Happy Mothers Day 2015

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY 

"In a gentle way you can shake the world"

-Mahatma Gandhi 

To all the moms and women that inspire us everyday-

taking care of all the important often unnoticed details of life

ever so gently and powerfully making an imprint on the world..

This day is for YOU!  

SUSTAINABLE SUCCULENTS

paired with 

REPURPOSED GIFT WRAPPING 

I collaborated with my very talented girlfriend's succulent floral design studio 

http://www.flourishsucculents.com/

 and packaged a mini succulent arrangement
repurposing sewing patterns as a gift package for Mothers Day. 

The heartfelt intention behind the idea for us was to offer something that generated life symbolizing

the role of moms and woman caretakers for this special occasion: 

succulents to replant and grow and wrapping that brought new life to something otherwise discarded. 

Here's to Mothers Day !

BAY AREA LOCALS

Head to WEST ELM in Strawberry Village Marin May 9th Saturday where Flourish will have a pop up sale featuring not only our work together but a variety of artistic creations of succulents combined with floral arrangements that are "must haves" for the Moms out there.  Her work is stunning! 

Together with Jodi at the Town Center Farmers Market in Marin
Flourish Boutique  

Pochibukuro "Little Bag" Revisited

POCHIBUKURO "Little Bag"  REVISITED

Pochibukuro in Japan is equivalent to the Chinese Red Envelope.  Its an envelope that is used to give money away often for celebratory occasions.  There are so many designs of envelopes sold in Japan for this purpose.

For my workshop in Japan, I introduced the idea of making one's own Pochibukuro imparting a special hand made quality to their money gift giving.  Using old sewing patterns and instruction sheets, we made envelopes with a floral accent.

Idea for a Hand Made Pochibukuro
Equally suitable for gifting a special note or gift card! 

Everyone loved working with old sewing patterns not often seen in Japan 

Feeling Spring "Wrapping" in Japan

"What is the use of a package if its shows no feelings?"

-Hideyuki Oka

In "How to Wrap Five Eggs", Hideyuki Oka poses this simple but profound question. This question both inspires and haunts me in the never ending quest to both recognize and execute packaging that provokes feeling.  

I recently returned from a trip to Japan where I had the wonderful opportunity to give a lecture and workshop on repurposing materials and gift wrapping in Japan through the 

"Shiawase Gakko-Happiness School" 

Felissimo

Felissimo is one of the largest direct marketing/lifestyle goods companies in Japan.  It was through being hosted that I came upon the true meaning behind this quest.  Wrapping and packaging is an attention to detail. The quality of the details determines engagement and feeling: I was invited to a lunch and joining me were Japanese artists that were instructors in various art genres at the school. To my surprise, I came to the table with lunches gift wrapped in cherry blossom pink material!  This is truly a Japanese experience. It provoked a sense of joy and feeling of welcome that I will never forget. Thank you Felissimo! 

Luncheon inspired by the Cherry Blossom Season
Wrapped Lunch Boxes 

Meeting Japanese Artists 

Enjoying lunch in Kyoto 

Thank you for everything to Megumi Higashi
Head of Felissimo's Shiawase Gakko! 

Sushi that evokes both  "feeling" and culinary delight.
A visual and tasteful experience to be remembered!