I can’t believe it took me so long to think of this.
A basic plastic iphone case I bought at the 100 yen shop covered in some of my favorite mt tape. I wouldn’t trust these cases to save my phone from a major drop, but they look pretty cool in all their neon glory.
Black Friday always makes me excited, though I rarely went shopping that day while living in the States. When I was a kid, my mom and I did the get-up-and-go-early thing once, and I remember getting some sort of grab bag for free, then heading home for my dad’s chili for lunch and an afternoon of Christmas tree-trimming and cookie baking. It was a 12 year old’s dream day.
Perhaps Japan doesn’t have a Black Friday Shopping Extravaganza Day of Crazy Sales, but that doesn’t mean I can’t get in on the fun. From Friday, November 25th through Monday, November 28th, all purchases in my Etsy web shop will receive a special gift. All sashiko kit purchases will receive a leather sashiko thimble:
All other gift purchases, such as sashiko coaster sets and Tokyo Craft Kits, will receive a roll of washi masking tape (you can read more about my love of masking tape here).
But wait, there’s more. MORE! On Friday, you’ll also see some new items in my shop. These single coasters are just right for holiday gift giving. Add a mug and some tea or hot cocoa and you’ve got a thoughtful little gift for a friend or family member. How cheery!
I hope you’ll pop over and take a peek. Happy holiday shopping everyone!
New! in my Etsy shop, just in time for the holidays! ☆*:.｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆
The Tokyo Craft Kit, $25
As I mentioned earlier, I have a slight crush on masking tape. It is inexpensive and colorful, and so it always finds its way into my shopping basket.
I’ve started carrying masking tape with me everywhere I go. And a notebook. And stickers, colored pens, a sewing kit, the occasional hair bow, and embroidery floss. It is important to be prepared when when inspiration strikes.
And so, the idea for a Tokyo Craft Kit was born. Each on-the-go DIY craft kit includes a handmade drawstring bag full of whimsical and fun craft goodies: stickers, notebook, 4-color pen, a self-inking stamp, a dainty bow pin, and 2 rolls of masking tape.
Last week I went to the mt tape expo in Shibuya. mt tape is a Japanese washi paper masking tape. It comes in a variety of colors and patterns and is delightful. At the expo, all of the walls and floors and windows were covered in masking tape. They hung pretty little globes from the pretty tape-covered ceiling.
I wandered through the expo then found myself at an impromptu craft party, sitting in the sunshine with strangers where we ooh-ed and nodded our approval of the evolving tape masterpieces around us. A few girls squealed the occasional “kawaii!” It was a charming afternoon.
I love mt tape, and am doing my part to keep this company in business. I walked away from the expo and pop-up shop with this haul:
What do you do with fancy masking tapes (and pudding stickers), you ask? Well, I tape stuff. I decorate packages (if you’ve ordered from my Etsy shop, you might have noticed). I tape up gifts, notebooks, pencils, my umbrella. I use it to say “hands off, this pen is mine!” I mark special dates on my calendar and embellish notes to friends. Sometimes I even use it to tape something to something else.
Saké Puppets 