dear plastic

We are in Sydney!

2012-02-05T13:40:00.000+11:00

We came back in Sydney on 2nd February. We learned lots of things during this trip, also we got lots of things we would like to study.

This is one of them, the organic certificate label by USDA (United States Department of Agriculture). This label means the product is (or more than) "90% organic". However we don't get what "90% organic" means?
We will slowly start studying about these.

South Kona Green Market

2012-01-27T19:59:00.000+11:00

A local farmers market in Captain Cook, Hawaii island, HI.

http://www.skgm.org

WWOOF

2012-01-15T09:15:00.000+11:00

In Honaunau-Napoopoo we are staying, in Hawaii, we found a great organization of WWOOF.

From their website:
WWOOF is a world wide network of organisations.
We link volunteers with organic farmers, and help people share more sustainable ways of living.
WWOOF is an exchange - In return for volunteer help, WWOOF hosts offer food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
WWOOF organisations link people who want to volunteer on organic farms or smallholdings with people who are looking for volunteer help.

Our host, Steve, is a member of WWOOF too.

Another organic farm we purchased a bag of fresh leaf mix. She picked fresh leaves from the garden for us.

EAMES

2012-01-11T19:58:00.001+11:00

EAMES office sign in Los Angeles.

We watched a movie "EAMES:The Architect and the Painter" in New York. Another movie "Objectified trailer", we watched it in San Francisco, also talks some about EAMES. Then we decided to visit EAMES office and EAMES house in Los Angeles.

The office (show room and exhibition) is old style but inspiring for us.

CREATIVITY EXPLORED

2012-01-04T20:25:00.001+11:00

A gallery, studio and shop, the next door to NEEDLES & PENS. They support the artists with developmental disabilities. We purchased some small pictures on cardboard. We love them and will frame them after we get back to Sydney.

http://www.creativityexplored.org

NEEDLES & PENS

2011-12-29T07:02:00.000+11:00

We found a cute shop named "NEEDLES & PENS" in San Francisco. They have lots of art zines and cute crafts. We purchased a zine "STROM" by NIGEL PEAKE. The drawings on the shop windows are his artworks from his last show there.

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

2011-12-23T19:17:00.001+11:00

This is another farmers market in front of the San Francisco's Ferry Building. We didn't buy anything here this time, but we like some shops in the building. We tried sea bass sandwich and coffee from the fish shop and the coffee shop. We really like them.

right hand side of the building

left hand side of the building

mushroom shop

fish shop

coffee shop

Art and Nature

2011-12-21T07:23:00.008+11:00

Hello! This is Karin! We stayed with her in Istanbul. She is Danish. She is a graphic designer and art teacher but her past work includes Turkish restaurant owner and chef in Germany, children's book illustrator and Primary school teacher.

She now runs children's art classes in a studio in the front of her house along the Bosphorus in Istanbul.

Her class ideas are based around Art and Nature. All materials are recycled. She gathers inspiration from her love for animals and nature and is passionate about nurturing children's creative freedom. We were so inspired by what she was doing. Thanks Karin!

This is where old containers are kept and recycled for later projects, it says:

"Don't throw anything away, there is no 'away' "

Grand Lake Farmers Market

2011-12-20T06:45:00.000+11:00

On the way of our morning run in Oakland (CA), we found a local farmers market. We purchased some organic veggies and handmade pasta for dinner. They are so fresh and yummy! This market has lots of energy.

http://www.splashpad.org/farmersmkt.html

Every Saturday at Splash Pad Park in Oakland, CA, U.S.A.

Mustafa's Atelier

2011-12-03T11:56:00.012+11:00

We were very lucky to meet Mustafa through a friend. He is a Moroccan Artist living and working in the old medina of Casablanca.

We spent a day with him starting off with mint tea at a cafe, then a stroll through the medina and some art making in his atelier. He works on projects and his own art making during the day and teaches children in the afternoon. He is very passionate about spreading the love of art to children who may not have access to it, it was really inspiring...even to hear some local kids come knocking at his door that afternoon... Mustafa!

This is Mustafa.

The picture above and below is his favourite building. We don't speak French or Arabic, and he doesn't speak English or Japanese, but we had Italian in common. He would say "come bellissima é questo blu....é bellissima'

The atelier.

He is very inspired by the colours of the medina. The old walls with layers and layers of peeling colour, tiles and his own childhood memories growing up in the medina.

Grazie mille Mustafa!

Yumi Takahashi online exhibition at the virtual Guggenheim Bilbao

2011-11-19T06:05:00.002+11:00

"THE LIGHTNESS OF HAPPINESS"

yumi takahashi online art exhibition 2011 at virtual Guggenheim Bilbao

dear plastic's new project "online art project #1" starts today. the artist yumi takahashihas her art exhibition at the world famous museum Guggenheim Bilbao in the virtual world.

we hope you enjoy our new project.

the other side of Casablanca

2011-10-24T07:54:00.010+11:00

(to my right is a slum, to my left is a 5 star restaurant)

the slum/ shanty town areas are hidden behind cement walls

We visited Casablanca in Morocco. We loved our first experience in North Africa. The food, the people, the language, the culture...Our 2 week stay barely skimmed the surface of this amazing culture but we are so excited to delve deeper into this exciting world.

Besides the common visual images of Morocco: beautiful tiles, carpets and mint tea, we were surprised to be confronted by the other side. Air pollution, littering, shanty towns and plastic (!).

The city felt like one big contradiction. Slums next to 5 star hotels and top restaurants. Trash scattered everywhere, chaos, pollution outside but immaculate spaces inside.

