Puffer fish

Yesterday I ate puffer fish dinner with my friend and our moms.

In Japan, this fish is very popular food especially around this time.

In token of that, it was difficult to reserve seats, our dinner time started 5(^_^;)

Already restaurant was very busy.

 

We ordered basic course.

This is appetizer.
Parboiled puffer fish skin dressed with ponzu (citrus flavor soy sauce)
Feel lots of collagen!

 

Next, Tessa (sashimi, sliced very thin)

 

Puffer fish doesn't have any strong taste but Umami.

And I love this texture.

We upgraded 2 of 4, Butsusashi (chunky sashimi)

Under scallion, there is white chunk. Umm, yummy!

What we're craving is sake!

We ordered Hire-zake (sake with toasted fin)

 

They toast in front of us, it's show time!

Roasting flavor, not fishy, adding umami, sake gets milder.

Generously they put big 3 fins.

 

Next is Tecchiri (hot pot)

First of all, we put fish bony parts into soup, it makes good flavor.

Great for cold season.

After eating ingredients, we added rice, made Zousui, like risotto.

 

Last was small scoop of ice cream.

 

We all are happy to eat, had great time.

In which country, people eat this fish??

 

 

 

 



New hobby

I love handicraft since I was child.
Knitting, crochet, beads...etc.

Exactly this timing in last year, I found one more favorite by accident.
Tatting lace.
Unlike crochet, this method is making knots with bobbin.
Generally using very fine thread.

Last year I met one person who making tatting lace jewelry.
It was the first time to see such fine, small, sensitive and cute product.
By then, I've been familiar with crochet lace,
I got eager to try tatting lace.
She kindly let me know where I can get material, how she learnt tatting.
Maybe that was next weekend, I bought bobbin for tatting which is called shuttle.

Since then I love tatting lace!

My level is not making own pattern yet so usually I make motif from book or free pattern on internet.
This thread is mostly for embroidery, a bit harder than cotton thread.

This is my finest thread, DMC80.
For crochet lace, I use #40 and lizbeth is slightly finer than Olympus #40.
I enjoy my new hobby very much!


 

Debut on magazine

Officially I can announce that satokomatsu got published on magazine!

Bellydance Japan Vol.42

Published today!

 

A few weeks ago, I received email from editor, for me, that's all of sudden.

Since then we had been mailed each other, like small Q and A.

I'm glad they work hard to collect my information.

 

2 items are on magazine.

One is this Arabic name pendant with tassel.

 

The other is Arabic name key chain.

Both are available on etsy.

 

I really appreciate they found me and I could have such nice opportunity.

In Jan, I join handmade market in Osaka, I can show this article.

Must be nice promotion!

 

 

 

Japanese traditional music concert

Yesterday I went to Yoshida Brothers concert!

They are famous Tsugaru Shamisen players.
Shamisen is like Japanese Banjo, it has 3 strings.
Tsugaru Shamisen has very strong attack sound when they play.
Whey they play, for me, almost rock music (and I love rock music)

A few years ago, I saw their older brother's another group named "wasabi", that was the first time to see them and listen to real Shamisen sound.
At the time, they'd been already famous.
After seeing them, I visited music school for Tsugaru Shamisen trial lesson.
(At that point, I already decided to study in NY soon, so it was really trial)

I like this instrument's sound, besides, they are young unlike other Japanese traditional musicians.
They wear casual clothes sometimes.
We don't have to dress up.
(And in my opinion, drummer is very stylish and cool guy, I'm fun of him)

In these years they play abroad like in US, Brazil, Spain, Taiwan etc.
This video, they collaborated with rock band.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zc4AkEC_UWU

Seeing them, I think what being Japanese means.
I'll start to live in different country from next year.
I'm Asian, Japanese.
Not Christian, not Jewish, not Muslim.
What do those mean for living in US?
As a Japanese?

I'm proud that we have such cool music.
If you have a chance, please visit and listen to their music!

 

Free shipping worldwide

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Free delivery campaign has started!
No promo code, just choose item over US$50.
This promotion is until Nov 30th.

Please visit my shop on etsy!

