-generation Japanese printmaker, is one of the latest designers to develop a line exclusively for Target. I recently picked up a set of her 50 count flat panel notecards/envelopes set for less than $20...and needless to say, am thrilled. The cardstock is decent, and the combo of bright colors, shapes and patterns rival similar offerings from the fancier stationary stores that are typically double the price.



In addition to the notecards, you can get wrapping paper, notebooks, scrapbooks, photo albums and more. Check out a sampling of Ayomi's wares online, and get to your nearest Target store soon as the collection is only available until July 12.

Shop Talk: Bye Bye boring bedding!

When it comes to my little monchichi, I prefer a mix of traditional and modern design...whether it be clothing, nursery decor or toys. When it comes to bedding, I'm a huge believer in modern designs and bright colors. So how about incorporating Asian heritage and culture as part of the mix?

Many thanks to our pals at Project Nursery for calling out this Lantern Festival twin duvet set as an option for your kiddie's bed. Not only is the set 200 thread count cotton percale, but it's also eco-friendly and made to Oeko-tex environmental standards (Oeko-Tex is a European certification process and ensures that certified textiles do not contain chemicals harmful to human health).

With vibrant shades of red, pink, green and blue, the designs celebrate the annual Lantern Festival that marks the end of Chinese New Year. The highlight of this event are the colorful lanterns that children parade down the street, as well as the various lion dances, dragon dances fireworks, and other celebrations. The many elements of the Lantern Festival are depicted in a bright and playful way on the duvet, with matching "Happy Dots" sheets and pillow shams adorned with little girls in traditional Chinese outfits to complete the look.

It's a great conversation starter and a fabulous way to encourage creativity and imagination with your kids....especially at bedtime, when some of you may be reaching for anything, and everything, to get your child to sleep. While I've got some time before my little one graduates to a kiddie bed, I may go ahead and scoop this up now. Join me, and splurge!

Got any other Asian-inspired nursery decor and design tips? Let us know!

Shop Talk: Break stereotypes - Angry Little Asian Girl!

We’ve all been victims of it – the Asian girl stereotype. She’s meek, she’s obedient, she’s quiet and bookish. Regardless of whether it’s true or not, frankly, it’s pretty darn annoying.

One of my favorite remedies is to put on my “Angry Little Asian Girl” t-shirt and wear it proudly around the neighborhood. Created by cartoonist and actress Leela Lee, the weekly comic strip provides plenty of fodder for amusing and in-your-face gear. My t-shirt has a cartoon head of a little black-haired girl – with the classic bowl-haircut – with two little bubble fists up, saucily flicking off the viewer with a double bird. Another hilarious item is the “Why you waste money?” wallet with a picture of the girl and her mother in a gift exchange.
While ALAG (Angry Little Asian Girl) Kim was the first, her spunkiness has inspired a whole line of “Angry Little Girls” of all ethnicities – there’s Crazy Maria (Latina), Fresh Wanda (Black), and Disenchanted Deborah (white chick). Happily, there’s something for everyone!

So, the next time you’re looking for just that right gift to stick it into the face of those ethnic stereotypes, visit the Angry Little Girls Shop. I guarantee you will find something that brings a rebellious smile to your face or that of your girlfriends. I chuckle every time I even think about my t-shirt!

Got any ideas for non-traditional gifts, or anti-stereotype resources? Share them with us!

Shop Talk: Crazy for Chopsticks

I love chopsticks. To me, they're a multi-purpose tool - not only do I use them to pick bones out of my fish, grasp donuts so my fingers don't get sticky, and guide chunks of chicken into my daughter's small mouth, but I've also found the disposable wooden type to be useful for unclogging drains and scraping dried cheese off the toaster grill.

Chopsticks - which come in a variety of lengths, are made from a range of materials and can be pointed or blunt squares at the end - originated in ancient China as early as the Shang Dynasty, nearly 5,000 years ago. To help save fuel, the Chinese would shred their food into bite-size pieces so it would cook faster. They also found it easier to pick up these food bits with two sticks called "kuai za," or "fast ones." The word "chopstick" came about in the 19th century when English-speaking traders attempted to say "kuai za" but settled on "chop" - derived from the phrase, "chop chop."

