Ojamiya

Quilts for Japan

2011-04-12T09:12:00.001-05:00

Quilts. Such amazing examples of delicately pieced works of art. (I never imagined myself making a quilt. Far too precise for me.)

I'd been scouring the internet for something tangible I could do to help the people in the devastated areas of Japan. When I came across the Call for Quilts for Japan from Quilters Newsletter - it was then I knew I'd be diving into this new craft. My local fabric store was awesome and so helpful! I wasn't sure where to begin or even what pattern might be a good first project, but they helped me find a simple pattern, the batting and backing, and the nifty even feed foot that helped sew through the many layers. There wasn't time to have a long arm quilter quilt it. So I ventured out and tried that too. (Two days of wrangling the many layers to quilt it!)

The process really gave me respect for those who choose this art form as their expression. Wow, it's a lot of work!

Today the little quilt will be shipped out with a note to it's recipient. I'm so excited to have it done and ready to start the first part of it's journey.

Maki, bless her heart, helped me translate the note into Japanese. Here's the message in English.

Even though we've never met and we're half a world apart, with every stitch of this quilt you've been thought of and prayed for. It's my first quilt. I chose the 8 pointed star for luck and red as the background color for happiness. My hope is that this quilt will bring you comfort and warmth.

My Heart Goes Out to Japan

2011-03-17T17:20:00.003-05:00

In the wake of the March 11th devastating 9.0 earthquake, resulting monstrous tsunami, continual after shocks, nuclear plant troubles, power blackouts and tremendous difficulties getting supplies to areas that need them most - my heart is absolutely broken for Japan.

I know Japan will come out of this stronger than before. The Japanese people are amazing in their strength and resilience.

In the mean time, I want to do all I can to help - even though I'm thousands of miles away.

If you haven't donated to help our neighbors in Japan, please consider doing so. Here are a few links for you - to make it nice and easy.

Maki (author of Just Bento and Just Hungry blogs) has put together a terrific list of legitimate agencies and groups that are providing help.

Google created an information page with donation info, missing person info, transportation and power updates, etc.

I know the big fund raiser is usually the Red Cross. But one of my favorites, the Salvation Army is also working in Japan. Japan is used to being on the giving end and not the receiving end of work from the Salvation Army. But now the Salvation Army has disaster teams active in Japan and easy ways to donate to the help efforts.

The Girl Scouts (and I am a brand new Daisy Troop leader) is also doing what they can. Donations can be made to help out and paper cranes as an expression of support and friendship can be made and sent - here's the news clip.

My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected in Japan. Japan - know that you are thought of with love every single day. I wish I could do more for you.

被災された方々に、心よりお見舞い申し上げます。
I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to all Japanese people suffering from this disaster.

Shop Closure

2011-03-17T16:58:00.000-05:00

After much deliberation, I finally closed my shop. It will remain closed at least until summer. This wasn't an easy decision as I love running my shop because of the awesome people and customers that I come in contact with and the fun challenge of entrepreneurship.

There are so many changes in my family's life right now and I'm heading back to work this month, I needed to simplify. I'll still post here on the blog and will of course post if I'm able to re-open my shop.

A Just for Fun Sale!

2011-03-04T08:28:00.001-06:00

Every once in a while at completely random times I like to have a sale as a little party for my customers. Today starts the "Just for Fun Sale" at Ojamiya. 10% off with the coupon code OJAMIYA10PERCENT. Enjoy!

On the personal front, I finished stitching the traditional design sashiko sampler I designed while listening to Owner's Share by Nathan Lowell. The story, as with all by Mr. Lowell, was enjoyable. Though I was left with a sadness that I'd not felt from any other book. So go enjoy the story - but grab your kleenex box! If you haven't read or listened to his other books - the first is Quarter Share and by far my favorite.

Another note on the personal front, I'm looking into trying my hand at substituting in the school district here. (Teaching and clerical work.) As much as I like being a stay at home mom and running my little shop, I think I need to get out more!!! Cross your fingers for me that I don't get scared off the first day!

Work in Progress - Sashiko Sampler with 3 Traditional Designs

2011-02-28T09:45:00.000-06:00

Striving for perfection. It's a blessing some times. Working through beautiful crafts and knowing your hands did the work for the final product is so rewarding. Sashiko is a pretty simple craft, but perfecting it takes time and practice. I'm putting in my dues so I can feel more confident teaching, so I'll be ready for the next course when it's available, and so I can help keep this craft alive.