My favorite skewer, Yakitori

Yesterday after work, I went to Yakitori bar with my co-worker.
It's very close to office, we went there some times but last 2 times, when we visited, they were closed.
It's not clear which day they're closed.
So yesterday, finally we could enter  after a while.

It's small bar, they have only counter seats.
We can see chef is cooking in front of us.
They are very proud of chicken quality, otherwise they can't serve row chicken, Tori-sashi.

Some may feel "Eating row chicken?! Yack!"
Even Japanese, some don't like.
Breast, heart, liver, gizzard and white meat.
They give 3 types of sauce, sesame oil with salt, original sauce and soy sauce.
We especially like liver, dipping sesame oil, it melts in mouth.
With Tori-sashi, sake matches.

Look! Both containers are full!
They poured generously.

Needless to say, skewers are great.

This is...meat of neck. Very juicy and tender.

Gizzard. I don't know how to describe this texture, chewy, fun to chew.
The more you chew, the more you taste.

And liver. This one, very tasty, we ordered this menu twice!
Tender and fresh, maybe rare, but no strange smell like bloody.

We ate other skewers, everything great.
Adult chicken meat, tail, aorta, skin wrapped meat.

We definitely come back soon!

 

To design jewelry

I've been working on fine jewelry design all these weekdays.
And haven't finished yet...

At office, I design OEM and company's new products.
These are not satokomatsu work.
From my 8 years experience in fine jewelry industry, I'm working as a jewelry designer.

Customer shows us rough sketch or image, we make design.
After confirmation, we start production.

Sometimes their sketches are very vague, no other information, we imagine what they expect.
And occasionally they change design completely.
Bring us their image photo or more sketches.
Every time more info comes to me, I feel I wasted our time.
Why you didn't tell us first?

This time their request is decorative, colorful design line. (means several designs)
Difficult to draw, takes time.
And the most irritating thing is they also call themselves designer!
Are you??

If you request your original jewelry, it's okay you can't draw.
Designing is our job.
Just please let us know your ideal image.
Information, the more, the better.
That's the best way for both of us.

(This is irrelevant to customer design.) 

 

The highest wall

In these days, I'm checking about K-1 visa to move to US.
Is it better to hire lawyer or can we do by ourselves?
Which documents should we submit?
Which place do I have to visit?

Nowadays, thanks to internet, we can access to a lot of information and others' experience.
The highest wall I have to climb is my mom's opposition.
That's almost just emotionally thing.
I'm only child so I know her feeling.
She is living in very close location to her mom. (a few blocks away)
Hardly she went abroad.
She has never lived in other city.
She can't understand why I want to live overseas.

Is there anybody who could persuade your parents?
 

Idea is invisible

Currently I'm working for jewelry company which I was in before going to NY besides satokomatsu activity.
Difference is now I am part time worker.
Like before, I design jewelry.

What I feel in these days is as long as designer is belonging to company, if his or her idea also belongs to company.
When I was full time worker, I didn't think of, because I didn't have any other job and I felt myself was with company.
Literally I worked FOR company.
Company doesn't help me but work helped me when I had difficult time in my life.
For them, it doesn't matter whoever designs best seller jewelry.
They care about only sales.

Now I feel they can use our idea as much as they want.
Like our idea comes from never ends spring.
Drawing time is in office hour but thinking time and resource idea always don't come from during office hour.
From our personal activity and experience.
Those can't be replaced by anybody.

Why I thought of this is our retailer posted my drawing on their poster as their own designer's work.
In this case, idea is theirs, they sent us very rough sketch, I redesigned for real jewelry.
I submitted them to confirm.
At this point, my paper belongs to them?

Another case, I was designing for years for only one customer, one stone.
I proposed hundreds of design according to his request.
Sometimes due date was suddenly set on next day or even on that day.
It ended up totally simple product, no need to be designed.
Set on readymade mounting.

The biggest problem was I didn't meet the customer face to face, one sale was between us.
I feel he took advantage of me.
What was my effort?
No explanation to me.
Okay, maybe I couldn't satisfy him.
But I feel I wasted my working time, I could've worked on other things.

Idea is invisible, I hope company evaluate properly.
Otherwise nobody wants to show their idea to company. 