There seemed to be a misconception in attitude: the bigger the car, the bigger the house, the more you waste, the wealthier, more powerful you are. Plastic and it's "throw-away" attitude was everywhere... there seems to be this idea that excess symbolises wealth, that same feeling that advertising in the 60's was portraying...and plastic is one thing everyone can use in excess.

There is no recycling system. The poor go through household trash on the side of the streets and they are the only form of recycling in Morocco... pulling out bottles and re-selling them. There is no understanding or education Re: the environment and ideas of sustainability.

At the moment the city is busy "re-building" Casablanca, with plans for it to become the next Abu Dhabi.

Moroccan houses are immaculate, they are like opening a door into paradise after experiencing the pollution in the streets.

There is a big contradiction between the inside and the outside. My inner world and your other world. It was extreme in Morocco but you see it in other countries too... possibly in more subtle ways, but it exists.

It feels as if we need to find a way of re-connecting this inner and outer and then maybe we would treat the outer world with as much respect as our inner world?

'We are all connected, we are all related, there is no I and the other, I am the other, the other is me' Satish Kumar

collaborative consumption

2011-09-15T06:31:00.003+10:00

I recently finished reading "What's mine is yours: a rise in collaborative consumption"

An exciting concept that is spreading all around the world.

You can watch Rachel Botsman, the author, talk about the concept here:

Rachel Botsman Author and Social Innovator from theme media on Vimeo.

Find out more here

You can even swap, barter or pass on a copy of the book with their "book tracker" system through the website.

100% hand-making= the best travellers companion

2011-07-27T09:27:00.009+10:00

Hand sewing and knitting has become my best friend, keeping me company during long flights and train trips.

Dress fabric from mina perhonen.

Knitted bra and singlet kits from Wool and the Gang.

sun bleached hydrangeas & co

2011-07-07T08:52:00.003+10:00

Another floral post...but I couldn't resist. Getxo, being a coastal town, is covered with hydrangeas. They are everywhere, beautiful, bountiful and wild.

local hand made.

2011-06-22T23:04:00.002+10:00

Luxury has changed a lot. In the past it was eating in a three-star restaurant. Now it’s eating home-grown vegetables in a garden or somewhere on a mountain, or going to a small cottage where you find handmade cheese, and just having a taste of that in open air, that’s luxury now. In fashion it’s a bit the same. In the past, haute couture was luxury. And now finding a sweater in hand-spun cashmere somewhere in the hills of Nepal is far more exciting and luxurious.

- Dries Van Noten

June 11 2011

2011-06-12T22:14:00.006+10:00

3 months since Japan was hit by disaster. 4 months since we left Australia. 1 month since we left Japan.

i think i'm in LOVE

2011-06-08T21:50:00.004+10:00

and

we discovered this little gem in the streets of Paris...the name: Sardine Animal

Paris is so much better 2nd time round

2011-05-07T07:01:00.005+10:00

or maybe it's the weather?

either way, late spring in Paris is fabulous!

maki+robert's house

2011-05-02T01:59:00.005+10:00

front gate and narrow path leads up to the house

an ojizousan looks after the house

2x tokyo bikes

this is China

Welcome to マキロバ (maki-roba)'s house. They had moved into this beautiful old Kamakura house a week before we arrived, so we were super lucky that they even let us take over their living room for 2.5 weeks. ありがとうございました。

makeshift tokyo subway design

2011-04-30T15:01:00.006+10:00

makeshift tokyo subway design for water leaks.

underground lotus pods!

xxx

Flower Hope Japan wk-shop

2011-04-19T00:07:00.003+10:00

2 weeks ago we held our charity wk-shop. We had around 15 visitors, and we made paper flowers of HOPE while enjoying freshly brewed coffee and fair trade chocolate.

make your own here:

happiness

2011-04-15T02:24:00.008+10:00

If you ever travel to Japan to see the cherry blossoms, you really should stay for a month.

It's nice to notice the buds on the bare trees, watch the flowers bloom and then the petals flow away in the wind.

the spirit of a 104 year old

2011-04-06T23:46:00.004+10:00

Last night I heard the news of Takashi Shimokawara. A 104year old who was swept away by the tsunami. This story is a beautiful story of a man who lived life to the fullest any one could ever imagine. He was born in 1906. He was a highschool teacher until he retired in his 60's. After his retirement he almost lost himself in the midst of nothingness until he found "Shigin"(Japanese poetry that is usually chanted). He says that it brought him back to life.

Then at 98 he entered the World Masters Athletics and at 100 he held the world title for Shot put, Discus and Javelin throw. He trained every morning and completed all of his own house work.

He said, 'thinking about world titles and numbers doesn't work, it's when your body and heart come together that you can make magic'

Shimokawara san, ありがとう, thank you for your spirit. I am so happy to have had a glimpse into your life and story.

earth hour tokyo

2011-03-29T14:21:00.005+11:00

(ginza, tokyo at 9pm)

Since the earthquake, Japan seems to be spiraling into chaos. Due to one nuclear plant down, tokyo and surrunding areas have regular "black-outs", (where electricity of an area is cut-off for 3hrs) and the country is on a huge campaign to reduce energy. These posters are everywhere. Shops close at 6pm and even the biggest busiest areas feel like ghost towns at night. Tokyo is "earth hour"-ing every day.

Coming out of a terrible disaster, the country seems to be heading into a new lifestyle of change. It's exciting to think of the possibilities.

xxx

Narita, Kozu no mori exhibition

2011-03-28T02:44:00.004+11:00

Our exhibition in Narita, Kozu no mori started today. We will be showing at Gallery Umi until the 7th of April. More info here.

The gallery's beautiful space was added onto Kobayashi-san's house by an artist friend of hers. She is the most loveliest free spirit to ever work with. I like the floor- window you can see from the street and hand made steel door. We will add more daylight gallery pics next sunday!

