tomo_losgatitos

I'd known that there was this unique Tofu company called "Otokomae-Tofu",



And they were the first and only tofu company which started using unique designs for its package.  they've come up with lots of new styles of tofu products with unusual names such as "Johnny"(well, if it's for Tofu, that's pretty weird. I believe they are the very first company which used non-Japanese name for tofu.)



Their tofu became pretty popular in Japan a few years ago. The big part of why they became popular was not only their unique style but its quality of their tofu.  Now, I don't know how many people will get interested in this tofu story, ( I, myself, do not eat tofu very often.  I usually do not like tofu from supermarket. It's a total different food when you try just-made ones--I love it.)  But, I read an article that said "Otokomae-Tofu" debuted in US market in May, started in around east-coast area.




When I looked up "Otokomae" in my Japanese-English dictionary, it says;

"stud-muffin".................Um, I hope they won't put that translation on their package....

"Otokomae-Tofu" (in Japanese)
http://otokomae.jp/index_jpn.html?2

Last Sunday, I took a friend and mom to the biggest art event in Asia(that's what the ad said!) called "DESIGN FESTA" in mid-town Tokyo.

There were 1006 booths with tons of artsy, kawaii, bizzarre, stunningly beautiul artworks. Plus, lots of shows held here and there.  You hear beautiful orchestra music from the main stage at the center hall, then suddenly you walk into the booth Samurai rock band shouting, or bump into an all-white-painted boy in thong doing icky-dancing......whew, it's crazy! But fun!!^^

I wanted to see Capoeira stage at 13:30 and human beatbox performance at 15:30.  So, we got there at around 11 and tried to check as many booths as we could before those shows. 

I basically like all sorts of stuff; kawaii illustrations, creepy dolls, beads accessories, hip-hop graphic arts...etc, but I shoud say, what attracted me the most this day was the huge painting done by tattooist. I personally do not hold anything against tattoo culture. Though I never get it for myself , nor recommend to do it to others,  I always think there are lots of skillfull tattoists esp. in Japanese tattoo field, as a piece of artwork..

And, this is what caught my eyes(sorry, the image i have now is super small);



There are other Japanese-style printings I really liked by different artists, but his was the best.


So, this event was held for two days from 11am to 7pm, and we went there only on Sun.  A whole day without lunch didn't even help us to check 1/3 of booths and stages.. I'll definately go back again in November(they do twice a year)!!! Be more prepared this time!! ^^

ATC(Art Trading Card) and Image sheet I purchased on etsy arrived tonight.



I'm simply in love wiz  "bellydance" and its culture behind...



"No Fur This Season" on a pink paste paper background.
(it came wiz a extra piece of lovely card on the right)



 

I love it when someone exhilarates me with a sweet little surprise.
I got a package from Cathy in Toronto, who's one of talented artists and help my shop, and I was reading a card from her before checking all the items I ordered for my shop. 

I really like reading these nice lttle message notes from people I work with. Hand-writing still has got me excited even though I use e-mails way more often everyday.

As reading her message, I suddenly screamed and popped like a  monkey, she really got me surprised!

With the items I ordered, She sent me a sweet "Thank-you" gift --- Her "Squeeze" print which had been my favorite illustartion ever since I found her etsy shop, and she remembered that I mentioned it quite long ago!!  

The print is such a lovely piece with a little girl hugging a kitty. It reminds me of my childhood--hugging & kissing cats with lots of affection and the fact it annoys them most of the time didn't really matter! :)
I really like Cathy's illustartions.  The sweetness in her artwork reaches a forgotten part of me --- me as a little girl, being content with every little things in around the house(a small world!), and being creative and productive every single day(good old artsy days, in a little girl's own way, I should say).

When I woke up and saw my lovely "Squeeze" print in the morning, I thought this is super cool...she(the print) was born in Toronto, traveled all the way to Tokyo with a secret mission,  and now she is in my room!
Mission completed! :)  

And really, how cool is Cathy for doing that to me? We've never met in person yet but I can't wait to send myself with a mission of a little surprise and show up at the shop she works, someday in the future!! hehe:)

My website is finally up!! Yay!!  ＼（*´∇｀*）／

There's a lot of other pages I'm still working on, but at least now you've

 got sth to visit and get a picture of what my shop looks like.



It has been such a great experience working with those talented 

designers;

Lidia from Evil Kitty, Amy from Bond Girl, Cathy from Cathy's Sweet Shop,

Angel from AD LOVE, Liza from Love Dog Card Company, 

Rachel from Bad Girls Go To Hell, Alison from Circular Accessories,

Christy from Vera June...

They are so friendly, understanding, and unbelievebaly supportive.

I've started working on the featured pages for each designer last a few 

days.   Hopefully they'll be up by the end of this month....

We'll see...

Tomo :)