  

Swallow necklace in Hiragana

Yesterday I released swallow necklace designed with Hiragana, Japanese letter on etsy.

 

This is designed with Japanese word  つばめ which means swallow.

They say this bird brings happiness since male and female are always together, this suggests loyalty and hope.
In Japan, when they nest at the edge of eaves of our home, that means lucky for us because they know the safest house.

First, I thought of つ designing wing shape.
Simple curve is good to describe elegance wing.
Then problem was ば and め.
What a complicated shape!
Especially ば's dots!
I was almost about to omit those two dots.
And め is one of difficult letter as similar with ぬ. (Can you recognize?)
How to keep those letter shapes and in meantime, designing bird outline was the most difficult part of design.
Also most interesting part.

Now you can see the letter つばめ?

Somebody says it's like word seek puzzle.
Yes, you can enjoy seeking word!

When you are wearing this necklace, you can explain or third person may notice. "what's that?"
Let's start conversation.
In a sense, I call my jewelry conversation starter.

Wish this necklace brings you happiness!


 

New planner

I've been using same planner for more than 10 years.
That's Louis Vuitton very small agenda.
When I was in Italy, my friend had il bisonte planner, that was very small.
I felt it's very compact and stylish, I wanted that size.
After getting back, I looked for same size planner, I found LV one.
Not pink, red, I chose Damier.
Since then, I'm using this one.
Even when I got snatched my bag, at the end, police found my planner from snatcher's belonging and back to me.
Many memories on it.

Somehow I thought of renewal planner this year. (for next year)
Maybe because my life will be changed a lot next year.
It would be the good timing.

My new one!

My choice is Quo Vadis business prestige in coral pink.
I should know US holidays, world map, international size conversion etc.
This has useful information about above, not only for US.
And weekly vertical schedule.
Hopefully I will be busy with my business(^_-)-☆

I asked to stamp my name.

This color makes me cheerful.
I live next year with this loving one.
Wish it be filled with happy plans!

 

Name pendant

This weekend I worked on my jewelry order.

A while ago I listed Arabic name pendant with removable tassel on minne which is Japanese handmade site like etsy.
Right after uploading, I got new order!

name pendant with tassel

In worldwide, Arabic name design pendant is not rare, it's very common language.
But in Japan, still Arabic is unknown and sounds exotic.
One of my jewelry, name necklace in Arabic is popular in Japan.
So far, all of customers have Japanese name.

For making this design, I referred Learn Write Arabic Calligraphy by Omar Uddin.
Of course, to make jewelry, I arrange, every line should be connected each other.

This script is very classy and tassel adds elegance.
When you feel fringe is too long, you can remove it easily, it's attached with clasp.

Every single time I make somebody's name pendant, I feel each name is unique and beautiful.
And I like my name(^_-)-☆

 

Busy days

After Craft Beer Holiday, I was very busy, been working for 11 days on the trot.
Besides my jewelry brand, I'm working for jewelry company which I worked for before, had big jewelry fair on last weekend.

It was held for 3 days at Herbis Hall in Osaka.
One of the biggest jewelry event in west Japan.

This event is held twice in a year, every time more than 1000 people visit.

 

I'm salesperson here.

 

After show finished, we organized at office, prepare merchandises for many customers.
Then finally tomorrow is really weekend.

I can work on my order, for my customers.
It's been long days!
 

Craft Beer Holiday

Yesterday I met my friends and went to Osaka castle park.
Because...there is Craft Beer Holiday event!
All of us like beer, nice weather, outside event, and craft beer!
No reason not to go!

 

Craft Beer Holiday

It was very sunny and hot, didn't feel October at all.
That means good day for beer(^_-)-☆

There are 21 brewery booths and 15 food booths from all over Japan.
Ticket includes 7 sticker and original glass, at each booth, we exchange sticker and beer or food.

Our first choice was Minoh beer from Osaka, peach weizen.
Fruity, very soothing, I heard this is so popular that sold out soon.

For bar food, we got croquets with prosciutto and wild boar sausage(no photo).

Easy to share and pick up. Savory, matches with beer.

Next my choice is chestnuts beer.

