Summer is almost over.
I’m starting to hear the chirping of Fall insects.

Japanese people also notice the charm of the sounds of birds, insects, wind and rain.

Amigurumi season is approaching again!
And, the World Amigurumi Exhibition is returning again after a 1 year break!

Many unique amigurumi will gather from all corners of the world.

Of course, I will participate in it too!!!
I am in the middle of making my own works now.
I’m sure eveyrone’s going to love them.

This year’s theme is “Endangered Species”.

I thought long and hard about this theme.

As a member of the international community, as a Japanese artist, I would like to advocate the importance to protect the species on the list together with the amigurumi artists around the world at the exhibition.

This time, I would like to talk about my ideas and thoughts of “Protecting endangered and wild animals with Amigurumi”.

“Save the wild animals” is a consistent theme in my works when l create an animal that looks realistic.

In addition, love for animal’s habitat is important as well.

This is an Amigurumi Animal’s head hunting trophy.

The trophy hunter shoots the animals out of vanity and egotistic ideas.

And, they kill it in order to collect a bounty.

Why do you do things like that? That’s terrible!
You ought not to be cruel to animals.

They wanted to live!

“Don’t kill animals!! Please enjoy looking my work instead!!” This work was made with that wish.

This is an Amigurumi Fox (Vulpes) neckpiece.

It was awarded a top prize in the accessory apparel section, Mohair contest in Japan in 2019.

Source: https://www.jhia.org/project/mohair

The concept:
Neckpieces made of fox fur was popular among middle-aged women when I was a kid.

Even as a child, I felt that it was cruel.

In the present, we should respect all lives.
Faux fur is the best.

High quality mohair enables the expression of a wild coat.

I think that it is the ultimate way to protect animals, reproduce them in similar qualities and create a nostalgic neckpiece.

This is an Orangutan amigurumi.

His name is Orang Fujita.

They are being designated as endangered species’.

I started having an interest in the preservation of endangered species or natural areas from the time I created Orang.

It has been three or more years already.

Orang and I are both looking for a way to save orangutan in our own ways.
Please give me your advice if you have any ideas.

By the way, Orang and I joined WWF’s Earth Hour 2019 that Mr. Hiroshi Sasaki (Pro-Naturalist) introduced to me.

https://www.earthhour.org/

I think there are different values, different cultures, and difference in religion in each country.

This is common sense and accepted in the olden days.

As one of them, Japan has long been making handicrafts with ivory.

I play the koto.
The plectrum (used for playing a koto) is made of ivory.

My ivory plectrum is almost 30 years old.
Of course I don’t intend to sell it.
I will value it for the rest of my life.

However, plastic plectrums are now popular for use with the koto.
We have to protect the natural environment.

And, we must preserve endangered and wild animals.

I pursue the possibilities of amigurumi.
Let’s save the animals of world with our amigurumi!

It’s here where I have to say that we could use your help and your insights, your collaborative participation.

With your kindness, we can create a more caring world.

◆ 5th World Amigurumi Exhibition in NY ◆

● December 9, 2019 – March 31, 2020
● RESOBOX LIC (41-26 27th St, Long Island City, NY 11101)

Okay, that’s all for today.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time….. Happy Amigurumi～～～!

Hello, everyone.

It’s so hot, my body’s melting!!!
It has been extremely hot every day in Japan.
The temperature goes up to 95 degrees every day in our town.

Anyway, I want to dunk myself and lie in a pool all day.
This time, I’m happy to announce that I will be changing my artist name from Lumièna to 光恵 (Mitsue) on September 1st, and my new logo is “Ura-botan” (reversed peony) from my Onnamon (Crest).

※The Onnamon is an emblem which is succeeded among the female line (grandmother to mother to granddaughter) in a family.
The women who succeed Onnamon use it on their Kimono with five crests.
Especially in merchant families in the Kansai region, where marriage is seen as a bond between two families, a bride will bring Onnamon to their husbands’ house.

My maternal grandmother’s family home was a Lacquer wholesaler in Senba, Osaka.

She was born into a wealthy family but sadly the old established emporium went bankrupt in the end.
But, the technique of crochetting and the warmth of their handiwork have been passed down from my grandmother to my mother, and from my mother to me.
With “Ura-botan.”

It is a priceless technique and I am deeply moved by how it is handed down and enriching each generation.
I want to continue to treasure it.

My thoughts

I believe that if everyone took up crochet hooks instead of guns, there would be a possibility of world peace.

Because when you crochet something for yourself or for someone special, your mind is in a peaceful world without any violence.

