Look back 2018

January:
I joined handmade event in Osaka, it was the first time to have my own booth for satokomatsu.
Sales was... but I learned display, how to explain my concept, and I met buyer from department store.

February:
My fiancé and I decided to ask lower to apply fiancé visa.

April:
Busy with collecting documents for the petition and work at office.

May:
In Japan, there is so-called "Golden Week" holiday.
We went to Fushimi where is famous of sake distillers, enjoyed Japanese tastes.

June:
Finally my fiancé and I gathered all documents and submit USCIS.

July:
From event in January, I got a chance to join the event in Hanshin Department store in Osaka.
It was held for whole 1 week. Many friends visited me, I really appreciate it. And feel our bond.
I got confidence about my jewelry concept.

August:
Worked on orders.
Met my old friend from Portugal after 14 years. 

September:
I joined another handmade event in Osaka.
I met customer from web shop and who visited my booth in January(they remembered!)
Got some orders!

October:
Visited Nagoya Boston museum in Aichi. They closed in this month.
Later busy at office.

December:
On 19th, finally USCIS approved our case!
Now I'm waiting for packet from embassy.


I hope you will have a great year!

Escher exhibition

I visited Escher exhibition in Osaka.

He is one of my favorite artist.
He is well-known as an impossible objects and tessellation artist.
I don't remember my first encounter (maybe from art textbook) but remember I got his book in Italy.

Most of his art is flat like woodcut, lithographs, mezzotint.
However his works make us feel them 3D,or even more than 3D, almost next level of gravity.
Maybe because he has a background of architecture?
Every perspective is very accurate.
Still, we get confused which side we focus on.
That makes us not sure about the world how we see.
What we believe right may not be correct for others.
Are we right?

What we believe justice is wrong for others.
That makes conflict.
What makes it right is just majority.
How many people can get benefit from those conflicts?

At the same time, his expression would influence me a lot.
Reality is flat but doesn't look like just 2D.
How to make people feel more than one world is my next assignment.

   

Approved

For these 6 months I kept checking our case status USCIS online.

This morning when I opened that site as my routine, I saw different alphabet.

"case was approved"

?!?!?!
I always saw "case was received", what??
Finally our petition for alien fiancé was approved!

Like other bloggers mention, took almost whole 6 months.

While waiting,  I feel worked a lot.
In September, I joined handmade market at World Trade Center in Osaka.
Now I have bulk order, 30pcs initial jewelries and some pieces.

Once approved, the embassy in your country sends or emails you next instruction.
That takes 3 to 4 weeks, I heard.
When you received case number, you can start next step like getting police certification and immune shot at certain hospital.

Maybe 3 to 4 weeks pass soon, because we have winter holiday, have fun.
I enjoy this season in Japan.







 

Reunion

Before Japanese summer vacation called "Bon-yasumi", I met my friend the first time after graduation.
15 years ago??
We were same band during collage time in Osaka, we copied Marylin Manson's songs.
After graduation, she went back to Portugal, moved to Monaco, then Paris now.

On Instagram, I got know she visited Osaka.
Texted, she says "Are you in Osaka now?!"
She thought I'm in US(￣▽￣;)
Somehow, many friends think I'm in NY now....yes, I will....someday soon.
So that's kinda sudden, we decided to meet.

Actually, she was planning to have her birthday party next day, I was invited.
I didn't know who comes, anyway I went.

Maybe 12 people gathered?
More than half were "Nice to meet you." (mostly Japanese)
A few were from same music circle.

We could catch up, thanks to social media, we could have a nice chance to reunite.
When I moved to NY, Paris is much closer than from Japan, maybe we can visit each other??
I'm pretty sure that we can meet anywhere.
 

August 15th

Today is the anniversary of end of World War Ⅱ.
From the view of Japanese.
It's the day to pray for victims, pray for peace, swear we never bring a war again.

Just out of curiosity, I asked my fiancé if US has special meaning for today.
He hasn't heard much about that.
Japan takes August 15th as a special day, Emperor comments, so does Prime Minister at ceremony.