This has very sweet scent, like chestnuts cream cake.
I love chestnuts, so I like this type but seems this is love is or hate it...
My friends don't...

Third choice is Akamiso lagar.

On the photo, center one.
This is the brewery from Nagoya, Aichi prefecture where is known having miso culture.
Generally we use miso for seasoning while cooking,
on the other hand, they have unique miso sauce, after cooking they use like mayonnaise.
I think their passion for miso innovated this beer.

Last one is "out of envy" from Ushitora brewery.

Sign says "We are NOT awarded a gold prize at world beer contest for 7 years."
Wait, wait, NOT?
It's their sarcastic humor.
Their beer is great, we love this.
Full of hop flavor and bitter, this is the very beer.

We enjoyed a lot this unusual hot and sunny day with good drink and chatting(^^)


 

World Smile Day

Today October 6th is World Smile Day.
This is on the first Friday of October every year initiated by Harvey Ball.
He is known to have created the Smiley Face in 1963.

I made smile pendant with Arabic word which means "smile".

Can you see two smileys in top?
When you find them, you can't help smiling :)
They say "Arabic is a happy language, because it has smile in letters".

This is what I'm designing.

In these days, there are many terrible news,
but smile is very contagious.
I would like to make people by my unique jewelry, by wearing it and seeing it.




 

Las Vegas shooting case

Late evening in Japan, I heard this news.
Las Vegas shooting

3 years ago, I visited this hotel

I didn't stay here, just visited because there was the biggest jewelry show in US.

 

I'm not going to write the detail of this terrible case.

I update today just because this place is kind of familiar to me and feel very sad.

And the target was music festival audiences.

 

I love music especially rock music, sometimes go to gig, concert, festival.

(Btw, yesterday's Marilyn Manson injure made me sad also. I like him for almost 20 years)

This incident is not something irrelevant to me.

If you go to concert, any event, always there is slightly possibility to be victim wherever you are.

It's a shame.

Japanese consulates tell us not to go to the place where a large unspecified number gathered.

To avoid to be involved.

 

We should stay home?

We cannot enjoy events?

We cannot go to concert?

 

We haven't known what motivated him yet so can't conclude anything.

However, this is terrible thing no matter what is motivation.

 

I'm not religious person but can't help praying for peace and,

I believe music can heal people.

 

 

 

My latest jewelry

A few days ago, I released new items on etsy.
Florida state pendant and Texas state pendant.

 

Both are designed by letters, can you read it?

Usually, I design with Arabic letter but this time, I use English letter.
And 20% of all proceeds will be donated to American Red Cross for helping people affected by hurricane.

When Tsunami happened in Japan in 2011, I was living in Osaka, we didn't have any direct damage, though many people even in Tokyo, they ran out from various stuff.
Convenience stores were almost vacant.
There was electricity shortage.

I heard this time, people in affected area, they live in black out for maybe coming weeks or months.
What can I do?
As a making statement jewelry?

"We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop."

Mother Teresa　

If you have any interesting, please visit my site.
Florida pendant
Texas pendant

 

Creperie in Namba, Osaka

I met my friend from college today.
We can't remember when the last time we met is.
We are keeping touch with Facebook, one day she requested original jewelry.
About what she ordered, I'll write on another day.
Anyway we planned to have lunch to give her pendant.

 Alcyon creperie (Photo is from their site)
Retro building, we arrived there before 11 am, already people were lining up!
My friend made reservation, we entered without waiting. Thank you!

Their specialties are garette and crepe.
Both are from Bretagne, France.

Today's special, shimeji mushroom, cabbage Bolognese sauce on egg and cheese garette.
Very thin but big. Dough is well seasoned. Edge was crunchy.

Before this, we had sweet potato cold soup.

This is dessert crepe, pumpkin mont blanc with ice cream.
Dough is very chewy, good with melting ice cream.
After eating, I was very full.
Each was thin but maybe big, I didn't see how big because those were folded(^^;

We ate and chatted, glad to be able to catch up.
My friend moves to Tokyo in Nov, so maybe we can't meet for long time again.
And her hobby is camera, I'm looking for her nice photo of my jewelry!
 