(inside view with my sister Miwa, who helped bump-in)

Our charity workshop will be held on the 3rd of April at Gallery Umi. Workshop cost is ￥500, with all proceeds going to Red cross Japan earthquake and tsunami relief.

COME COME! and if you're not in town(?!) make some flowers with us here, in spirit and spread some HOPE!

Thanks Miwa for helping out with the exhibition bump-in. She left tokyo tonight to study zen meditation in Kyoto...happy meditating

xxx

Flower Hope Japan

2011-03-22T14:30:00.000+11:00

6 months ago, we were asked to be part of an exhibition in Ginza, Tokyo.

When the devastating earthquake hit Japan on the 11th March, this country suffered more than anyone could ever have imagined.

We decided to continue on with plans for the exhibition, hoping to raise funds for the earthquake affected areas but due to the "blackouts" the exhibition will be postponed until next year. Our Narita exhibition is still on schedule but it will depend on the situation next week.

We have made a small video, which we plan to teach at a workshop in Narita to raise funds for Red Cross Japan.

We are calling this our "Flower Hope Japan Project". We want to spread HOPE to as many people as we can and raise funds at the same time.

To make a flower full of HOPE(!) you will need:

a paper bag(recycle an old one!), scissors and colourful masking tape. If you don't have masking tape, you can use stickers or pens and pencils

If you like our video please donate to the Red cross Japan earthquake and tsunami relief, any small amount makes a huge difference.

http://www.ifrc.org/en/get-involved/donate/donation-japan/

xxxdp

HOPE

2011-03-16T01:41:00.008+11:00

Sharifah Farah Hasnuddin, 7yrs old

Tomato car, kazuhiro Takahashi

Healthy Earth, Mayumi Kosakai, 3 yrs old

Beautiful flowers, Kanako Imai, 5yrs old

I see myself losing hope lately.

We arrived in Tokyo on the morning of the earthquake. I had forgotten about earthquakes in Japan. The 4 years I was living here, I had only ever experienced slight earth tremors and it came as quite a shock.

We have our health, we have our family and friends and yet I see myself losing hope from the the happenings around me.

On TV a mother told her story of being in the library when the tsunami engulfed the building. She was with her 8year old daughter. They held onto each others hand as the water forced them up to the ceiling. She was pushed away from her daughter by different objects and she let go of her daughters hand. Her daughter was swept away. This all happened in seconds. She does not know where she is.

A man spoke of helping people up a hill to escape from the approaching tsunami. He did this until the last moment. He broke down in tears when he described the force of the wave and the people he saw being swept away, that he couldn't help.

Everyday we feel different earth tremors, see unbelievable images and hear heart breaking stories.

I keep reminding myself that we need to keep hope to inspire others to keep hope.

(all images from Kids Earth Fund)

xxx

our little secret

2011-03-03T02:32:00.003+11:00

in 2 days, we can finally tell everyone our secret!
here's a sneak peak...

...spring is almost here!

2011-02-24T13:59:00.000+11:00

we are visiting taka's family in Ehime...the weather is slowly warming, I think it's almost time for spring?

the mountains

2011-02-22T14:15:00.004+11:00

Matsuyama, Ehime is where Taka's mum lives in Japan. It is a city surrounded by mountains. The air is crisp in the morning and is refreshing to be around after breathing Paris and Tokyo air for 2 weeks.

xxx

tsumori chisato paris

2011-02-22T13:34:00.002+11:00

meet olivia

2011-02-08T08:43:00.008+11:00

This is where we eat breakfast every morning.

Fresh squeezed juice, cafe creme, croissant, eggs and baguette.

Today we made a new friend. Her name is olivia. She was a little naughty and would go searching for food. Looking at the amount of food we had, she chose to hang with us. Her owner is the man sitting reading the paper behind taka... he would yell 'OLIVIA, viens ici s'il vous plait!'

How could you resist those eyes.

xxx

p.s. we saw a lady dip a doggie biscuit into her espresso for her dog before drinking her coffee...french doggies live differently over here

bonjour paris

2011-02-07T03:47:00.009+11:00

Our first 2 days in Paris... cold, grey, dog poop, cigarettes, good food, best looking kiddies, beautifully dressed people.

In true tourist style we have been duped twice and we get confused looks from our non-existant French. On the plus side, our apartment is divine and the cafes are amazing. we have 3 days left before we return to Japan. France will be great when we're back in May....we will be the cool kids...street wise and language savvy (fingers crossed)

xxx

(taka= photographer!)

90 degree pop-up card workshops

2011-01-14T00:57:00.003+11:00

Our last workshops, before we take off on our overseas adventures!

RSVP here

xxx

milk carton paper making video+kits

2011-01-05T09:54:00.004+11:00

We have finally made our video and listed our paper making kits on our web shop!

The kits are made from 80% up-cycled and recycled items. The boxes are made from up-cycled Sydney Opera House plastic posters, so each is different and unique! All hand made with our LOVE LOVE LOVE xxx

p.s. more info on the kits here

p.p.s. HAPPY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

MIni- Flower Bomb Making

2010-12-21T11:18:00.005+11:00

Our little vid for flower bomb making....we still need to add sound but you should:

STEP 1. play your favourite x'mas tune(I recommend anything from The Rat Pack christmas album, so good.)

STEP 2. press play on vid....VOILA festive crafting x'mas delight!

Step 1: choose 6 sheets of tissue paper and lay them on top of the other into a neat pile.

Step 2: begin to fold the tissue paper (accordion style) folding and flipping the paper, as if you are making a fan. each fold should be around 1- 1.5cm wide.

Step 3: find the centre and twist a wire ribbon to hold it into place. you can also use string or a paper clip.
Step 4: cut a round shape at each end of the folded paper. this determines the petal shape, you could cut a jaggered, wavy or round shape!