I looked up on internet, on Wikipedia,  September 2nd is regarded as the final day of WWⅡ in US．

He says Civil War or Battle with British, last day becomes important.
Japan's attitude is learning from past and American, mostly boast independence.(America first?)

Japan is single race country, monoculture, island and US is completely opposite.
America is shaped by different histories originating from different places, different religions.

When I talked to his dad, he said he enjoyed bowling when he was young.
Sounds like right after War ended.
As you know, Japan surrendered and after war, everybody was poor, worked very hard to survive, no entertainment.
I felt something.
That's the difference between winner and loser.

At the same point in the world, our countries had totally different life style.
And still same situation now in the world.

We study history always from OUR perspective.
We believe "We Are Right".
That's the beginning of conflict.

Fact is only one.
How to see it shapes you.





 

Yoshida brothers

I went to Yoshida brothers' concert on Aug 1st.

 

Last time at Osaka was including other instruments like drums.
This time "only shamisen", no other sounds.

Shamisen has 3 strings, that means 2 shamisens have 6 strings equal one guitar.
It was very rich sound. (I don't know how to describe)

 

Stage set is like this.
Moon and clouds are made of Sekishu-Washi, which is Japanese traditional paper.
This concert is one of Japan Value Project, Sekishu-Washi is very durable paper, they promote this.
Cloud part, paper includes shamisen strings that brothers consumed for 35 years.

Needless to say their playing, light effect, screen were also awesome.

Honestly, I'm not big fun of Japanese traditional music at all.
What fascinates me is Tsugaru-shamisen powerful sound, and Yoshida Brothers attitude or action.
They are still young (around 40) as a shamisen player, but keep trying to explore.
Collaboration with current rock band, Spanish sound, animation music etc.
(Younger brother often goes to Spain, teaches shamisen at collage)
Their appearances are also not like orthodox style.  

I guess, in classic field, starting new thing is difficult to be accepted.
Sometimes people who stick to authentic way refuse and criticize.

They keep challenging.
That motivates and encourages me a lot.





 

Sudden message

A few days ago, I got message from my old friend from collage.
It was the first contact after 8 years.
We were in same music circle, much closer than classmate.
Just we didn't have any chance to talk.

Her message sounded a bit serious.
At the time I couldn't call her so texted.
I wondered what she wants to talk to me...

Finally we could talk today.

That was about kind of business plan.
Not plan, idea. Everything is still up in the air.
Recently she got friend from Saudi Arabia.
She remembered I'm making jewelry using Arabic letter.
In meantime, her friend and she talked about new business, something like English lesson, making jewelry workshop etc.

Her call is if they can make that idea possible, whether they can involve me or not.

Actually they don't imagine anything clearly, just they have the idea.
Though, sounds interesting.
I told her my situation that I'm going to move to US maybe next year but curious about starting something new.

Maybe we'll meet soon and catch up.
Starting new thing makes us nervous but as long as we can enjoy, it's worth it.

 

How are you?

I really left this page for long time...

Last post was 'questionnaire' , now current situation is...
we submitted our petition to USCIS last month! Finally!

We prepared lots of documents, filed them to the mutual folder of both of our lawyer and us, we waited, waited, waited for the farm prepare to send to USCIS for a month.
We guessed they are busy, maybe taking care of us too...
but almost 4 weeks, it was enough time to reach the last straw to me.
I sent message not to assistant but lawyer herself directly.

Probably it worked.
Suddenly they moved on our case.
From my previous work, I'm used to send claim mail...

Anyway we got case number, what we can do now is just waiting for NOA2.

In meantime, I had a pop-up store at Hanshin Department store in Osaka for a week in early July.
For me, it was a great experience and compared to daily sales, it ended up great.
I could meet some old friends, coworkers, and new customers.
Attending exhibition is not the first time but selling MY products by myself is very excited thing.