Currently I'm working through a new sampler that I finished designing this week. Started it Saturday and I'm one third of the way though. Considering the lack of time I've had to work on crafts - it's good progress. (Archery, science fairs, game days, etc - can't escape them and that time with family and friends is why I'm a stay at home mom. ;)

I'm working through quite a few samplers of late and wondering what should be the final project to use them and combine them. Currently I'm thinking a lap blanket. (I have WAY too many bags - so those are out!) Adding them into an apron design could be fun too. Any other ideas?

The PDF version of this Sashiko Sampler with 3 Traditional Designs is available in my shop. Stitching order instructions are included.

What projects are you working on lately?

Thoughts on Dealing with Boredom During Exercise

2011-02-23T09:36:00.000-06:00

True Confession: I'm not a big fan of just exercising for the heck of it. I'd much rather be a couch potato.

But I see the weight I gain year after year and know the complications coming (i.e. more knee surgeries - ICK!) I don't mind walking though. So I started walking the kidlets back and forth to school in good weather. It ended up being about 3 miles a day for me. I really looked forward to this - it gave me time to talk with the kiddos since there was nothing to distract us from talking and I could listen to a book or a language lesson after dropping them off and walking back by myself.

What about the times I can't walk them to school? Well this has been a real struggle. Finally hubby and I found an inexpensive manual treadmill, Wow it's a work out because I'm always walking "uphill". Lately, I've been working on my shop while I walk. (I plopped a board across the handles of the treadmill and put my keyboard and mouse there. Then I tilt my monitor back a bit and increase the font in the windows I'm working on.) Working on the computer while I walk really takes my mind off being tired and lets me get in 100 calories of exercise pretty quickly.

Just make sure you keep your hands on something so you don't trip and go headfirst into your keyboard. If both my hands are on the keyboard on the board across the handle bars of my treadmill, I'm pretty steady. But if I use the mouse, my other hand goes to the handle under the board.

Next Confession: I wrote this post while walking!

I hope this may be of help to others also struggling to find ways to exercise. ;)

New Printable Sashiko Pattern - Geek Style!

2011-02-22T09:04:00.000-06:00

Mashing one of my favorite hobbies and Android fan geek-ness together for this new printable sashiko design was an absolute blast!

Here I stitched the sampler to show that you don't just have to use a single color. This one was meant for you to let your hair down and get a little crazy with. :)

The pattern is available here in my Etsy shop. It's easy to trace and easy to stitch.

Now to ponder what other crazy designs should be put into sashiko patterns. Any suggestions?

All Things Zakka and Kawaii Treasury

2011-02-21T08:01:00.000-06:00

Treasury for the new team All Things Zakka and Kawaii that I just joined. It's a brand new team and I wanted to bring a little attention and love.

Sneak Peek - Geekery Project and Shop Update

2011-02-14T11:47:00.001-06:00

Hey Hey! It's been a while - but I'm back!

Ojamiya has come out of a spurt of "growing pains" since in January I opted to focus on my favorite parts of the shop - sashiko, otedama and fabrics. Don't get me wrong here, I still love bento and make bento lunches for my kids most every day. But making bento products was consuming all day every day and wasn't as fun anymore. My shop needs to be fun to run so I'm cutting back.

By the way, I have my old stock of bentos on ebay for sale (wholesale prices), if anyone is interested. Great BPA free bentos and FREE shipping!

Thought I'd share my latest project. Being a geek rubs off in my crafting sometimes - and it does today...

It's a pattern I'm testing out before listing it for sale as a printable pattern and pre-traced sampler.

In other news, I'm also having fun designing fabrics and have several available for sale at Spoonflower. I hope to have some of these in stock in my own shop in eco-friendly prints soon.

Pardon the dust...

2011-02-11T13:10:00.001-06:00

Hey everyone! Please pardon the moving dust as I setup over at blogger. Things should be back to normal very soon!

Year of the Rabbit

2011-01-01T06:04:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year and Year of the Rabbit to you! May this year be a blessing and a fortunate year for you! For my family and I and my shops I see it as a year of fun changes. The change my shop has to start off the new year with is that I have a brand new sewing machine - to replace my 30+ year old well worn and loved one. (Woo hoo!) My shops will likely be changing direction some what too. But I'm still in the mulling it over stages.

What changes are you and your shops making this year?

Step Away From the PBJ #15: Thermos Food Jars!

2010-12-16T02:13:00.001-06:00

Today I had one of those revelatory "duh" moments. I almost slapped my forehead as I asked myself, "Why didn't I think of this before?" I'd been drooling over the Mr. Bento sets and wanting to pack warm lunches for my kids. It's getting to the coldest part of the winter for us and we're expecting more -15F weather soon. :p

At the beginning of the school year we purchased Thermos stainless steel insulated food jars. I didn't want warm foods in plastics and Thermos brand jars are BPA free. I'd been saving the food jars for a warm soup day.

