When I was flying out of Japan after the earthquake Mr Y said I should pop into Terminal 1 at Narita and spend some waiting time at the Aoyama Book Centre shop (usually one of my favourite places to browse through Design and Craft books). It struck me at that moment that had completely lost interest in anything craft. I was numb after the quake and couldn't imagine enjoying anything like craft when so many people in Northeastern Japan were suffering. A week later I still felt the same. But I began to receive emails from my Japanese clients (who were still working as usual) that said 'I need to continue to stay strong and positive for the future of Japan'. Emails like this brought tears to my eyes and I'm now trying to do my best to bring some part of normal crafty Hello Sandwich back for this reason. I hope you won't mind.
The lovely team at VOGUE Japan commissioned me to make some paper craft for their latest issue (on sale now). I created a paper obento box and a series of okazu (side dishes) for the VOGUE Angels supplement which comes with VOGUE Japan May 2011 issue.
Thank you Mogu for the photographs.
You can also view the Hello Sandwich Paper Bento online at Vogue.co.jp here.
Online you will also find a little bento video I made.
Special thanks to Yasu Hatakeyama for the original music and Rhys Turner for the photography. x
Also in the VOGUE Japan May 2011 issue are two pages of little paper Okazu (side dishes) that I made. So be sure to pop into your bookshop or newsagents and pick up a copy of VOGUE Japan May 2011 or buy online here.
For those of you who like making craft, I also made a little 'Handmade kit' (Japanese only) so you can print it out and make your own okazu! Click here to download and enjoy.
Love Love
Hello Sandwich
xoxo
love love!! :-)))
ReplyDeleteIt is difficult to return to the normal routines after such a terrible disaster but life must go on. Congratulations on VOGUE Japan!
ReplyDeletesweet <3
ReplyDeleteSo cute! I love that type of paper craft :D I hope I can find a copy.
ReplyDeleteVery cool and love the paper bento box.
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Saw it, love it :)!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so proud to be in it as well, jeeee
Ah, so lovely..it's always hard to be creative when you're going through horrible stuff, but it helps to focus on something and it can help heal your heart...slowly :( xx
ReplyDeleteI'll definitely be snapping up a copy of Vogue Japan!
ReplyDeleteI totally lost my mojo since the March 11 earthquake/tsunami. And like you I was inspired to continue with my work (writing a PhD on an aspect of Japanese history) because of my Japanese friends enthusing me to do so. We are very lucky to have such extraordinary friends and to know Japan so intimately.
がんばれ
Olivia
omg you made that ebony! thats so nice!!!
ReplyDeletei love how simple and crafty it is from paper!
continue to take care <3
I love the paper bento! All it needs is a drop of paper soy! Also, I never knew Mr Y made music (between that and detective-style hunting down Grace's phone, what can't he do??) So perfect that Vogue would be featuring this! Congrats Ebony! Looking forward to the upcoming delightful things you will be creating for the magazine.
ReplyDeleteThese are so beautiful!! Keep strong dear lady.
ReplyDelete頑張ってください ！
ReplyDeleteI think it's ok to start to return life to normal, it's a step toward recovery for everyone.
ReplyDeleteVery cool little bento, it made me hungry :)
Your work is just honestly, AMAZING. Seriously!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that despite all the unbelievable things that have been going on in Japan and elsewhere you are able to bring such adorableness and creativity to this world!
how wonderful, congrats! It looks super kawaii but for some reason the video doesn't play on my screen!
ReplyDeleteyour post just gave me goose bumps!! so true!! for the future of japan, the people who are able to continue supporting the country/people, should ban together, stay strong and keep pressing forth! really love the work that you've been doing! so inspiring~ please stay safe + thank you for all that you've been doing~
ReplyDeleteSo cute HellloSandwich San, as always!
ReplyDeleteOh! I had tweeted about my NEED to get this issue. That Chanel was my favourite from that collection - and the Moss.
ReplyDeleteAnd now I see your gorgeous paper crafts are featured! It's a must.
Thank you for the amazon link - I was unsure how to get a copy.
Now to navigate my way through the payment process :)
Thank you for posting this.
Perhaps the 'normality' of these posts will come a little easier when you're home.
Keeping busy is the best way to get through tough times xxx
Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteBest wishes with your eventual return.
I plan on going back to Japan too, a visit, but the people and country in general is way too nice to not support.
For some reason I keep thinking of the resilience of the people in Hiroshima...evidence that Japan can rise again.
omg, the two videos made me well up with tears, thanks for sharing. nice work on the bento box, love seeing paper crafts.
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean! I had been feeling so down, and couldn't think of doing anything 'upbeat'. Until I realized my friends in Japan were still going to work to help my music over there, and seeing Japanese people going to work every day in Los Angeles, knowing the hardships that their friends + family are going thru in Japan... made me realize that I need to be strong like them too! 'when you keep your head up, you can see wider, farther'
ReplyDeleteCute, cute, cute bento paper craft! How cool is Vogue Japan? I wish it wasn't so expensive to get in the U.S. - so cool and creative! Stay strong, Ebony! Your blog brightens many a day for readers all over the world!
ReplyDeletehow lovely! yes staying positive is perhaps one of the ways to support these days.
ReplyDeleteWow! I love this, I can't stop smiling while looking at them. How lovely
ReplyDeleteits wonderful...
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