The Kokeshi Doll Trend & Make Your OWN!

Traditional Kokeshi dolls from JANM

What is Kokeshi?? Well, according to Japanya site:

Kokeshi dolls originate from the Tohoku region of Northern Japan, an area well-known for its onsen (hot spring) resorts. These handmade wooden dolls are thought to date back to the early 19th century when kijiya (woodworkers), accustomed to making bowls and trays, began using their woodworking skills and lathes to make simple dolls to sell as toys and souvenirs to the onsen visitors. The dolls may originally have had a spiritual significance with the kokeshi representing a wish for a healthy child.

Usually you can find the artist signature under the doll.

This trend is hot! Right now on Etsy you can find some diversified Kokeshi inspired wares such as; Aprons, Bags, clothing, Customs, shoes, etc., just check out some of these creative Etsy Sellers!

Pocket Mirror by seller Pinkytoast handpainted shoes by seller JLPerillo dress by Holycrapclothing Kokeshi bookmarks by Zou Zou designs A Momiji Lucky Doll - The one I own!

Contemporary Kokeshi dolls have found their way into the Urban Toy market, on the internet and in hot crafty corners like Etsy.

The company Momiji is based in Warwickshire, England and has gone international with their Kokeshi-like dolls. They have cleverly incorporated little secret message space in their Momiji dolls and have been selling them in Art and Design, Museum Gift shops, Comic and music stores around the country too! Momiji has received a lot of press too in magazine's such as Dazed and Confused, POP Magazine, Elle Decoration, The Sunday Times, The Independent, The Observer and Computer Arts Projects too.

I thought it would be fun to write a post about the interesting history of Kokeshi dolls and inspire you to try to make YOUR own since you can even find Kokeshi ORIGINAl Hand-painted Artist Kokeshi dolls AND Do it yourself KITS on Etsy these days too!

Handpainted Kokeshi by seller Dandelionland Handpainted Kokeshi by seller Zombuki

>>To see a wonderful gallery of exhibited high-end Contemporary Artist painted Kokeshi that range from sweet, to dark, to sublime, to creative, to extravagant go to the Japanese American National Museum Site and check out their info on the PAST exhibit (it was from July 11th - Oct. 4th 2009)- but They still have many of the customs available in their shop and they are amazing to look at!! The prices range from $200-$650 (as far as I can tell) - the link is HERE!!

But here's the best part of this post- In the US you can currently go to most craft shops like Michael's or A.C. Moore (or any other that you know of that sells wood pieces or parts) Or if you're anywhere (even outside the US) you can buy the assembled parts from an Esty Seller like Zombuki and MAKE YOUR OWN!!!

From JANM by artist Amy Huddleston a DIY Kokeshi doll from Etsy seller Zombuki

If you get inspired to try your hand at designing and painting your own Kokeshi doll from this blog - PLEASE let me know I would love to SEE it and Post about it!

P.S. Its not too late to enter my April 4th basket GIVEAWAY!!!-

Ciao Amarettogirl

Free 4x6" Print for Kawaii Easter Basket Giveaway!

'Sweetness' illustration for my Basket GIVEAWAY!!

Basket will include this small 4"X6" print on matte photo paper and signed by me. I just did this watercolor illustration last night for the lucky winner of my April 4th Giveaway! I hope you all like it!

I tweaked it in photoshop after it was done, hence that weird effect in the icing.
Anyhoo, I've had such a great time preparing for this GIVEAWAY and appreciate everyone's support. If you're interested in WINNING the basket please be sure to read the rules of eligibility (which-BTW it's open to all!) in the GIVEAWAY post.

I've also been working on illustrations for my new penpals from my Indie 2.0 class - I'll show you those soon!

-Ciao Amarettogirl

MEGA EASTER GIVEAWAY!!! Win FREE STUFF!

Ok so I've been inspired by all the amazing giveaways in the crafty blogosphere and decided to go shopping and make my own valuable giveaway for one lucky winner!

Lucky for you all, I found some pretty great stuff discounted but the estimated internet value of all this stuff is roughly $75 USD!!

One of the great things I found is this WONDERFUL Jun Planning (the Japanese Co. makers of the pricey and collectible Pullip and Dal dolls) Angel Dal named AMY which can currently be found only on Ebay and Amazon books beginning at $15 and from Japanese Toy distributors for $20 - $30 USD.

It may seem like a 'little' girl basket but uh, I'm a pretty big girl and I was sure to prepare a basket I would LOVE to win! And that's not all - I also found some other great stuff, so scroll down check it all out and see the list of items included in the basket and HOW to win it!