Yesterday we had soup leftovers, so I packed soup in the food jars we had and it worked well. This morning was a rush trying to get lunches packed, the truck to the mechanic, and kids to school. I quick made some oatmeal with dried fruit, cinnamon and a bit of brown sugar - and popped it in the thermos jars. (My kids were ecstatic. Oatmeal is in their top 10 list.) Sorry, no picture - to crazy today.

I didn't think much of it until I was driving back from the morning's chaos. It occurred to me that Thermos jars can hold anything and keep it warm or cold. DUH! I'd just not been thinking about it right.

My food jars can be used to send warm meals (beyond soup and oatmeal). I think I'll try a simple rice and meat based bento next. I can't wait to try it! (Will tacos fit in there?)

What would you pack in an insulated food jar?

(P.S. Yes I picked the Star Wars picture - because we have THAT jar. )

Shop Closed for the Holidays

2010-12-09T14:39:00.000-06:00

Hey everyone! I thought I'd be able to keep my shop open much later this season. There are some good things in my life that are of pressing importance right now, so I hope you'll understand the early closure.

Thank you to everyone who has made this shop year an incredibly special one. I am so grateful to you all!!!!

I hope you all have a wonderful and blessed Christmas and New Year!

hugs,

Amy

Sale in my shops!

2010-12-01T02:07:00.000-06:00

Ojamiya, my little Etsy shop has been with me now for almost a year and a half. It's my birthday week and there's quite a few holiday shoppers needing a little cheer. So I put my entire shop on sale 30% off. This is a one time only thing, since I've been truly blessed this year and am enjoying sharing.

I'm also running a sale in my Amazon store on my favorite bento boxes - the Gel Cool and Artemis boxes. It's not a percentage off sale, but a good discount on those items. ;)

Happy Holidays everyone!

Step Away From the PBJ #14: Your Influence on Others

2010-11-16T05:03:00.001-06:00

This morning was more relaxed than most mornings around here, so I chatted with my hubby as he finished packing a lunch today. (Packing a lunch for him is a rare occasion, as he usually comes home for lunch.) But he packed a lovely little bento! I was so pleasantly surprised that I wouldn't let him out the door until I got a picture of it.

He packed: orange, pear, peas, pomegranate, home grown black cherry tomatoes, cheese, beef with a bit of horseradish, and a tiny bit of chocolate in the red foil wrapper.

I knew my family liked bento lunches. But I was really struck by the fact that packing this healthy style of lunch is now normal for us. When we were first married, he talked about taking the most awful things in his lunches. Bologna and NutraSweet sandwiches - I kid you not! How things have changed!

I've influenced my family and they are influencing the people they eat with. Have you influenced others with your lunches or were you influenced by someone who brought a special lunch? Tell us your story - we'd love to hear it!

Guest Post for EcoEtsy - Setting Up a Shop Page on Your Blog

2010-11-12T04:53:00.000-06:00

A shop page can really help bring people to your shop from your blog or website. It's a great way to show off your products! Over on the EcoEtsy team blog, I shared a few techniques for "Setting Up a Shop Page on Your Blog". Check it out and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Japan Fans Gift Guides for Etsy and Artfire all under $50!

2010-10-27T05:05:00.001-05:00

Japan-o-philes are a serious niche to be reckoned with. I'm finding more and more of us all the time. So I thought it would be good for those buying gifts for this niche to have some direction and suggestions. So I now proudly present my affordable Etsy and Artfire Gift Guide for Japan fans with items under $50!

First up delectable finds from Etsy.

Selections from my shop on Etsy:

And here are my favorite Japan selections from Artfire:

Selections from my shop on Artfire:

I hope you've enjoyed this guide and find it useful. I plan on making one for Amazon in the near future.

Shop Updates

2010-10-20T03:37:00.000-05:00

I had the pleasure of making my second Kiva micro loan to a group that runs a store in Kyrgystan.

Awesome new Etsy tool and a Sale!

2010-10-08T03:45:00.000-05:00

Etsy on Sale is a seriously cool new tool using Etsy's API. You can schedule a sale in your Etsy shop or for a specific section and tell it the details - and it takes care of it for you. Also Etsy on Sale gives you a page of your sale items, helping to add links to your shop for SEO. So simple and easy to use! And I just used it ...