Step 5: unfold the flower and slowly pull out each layer of tissue paper. do one side first and repeat on the other.

Finish!: now you have a lovely flower! To connect the flowers together, take a piece of string and tie it through the centre of one and then through the centre of the next.(don't forget to use the cut-off shapes as part of your mobile...we are aming for zero waste!)

We will post steps for bigger bombs and different ideas for the use of your lovely flowers later!

ENJOY!

xxx

p.s. you can see a detailed movie for making an individual flower here, made by my talented friend emma over at Feeling Fuzzy.

p.p.s. our bombs are also featured in Ebony's lovely new gift wrapping zine

lovely little mention of our workshop!

2010-12-20T13:00:00.003+11:00

Places are still available for tonight to make the BIG FLOWER BOMBS and hang with Ebony via skype for cute wrapping FUN!

Thanks Lucy(over at the design files) for this kind mention

HERE and H ERE

xxx

p.s. one week left of the markets....we have almost sold out of milk carton paper making kits, and they will be online hopefully in Jan with an accompanying "how to" vid.

workshop giveaway!

2010-12-16T19:44:00.004+11:00

this is awesome! double passes to the new french cutie film "heart breaker" to win at our workshops! book online here:http://paperconventioncollective.bigcartel.com/

super thanks hopscotch films xxx

work shops this weekend!

2010-12-16T00:00:00.002+11:00

RSVP here

art markets

2010-12-13T13:23:00.004+11:00

we are also planning some paper workshops for sunday 19th of Dec....will keep you posted!

xxx

finders keepers markets!

2010-12-06T10:56:00.011+11:00

the PAPER CONVENTION COLLECTIVE finders keepers launch!

fower bomb's, paper bows, milk carton paper making, x'mas cone decorating, zine making.... paper necklaces, masks and head bands OH MY!

lisa, yumi+taka...stand up straight!

the paper collective convention team!(emily, trial+error, lisa, hellosandwich(in spirit!) and dp!)

The mess!

The END!

p.s. thank you to all our visits and lovely crafty supporters. it was too much FUN! thanks lovely lisa for including us in your paper collective convention!xxx

FINDERS KEEPERS MARKETS!

2010-12-02T10:10:00.006+11:00

Tomorrow night 6pm-10pm+ Sat 10am-5pm.

Come and see our FLOWER BOMB installation. Shop our paper goods, milk carton paper making kits, zines and bags that are for sale!

As part of the Paper Convention Collective we will be holding workshops. Friday night is casual drop in "make some milk carton paper" workshops from 7-9pm and on sat we have on the hour 45min craft workshops from 10am-4pm.

10am: X'mas chain making,

11am: flower mobile making,

12am: milk carton paper making,

1pm: hello sandwich zine making

2pm: x'mas tree cone making

3pm: milk carton paper making

4pm: paper snowflake making

....so much MAKING....COME ON, JOIN THE FUN!

xxx

p.s. all workshops are free but a little donation to cover material costs would be much welcome!

milk carton paper making workshop

2010-11-21T22:57:00.009+11:00

Saturday was a beautiful sunny spring day full of fun crafting! The front room was set up for "dry" craft! Chain, mobile, card and flower making.

The outside courtyard was set up for the milk carton paper making.

Thanks again to all our vists...it was too much fun for one day!

xxx

p.s. our milk carton paper making kits were a hit! stay tuned for more images and online shop launch!

DP interview

2010-11-17T13:21:00.002+11:00

Thank you Charlotte for including us in your "creative loves" post, we feel very honoured!

You can see the interview here: dear plastic interview

xxx

paper crafty workshop

2010-11-12T12:35:00.006+11:00

Come and go as you like...it will be a nice crafty summer day.

Our new item: milk carton paper making kits will be on sale for the first time! They are made from upcycled items...woohoo!

xxx

paper mobiles

2010-11-02T22:47:00.006+11:00

sweetness shop window

marshmallow trays

pastel coloured marshmallows acted as our canvas base.

shop window+yumi

yumi+gena

Some photos from the "sweet expressions" collaboration event with Sweetness patisserie. Taka and I decorated the shop with pastel paper mobiles that I hand made and hand stitched.

Guests chose a tray of pastel marshmallow and we created images onto it with powdered pigment.

Thanks Gena and all our lovely guests!

WHOA!

2010-10-28T10:26:00.002+11:00

October has been a little crazy for us in DP land.

We had workshops and exhibitions with Knitty Gritty Loopy, exhibition organising for Japan, an art/ food collaboration with sweetness and all of this while we were re-locating our house and studio....WHOA....I feel we can now breathe a little and start blogging again!

I will post photos tonight...and we are very excited about our milk carton paper making wk-shop collaboration with the lovely Lox +Savvy....stay tuned!

we R back!

2010-09-22T23:49:00.004+10:00

The internet left us for a week... we were left high and dry. (it was my fault...I over downloaded!)

BUT, we are back!!!

We have a few group collaborative events coming up this month...so here is some info:

We craft this city group show at Object gallery sat2nd- sun 10th Oct.(as part of knitty gritty loopy)

Crafternoon in hyde park. sat 25th+ sun 26th sept 11-3(as part of knitty gritty loopy)

sweet expressions, an art/food event for the International food festival. a special collaboration with sweetness(the creators of the amazing marshmallows supplied at my exhibition!)

happy spring time!

xxxdp

p.s. we have started twitter....follow us here: dp twitter

pop-up Alphabet co-op+ COFA spring fair

2010-09-06T08:32:00.007+10:00

pop-up co-op

spring fair

It was a busy busy amazing past week. We have been finishing off wedding invites, binding zine No2, making alphabet cards for the pop-up shop and gathering DP treats for the COFA spring fair. WHOA....I feel I can finally BREATHE!