People may say that I am just a dreamer.
However, I would like to share this idea to the world through my work.

I want to inspire people with my creations.
I want people to feel infinite possibilities and how fun yarn can be through my Amigurumi.
I want to spread the joy of crocheting at my workshop.

I will keep making Amigurumi so that people would be interested in crocheting, and wishing everyone remains at peace in their mind.

Okay, that’s all for today.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time….. Happy Amigurumi～～～!

Hello, everyone.

Brrrrr! I’m freezing!!
It’s been very cold these days.
It sometimes snows in our town.

Nonetheless, people say that Okayama prefecture is a relatively temperate area in Japan, so I must say that I am too sensitive to the coldness.
Anyway, I can hardly wait for spring!

This time, I would like to talk about a special days for knitting and crocheting.

Have you heard of the “Day of the hook”?
It’s on November 11. (Unofficial)

Since the shape of the crochet hook is similar to the number 1, a Japanese Amigurumi artist set the date for it.

On this “Day of the Hook,” crochet lovers post photos of their hooks on social media and share the joy and passion for crochet with each other.
Last year, a famous Japanese company called Clover and Hamanaka joined this social media event, too.

Let me show you my posts for the “Day of the Hook.”

This jumbo hook is handmade by my father.
He made this for my mother and she crocheted a scarf for my father.
It’s a very lovely story, isn’t it?

Ta-dah!
These are all the hooks that I have.
You might think that the bamboo hooks are unusual.
I use them every day to make Amigurumi.

I think that the “Day of the Hook” is a simple but fun idea.
I am looking forward to seeing your crochet hooks on November 11!

For knitting lovers, we have a special day called “Day of Knitting” on February 10.

In 1994, the Japanese Knitting Industrial Association established the nationwide “Day of Knitting”.
The way to they decided on the date was through a Japanese pun on the numbers 2 (ni) and 10 (to) which is similar to the sound of “knit.”

On the “Day of Knitting”, yarn shops hold special bargain sales, workshops and knitting circles open in many different places, and some shops would give out discounts if you’re wearing knitted items.
The main idea is to have everybody enjoy knitting together.

My “Day of Knitting” was very relaxing. I spent my time at home, making Amigurumi .

Also, I would like to introduce a book, which was released on the “Day of Knitting”.

It’s called “Gurumers” !!
“Gurumers” is a Japanese Amigurumi fanzine.
Its motto is “A magazine of amigurumers, by amigurumers, for amigurumers.”

Seventeen Amigurumi artists, one illustrator, and one gallery owner (yes, it’s Mr. Ikezawa from RESOBOX of course!) contributed articles for this book.

And I am also one of the contributors.
I wrote about my commitment in Amigurumi production.
The title is “ Lumièna’s Seven Amigurumi Rules”.

This book contains various articles about Amigurumi, – recipes, fresh ideas, and sales advice, etc.

Let me introduce some of the contents from “Grumers.”

●Eyes for Amigurumi
〜 Sizing makes a big difference 〜
●The way to “Only One”
〜 My journey to opening a shop at home〜
●Let’s crochet various type of fingers

Sounds interesting, doesn’t it?
Do you want to read “Grumers”?
I wish you could enjoy this magazine.
However, unfortunately, only the Japanese version has been published.
I hope that an English edition will be released in the near future.

Okay, let’s change topics.

In January, I visited New York City again.
My purpose was, of course, to see World Amigurumi Exhibition and join Vogue Knitting LIVE.
It was my third time visiting NYC.

As I entered the venue of the World Amigurumi Exhibition, all my memories from the first visit vividly came back and made me smile.

The theme for this year is “Dolls for Daily Life” and this is my main work, a “goat tissue dispenser”.

This work won for two categories, “Humor prize” and the “Olympus Thread Co., Ltd. prize” at “Tokai×minne the 1st Handmade Award” (2015).

As you can see, this goat doesn’t eat tissue paper,
Instead the tissue paper can be taken from his mouth.
It’s a very useful and kind goat tissue dispenser for everybody.

RESOBOX has gathered “dolls for daily life” from 120 artists from 40 countries.
All pieces are individually unique and interesting.
The exhibition will be held until the end of March so everyone should come see it!
It’s truly an amazing exhibition!

About Vogue Knitting LIVE, there were lots of people as usual and the hall was full of exciting things to see and so many people!
Both visitors and exhibitors were all smiling and looked very happy.

Many Amigurumi from all over the world were displayed at the RESOBOX booth.
I was very happy to see that people enjoyed the works and looked at them carefully.