I haven't had a sale in eons! So to celebrate my new Ojamiya line of handmade sashiko samplers, I'm having a 10% off sale on sashiko supplies in my Artfire and Etsy stores! Check out the famed pages below for quick access to my shops.
[pageview http://www.artfire.com/modules.php?name=Shop&sc_id=105870&seller_id=89362&op=new "Ojamiya on Artifre" Sashiko Supplies on Sale]
[pageview http://www.etsyonsale.com/shop/ojami "Ojamiya on Etsy" Sashiko Supplies on Sale]

Around the Web: Inspiring School Lunch Ideas on PBS Parents

2010-10-03T15:00:00.000-05:00

PBS Parents has a new section called "Kitchen Explorers" that encourages parents to make things in the kitchen with their kids. It's run by Alice Currah of Savory Sweet Life fame and Aviva Goldfarb founder of the Six O'clock Scramble.

Aviva posted a fun set of lunch ideas in her post, "Inspiring School Lunch Ideas".

So far I'm really enjoying the new site and I'm tempted by the baked homemade tortilla chips and the granola recipies. (Good warm fresh tortilla chips are my vice - and these are healthier than the fried ones I've made before.) Check it out!

Guest Post: Using “Redirect” to Make Your Website a Hub for Your Shop

2010-10-01T01:42:00.000-05:00

I've been tinkering lately with making my site here a hub for my various shops on Etsy, Artfire, Amazon, etc. Perhaps my tinkering will be of help to others too? So I submitted the first article in a short set called "Using “Redirect” to Make Your Website a Hub for Your Shop" to the Eco Etsy team blog. This article will really only be applicable for those who have a hosted site. But the next article, on setting up a place where all your shops link from and have images of your items there, should have tips with a broader reach.

Enjoy!

Recommendations: Lip Balm from Five Seed on Etsy

2010-09-21T01:00:00.001-05:00

Yummy! I won a lip balm from Five Seed in her Facebook giveaway. It's become one of my very favorite lip balms! This "flavor" is sweet rosemary and has a lovely hint of orange to it. What I really love is that her products are safe and natural. Check out Five Seed if you'd like to try some too. (I know I'll be wanting more when mine is gone!)

Post NCFF and the Need for a Nap!

2010-09-20T09:10:00.001-05:00

Whew! I'm back from North Country Fiber Fair. What a wonderful time! I love to go up there every year, but this was my first time selling, teaching, and staying the whole weekend.

Two of my friends (Ruth of Spinning Doggies Designs and Meghan of MAB Originals) and I setup shop in the fiber craft fair. Having 3 of us really helped in setup/take down and booth coverage for when we attended classes and when I taught the beginning sashiko class. Here's what our little booth looked like.

We didn't sell terribly much, but did make back the booth fees and hotel costs. Despite that, it was so much fun. Getting to see people again, taking classes, learning new crafts, and helping people learn new things were very important parts of the experience for us. We also took notes of what seemed to work and what we could improve for next year.

The Beginning Sashiko class went very well. My 4 students were all eager to learn - including a young girl I'm guessing was about 12. I came back so excited from teaching my class, that the exuberance was catchy. Now we're all planning to teach multiple classes next year and have a booth there again.

The delightful people next to us - Dragon Craft Spindles had awesome spindles (and I succumbed to buying one) and a superb live silk moth display.

The one class I was able to take was the Saori weaving class by Saori Studio FUN, just for curiosity and to try something completely new. My friend Bobbi had taken this class last year it looked so fun! Just letting things flow does not come natural to me. I felt quite proud of my self for just experimenting and seeing what came of random things in my weaving.

Dan (at left most loom) and Chiaki (at right most loom) are terrific and very encouraging teachers. (My big purchase at the fair was the shrug/wrap in blue by Chiaki. The piece called to me and fell in love with the weaving technique.)

After a weekend of little sleep, I'm in serious need of a nap!

Shop Updates: NCFF here we come!

2010-09-17T06:00:00.001-05:00

Today I head out for North Country Fiber Fair and I'm incredibly excited! Several friends and I are sharing a booth and it will be a blast hanging out with them for the whole weekend. (I've never had "time off" from being a mom for more than 24 hours.)

Spots are still available in the Beginning Sashiko class I'll be teaching and several other classes have spots yet too. I'm hoping to firm up which classes I can take too today - just need to confirm schedules with my vending cohorts.

I'll be featuring some new products at the fiber fair too - focused on the sashiko theme. Here's a sneak peek.

I'll also have make your own furoshiki kits with tying instructions, but I didn't have time to photograph those.

When I'm back I'll post a report of the fair and of the spiffy lip balm I won in a giveaway from Five Seed. (Fab lip balm!)

Around the Web: Our Best Bites - Ideas for Packing a Lunch

2010-09-12T04:13:00.000-05:00

Our Best Bites has a terrific post in their kids week series "Ideas for Packing a Lunch" with ideas for lunch, snack and drink containers and lunch suggestions. Her tea party sandwiches are adorable and like me, Kate's a supporter of leftovers! Check it out and let her know how you found her site Our Best Bites.