What is a Japanese Kokeshi Doll ?

I love traditional Japanese Kokeshi Dolls, and if you know of my work you will have seen that much of my original artwork and craft products are variations on these lovely figurines.

So what is a traditional Japanese Kokeshi Doll ? 

 

The traditional Japanese Kokeshi doll is made of wood, has a cylindrical body and a round head, usually with the head disproportionally large when compared to the body. These beautiful wooden dolls originated in the Tohoku region of Japan at some point between the 16th to 18th centuries. They were made by woodworking artisans (known as Kijiya) to sell to tourists, and because they were handcrafted and hand-painted, no two traditional dolls are the same.

Kokeshi doll beauty is in their simplicity, typically they have very simple facial features, sometimes literally only a few basic lines depicting eyes and mouth, and simple patterned themes on the body (commonly simple floral designs). Antique dolls originally were decorated in red and black, occasionally yellow.

Kokeshi Dolls are still being handcrafted today,  new designs tend to be more brightly coloured but are still based on the same simplistic design and can be found widely in craft shops and online.

You can take a look at some of my Kokeshi Doll inspired artwork and craft items on my webpage at www.deejavu.co.uk

 

What is an Etsy Mini?

If you have an Etsy shop and have your own personal website or blog then you should advertise your shop using an Etsy Mini.

You can also use this if you are a buyer to create a feature of your favourite items.

How do I make one?

To build your own Etsy Mini, go to Your Shop (link at the top of the page) > Etsy Mini (in the Promotions section in the left hand menu on the page ).

If you are a buyer on Etsy and would like to create an Etsy Mini with your favourite items . . . . go to Your Account > Etsy Mini.

You can select different settings for how your Etsy Mini will appear adding additional rows and columns depending on the width of your Etsy Mini.

The top row in the Etsy Mini will display your featured listings, then the most recently listed items from your shop in the additional rows. If you chose to show your Favorite items, the Etsy Mini will display those items which were added to your Favorites most recently.

Once you like how it looks, copy the code and paste it into the HTML for your blog or other web site . . . it's easy

Here's mine in thumbnail view so you can see what it looks like, you can also choose a gallery view that has larger images and includes titles and prices for your items.

http://www.etsy.com/shop/deejavuart

I think this is a great advertising tool, check it out for your Etsy store

Kute Keyrings

 

My Oomilloe Handmade Novelty Keyring

Are these not the best keyring ever? Individually handmade, each Oomilloe (ooo-mill-ooo) is unique with their own special character, no two are the same.

Each Oomilloe keyring measures 8 x 4 cm, has two button eyes and comes with a silver split-ring

A great novelty gift wouldn't you agree?

Oomilloe keyrings are available for sale in my Etsy store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/deejavuart?section_id=11741838

And also in store at: A Touch of Glass, 78 High Street, Godstone, Surrey, UK

Pictures of my Oomilloe collection can be viewed in my Facebook gallery: http://www.facebook.com/DeejavuArtandDesign

My Oomilloe Novelty Bath Sponge

Check out my latest range of novelty handmade gifts - new Oomilloe Bath Sponges

Measuring 16 x 10 cm, each one is individually handmade. They are filled with sponge and covered in bold design towelling fabric. Ideal for use in the bath or shower and are fully machine washable.

A great novelty gift. Check out the full range in my Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop/deejavuart?section_id=11741838

Etsy Shop Widget

Check out this nice little widget I have discovered . . . . it can be created in a few easy steps and allows you to feature your Etsy shop or Treasury list on Blogger, Typepad, Tumblr, self-hosted Wordpress blogs, or your own website.

Here is the link to craftcult.com - try it out:  http://www.craftcult.com/shop_widget.php?u= 

All you have to do is enter your shop name, pick a style and what you want to be featured and then copy and paste the created html code into your site.

You even have a choice of themes, take a look at my Etsy shop widget below and give it a go yourself . . .

OMG Oomilloes

That's right Oomilloes (ooo-mill-ooo) - I realised that I have not shared on my blog my handmade toy collection. They came about while making some of my handcrafted cushions, having a multitude of fabric scraps and padding left over I decided to create some mini pillow toys, and so Oomilloes were born.

They started out as just small pillows, the linking rings were a later, and popular addition. Measuring approximately 7 inches x 4 inches (18 x 10cm), your Oomilloe has a removable washable cover and polyester filled cushion pad, each comes with a colourful safe plastic linking ring so that your new friend can hang around with you wherever you go

Each Oomilloe is unique with their own special character, they are individually handmade so no two are the same. Check out the current range for sale in my Etsy Store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/deejavuart?section_id=11741838

And coming soon will be a range of Oomillow keyrings and bath toys . . . watch this space :0)

 

Japanese Kokeshi Doll Greetings Cards from Original Artwork

Time seems to have run away from me lately and I can't believe that I have been away from my blog for a week. I am looking to get some of my new artwork created into greetings cards and have spent time playing with photographs and sizes and trying to decide which would work well. It made me think about sharing my current range of cards reproduced from four of my favourite Kokeshi doll canvasses.

 My Kokeshi Doll Cards are large 8x6 inch (A5) cards printed onto thick 330 micron semi-gloss Trucard. I had them printed with a white border with no wording or graphics added to the front so that they can be made into prints for framing if desired.

They are currently for sale in my Etsy shop either individually, in packs of two, or a value pack of all four cards.

Here is the link if you would like to check out the entire range: http://www.etsy.com/shop/deejavuart?section_id=11708557

If you would like to take a look at the original artwork it can be viewed in the gallery on my website: www.deejavu.co.uk