Also, I met many wonderful artists there.
I was very impressed by them because they conveyed the beauty of creation and the possibilities of yarn through various knitting techniques and artistic expressions.

I would definitely love to visit Vogue Knitting Live again next year and look forward to seeing everyone there.
Okay, that’s all for today.
Thank you for reading.
Until next time….. Happy Amigurumi～～～!

Hello everyone.
The rainy season has started in Japan.
Since it gets hot and the humidity level has risen, it’s little bit uncomfortable to touch wooly yarn these days…..
But my passion for creation will beat this unpleasant weather! I hope!

This time, I would like to talk about the word “Encounter”.
The story goes back to January 2016.
I was in New York and experienced three encounters.
At that time, I participated in “Vogue knitting LIVE”.
I was walking around the exhibition hall in search of good yarn, while keeping the ambition for a new challenge in my mind.
My challenge was not just to purchase yarn, but as an artist, to negotiate and collaborate with exhibitors.
It was a big challenge for me because my English conversation skills were not good enough to negotiate.

The first encounter was Mrs. Marlene Cicalese  from Angoraonline.com.
She was with her husband and exhibiting very lovely fluffy yarn at their booth.
The couple looked gentle and friendly just like their yarn.
I approached her booth, and build up my courage to talk to her in English.
I tried to request a collaboration with their yarn, but it was very difficult to explain it with my limited English ability.

Furthermore, I have never had that kind of negotiation in my life as an artist.
I felt very apologetic for my limited English, but I tried my best.
She was very patient and tried to understand what I was saying.
Ultimately, she accepted my request.
I was able to purchase their fluffy angora yarn at a discount price under the condition that I use it for my art work.
For my first encounter, Marlene gave me a bit of confidence.

My second experience was with Mrs. Pam Blasko from SHEPHERDS TALK.
I saw a crowded booth with several female staff and lots of happy customers.
There were rare materials on display there.
The booth was called Curly Locks (Staple).
As soon as I touched the yarn, a clear image of white lion’s mane appeared in my mind.
I didn’t hesitate and tried to tell her what I saw.
“I want to make a white lion with your yarn.
I am a famous Amigurumi artist in Japan!
I will make Amigurumi with your yarn and announce your shop’s name on my SNS accounts.
It would be amazing if you could give me a discount!!”
Well, I’m not actually a “famous” artist, I’m sorry.
However, I was very desperate and wanted her to understand my offer.
Eventually, she understood me and accepted my collaboration request.
I am very grateful to her.
She was very kind and patient, and tried to understand what I was talking about.
Through my interaction with Pam, I learned that I can convey my feelings without being fluent English as long as there is passion.

After returning to Japan, I started crocheting Amigurumi using Marlene’s angora yarn and Pam’s locks yarn.

As a personal ritual, I meditate to concentrate my mind before I start creating my artwork.
My heart was telling me to make a wonderful piece with the precious yarn brought back from New York.
While I was crocheting, I often remembered the two encounters.
My tension during the negotiations, excitement, and joy when I was able to convey what I felt. These memories make me smile all the time, and I am able to proceed with my work with happy thoughts.

Here is the completed work.
My special creation made from precious materials and warm friendships.

This type of horse called “Andalusian”.
I named him “Chess knight”.

As I mentioned before, my father is a woodworker.
I asked him to make a wooden base for my horse.
It is another art collaboration based on the love between a father and daughter.
“Chess Night” was exhibited at the gallery in Ginza, Tokyo.

I am very happy and very proud of having participated in this exhibition.

When I reported this wonderful news to Pam, she was very pleased.
I am very delighted to know that she was happy with the success of this collaboration.
Lastly, I am very grateful for these wonderful encounters and I hope to see them again in the near future.

Please check out their lovely yarn!

■ Angoraonline:
https://angoraonline.com/

■ SHEPHERDS TALK:
http://www.shepherdstalk.com/

By the way, you may be wondering what happened to the “White LION”!

After “white horse”, I finished to creating “white lion” and participated in another exhibition.
Here is a picture of my lion.

The third encounter was Mr. Ikezawa from RESOBOX.
The first and second encounters could not have happened without him.
Mr. Ikezawa encouraged me to negotiate with the exhibitors.
“You don’t have to worry about your English ability. You are in New York now! You traveled all the way from Japan, it’s worth to try!!” he said.
I think I was able to meet new challenges by his words and influences.
To think about it, I realize that not only two encounters, but also visiting New York, writing this blog, everything started from my meeting with Mr. Ikezawa.
He is such a wonderful gallery owner and I am very thankful for him.

