Now, those of you that know my style or have seen my house don't think of traditional Japan. But, I wasn't thinking of traditional Japanese style. I went right to contemporary Japanese Pop Culture.
I visited Tokyo for 10 days in 2005. While we visited some historical sites, the most memorable parts of our trip were focused on pop culture and food (oh the glorious food!). We spent days (and nights) at Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo Disney Seas, The Ghibli Museum, shopping in Shibuya and Shinjuku, spotting Harajuku girls, seeing underground pop bands, shopping at places like Tokyu Hands, the Kitchen District and the amazing and wondrous department stores. Oh, and the vending machines! I put many a coin in those vending machines.
(Photo from 8Tokyo.com)
No one, no where, does pop culture like the Japanese.....and I adore it all. The odd thing about my love of Japanese Pop Culture is that I am pretty much CLUELESS about American Pop Culture. But, I find all things "Kawaii" (ie" Super Cute in Japanese) to be amazing. The bold (and extravagant) use of color and pattern is way out of my comfort zone (and I'm not shy) and minimalism is an unknown commodity. Harajuku Cosplay has gotten quite popular in the US recently and it is amazing and inspiring to see in person. There's a whole Flickr Group devoted to Harajuku fashion.
So, that's where I started - with Japanese Pop Culture and a bunch of stuff from my stash. Luckily, i have a ton of vintage lucite, lots of plastic, some toys from Japan and lots of other beads to work with from my ever-growing vintage (ie: hoarder) collection. It didn't start out to be as easy as I thought it would be, however. I've been working mostly with art beads, fibers, leather and other more "earthy" elements lately. Apparently, I've toned down my style! I made, tore apart, re-made, tore apart my first piece several times - and it is still my least favorite piece of the trio I ended up with. But then, I got my groove back and I went a little nuts. So, yes, there are 3 pieces here (and I really could have made more). Oh, and I'm still futzing with photography. And by futzing, I mean cussing.
Here's my first (and more sedate) piece. The colors are so not me. I must have been channeling Martha Stewart here. But, the vintage lucite, the plastic flowers, the My Elements rubber rings and the sweet blue owls are lots of fun.
Then I went nuts. Plastic dinosaurs from earrings I used to wear in 1984, more plastic flowers, a string devil doll, a Gloomy Bear from a Japanese vending machine capsule, more vintage lucite, random glass flowers, more My Elements stash, and - oh look - a couple of Elaine Ray art beads.
My last piece was more gothic inspired with a Disney twist. I seem to have quite a collection of Little Green Men (from Toy Story). I got most of these in Japan and, while I haven't been wearing them lately, I seem to never trow anything out. So, these guys got mixed with vintage American vending machine baubles, more vintage lucite, My Elements plastics and rubber and some (almost eatable) vintage glass beads.
I'm just crazy enough that I will wear 2 our of 3 of these. Martha Stewart can have the pastel bracelet. ;)
There are 59!!! bloggers on this blog hop. It may take be a few days but I will visit each and ever one of these sites. Enjoy your own journey!
Lisa
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Region Chosen
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Inspiration Nation
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Monique Urquhart
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Africa
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Burkina Faso
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Niky Sayers
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Africa
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Egypt
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Therese Frank
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Africa
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Kenya
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Raychelle Heath
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Africa
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Lesotho
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Joan Williams
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Africa
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Mauritania
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Sherri Stokey
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Africa
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Senegal
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Regina Santerre
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Africa
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Seychelles
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Raida Disbrow
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Africa
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Tanzania
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Kristi Wodek
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Africa
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Zimbabwe
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Sally Russick
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Americas
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Brazil
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Melissa Trudinger
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Americas
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Mexico
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Tracy Stillman
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Americas
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USA
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Sandra Wolberg
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Asia
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India
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Tanya Goodwin
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Asia
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Japan
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Susan Kennedy
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Asia
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Japan
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Asia
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Japan
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Lisa Cone
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Asia
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Japan < Here U R!
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Tanya Boden
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Asia
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Japan
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Inge von Roos
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Asia
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Laos
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Nepal
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Dee Elgie
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Asia
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Asia
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Lisa Stukel
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Elly Snare
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Thailand
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Ireland
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Toltec Jewels
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Ireland
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Ireland
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Norway
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Poland
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