Our spring blossom cards and alphabet palm cards had their debut at the spring fair and the pop-up shop. Thanks for all the visits!

xxxdp

p.s. there was a lovely write up about the pop-up shop here.

p.p.s. dp big cartel store is open! You can purchase cards through our store or here.

an exciting something...

2010-08-26T22:30:00.003+10:00

I am working on a little something for a special something!

The Alphabet Pop-Up Co-Op at Object Gallery.

I am making special little keepsake palm cards! They will be on display and for sale from Friday 3rd Sept~ Sunday 5th Sept at Object gallery. (Brought to you by the original Pop-Up Co-Op shop that began in Bowral.)

Stay tuned for visuals and updates onto DP shop!

xxx

the sign the sign the sign!

2010-08-17T11:51:00.008+10:00

I was lucky enough to have sweetness supply pastel coloured marshmallow treats for my opening. In exchange I created an artwork and a font to be used for a 'larder' shelf sign and price tags for the store...(hand painted watercolour onto 850gsm paper) here is a sneak peak!

This is our first attempt in creating a font. I hand wrote the letters and Taka used 'font forge' to develop them...we will soon use this font on the yumitakahashi.com.au web page.

p.s. for those who don't know what a 'larder' is(I didn't know at first!), it is a large cupboard for storing food!

bye bye sydney design

2010-08-17T09:21:00.007+10:00

bye bye syd design...and thank you to everyone who popped on by, it was super fun!

knitty gritty loopy's next adventures are over at object gallery: we craft this city

sydney design

2010-08-10T10:00:00.008+10:00

Knitty gritty fun!
Our Syd Design workshops are slowly coming to an end....come for a final visit on Aug 14+15

Sydney Design and milk carton paper making!

2010-07-27T23:56:00.004+10:00

As mentioned earlier...knitty gritty loopy are doing "free"(!) workshops as part of Sydney Design. We are all passing on a skill and Taka and I are sharing our love for milk carton paper making! Here is a little vid(with our dp tune)....not the best but will do for now!

This paper is surprisingly beautiful...we use it for all our tags and business cards.

Join us....lets share the LOVE....reuse- recycle- reLOVE!

xxx

p.s. here are the details for who, when, where, why:

WHO?: knitty gritty loopy

WHEN?: 31 July, 7 Aug, 14+ 15 Aug 11am- 3pm

WHERE?: Level 4, 2 Hill Street, Surry Hills.

WHY?: it's FREE....+ every workshop has guest speakers to inspire.

knitty gritty loopy...events coming up!

2010-07-23T08:06:00.008+10:00

I am part of a craft group knitty gritty l oopy :

we art and craft...knit, crochet, weave, felt and make all sorts of things to try and help make the world a nicer place

we seek to inspire creative re-use and encourage waste awareness, in a relaxing cosy crafty environment!

Some events coming up....

July 24th: CarriageWorks Winterland crafternoon+ folk music

July 31st- Aug 15th: Sydney Design

Oct 2nd- Oct 10th: Object Gallery- We craft this city

we would love a visit....all events and workshops are free and packed full of crafty fun!

p.s. if you drink milk, eat eggs or shop with plastic bags...we need you! we are calling out for materials. If you have milk cartons, egg shells and plastic bags lying around....you could drop them into Studio 34, Level 3, 8 Hill Street, Surry Hills 2010 and they will be lovingly re-created into something special.( gently wash egg shells and milk cartons please!)

thank you

2010-07-22T23:21:00.009+10:00

pre- show, post-show...now it's over!

thank you for everyone who dropped by and all your lovely support.

Jerome for the music.

Blair for the video.

Kirst+ Emma for the lovely champagne and flowers.

Sweetness for the beautiful treats.

and my lovely Taka for everything!

Kirst + Jerome

Nathan + Emma

Sweetness treats!

Blair

Taka with camellias made from washi paper

Photos by Emma and Taka .

a glimpse

2010-07-09T12:45:00.002+10:00

a glimpse of the opening by my lovely film-maker/composer friend Blair!

more photos to come....but the night was filled with amazing sounds by Jerome, gorgeous treats by Sweetness and the beautiful company of all my friends!

my first proper exhibition!

2010-06-30T22:03:00.008+10:00

I am very excited about my exhibition at Kaleidoscope Gallery. It is a really lovely intimate space and worth venturing out into the cold for!

Kaleidoscope Gallery, 84 William St Paddington.

Opening night is 8th July, 6-9pm and the show runs until the 20th.

All images from the zine will be in the show + more watercolours, texta art+ mobiles+ a little DP pop-up shop!(+ amazing sounds by my lovely talented friend Jerome)

Pop by for a drink and a chat if you're in the neighbourhood!

xxx

wa wa woo wee!

2010-06-23T11:28:00.005+10:00

I was just having my morning break from exhibition planning and art-making...so I quietly googled and blog searched with sips of tea and chocolate wafers.

AND THEN I DISCOVERED THIS...

oh, my gosh...i am so excited...Sofia Coppola is one of my favourite directors along side Wes Anderson(he is on my mind 'cos I just saw Fantastic Mr Fox!).

Somewhere's release date is december in the US. We will be in France around then...

I can't wait!

and the winner is...

2010-06-18T22:05:00.003+10:00

Thank you everyone for your lovely support...

We belatedly drew the name out of a hat(?!)

...and the winner is the lovely Jackie over at Crafty Fox!

yay, congratulations!!!

xxx

the giveaway prizes are...