My First Easter GIVEAWAY!!!detail shot of GIVEAWAY basket!

From Jun Planning comes this sweet new offering: the poseable, portable Angel Dal! Brown-eyed Amy sports a big red bow in her black hair to match her cute cotton black-and-red dress. Her head turns, she's jointed at the shoulders and hips, and at 14.5cm tall (that's almost 5 3/4 inches), she's the perfect size to carry along!

Jun Planning Dal Amy in box The doll (I had to buy one for me!) Other Gems in the GIVEAWAY basket! Cute bunny Molds!!

Ok so here is the list of other fantastic stuff you'll get in the basket:

1. Two packs (one chocolate and one strawberry) of Hello Kitty Poky Biscuit sticks with cream

2. One MEGA Hello Kitty 288 page Coloring and Activity book

3. One Pink polk-dot lanyard for your keys

Super Fun QUIZ me book! Click to see!

4. One TY Beanie Babie Boo Koala with Extra big Eyes!

5.One silicone tray of mini Bunny face molds for Gelatin, makes 12 tiny 1" bunny faces. Easy-release tray is freezer, fridge, and dishwasher safe. 1" x 3 3/4" x 9" Check out the two pics!

Check out how cool!

6. One Jelly Belly Blooming Bottle of Jelly Beans

7. One Quiz Me Scrap Book/Journal going for $12.95 on Amazon right now!

8. Two Mystery Eggs One large green and one small pink(and NO I won't tell what's inside - it's a mystery!

9. Hello Kitty Sour Apple candy tin

10. SNIFF pack of Hello Kitty tissues (Sniff Tissues are pre-printed designer paper handkerchiefs. Invented in 1996 by Paper Products Design (Germany) they have gone on to be a worldwide best seller for the company. They are especially popular in the U.S.A. Designs range from seasonal ideas like Christmas tissues to more unusual designs like Pink Skulls n Hello Kitty!

11. Lollipops (including watermelon!)

12. Lets not forget the awesome lime green basket with gingham lined fabric!

13. T.B.A. I am including a signed print from either one of my photographs or illustrations - check back in to see an update later!

WHO,HOW and WHEN does one go about trying to win this basket??

Eligibility:

One way- If you have a blog, post about this giveaway and link back to this site, comment here and leave a link to your post and become a follower of this blog (Subscribe to this RSS feed).

If you don't have a blog no worries you can still do the following:

Second way- Become a follower of this blog and Comment on every post from here until the Easter Day Giveaway, April 4th- don't worry I don't post everyday!
(I'm shameless I know - but my blog is like a caged animal at the zoo and when you come to visit, it really wants you to FEED it with a comment! :)) Comments are YUMMY!

LASTLY, required by ALL PARTICIPANTS - be HERE on April 4th and comment on my most recent post with a favorite NUMBER and WHY you want to win this basket! Comments should be thoughtful - computer generated comments or spam will will be routinely removed.

This is how the winner will be chosen:

Bingo Numbered Balls for selecting the WINNER My Random Number Generator (a Bingo Cage)

On April 4th Easter Sunday My hub and I will wait until 9pm Eastern Standard Time at which time we will pull out the Bingo cage and spin the numbers ten times!

The number closest by 5 digits (greater or lesser) to one of the numbers in the comments WINS after we have checked that, the follower has posted on every post since this one and/or has linked to this Giveaway from their blog.

And though we considered limiting the shipping areas to the US only we have too many new cool friends in places like Holland and London so - we're going to leave that open!:))

Good LUCK and Ciao - Amarettogirl!

RECIPE for the Perfect Cup of Hot Cocoa- Amarettogirl Style!

*Disclaimer - I am not a professional cook by any means, I am simply a creative and this is how I make one awesome gourmet cup of hot cocoa. I'm sure its not that different than other's recipes - but it's how I do it - enjoy!

Hot Cocoa Ring available at my ETSY shop!!

Nestles Abuelita Hot Cocoa Tabs

First, YOU WILL NEED:

1. A blender

2. Nestle's Authentic Mexican Hot Cocoa Tablets (I know it kills this little indie girl that a major American Co. (not a Mexican one) is the parent Co., but trust me, after I tried it I was converted and it is perhaps easier to obtain then actual Mexican hot chocolate depending on where you live. But hey, if you can get your hands on some hard-core Mexican Chocolate without Nestle - by all means do so!Abuelita tablets are FANTASTIC and are intended to be melted down into milk in a blender.

