Kimono Life Etsy Shop

I've decided to delve into the adventure that is opening up an Etsy store! I actually opened up shop a while ago, listing only a few items. I almost gave up on it because it can be discouraging when items don't sell for a while. However, not too long ago I made a couple of sales in the span of a few days and my excitement peaked again, "hey, maybe Etsy isn't so bad!"

Here is the link for my Kimono Life Etsy shop. Only a handful of things for sale at the moment, but I've been on a crafting spree, so I hope to expand my inventory eventually. Some ideas of things I plan to make include: hadagi, nagajuban and nibushiki juban (two-part juban, which is basically a susoyoke and juban sleeves you attach to either a hadajuban or directly to your kimono. This is my favorite style of juban), collars, tabi, obiage and other accessories and jewelry. I will also sell off secondhand kimono items as well. I will do my best to update my blog when I add to my etsy shop.

Here are some items in my shop:

Handmade chirimen kago kinchaku.

I love making kinchaku bags! I like to do the threaded cord drawstring holders as I feel it looks more "traditional", though it is more difficult than sewing fabric loops!

Smooth and semi-flexible basket bottom. I like this basket, as there aren't any hard pokey basket pieces sticking out.

Custom, made-to-order susoyoke.

I can also make simpler shaped susoyoke, but I wanted to make them in this traditional shape with the side panels. I didn't realize how long it takes to make susoyoke, as there is a lot of hand-sewing! I use cotton for the waist, and polyester or poly-cotton for the skirt. The polyester I use is very light and cool to the touch, I love the feel of it. The one pictured is a poly-cotton with an open weave. The open weave makes it comfortable because it breathes, yet still feels warm and comfortable to the touch.

UNIQLO yukata for pre-teen. 

I am always looking for more yukata, as there are a lot of summer festivals in the Seattle area. When I bough this one, it had an ohashori sewn it to make it short for a pre-teen girl, however I could see that the width looked like an adult size, and confirmed that when the label read "freesize, 163cm long". So I took the chance and bought it, thinking it would fit fine after I took out the ohashori stitching. However, the previous owner had in fact cut off the length to 142cm, so I can not wear it. So I want this one to go to a new home, as it would be perfect for someone's daughter. It is much wider than other pre-teen and older child yukata, because it was made from an adult sized yukata. It comfortably fits up to a 45in hip circumference. I took out the ohashori stitching and healed up the pin holes from the stitching, however I would be happy to sew in a ohashori and shoulder tucks for anyone who would like this yukata!

Maiko compact mirror

(sorry, this one sold already) 

Such a cute little mirror! I decided to part with it, as I prefer textile mirrors.

Cho cho, tampopo, asanoha bifold wallet

I have been making a lot of wallets since this weekend, and they've been going like hotcakes. I made several wallets using fabric of our local football team logo, and those disappeared in mere moments, they were very popular. I've also used vinyl pleather and denim for the outside fabric, but I like the look of the patterned cotton wallet. It is small and light, so it is perfect to carry in a kinchaku or small bag. The butterflies are very cute and girly, but I liked the fabric because of the very light dandelions in the background of the pattern. I will be making many more of these wallets!

Cosmetic pouch.

Same fabric as the previous wallet. I like having a small pouch to put small items, like makeup. I added a little loop for attaching a cute accessory, such as a cell phone charm or key chain.

I have so many ideas in my head of things to make! I've definitely caught the crafting bug. I do plan on making kimono/yukata and obi, but for now I'm just going to put it out there as "by special request". Fabric is rather expensive, and I am always on the lookout for good deals, but I don't know how many completed garments I would be able to list, simply because of the cost to make.

For some examples of yukata I've made:

 Katamigawari rose yukata, tsuke obi, and bamboo handle bag

Boy's dinosaur yukata

I don't think I blogged this yukata. I made this yukata a while ago, on consignment, for a Immortal Geisha member. It uses a very high quality yukata bolt. It is much easier and faster to sew using a kimono bolt fabric, but such bolts are difficult for me to obtain at decent prices. I do occasionally find western fabrics at decent prices, and my goal to to make some yukata that I can sell at a decent, affordable price.

I recently obtained this hunter green tartan cotton with a fun, dyed pattern at the bottom. I'd like to make this into a fun and unique yukata!

I also have a ton of this shiny blue polyester, I'm at a loss on what to do with it. I'm thinking a nagajuban, since it is rather funky and fun with the irregular spots. I think it might be too loud and shiny of a fabric to make into a iromuji kimono.

I'd love to hear other people's ideas on what would be good to make available on Etsy. I do see there is a distinct lack of hadagi, so that was my original plan as far as things to make. Accessories are fun to make, but there is a lot of variety out there. I'm rather random when it comes to crafting (easily distracted ^_^;) so I'll probably just make and list whatever I feel like making for the moment, and after a while I'll get a feel for what people like!