I try to upload this blog more often!
Have a nice weekend!
 

Questionnaire

For my fiancé visa, so called K-1 visa,
we decided to hire lawyer, after looking up some and asking,
came to one attorney.

My fiancé in New York met in person once at their office, sending email each other,
finally we started to prepare for petition.

First thing first is submit the questionnaire.
Each personal basic info, address history, employment history at least 5 years,
education info, family member, stay in US history etc...

Some words are unfamiliar to me because it looks very serious format.
Maybe just avoiding vague expression.

Filling out the questionnaire took 1 week already.
I had to check my passport again and again, look up my college information.

This document is only a tip of iceberg.
I feel really need to study English more...
   

Day trip to Kyoto

Today I got day off so decided to go to Kyoto with my mom.
Destination is Nijo castle area.

Last night I checked lunch place on internet.

il pozzo

 

They renovated very old traditional house into restaurant.

They have interesting antipasto and nice house made pasta.

 

White in center is daikon something, I have no idea how they cooked daikon like this.

First bite, I thought kind of cheese because it's very creamy, no fiber, second I noticed radish scent.

Like Italian restaurant, tripe is tender, salami is great.

Maybe we should come back for dinner.

 

After lunch, stopped by Mikane shrine.

This is located in residential area and small but famous for their benefit.

It is believed visitors can earn money!

Mikane is written 御金, that means money.

Many foreigners also visit here.

 

Then we went to interesting store.

 

Can you believe this was really house?

Now first floor is creators' store and workshop space however designer of this building lives second floor!

Store is creative studio & shop ooo, owner is curating interesting stuff from all over the world.

It's small shop but very unique goods are displayed.

Current pop up shop is Don Fisher, who is making cute fish pouch.

But today, honestly, owner's baby is the cutest!

 

We headed to next goal where is Japanese sake distiller.

My mom was wanting to visit there.

 

Sasaki Shuzo

 

This distiller got very famous because their family has a famous actor Kuranosuke Sasaki.

Of course their sake quality is great but the more popular the actor becomes, the more famous here is.

Even today is weekday, customers keep coming.

We bought 2 of small sake.

I'm looking forward to drinking(*´艸`)

 

We passed Nijo castle.

Actually it was closed already.

No problem, we are not so interested in castle, but this area.

 

We walked a lot and enjoyed Kyoto!

 

 

Yayoi Kusama Exhibition

The other day, my friend posted Yayoi Kusama Exhibition in Kyoto on instagram.
I remembered it ends in 2 weeks!(Actually it's started in June, I kept forgetting(^^;)

This exhibition is hold at Forever Museum of Contemporary Art in Gion, Kyoto.

Speaking of Yayoi Kusama, most famous art is Pumpkin.
This welcomes you in front of gallery.
Like other museums, basically taking photo is prohibited, but some area, we can.

"Yellow Trees"

This is big painting, combined 3 panels.
One of most unique things here is these arts are displayed in tatami rooms, we take off shoes at entrance.

There is really nice garden, we can look around.

As you see, this building is very traditional property.
This is founded in 1913! Now this is registered as a tangible cultural property.

On second floor, this is displayed.

"A Boat Carrying My Soul"

 



Before seeing this, you'll see her 2D art named sprouting or something.(sorry, I don't remember(T_T))
After seeing that etching, you may have something different feeling.

There are other pumpkins, high-heels, butterflies etc.
I saw her exhibition in NY gallery, those are more abstract, I feel.
And years ago, another hers, that was even more abstract. (personal perspective)
These have obvious motif, maybe good for first visitors or people who is unfamiliar with her (like my dad).
Still, I enjoyed pretty much and got some inspiration.

Someday, I'd like to make her pumpkin design pendant!
 
 

Handmade event

Wow, time flies!



Last post is about Creema Craft Festival.
Now already 3 weeks have passed.

It was the first time to participate event.
My booth is like this.

