Meet Kitty of KittyKanzashi

Tsumami Hana Kanzashi - Folded Fabric Flower Hair Ornaments

Aren't you always looking for something unique?  The one little touch that expresses who you are while being beautiful and unexpected.  Kanzashi ornaments are the perfect touch for anyone that has a love of Japanese culture and artwork.  Kitty designs and creates some of the most spectacular pieces I have ever seen!!!  Feel confident that if you love it even a little Kitty has put a tone of love into making the piece.  I think this is a good luck charm.

Kiru Rise Japanese Kanzashi Ornament

Each hair clip and/or ornament can be created in any color or combination of colors.  Kitty loves creating works of Kanzashi art for any reason!!!

Candy Amore

Blue Beach Kanzashi Hair Clip

From Kitty:

I'm a struggling trainee accountant who is making ends meet with her kanzashi.  

My life (and my flat) is full of all things Japanese and as an avid collector and wearer of kimono one can not complete an outfit without a kanzashi.  However I just couldn't find the kanzashi I wanted so I began to make them and soon they began to fill every space I had remaining.  

After giving a few of my kanzashi away as gifts to my friends and being made redundant from my work, I decided that rather then waiting for the right job to turn up, I would turn my hobby into my work.  Thus Kitty Kanzashi was born.

Apart from day dreaming about kanzashi and kimono, I enjoy cooking!  Whether it is cakes or stews, there is nothing more relaxing then taking your frustrations out on some food especially if I am making bread which is my mini food project at the moment.

And for my geeky side, I play computer games on my PS3 and watch anime.

Well Kitty I personally love your work and look forward to what you have up your beautiful Kimono sleeve!

Find Kitty here:

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/kittykanzashi

Twitter - http://twitter.com/kittykanzashi

Blogger - http://kittykanzashi.blogspot.com/

Wonderful World of Kanzashi

In the west, a traditional wedding is a white affair however in the multi-cultural world that we live in today this is no longer the only option. Recently I was commissioned by a bride to make two hana kanzashi because she was getting married in a kimono.

Hana kanzashi translated from Japanese to English means “flower hair ornaments” and are worn mainly by Maiko (apprentice geiko). However they are also worn on special occasions such as weddings or the “coming of age” ceremony in Japan.

Here is a picture of Maiko Koyoshi wearing a momiji (Maple Leaf) kanzashi.

(copyright Onihide – Flickr)

So which kanzashi did my bride commissioned me to make? In the end she choice to customize Cherry Blossom Crescent and Mellow Pink and the end result was as follow.

I really enjoy fulfilling custom order as it allows me to create kanzashi which I wouldn’t have otherwise made due to storage constraints. Also the thought of creating an item which the bride will treasure makes me very happy.

However for all you brides who are planning a white wedding do not despair since I am able to customize all of my kanzashi designs to suit your colour scheme.

If you are interested in any of my designs then visit my shop.

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