2010-06-07T23:28:00.005+10:00

1. o-check recollected paper "another day cloudy memory" notebook

2. MT tape a selection of gentle autumnal eco colours

3. The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery...an amazing read that will open your mind (I specifically found this copy in a second hand store: second hand but excellent condition with a lot of love!)

4. DP "brooched out" customised eco bag (100% organic australian hemp/cotton...currently sold out, but we made an extra especially for you!)

so...you have to be in it to win it,

NO PLASTIC DAY June 8th...

the comp is open until June 16th...just make sure you have a plastic free day and comment or send us an email...

All 4 items above+original texta art could be yours to keep....woo hoo!

NO PLASTIC DAY, June 8th*** help spread the word!

2010-06-06T19:14:00.007+10:00

No Plastic Day is June 8th... Thanks to Liane who let me know about this!

No Plastic Day is a world wide event intended to bring awareness of the over consumption of disposable plastic goods such as plastic bags and bottles. It is well known that there are floating islands of trash in most of the world's oceans. The huge amounts of plastic trash we all discard daily doesn't decompose, doesn't break down, and most of it is toxic to the animals that accidentally consume it. The current rate of plastic consumption is not sustainable and is starting to create a huge problem for marine life particularly. Fish eat toxic plastic bits. We catch the fish and eat the fish. Its only a matter of time before we've polluted our own food supplies with plastic trash.

What you can do on No Plastic Day - June 8, 2010

No plastic bags - If you buy something from a store on No Plastic Day, bring your own bags. If you don't have any cloth or paper bags, just reuse the plastic bags you already have. They'll never biodegrade so you might as well reuse them if you already have them.
No plastic bottles - Drink water from the tap or buy drinks in aluminum cans or glass bottles if you must.
Limit your garbage - Almost everything you throw away is made of plastic. By limiting the garbage you create, you will reduce your plastic waste as well.
Be creative - Everyone's situation is different and you will need to customize your own situation for No Plastic Day. Be creative. Reuse, recycle, and reduce your waste. Consider it a personal experiment to find ways you can create less garbage and try to use no disposable plastics.

(excerpt taken from No Plastic Day page)

So...to celebrate this lovely event we want to have a little eco-giveaway open to everyone who gets involved. The prize pack includes an original "no plastic day" texta drawing(seen at the top of this page), DP products, eco reading and maybe some more?! photos of this will be posted tomorrow.

Spread the good news, add your name to a comment or email us at:

yumi@dearplastic.com/ taka@dearplastic.com

...and we will get our computer to randomly choose the winner... woohoo!

Happy no-plastic-ing!

p.s. I know this is late notice, so we will keep this comp open for 1 week from June 8th

dp online store opens today!!!

2010-06-05T11:48:00.002+10:00

our little shop in process is now open! thanks to taka and his nifty fingers, he was able to get our store up and running...yay!

you can purchase our zine online by clicking on the word "shop" under our dear plastic sign.

happy days!

xxx

p.s. well, the weather has turned out to be gloriously sunny...fingers crossed for the same next sat!

garage sale is postponed to next sat 12th june!

2010-06-04T14:59:00.002+10:00

It's raining and pouring...so we are having our "hello tokyo, dear paris" garage sale next wk-end...12th June 2010!

I hope thats ok with everyone?

xxx

the zine fair and cloud cookies

2010-05-26T22:41:00.002+10:00

cloud 1

cloud 2

cloud 3

the zine fair is over... too much fun for one little day!

thank you for all my visits, and thank you emma for the lovely cloud cookies...they have kept me very happy!(+inspired these texta clouds!)

we are proud zine-sters(me, ebony and rhys)

my little zine

p.s. my zine will be on my web shop very soon~!

Photos by MCA and Rhys Turner...thank you!

thoughts for the wk-end

2010-05-13T13:05:00.004+10:00

7 day cards designed by Yayoi Fujiwara

rabbit mask from "parties for everyone"

dot paintng by yumi takahashi

news news news!

2010-05-10T23:49:00.004+10:00

some exciting news...

May 23rd MCA zine fair. I almost missed out, when lovely Ebony over at Hello Sandwich came to the rescue and has cleared a little spot on her table for me...ありがとう！

July 8th-22nd is my very first solo exhibition over at the lovely kaleidoscope gallery in Paddington on William St.

It would be lovely to see you!

xxx

textile waste

2010-05-04T22:53:00.008+10:00

Dear Plastic, started as an oath against disposable plastics. As we researched and matured with our own understanding of our surrounding environment, we decided also to purchase only organic and locally produced foods, to eat in most nights and to stick to a vegetarian diet(except for the once a month chicken soup or taka's treat of bacon and eggs!).

Tonight we popped along to the monthly "green ups" event May fashion with passion, which looked at sustainability of the Fashion and Textile industry. I knew a little about how bad this industry was for the environment but Paula Rogers from Fair Trade, who spoke tonight, opened our eyes to some horrifying truths...the COTTON industry. One of the worst, over 50% of the world's pesticides are accounted to cotton production, most being classified as "Highly hazardous" by the WHO. The quantities of water needed for irrigation eg. 29,000 litres of water used per kg of cotton in Sudan and the oil for machinery and fuel for aerial spraying. Not only is this a huge environmental impact, but the farmers exposed to this and then the people who wear the garment etc etc.

It made me think of all the effort a garment takes...from the design process, manufacturing, weaving of the fabric, spinning of the yarn, the production of yarn and all the transportation from each process.

Then to think how disposable our minds are set with our own agenda of our needs and wants.

I am a victim caught in a cycle of textile waste!

We heard about the incident with H&M in New York early this year. You can read it here.

To summarise, a University student walked past bags of discarded clothes found in the trash outside of H&M. As she went through them she noticed all items were purposely damaged, so they could not be used again. After contacting H&M headquarters, she got no response.