It takes courage to do something new, right?
I recommend challenging yourself with even just a little bit of courage.
It’s not fun if you just stand around waiting for something to happen.
If you take action and step out from your comfort zone, you will find a new field with wonderful encounters waiting for you!
So, that’s all for today.

Thank you for reading.
Until next time, Happy Amigurumi!!

Hello everyone.

Finally, the Amigurumi season has come again!

This year’s World Amigurumi Exhibition date has been decided too!!

Resobox Gallery will be exhibiting more than 3,000 amigurumi made by 125 artists from 47 different countries.
This year’s theme is “Mixed materials” (over 50% of the materials used in the themed piece must be non-regular straight yarn.)

I always prefer to use fur yarn, woolly felt, wood, glass eyes, and beads for amigurumi.
These are my themed creations.

“Woody Ami-Bear”
Materials used: Fur yarn, Wood, Glass eyes

“Woody Ami-Wanko (doggy)”
Materials used: Fur yarn, Frill yarn, Wood, Glass eyes, Beads

“Woody Ami-Lion”
Materials used: Fur yarn (two different types of fur yarns), Wood, Glass eyes

My father is a woodworker.

Even though he is over 70 years old, he is still very creative and active in his work.

I respect my father as a master craftsman, and he is a source of inspiration in my work as well.

I asked him to make wooden arms and legs for my bears.

It is an art collaboration based on the love between a father and daughter.
Here are my other creations:

“Water Lily light”
Materials used: Lace yarn, LED light

“Octopus brooch”
Materials used: Multifilament yarn, Beads yarn

My Amigurumi are excited for their trip to New York!
I pursue the possibilities of Amigurumi and yarn every day.

Amigurumi can evolve into greater things by combining them with other materials so we should try thinking more outside the box!

I think that I will grow as an artist with that thought in mind.
The beginning of the new Amigurumi world is finally here!!

I’m sure you guys will be able to enjoy it a lot.

Please come visit us!
◆　3rd World Amigurumi Exhibition in NY　◆

• Duration: December 9, 2016 to March 31, 2017
• Location: RESOBOX Gallery in New York
  (41-26 27th St, Long Island City, NY 11101)

…And,

I’m going to New York again this year.

Let’s meet at the Vogue Knitting LIVE and the 3rd World Amigurumi Exhibition!

I am really looking forward to seeing you there!

I will be holding mini workshop at the Vogue Knitting LIVE show on January 13 and 15 in Manhattan.

In addition, I’ll be teaching as a guest instructor at RESOBOX’s weekly crochet and amigurumi class this January 17 at 7:30 PM. Participants will learn how to make Amigurumi Sushi!

I don’t speak English well so you may have trouble understanding me.

But I hope we’ll be able to make cute Amigurumi together.

Okay, that’s all for today.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time….. Happy Amigurumi~~~~!

Hello, everyone.
Today, I would like to take a look back into the World Amigurumi Exhibition Vol.2.

As I mentioned in my last post, I visited NY for the first time to see this exhibition.

I still vividly remember the excitement and joy of entering the Amigurumi heaven.

So many countless Amigurumi from all over the world (46 countries!) were displayed on the walls, and hung from the ceiling.

To join this exhibition, RESOBOX gave artists an interesting theme,  “make an Amigurumi collection that represents something special about your country”.

Something special about Japan ….. humm …..

I thought about this theme.

Various ideas were floating around in my head.

As Japan has a distinct four seasons, Japanese people take great pleasure in the transition of seasons and enjoying seasonal events.

This sensibility to the seasons might be something special about Japan.

After pretty long thought, I decided to crochet “Wagashi” and “Summer in Japan”.

Have you ever had the Japanese sweets called “Wagashi” before?

“Wagashi” are traditional Japanese sweets, which are often served with Japanese green tea.

“Wagashi” tends to focus on the seasons – either mimic a seasonal nature, such as flower or birds, or uses a flavor available only during that time of the year.

This is my Amigurumi, “Sakura Mochi”.

“Sakura Mochi” is a spring sweet, made of pink-colored rice cake (mochi) with a red bean paste (anko) center, and wrapped in a pickled cherry blossom (sakura) leaf.

I proudly showed this at Vogue Knitting live.

Unfortunately, some visitors glanced at this and said “Oh! SUSHI~~~!!”

…. Oh Nooooooo!!　sob sob.

Japanese summer is very hot and humid.