3. Four cups of your fave kind of Milk, I use fat-free (can use all the help I can get in that area!)
Note- It's a good idea to have at least four people you would like to serve some of this gourmet hot cocoa to lined up (sharing is always better) unless you want a mega-cup of hot cocoa all to yourself!

4. Some Amaretto coffee flavoring syrup ( I get my bottle from Whole Foods Coffee concession)

5. A capful of good Vanilla Extract

6. Pinch of cinnamon

7. Pinch of nutmeg

8. Pinch of Allspice

9. Pinch of chili powder

10. A small dash of salt

11. Optional: a small (like a tablespoon) amount of your favorite DARK chocolate ground up

Ok so now heat up your milk in a saucepan (I do around two cups which is what the nestle box states at a time. Then place the first two cups of HOT milk in a blender and add ONE of the Nestle Abuelita tablets. Blend carefully on low speed - then add in two additional cups of hot milk on low speed. Add in the cap full of Vanilla Extract and all of the pinches and dashes to taste (instead of sugar, which is what the Nestle box suggest).
Then Voila- serve immediately.

The Nestle box has a good reminder that

hot liquids may expand when blended - do not overfill blender- cover blender lid with a towel when blending and blend on low speed

(though I was naughty and sped up the blending to make sure my tablet was completely liquified!)

Ok and as an added note- if you consider some magical, tantalizing thoughts while your concoction is blending it will be that much more phenomenal; who knows you may be able to influence love!So go off and enjoy an AWESOME cup of hot cocoa and create a loving memory.

-Ciao Amarettogirl

A Unique Giveaway!

So in my internet escapades through crafty bloggers, I came across a pretty unique giveaway. As many of you know, giveaways through crafty/creative blogs usually exist of craft supplies, handmade products or various things like that (which are ALWAYS wonderful).

However, blogger, Yourstrulydear from Utah is one-upping the traditional giveaways to a whole new level! So here's what you get:

A 5'3 x 7'5 Zebra Print Rug from CSN!

So if you're interested these are the entry options and what you have to do:

TO ENTER

1. be a blog follower on YOURSTRULYDEAR and leave a comment saying so (1 entry)

2. leave a comment telling YOURSTRULYDEAR your favorite animal (1 entry)

3. blog about this giveaway [&leave the link] (1 entry)

4. tweet about this giveaway [@yourstrulydear] (1 entry)

**giveaway will close monday (march 15th) at midnight. us and canadian residents only

Hope you all enjoy and that someone I know gets lucky! ;) -Ciao Amarettogirl

MassMarket Imitating Handmade Ofcourse!

detail photo by m. diaz

I was in the chain, mega-shop, Target a few weeks ago browsing through the office supply section and along the notebooks/journals and blank books I ran across this little gem of a blank book.

It's nothing new for mass-marketed items to imitate hand-made. Still, it kills me that this particular book is a mass manufactured item and not handmade (especially when it looks so, so, so, so handmade and is ridiculously cheap). How can artisans compete?!

Aesthetically I had to get it- though I felt like a traitor in doing so!

I had to get it because when I held it I couldn't get over all of those buttons and it has this wonderful feel when you hold it in yours hands. I kept thinking what a great place for including all my sewing notes and that's exactly how I'm using it.

Still I feel so guilty. :(

blank journal from Target journal in use my own apron instructions

Amarettogirl Designs - Featured in my First Etsy Treasury!

Designer and fellow crafter LJ's Studio Creations made an Etsy treasury and featured me and my French Macaroon Extraordinaire ring in it! Yay this the first treasury that I have been featured in. I'm in the bottom left corner. If you want to see more of my products click HERE!

Treasury made by LJ's Studio Creations

Another Amazing Stop Motion...

I was hopping around the blogosphere and I came across Angela Kohler's wonderful blog through checking out my new classmate Breanne Sinibaldi's blog (she's a photographer and graphic designer). I had to post about this for all of my students who have a stop-motion animation soft-spot like me!

Mai Sweetshop on Etsy

I've just updated my Etsy shop with some new and now available Mai Sweetshop products. So be sure to go check it out!

A Mai Sweetshop Exclusive! Macaroon Extraordinaire ring available now in my Etsy shop! a Maisweetshop charm not yet available

Blythe & Pullip Art

I've started an illustration based off of a photograph of a shelf in my studio and decided to scan the drawing and dump color in digitally. Sometimes it's fun to just fool-around and play. Not to mention it's a great way to destress! You gotta love photoshop!

-Ciao Amarettogirl detail of Blythe illustration by m. diaz