The Clever Japanese Art of Nerikomi Pottery

An intriguing art form is the ancient Japanese pottery technique called nerikomi.
The word itself means "to press into." The clay is layered in decorative patterns
and then pressed into cylinders, which are then thinly sliced to reveal the design.

A technique much like polymer clay canes...

or the millefiori glass of Murano, Italy...

or... sushi!

Here are some super examples of nerikomi pottery,
then a YouTube video that I just know you'll enjoy!

It's always fun 

to see how it's done!

Beth's Beautifully Crafted Japanese Temari Balls

The word "temari" in Japanese means handball.

To give a temari as a gift is a token of loyalty and friendship,

and is believed to bring good fortune to the one who receives it.

Beth Bittle, of Maryland, has perfected this ancient art form.

The core is a simple Styrofoam ball, which is donned with a "coat of many colors."

Brightly colored yarn and threads are wrapped around it to create exquisite patterns!

Visit Beth's shop on Etsy!

Images used with direct permission from Beth Bittle.

Cherry Blossom Cupcake Mosaic

Holy Pastry Pixelation, Batman!

A mosaic mural of cupcakes.

10,000 of them!

I bring you this post in recognition of the upcoming

National Cherry Blossom Festival,

held annually in Washington, D.C.

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The 2014 festival is set for March 20 through April 13,

amidst 3,000 predicted-to-be-blooming cherry trees!

Can you imagine the fairytale ambiance?

Like stepping into a magical, pink dreamworld!

The trees, a gift from Tokyo Mayor Yukeo Ozaki to the city of Washington, D.C.,

were given in 1912 to honor the friendship between the U.S. and Japan.

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A hundred years later, London bakery Crumbs & Doilies

was commissioned by Japanese TV show ITTEQ

to create a cupcake mural of a blooming cherry tree.

Oh, and the whole thing had to be done in one day

so that the treats could be eaten. No pressure there.

Were they up to the challenge? I think the result was terrific, don't you?

Here's the official poster for the 2014 National Cherry Blossom Festival.

It was created by artist Evelia Sowash.

From her site: "Created in the Japanese style of woodcut block prints,

this composition was meticulously made on a mac.

The blooms were hand painted with watercolor and then moved into place."

Isn't this poster so, so pretty?
The charming color palette with salmon, aqua and lime?

(And of course, I'm partial to the paisleys she used!)

See more of her work at Evelia Designs.

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More on the festival HERE!

I'd love to go some day!

Cupcake images used with permission from Sam at Crumbs & Doilies.