The Japanese craft craze

[sabrinat]

Is this the next big thing?
It's so odd for me to see. I lived in Japan as a teen 20 years ago and honestly the styles are the same. Japan was known for it's kitschy stuff...munchee munchee, Hello kitty...now zakka craft seems to be all the rage. Has anyone else noticed this?
There's a flurry of fabric buying and weird little stuffed things being made going on right now and the prices seem astounding to me. I wonder how long it'll be for the next craze arrives, what will it be?

[sabrinat]

Wow...no one has any thoughts or comments Do you like japanese craft? Hate it? Don't know what it is?

[Jenlaana]

dont know what it is was watching the thread to see if someone else gave a clue about it

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by Jenlaana

dont know what it is was watching the thread to see if someone else gave a clue about it

Let me find a link to something. I love the clothing books. I just got one called Girly Wardrobe. Adorable!!!

[cece]

I think some of the Japanese crafts are super cute, and I loooove the fabrics , but my bank account doesn't!

[sofysmommy]

Ohh I actually always loved things like that and yes I am noticing there is a huge "craze" for Japanese crafts you just need to google it and you will find lots of blogs on the subject and free patterns too. I am trying to learn to do the crochet dolls Amigurumi

[sabrinat]

Here's a cool blog and she covers tons of stuff as she lives in Japan

http://movinghands.wordpress.com/

[ookami]

I love the Japanese patchwork/craft/zakka stuff! I buy a ton of books from yesasia.com and my local Kinokuniya (it helps that I speak a little Japanese) and I read a ton of the blogs of others who are into the same thing... and I post photos on Flickr... and I lust after more books and notions...

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by ookami

I love the Japanese patchwork/craft/zakka stuff! I buy a ton of books from yesasia.com and my local Kinokuniya (it helps that I speak a little Japanese) and I read a ton of the blogs of others who are into the same thing... and I post photos on Flickr... and I lust after more books and notions...

Oh what an enabler! I didn't know about yesasia and now I do!!!! I just spent $40! Thanks alot!!

[ookami]

But you totally saved money! Those books would have been at least double that price anywhere else and free shipping

WELCOME TO THE DARK SIDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[p.s]

I love Japanese fabrics, so much so that a friend and I have a yahoo co-op for it. I also love their craft books, but have been a looker and not yet buyer b/c of the cost. I think part of the craze can be attributed partly to a backlash against the mass produced, commercialization, super size me culture in America. The ironic thing is that in America, the individual and independence is worshipped...with the resulting bigger, better, look at me! mentality. While in Japan (I've also lived there) the larger community/ group and not the individual are emphasized.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by p.s

I love Japanese fabrics, so much so that a friend and I have a yahoo co-op for it. .

What's your co-op?

[Kodachrome]

Me! I'm madly in love with Japanese crafting and I own a few Japanese crafting books to proove it.

Especially adore the fake felt (play) food, and crochet amigurumi. Imported Japanese (kawaii) fabric is also my latest love. :

[WC_hapamama]

Originally Posted by p.s

While in Japan (I've also lived there) the larger community/ group and not the individual are emphasized.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down, as they say.

I'm ambivalent about Japanese crafting... maybe because outside of Sanrio stuff (which I grew up with) I'm not into kawaii stuff.

I DO like Japanese themed fabrics... like yukata and kimono fabrics.

[ookami]

p.s - i would also love to know about your co-op!!!!!!!! can you post the information here or PM me? Thank you!

[p.s]

Originally Posted by ookami

p.s - i would also love to know about your co-op!!!!!!!! can you post the information here or PM me? Thank you!

ookami and Sabrina: Sure, it's chloefabrics. We are doing trefle and echino right now.
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/1688
http://www.reprodepot.com/etsukofuyura.html
http://www.kokka-usa.com/products.php?cid=2.3

we love japanese fabrics too, and since it's not a money making venture, we like to think we are providing a public/ community service.

[ookami]

Thank you! I just sent in a request for membership.

[sabrinat]

Originally Posted by p.s

ookami and Sabrina: Sure, it's chloefabrics. We are doing trefle and echino right now.
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/fabricdetail/1688
http://www.reprodepot.com/etsukofuyura.html
http://www.kokka-usa.com/products.php?cid=2.3

we love japanese fabrics too, and since it's not a money making venture, we like to think we are providing a public/ community service.

I already belong, doh!

[anjanetteopal]

I studied in Japan for 9 months and I'm pretty sure it's what started my obsession with crafting in general. Japanese crafts intimidate me though - they are way above my level of ability-to-create-cuteness so far. I usually stick to pretty simple crafts but I looooove looking at others! And I am completely mourning the fact that I only purchased half a dozen skeins of yarn while in Japan! It's so much cheaper and better quality there! I just didn't know what to look for, and now that I do I want to make a trip back just for that! I suppose the $1600 plane tickets would be a bit hard to justify though...

[ookami]

Just ordered some adorable Japanese craft books from Yesasia.com yesterday! They are having a sale now through July 31st - $5 off a $30 order (and orders over $25 ship free to the US). The coupon code is US and you enter than when you check out. I can't wait for my books to arrive!