Several years ago, prompted by a little competition on a website that supports makers, I got the idea for making a sunflower, using the tsumami kanzashi technique. It was not enough, though, so I had to add something. A beaded piece was the natural thing to try, especially because I had a lot of black … Read more
Note: Until I populate this article with more examples to see the three principles in action, take a look through your own product photos and some posts from your favorite creators. More than five years have passed since I started creating with purpose and I began photographing my work. There were many lessons to learn … Read more
Today’s tutorial is based on my first ever original design using the tsumami-zaiku (or tsumami kanzashi) technique. An elegant bee with just a bit of shine. Yes, I used unconventional materials and the finished piece would look nowhere near decent in the coiffure of a geiko, but this is a design for contemporary people (see how … Read more
You’ve seen this image a thousand times. A gorgeous mirror surrounded by roses in full bloom. You know it would look perfect on your wall, the one decoration that’s missing. But the tutorials that you’ve found online don’t really tell the story of how these beauties are made and assembled. They just show different pictures … Read more
What do you need to do to have one pair of those gorgeous fabric flower earrings? It’s not complicated, you can learn it all from this tutorial I made for you. After many experiments, I finally came up with a method for creating these pretty earrings that’s easy to apply and to remember. The steps … Read more
Do you want to create a large and beautiful chrysanthemum, but you don’t know all the steps? I created this tutorial for you. Follow the steps from each photo to end up with a gorgeous flower that you can wear anywhere. Skip to the steps. Two summers ago I created a new flower for a … Read more
Learn how to create complex petals to use in innovative, lovely designs. Use your new skills to create your own flowers and insects. This tutorial is for you if: You recently started learning the tsumami kanzashi technique and like making fabric flowers or insects. You would like to know how to make the more complex … Read more
The spring has arrived quite a few weeks ago, but the peonies are just beginning to bloom. Make one and wear it in your hair with this easy tutorial. Peonies are gorgeous flowers and I’ve made quite a few over the years. They are colorful and easy to make and to wear in a hair … Read more
In this photo tutorial, I will teach you how to create this beautiful iris flower out of upcycled (or new) fabrics. Enjoy and share! Skip to the steps. It’s spring, the sun shines warmly and the bees are buzzing around, happily gathering nectar. The gardens have come back to life and the iris is a … Read more
The cherry blossom, that elegant symbol of spring, will surely become your best friend after you learn how to make one to your own liking. Try different fabrics, make more or less petals, play around with the design and experience the joy of making one (or many) of these lovely flowers, for yourself or a … Read more
Do you create stuff and take photos of it, but don’t really know or care how photography works? Do you want to improve your photos really easily and can’t afford to buy proprietary software (or wouldn’t be able to use it anyway)? Or maybe you’re angry at all those people wanting your money when all … Read more
Follow this tutorial to create cute tiny dahlias that you can wear in your hair, as a brooch or give as presents to your loved ones. The dahlia is a generous flower, enveloping you in its perfume, charming you with its numerous soft petals. No wonder it’s the official flower of Mexico, it symbolizes the … Read more
Today I want to help you solve an important problem. Where do you get affordable and beautiful necklace displays for your handmade creations? You make them, of course. Here’s the tutorial. Skip to the steps. You make jewelry. Sometimes very pretty necklaces. You need a way to display them, but don’t have the hundreds of … Read more
The pointy petals are the easiest ones to make. They also require less precision, although they look great in chrysanthemums, gerberas and in more complex combinations, such as the lotus flowers. This tutorial will teach you the basic moves that you’ll get in no time. In a few minutes you’ll be able to make a … Read more
This photo tutorial will teach you, step by step, how to upcycle natural or synthetic fabrics and transform them into pretty butterflies by using the tsumami kanzashi technique. If you are new to this technique, I recommend that you first learn how to make the simple petals, then the multi-layered petals for the prettiest handmade … Read more
In this tutorial I’ll teach you my own method of creating beautiful rounded tsumami kanzashi petals. Not the traditional technique, but one that will make your flowers stand out for sure. You’re new to the world of tsumami kanzashi and would love to learn how to make the petals out of silk or other fabrics, … Read more
You work all day long creating jewelry or toys or any other thing and you have an online business. You would like your items to look in your pictures just like in those big online stores. What’s their secret? For a few years now, the Internet has allowed us access to unimaginable resources. We are … Read more