She "tweeted" about this and after thousands of responses and facebook msgs, H&M responded.

It makes me realise how we can create change...now i am just working out how I will stop my cycle of textile waste.

(Maybe we need to think smart like Marge Simpson from the episode where she created lots of different looks/ pieces from that one Chanel suit?! (season7 ep14!)

TEXTA***LOVE part2

2010-04-20T23:29:00.002+10:00

some new pieces I am working on. STAEDTLER art.

TEXTA***LOVE

2010-04-19T21:43:00.004+10:00

design comp+texta's=reminded me of my kindergarten plates+ my new found love for texta art!

hello competition!

2010-04-16T00:51:00.006+10:00

a design competition with an amazing prize of:

2x return airfare to Melbourne, 3 nights accomodation at The Cullen, 2 tix to semi-permanent and $500 eckersley voucher.

so, taka and i got cracking with our designs and here is our entries:

yumi's (p.s. printed on 100% post consumer paper! go green!)

+ taka's

fingers crossed...I really want to go to Melbourne!

so many things about this photo make me happy...

2010-04-07T08:12:00.002+10:00

thank you jak&jil blog!

i like to invite

2010-04-03T17:14:00.007+11:00

some invites I have created over the past few years.

(p.s. please excuse the first 2 grayish images!..my scanner is currently out of order and the photos don't looks as good?!)

my 30th birthday

my 28th birthday

Emma+Nathan's "order of service" cover and inside paper

Melissa+Jeremy wedding invites

oh, a chunky knit please.

2010-03-26T12:57:00.005+11:00

Go back in time, Giles 2007 Fall show.

This lovely Khaki number is on show at The Fashion and Textile Gallery in Surry Hills... A*MMAZING.

Bring on needles, aussie wool, log fire, a cup of tea, winter...can't wait!

(all images style.com)

markets on sunday!

2010-03-18T23:54:00.003+11:00

we are heading back to Rozelle markets on sunday(21st March) with lots more Japanese antiques. My father is still clearing out all of his cupboards...

It would be lovely to see you, if you're out and about!

xxx

as much as i love chanel...

2010-03-15T15:46:00.004+11:00

it's a worry to think that the fashion world considers this a political statement, in response to global warming and Copenhagen '09. (or maybe I missed something?)

30 tonnes of ice brought over from the Arctic Circle for a 15min show.

One good thing: all the fur in the show was fake.

Karl speaks of fashion at the end of the next clip.

'...clothes are made to be worn for the next 6 months...the future of fashion is 6 months'

...which is somewhat worrying...

a denial of beauty

2010-03-13T11:57:00.005+11:00

The latest on censorship for Artists...or AKA Pedophiles by our lovely government, is to employ a team who will classify artworks involving child nudity. (p.s. the artist has to pay for this?! $500 per artwork)(read more here)

So, Australia the land of opportunity and freedom...will choose this as an aesthetically pleasing image

And will deny this of any aesthetic quality...and will classify this as pornography.

If I were going to the oscars+ vanity fair party, I would wear...

2010-03-11T17:52:00.010+11:00

Fall 2010 shows: New York, London, Milan, Paris have come to an end...which means more productive work time for me and less time on the net looking up shows.

So to top it all off...my favourite frocks, I would choose, if the world was my oyster...

LOOK1

Louis Vuitton Fall2010

Giambattista Valli Fall 2010

LOOK2

Valentino Fall2010

Alexander McQueen Fall2010

LOOK3

Giambattista Valli Fall2010

YSL Fall2010

LOOK4

Nina Ricci Fall2010

Gismbattista Valli Fall2010

LOOK5

Marc Jacobs Fall2010

Wunderkind Fall2010

All Images from style.com

i want a camel coat...

2010-03-09T11:06:00.007+11:00

all images from Stella McCartney Fall 2010

glamour factory

2010-03-08T11:46:00.002+11:00

Viktor & Rolf Fall 2010

sc sc scarf it!

2010-03-07T12:04:00.004+11:00

and pr pr print it!

all images from Issey Miyake Fall 2010

love love love (ta ta da) love love love (ta ta da)

2010-03-06T14:15:00.004+11:00

I am on a fashion high with The Beatles stuck in my head.

The Fall 2010 Dries Van Noten show... love love love!

I first fell in love after reading an interview in MONO.KULTUR#20

Dries Van Noten: A world in season.

Then I treated myself to a Dries delight for my 30th birthday dress!

Spring 2009

nudity 4 unity

2010-03-01T13:02:00.006+11:00

This morning I woke up at 3am to join thousands of people involved in Spencer Tunick's Opera House installation.

There was an amazing energy of serene equality that I have never felt before.

There were 3 shoots: on the Opera House steps, in the Opera House and in the Botanical Gardens.

He spoke before the "strip off"(?!) and spoke a little about the event. Here are some of his thoughts from this morning...

'Today is a coming together of straight people with gay people...this is a sign of unity'

'The nudity in these photos, is an acceptance of each other without sexuality.'

smh.com.au

march 3 exhibition

2010-02-24T18:20:00.003+11:00

March 3 is girls day(hinamatsuri) in Japan.

...and in Newtown at Little Fish gallery(22 Enmore Rd), it's from a dark place. A group exhibition, a fundraiser for rape crisis NSW.

Here are some pieces I am working on for the exhibition.

to market to market~~~

2010-02-23T10:23:00.002+11:00

This sunday, I will be busy at Rozelle markets(Darling St, Rozelle) selling my dad's collection of Japanese antiques(lacquerware, ceramics, textiles and wood block prints) + some bric-a-brac!

Come come visit, share some love...and then,

home again, home again jiggety-jig

some more photos

2010-02-18T21:58:00.005+11:00

heart mobiles for my valentine!

happy love day everyone...(a belated valentine!)

