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!

 

Vancouver trip Day 10

This day, there was Powell Street Festival, which is my friend told us.

It's related to Japanese culture, holding by Japanese society.

We met my friend and his girl friend at the park.

There are many booths, events, show, novelties etc.
We visited Japanese archery show. (That was the first time to see even to me!)

Famous vendor, Japadog. (again)

There used to be in New York, very popular...why they're gone?? Because of high rent?
This Oroshi (grated radish) dog, I like a lot! Radish neutralizes sausage fat, makes light taste.
My BF once ate this before in NY, but that time, it was not so good, seemed Oroshi was not fresh??
Or just his taste changed?

We met my friend's friend from college and her boy friend. Both are Japanese.
It was fun to talk to them, listen to others experiences.
But I prefer sightseeing than Japanese festival so after a while we said good by.

We walked to east along railway, there is brewery area.
After 40mins walk, finally we arrived Parallel 49 brewing!

How many beer do they have?
I had a difficulty with choosing, I ordered their flights set.

Very nice! Especially after long walk!
Around there, we don't see much restaurant, bar, stores.
We passed factory-looking building, tent city, some murals.
Then suddenly, this bar has lively atmosphere, crowded.

We tasted 8 kinds of beer, went back to city by bus.
On this night, there was 3rd night of Celebration of Light.
Before long wait, we decided to have African dinner at Simba.

I liked Muhogo which is deep fried cassava root.
We're not familiar with African food, all are interesting to us.
In Japan, I've been to Kenya restaurant once with my friends who learned Swahili and traveled Kenya. But it was more than 10 years ago, my memory got vague.

After dinner, we got coffee, headed to beach.
Not as close as last time, but we were in front again, could enjoy fireworks a lot.
That night was Canadian show, that was awesome.

One more good thing was we could catch the bus easier than last time(*^_^*)

Vancouver trip Day 9

We visited VanDusen Botanical Garden.
When I was young, didn't have any interesting at all in this kind of garden.
Not exciting, no riding, no character.
Now, still not everyday but sometimes visiting nature is fun to me.
(Not completely nature that scares me)

Hydrangea is blooming.
Compared to Japanese one, it has huge flower.

Very vivid color, perfect shape.

Me, in front of rose garden.
On photo, can't capture how roses are beautiful.

Famous maze.
Seriously, it's hard to get out.

Very peaceful, he's pecking something.

Later we moved to Richmond Night Market.
This reminds us Night Market in Taiwan.(Both of us have been there in past)

 

Many booths are Asian food and goods.
It was very long line to enter because of good season to eat outside.
My friends went there in June, no line and chilly.

 

This was great popcorn chicken. Crispy and meat is juicy.
I'm seafood eater, my choice is this.

Beautiful shrimp!
Simple seasoning, its taste stands out.
Maybe I was showing off while walking, somebody asked me "where did you get it?"(^^ゞ

Getting dark, getting more crowded.
Seems Richmond has more Asian culture than Vancouver.

 

This pork was tender, well seasoned, we like this plate a lot.

We got this IV dripping like milk tea.
This and light bulb looking drink seem trendy now.
They can get new idea from many things!

We enjoyed this day too.

Vancouver trip Day 8

Time has come!

The detail will be end of this blog...

 

On this day, we visited this place for breakfast.

A few days ago when we went to another café, we saw this restaurant, people were lining up, seemed very good.

 

It's like diner, they have all day menu.
I got egg benedict with gravlax salmon on mini pancakes instead of English muffin.

Very new type of benedict maybe because of bread.
They use free run eggs, curing is done in house.
My boyfriend got pulled pork pancake with Jack Daniel syrup.
That is amazing! Woody smoky flavor, I wanted to buy!

Then we moved to Grandville Island again as we didn't have much time last time.

Those GIANTS are part of Vancouver biennale outside exhibition.
Mural on six concrete silos (from here, you can see only 4)

Here there is Grandville Island Brewery, they have a tour.
When we visited, it had just started, had to wait next round, I gave up.
Instead, had nice iced coffee and snacks, we started to walk along seashore heading to Kitsilano beach.

City is very close to water.
From center you can see the buildings?

I forgot where this object is(^^ゞ
　
These chairs are also art named Echoes.

Those exhibition's interesting part is you can touch them.
I feel the relationship between artist and observer is very close.
Art is not something in the different world, it's in our life.

For dinner, nearby beach, we went to NOOK, Italian restaurant.

Proscuitto with burrata.

My favorite, liver pate crostini. Vino rosso, per favore!
We ordered salad and pasta, every plate was so delicious.
Staff is very kind and friendly.

After dinner, we took a walk to the beach.
Sky was hazy, we heard that's because of wildfire which happened a few days ago near Vancouver.

But color was nice, like pastel gradation.

Here...
Wish I could express romantic...

We got engaged!
The time has come!

There are so many red tape processes, but I'm sure we can overcome one by one.
Our life journey continues...









 

The Tower of Babel exhibition

I take a break from Vancouver trip blog this time (please don't say I'm always taking a break from updating(^^;) )

I got a day off so visited The National Museum of Art, Osaka.
Now they have Collection of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Bruegel's "The Tower of Babel" and Great 16th Century Masters.

You might have seen this famous painting?
This exhibition has started since July 18th, I expected now already quiet, especially, this day was weekday.
Without waiting, I could buy ticket and enter.
They have some sculptures, Jheronimus Bosch artworks, and other artists' paintings.
Last section, there is Babel.
In front of it, there was long line to only see it!

The reason is this masterpiece is like miniature.
Its size is 60 x 75cm, not big at all but it has over 1400 people on panel!
How precise!
Each person is drawn less than 3mm, we can see it clearly even 300% enlarged.
This lets the tower stand out enormously huge.

After exit, there is official character of this exhibition.

He's from "Big fish Eat Little Fish" by Bruegel.
If you look up this painting, you can find this imaginary creature easily. (more serious looking)

Besides him(?), on Bruegel painting, there are many monsters and unique creatures,
when you have a chance to see, it's fun to look for.