So now that you've got the history, let's talk about the best way to train your little one....or perhaps yourselves...on the fine art of chopstick usage. If studying diagrams or watching real-time chopstick demos aren't cutting it, don't sweat it, as there are many sets of training chopsticks that you can get sucked into buying.


Here are the Combi Trainer Chopsticks that I own and am waiting to test with my tot. The "bridge" helps guide little thumbs, forefingers and middle fingers to hold the chopsticks properly. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm guessing this will work with adults as well....adults with small hands perhaps...



These one-piece chopsticks by Hog Wild Toys come in a variety of bright colors and are held together by a selection of plastic dinosaurs, animals or fish. While these may not help as much with proper hand and finger usage, the look and design will at least encourage exploration.


Chopstick Kids by Modern Tots are just that - mod-designed, washable hinges that you can attach to the tops of your own chopsticks to keep them in line. I love the style and am tempted to get them for myself...may make a fun desk ornament as well!


And finally, the Training Chopsticks for Kids by Asian Ideas come with a ring halfway up the chopstick to hold little thumbs in place.

We'll save chopstick etiquette for another day. In the meantime, let us know if you've got any other kiddie chopstick suggestions or homegrown tips.

Shop Talk: Finding the perfect Asian doll

When I was a kid, Jocelyn was my favorite doll. She was a brunette, pig tailed Cabbage Patch Kid with freckles and a green checkered dress. In those days - the early '80s - Jocelyn was the closest I could get to a Chinese-looking doll.

Fast forward 20 years - and we've got a lot more to choose from for our children. While I haven't spent much time scouring the shelves for Asian dolls, I know my little munchkin needs one that somewhat reflects what she looks like. I'm guessing (and hoping) that traditional retailers and toy stores have Asian dolls in stock....but I'm having more luck browsing online megastores such as The Pattycake Doll Company and Dolls Like Me.

The Pattycake Doll Company offers a wide range of Asian dolls - Chinese, Japanese, Vietnam, and Korean - from various manufacturers for kids of all ages.

Choose from the Groovy Girls "Oki" doll, or Korean "Music Box" doll...

Or for those with bi-racial kids like me, you may gravitate towards the Real Kidz line of hip-lookin' mixed race dolls (and I can vouch for these, as my niece has one). Meet Quincy, the Amerasian doll, who'll join my family in the next few days...


Got any other recommendations for cute, cuddly, and somewhat realistic Asian dolls?

Shop Talk: Daisy's Bags...Funky, Eco-Friendly Fashion

Reuse. Recycle. Upcycle.

Upcycle? That refers to turning waste materials into useful products. And that's exactly what New Yorker Kristin Jordan is doing by transforming mounds of plastic bags donated by family, friends and neighbors into funky totes and handbags. Combine that talent with an entrepreneurial spirit, and there you have it - Daisy's Bags.

I found out about Kristin, a Korean-American lawyer by day and avid knitter by night (or during lunch and on the subway), while watching this segment on Fox 5 news. Kristin's business is named after her 5-year old pooch Daisy, and she's currently got three collections - the Shannon and Vivian tote bag lines and the Heather purses.

Creative, innovative, environmentally friendly, and not your typical department store or street vendor purchase. With prices that range from $40-$70, why not give it a shot? And if you've got plastic to spare, send her a note - info@daisysbags.com. Seems like she'll need all the supplies she can get!

Shop Talk: Lucky Wang

One of my favorite kiddie apparel shops that I credit my good friend Michelle for discovering is Lucky Wang, a NYC-based boutique that's now online (hooray!). Lucky Wang is one of my primary sources for unique baby gifts - it's hard to resist their range of signature kimonos that come perfectly wrapped in sushi boxes, their collection of onesies with Chinese zodiac animals, onesies that sport "Wo ai ma ma" (I love mommy) and "Wo ai ba ba" (I love daddy) in Chinese characters, and a variety of other goodies including tops, bottoms, books, toys and funky trinkets. Now that I have my own little girl to outfit, I can vouch for their kimono tops, pants and onesies, of which I have many in different colors and styles.

If you're in the NYC area, check out their shops in Chelsea on 7th Ave between 15th and 16th, and the other by NYU on Broadway and 15th. Drop us a note if you've got any other Asian-inspired clothing recommendations.