But there are many vibrant events in summer.

People believe that the spirits of their ancestors come back to their homes to be reunited with their family during “OBON”.

Summer festivals and fireworks are essential parts of Japanese summer tradition.

“Kingyo Sukui (Goldfish Scooping) ” is a traditional Japanese game and is very popular for children.

You can find a stall for this activity at summer festivals.

During my NY stay, I went to RESOBOX every evening to see Amigurumi and have a nice dinner.

I enjoyed looking around in the Amigurumi world every day and noticed that so many jellyfish? or octopus? Amigurumi were there.

It seemed very strange to me.

Are jellyfish a recent Amigurumi trend now?

Am I way behind??

Please let me know if anyone knew about this!

In my opinion, Japanese artists tend to pay great attention to details on their work.

Their Amigurumi were representing not only their country but also their local regions.

They cherish all the small details and seem to not worry even if other people don’t understand what their pieces meant.

I received warm local love from Japanese artists’ Amigurumi and felt very proud of it.

“Making Amigurumi that represent something special about your country” was a wonderful theme.

I thought about my country anew and had a great opportunity to know the different cultures from all over the world.

Moreover, the best thing is that I learned everything through the lovely Amigurumi!!

I am already looking forward to joining the next World Amigurumi Exhibition.

Can’t wait!

Okay, that’s all for today.

Thank you for reading.

Until next time….. Happy Amigurumi~~~~!

Hello, everyone.
I’m Mitsue and my artist name is Lumièna.
I make amigurumi as an artist and also as an instructor, teaching people how to make amigurumi – Yes, amigurumi is a large part of my life.
Actually, when I look back on my childhood memories, making something by my hands has always been a large part of my life.

I was born in a small town of Okayama prefecture, which is located west area of Japan.
I was raised there, went to school there, worked there, and got married there-doing all these things while still living in Okayama!

My father loves D.I.Y, my mother loves knitting, and my grandmother loves to grow vegetables in her garden.
I naturally learned the joy of making things from my family.
Because of the influence of my mother and grandmother, I started knitting/crocheting when I was a little girl.

The reason why I started to make amigurumi is very simple.
When I became a mother, I wanted to give my children handmade toys.
I kept trying to create my original amigurumi to make my kids happy.
Then one day, unexpectedly, a shop owner offered me to sell my work at her shop.
That was the first step of my career as an amigurumi artist.

When I make amigurumi, I don’t use any charts or recipes – just to commit the moment and try to keep my inspirations flow.
I prefer unique, vintage, or dead stock yarn rather than ordinary yarn for my amigurumi.
Searching imported yarn on the Internet or checking my mother’s old yarn box is like treasure hunting for me.
My mottos are to pursue the potential of the yarn, and to enjoy every process to become three-dimensional art from a line.

In January, I visited New York City for the first time to see RESOBOX’s World Amigurumi Exhibition.
I was very impressed to see my work along with so many unique amigurumi from all over the world! It was truly an amazing sight.

At the same time, there was another exciting event held in NY, “ Vogue Knitting LIVE”-every knitters’ paradise.
I joined the RESOBOX booth and held SUSHI amigurumi workshops. I also gave a special lecture about Japanese amigurumi during this time.
Having workshops and a lecture in NY is already a huge deal for me, furthermore, performing in English made the pressure even bigger.
But after all, I enjoyed every moment, which made everything become a great experience.
Besides of my duties, I walked around booth to booth and enjoyed shopping for interesting yarns, etc.
My NY stay was only for a week, but that was the most exciting one week ever.
All the people I met there are so sweet and fun.

I will definitely visit NY again near future and hopefully meeting more amigurumi fans there.

Amigurumi culture was born in Japan and now the word “amigurumi” has become an universal language.
I am dreaming to be an amigurumi nomad- holding just one crochet hook in my hand, traveling around the world,  and make amigurumi with the local people.
That would be so amazing!!!!

As you can guess by now, this blog will be all about amigurumi.
I will introduce interesting works of Japanese amigurumi, useful amigurumi tips, sharing my original recipes, etc.
Eventually, I would like to have interviews with amigurumi artists.
Please come back and explore the wonderful world of amigurumi with me.

Last but not least, let me give a shout out to all the people in NY, RESOBOX’s World Amigurumi Exhibition is open until the 31^st of March!
Go there and enjoy the happiest atmosphere with your friends and family.

My amigurumi is waiting there for you.

Okay, that’s all for my first post.

Until next time….. Happy Amigurumi~~~~!