From my experience, making height is necessary, I remember.
And visitors sights move left up to right down.
I chose smallest booth, it was actually very small(^_^;)
My friend from former company helped me whole 2 days.
Both of us have jewelry event experience, we know how to display effectively and security.

Let's stop beating around bush, sales result was very poor.
Okay, I could guess, it's first time, world is NOT so sweet for me.
Even though, I could enjoy conversation with people. meeting new creators and atmosphere.
This is not really sour grape expression.

Actually many people visit here feeling like flea market so price average is cheap.
Compare to others, like me, jewelry designers with silver didn't sell well because price is much higher.
One example, the booth next to me, they were selling handmade earring with only $5.
I don't blame them, just they know Osakan customer and this event better than me.
Generally for handmade event, sales in Tokyo is the best, next in Nagoya, worst is Osaka.
Customer in Osaka is more severe about price.
I understand.

But I could grab a seriously big chance.
I got event offer from department store in Osaka!
It'll be hold in July, for 1 week.
I'm sure customers' expectation is different than people coming here.
That's much higher expectation.
I'm nervous in meantime very exciting.
I've never worked for department store even when I was working for company.

Without company name value.
I take responsibility for MY jewelry.
I have my own pop up store.
Whoa!

I can't tell you the detail yet.
It's coming!
Keep in touch!


 

Creema Craft Party 2018

In these days I've been very busy because I join handmade creators' event Creema Craft Party 2018!

This is the first time to participate handmade event, I don't know what I need and how much I should prepare for this show.
Earlier I was feeling there is not much merit for having booth as we also have to think about display and stock.
The merit of selling on internet is that we don't have to have many stocks and display, other materials, don't have to think of "in case".
So I didn't have much goods after making one sample.
When I sold sample, just use photo for order later.

I changed mind "not participate real fair" gradually.
First, this event booth fee is reasonable. (other big event is more expensive)
Second, hold in Osaka. (I live in Osaka)
Third, definitely meet more people at the fair.
Last, good practice for having booth in NY in future.

Luckily I have some experiences of fine jewelry fair like international jewellery fair in Hong Kong, Vicenza, Basel, Las Vegas and Tokyo.
Handmade event is much smaller and not fine jewelry (and not only jewelry), it's different type but I thought my experience could be useful at some points.

For this show, I worked a lot.

I'll bring about double of these items.
I've never seen almost all items gathered!

All items are available on my etsy store.
However, just in case, if you are in Osaka or visit Osaka in this weekend,
I think it's fun to come and see this event.
There are about 3000 creators' booths.
Very unique, handmade stuff, you can dig out.
And my booth is A-234, waiting for somebody comes!
  


 

LCD Soundsystem concert

On Dec 21th, we went to LCD Soundsystem concert at Brooklyn Steel.

This is opened last year, renovated old factory building.
A bit far from public transportation and city, inconvenient area.

They have serious security check like airport. Checking belonging, metal detector gate and body check. (Is that usual??)

I only know 3 albums and they played songs I don't know but all of them are very catchy, easy to get into the rhythm, swing, dance and jump.

To be frank, James (singer) is just middle age guy, not stylish, not cool appearance.
But once they started to play, their groove swallow us.
Music makes people look cool.(that's why many teens start band, like many of my friends(￣▽￣;))

He said that the day before he lost voice and couldn't utter high notes.
However this day somehow he could, it's miracle.
Still when they played "New York I love you but you're bringing me down", he couldn't sing in high voice but we chorused for him, for us. I almost cried. That atmosphere moved me a lot.

My fiancé's nieces also came to their concert, they are teenagers, they were not so excited...
This band may attract older more?

This is my 2nd day of NY stay.
Very glad to see them, thank you for getting my ticket!





 

Happy new year!

Happy new year!

I took a break because from Dec 20th to 29th, I went back to NY again!

This time, I decided to visit kind of at last moment so didn't make any certain schedule.
Two things for sure were LCD soundsystem concert and my fiancé's family party.
Little by little I update.

After leaving, east coast got more freezing, stay inside and warm!