2010-02-15T11:00:00.004+11:00

lou doillon+vanessa bruno= sweet colour fantasy

2010-01-29T11:56:00.002+11:00

printemps 2010

le film vanessabruno avec Lou Doillon.
the film vanessabruno with Lou Doillon.
http://www.vanessabruno.com

automne/ hiver 09-10

tenori-on

2010-01-26T02:28:00.006+11:00

serious

and happy!

Tenori-on: An electric musical instrument designed by Japanese artist Toshio Iwai.

Thanks to my generous and amazing composer friend Blair...(who has his own tenori-on), I was able to create some special tunes for dear plastic. The most amazing thing I have ever touched, and so so much fun!

You can hear my new tune here.

here's a snippet of Bjork and her tenori-on.

before and after

2010-01-14T10:58:00.010+11:00

Before(circa 2009)

a new year, a new room, a new direction...a positive happy change!

2010 is dedicated for my paintings and art. I needed a space, that didn't include painting in the living room or kitchen and it took 2 weeks to clear out my poor little spare room, taken over by junky junk!

... now it's free to breathe!

After(circa 2010)

great finds at garage sales+op-shops!

2010-01-02T12:20:00.007+11:00

square buttons

hand embroidered hanky

Gustavsberg cup by Stig Lindberg

Star case!(with star inetrior paper)

sewing box...peachy peach!

Imperial Mercury portable typewriter(teal enamel!)

Thanks to Hello Sandwich for inviting Taka and I to a lovely beach getaway!
We were lucky to find a super amazing garage sale...ahhh i love amazing pre-loved finds!

WALK AGAINST WARMING!

2009-12-11T22:22:00.003+11:00

Tomorrow! Sat Dec 12 for Sydney 1pm at Martin Place....(check for other locations here)see you tomorrow!

genius

2009-12-10T22:11:00.002+11:00

Tavi and Rodarte Q+A here!

good bye Sam Haskins

2009-12-04T22:42:00.003+11:00

Sam Haskins (11/11/1926- 26/11/2009)

an ode to red

2009-11-27T14:29:00.008+11:00

Nicole Fox

so, the winner of America's next top model cycle 13 is out! and yes I tragically watch "ANTM", as Miranda(from SATC) would say...'i love it, it's my thing, let it go'.

the winner is Nicole Fox....the cutest, sweetest girl ever! and hello to all red heads...you are super cute!

I think it's time for all Anne's and Annie's everywhere... to spread some magic!

taka loves...

2009-11-24T17:45:00.002+11:00

the "mountain song" from the movie the taste of tea

kikuchi rinko

2009-11-22T22:44:00.006+11:00

to escape from the heat, we went to see 'the brothers bloom'... such a "cool" film...we love love loved it! and it reminded me of how much i love kikuchi rinko...

+ she can sing...! a little track with HiM

painting and making, then a lovely dinner and a long long snooze!

2009-11-21T12:43:00.008+11:00

my past few weeks have been busy busy with birthday preparations!

painting and making decorations for a quiet dinner at olive and dean.

it was a yummy night, filled with great chats, pretty dresses and lovely treats by candle light!

thanks to liane+ebony+taka for your lovely photos...it was fun piecing together 3 different perspectives!

xxxdp

Our car free sunday

2009-11-02T21:32:00.004+11:00

On our walk home from our sunday coffee (at the delightful olive+dean), we rest at a little park(the halfway point between coffee and home?!). It has a beautiful jacaranda tree in full bloom, a comfy old bench and a peaceful view.

dear plastic

We are in Sydney!

South Kona Green Market

WWOOF

EAMES

CREATIVITY EXPLORED

NEEDLES & PENS

Ferry Plaza Farmers Market

Art and Nature

Grand Lake Farmers Market

Mustafa's Atelier

Yumi Takahashi online exhibition at the virtual Guggenheim Bilbao

the other side of Casablanca

collaborative consumption

100% hand-making= the best travellers companion

sun bleached hydrangeas & co

local hand made.

June 11 2011

i think i'm in LOVE

Paris is so much better 2nd time round

maki+robert's house

makeshift tokyo subway design

Flower Hope Japan wk-shop

happiness

the spirit of a 104 year old

earth hour tokyo

Narita, Kozu no mori exhibition

Flower Hope Japan

HOPE

our little secret

...spring is almost here!

the mountains

tsumori chisato paris

meet olivia

bonjour paris

90 degree pop-up card workshops

milk carton paper making video+kits

MIni- Flower Bomb Making

lovely little mention of our workshop!

workshop giveaway!

work shops this weekend!

art markets

finders keepers markets!

FINDERS KEEPERS MARKETS!

milk carton paper making workshop

DP interview

paper crafty workshop

paper mobiles

WHOA!

we R back!

pop-up Alphabet co-op+ COFA spring fair

an exciting something...

the sign the sign the sign!

bye bye sydney design

sydney design

Sydney Design and milk carton paper making!

knitty gritty loopy...events coming up!

thank you

a glimpse

my first proper exhibition!

wa wa woo wee!

and the winner is...

the giveaway prizes are...

NO PLASTIC DAY, June 8th*** help spread the word!

What you can do on No Plastic Day - June 8, 2010

dp online store opens today!!!

garage sale is postponed to next sat 12th june!

the zine fair and cloud cookies

thoughts for the wk-end

news news news!

textile waste

T*E*X*T*A***LOVE part2

T*E*X*T*A***LOVE

hello competition!

so many things about this photo make me happy...

i like to invite

oh, a chunky knit please.

markets on sunday!

as much as i love chanel...

a denial of beauty

TEXTA***LOVE part2

TEXTA***LOVE