July Kitsuke

I finally got a chance to wear this semi-custom pink ro komon with a kikyo design. Honestly, I don't own very many obi that I think are a decent match in color and style for this kimono, so I went with an all pale color ensemble by using this lavender hakata obi and mint accessories.

The only bright color in the ensemble are the teal zori. I had to throw in a little curve ball.

As an extra touch, I wore this cute uchiwa kanzashi. I figured better now since July is almost over. ^_^

Thanks for looking!

Tsuki no Ie Okiya - Upcoming Misedashi

We have an upcoming misedashi (debut) for our newest performer at Tsuki no Ie Okiya this April, so I have been busily preparing (and spending lots of money...).

So far, we have accumulated these things:

A set of bekko kanzashi with crane and pine design (may actually be resin)

Another tama kanzashi. It's actually coral, though it looks kind of red here.

More bira oghi kanzashi

A black-based furisode, to which I will add our crest

We also have an obi that I have been working to make into a pretied darari for this - it's almost finished so photos will be posted later ^_^. We still have much to do!!!

Geiko Henshin Test Photos

I plan on finally doing a geiko henshin at the upcoming Geek Media Expo (GMX) in Nashville at the end of the month. After months of practice, I think I finally have things where I want them. I chose my kikyo hikizuri (I know it'll be a month late, but the only other one I have has morning glories, so this was closer lol). I had my fiancé take a few test photos in various poses. Please tell me what you think!

I also did a "maiko henshin". There are some notable differences here between real maiko and what I've done here, and I am fully aware of that. I just wanted to use what I had to try while I had the makeup on.

Custom-made Kikyo Kanzashi

I am so excited about these kanzashi! I had a seller on Etsy custom-make some kikyo (bellflower) kanzashi for me. I haven't received them just yet, but she took some lovely pictures of them. I am really excited with how they turned out!

I cannot wait to receive them in the mail! I plan on wearing them to my kimono presentation in September.

Modern Cat Obi and Coral Kanzashi

I found an obi that I couldn't pass up on Rakuten tonight. It is a black tsukuri obi with a white cat.



So basically, when I saw it, I did this:


As an added tidbit, I finally found a reasonably priced coral colored tama kanzashi!

At Long Last! Jade(ish) Tama Kanzashi!

I have seemingly been forever on the hunt for a jade tama kanzashi. Today, I finally found one for a reasonable price on Rakuten! I am very excited, as this is one step closer to completing the set I need for my geiko henshin I will hopefully be able to do at an upcoming convention. Here's the beauty:

Me gusta. XD

Ko-Ume Kanzashi

Just in time for February, I made a little ume kanzashi! I have white one that I made years ago that is a little larger, but the quality is not near as good as this one. I hope to make more to sell soon!

Sakura Kanzashi

I spent several hours today working on this kanzashi today. It's my first successful attempt at making sakura. It hurt my hands, eyes, back - well, EVERYTHING! But it was very worth it! It will go nicely with my sakura kofurisode. I most likely will debut this combo at MTAC 2011 in April. =)

The kofurisode that I plan on coordinating with the kanzashi:

Tsumami Kanzashi Tutorial

I made a simple step-by-step tutorial for those of you who would like to make your own tsumami kanzashi, which are traditional Japanese flowers folded out of fabric, usually silk. This tutorial will show you how to make the two main petal shapes: round and pointed, as well as how to do falls of petals, the bases, and a basic "bouquet" arrangement. Click on the link below to view and download the tutorial. I hope this helps you and gives you a creative boost:

Tsumami Kanzashi Tutorial

Feel free to ask questions. Happy crafting!

Pink and Black Glittery Kanzashi for Sale

This is a new kanzashi I made. It's more modern with it's sheer pink and black glittery fabric and shiny, sheer green leaves. It is attached to a clear comb. It's about 3 1/2 inches wide total. I am selling this piece for $10. Please comment or send me an email at jbgaston@memphis.edu if you wish to buy this item. If you need to find out shipping costs, please use the email address provided. We don't want your personal information floating around for all to see. =)


UPDATE: SOLD

February is ume!

I am so excited that February has finally arrived! It means beautiful ume are going to be in bloom soon! But of course, not in Memphis. I will fortunately get to see pretty pictures of those is Japan because of the lovely members of the Immortal Geisha forums who take a plenty of pictures each season and post them on Flickr. But as for me, I have just been enjoying the nice weather here. It's been in the upper 60's and 70's all week long - which is my favorite temperature range. So comfortable, you don't need a heavy jacket (if any), and you're not sweating either. It's so nice! We were supposed to have some bad storms last night through this morning, but it never happened. Not even a clap of thunder. Just rain and A LOT of wind. The university I attend even put out a high wind warning to all of the students. It was quite funny, actually, because we have "TigerTEXT" which is an alert system that texts you when something happens. I was sitting in my Health Assessment lecture class, and everyone checks their phone at the same time because of the text. 200 phones at once. LOL.

Anyway, I decided to get into the February spirit by doing an ume-inspired kitsuke yesterday. The kimono is one that my fiancé bought me for Christmas (at the time seasonally inappropriate), but now it is PERFECT! It is light and dark blue checkerboard with "bouncing" ume blossoms. I paired it with a multi-seasonal beige and multi-colored obi, an orange shibori obiage, an orange and gold obijime, and a big white ume kanzashi. According to the "rules", the obiage and obijime are too formal for a komon and nagoya obi, but, hey, I don't always follow the rules. :)