My jewelry making process

I show you how to make my jewelry.
My jewelry is, mostly "word picture" design, shaped with word.

First, decide a motif.
Here I picked up penguin.

The upper left is Arabic word that means "penguin".
Draw penguin sketch, try to fit the word, this way, that way, turn round, separate, combine...
Once come up with good balance, I draw it precisely on graph paper.
By then, it takes sometimes half year, sometimes 10 minute, sometimes seems never (T_T)

Attach designed tracing paper on metal sheet, drill holes, start to cut by hand saw.

My favorite time! This cutting process is like meditating moment.
My design has lots of curvy line, I break saw once in a while.

After cutting out, file the all edges. until cutting marks are disappeared.
That makes it look shiny.

Sand with paper from coarse to fine grid.
I drop some water to avoid clogging.

Buffing with Leutor (micro grinder).
It gets very hot quickly, I hold it wrapping with leather.
Around here becomes very dusty, I need mask and goggles because it spins very fast with splashing polishing paste.
If I go out after this work, I should change cloths, wash my face, makeup again (^_^;)
I wash it with toothbrush to remove buffing paste, wish I had ultrasonic.

Only plating, I ask plating factory where deals with fine jewelry, I can trust their quality.

This is the photo I use on my etsy page, Penguin pendant.Taking product's photo is another difficult thing.
I'm always looking for good idea, balance, small tools.

Basically this is how to make my jewelry.



 

Vancouver trip Day 12

Finally we leave Vancouver...
Our each flight time was different, I leave much earlier.
That day was Canadian holiday, we were not sure public transportation schedule so left our place early.
Ended up no problem with time, rather, costs only zone1 fare, lucky (*^_^*)

Oh, I missed London Drugs! Haven't visited!
(My boyfriend visited here after my departure and also ate ramen and Japadog again!)

At airport, first time Tim Horton. This is like Dunkin Donuts in US.
There are some arts by native Canadian here and there.
This is on departure floor.

After security check, still some more objects.

At last minute, I bought MAC lipstick at duty free store(^_^;)
Their staff is very friendly, helpful, and kind.

Around gate.

Huge chess, kids are playing with it. (on it)

Without transfer, I arrived Osaka after long hours!

Compared to NY, people are more friendly and polite.
In Japan, people are very very polite, sometimes not friendly. (personally except Osaka)
Canada accepts many foreigners including refugees (but we didn't face that reality).
A lot of natures coexists with urbanity.
Summer is mild, I wonder how severe winter is.
Living cost is maybe cheaper than  in NY.

BUT, somehow I love New York more.
Vancouver is great city.
New York is the powerful city (in good and bad aspects).
And the place where my Fiancé lives!

Hope we can meet soon!



 

Vancouver trip Day 11

Almost last day of our trip, by then, we hadn't bought souvenir.
It's time to check!

We had leftover breakfast then went to city.
There was Pride Parade.

 

 

When we arrived, parade on Robson was gone.

But street was clean, seemed well organized, not like after parade in NY (^_^;)

We walked on Robson checking some stores till Denman St.

At Denman street, still parade was going.

 

My boyfriend was interested in meat pie, we stopped by peaked pies.

Their specialty is "pea"ked pie, that's mashed potato, mushy green pea and gravy.

 

It's peaked!
To be honest, I don't like green pea, but I could eat their mushy pea with gravy!
Maybe very fresh.
Pie had really chunked steak. Good with gravy sauce.

That object is represent the Olympic torch, I heard.

At convention center, seems there was comic-con event or something like that.
We saw many people were in animation or game costume.

We walked back to Gastown where there are many typical souvenir stores.
I don't know their qualities, but it's the thought that counts, I chose some things for my friends.
(Actually they are good!)
After shopping, my hands got full of bags, went back to our place.

That night, nearby, there is low-key bar, seems interesting, we entered for dinner.

Inside the bar, many rock and metal poster, dark atmosphere.
What's the name of this bar?
Only outside rabbit sign is cute.
Their chicken sandwich and beer set was nice, so were chicken wings.
Only local people come.
We enjoyed their food and mood.

Finally next day we leave!