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Japan Crafts
Est.2006
JAPAN CRAFTS

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Hobbyra Hobbyre and PRIDE

3/6/2021

7 Comments

 
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I've had about 10 shipments stuck in various Customs depots over the last couple of weeks which can get very frustrating when there are new and exciting products in the boxes! The delays are all due to the extra paperwork associated with Brexit, now that everything coming to and from Europe has to go through Customs. Even my shipments that come straight from Japan to the UK get stuck in the same system, so everything takes at least a week longer than it should, and in some cases more.

After what seemed like forever, I have finally received new stock from Japanese sashiko company Hobbyra Hobbyre. Despite the weird name, I like this brand because they have some really lovely variegated sashiko threads, in 56m skeins which are a perfect length for a couple of pre-printed samplers or as an accent on a larger panel.

The colour combinations are very different from other sashiko manufacturers and I can't wait to stitch up some samples and make some kits with them!
Hobbyra Hobbyre pre-printed sashiko samplers are also very distinctive, with traditional designs drawn from Japanese culture. I've got a few designs in stock now but plan to get more over the coming weeks, as they have already proved popular since I put them on the website to pre-order.
There is definitely a trend for luxury sewing goods and accessories at the moment, perhaps because people have honed their needlework so much over the lockdowns that they now want to spoil themselves with the very best tools! Clever storage ideas are also popular, and I'm not going to comment on the reasons for that except to say that my own 'stash' also requires ever-more ingenious storage solutions...

Hobbyra Hobbyre have designed several adorable tins in which you can hold all your sashiko tools and threads. The first is specifically designed for sashiko tools and even comes filled with them so there's no excuse for losing anything!

A traditional wooden Japanese 15cm ruler, 3 sashiko needles, 2 sashiko thimbles, a handmade pincuchion and a quality pair of thread snips are inside this beautifully designed tin which will look gorgeous displayed in your sewing area (or by the sofa. I know what you're like!). There's room for other bits and bobs such as a marking pen, pins, threads and even a folded-up sampler you're working on, too.
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If you find your threads are always going a-wandering, then the next tin might be a better choice as it contains 11 of Hobbyra Hobbyre's most popular shades (plus a pack of sashiko needles) and the design on the front makes it very obvious what's inside! This set costs much less than buying the threads individually would, so you're saving money too. Win-win.

I think either of these tins would make a lovely gift for someone who you perhaps haven't seen for a while but who you know would appreciate it. And of course, I've already snaffled one of each for myself (as you can tell I hate my job...)🌸
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In other news I have curated a special collection of goodies for Pride month, with 10% of the proceeds going to York LGBT Forum until the end of June. This is a charity that I have been closely associated with for a few years now and have made many friends from, and the work they do literally saves lives.

There are always accusations of 'rainbow washing' during Pride month, as corporations and big businesses increasingly use Pride as a commercial opportunity and many in the LGBTQ+ community see this 'support' as a crass, disingenuous gesture which doesn't last beyond 30th June.

Even as a small business owner who is very much part of the community, I am liable for backlash if I am seen as profiting in any way from Pride, so this year I am donating a percentage of takings to charity rather than having any discounts or special offers.

In case you didn't know, Pride started as a protest against police brutality towards the LGBT community, and in particular was started by and for Black transgender women. It was (and for many, always will be) very far removed from the carnival floats and celebrations we see at parades today. You can read the history of the Stonewall Riots here

When Man and I visited New York in 2019 for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots, we were absolutely flabbergasted when Stonewall veteran Victoria Cruz sauntered into the pub! Even more so that nobody else (including the Stonewall bar staff) recognised her, I mean she's hardly a wallflower! Here I am having my little fangirl moment with her.
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Personally, although I agree that it's galling to see big businesses flying a rainbow flag whilst having an appalling LGBT record, I also think it's important for smaller businesses to be able to flaunt their goods during Pride. For many customers, it's affirming to see and be able to buy LGBT merchandise and it's a real shame that several friends of mine who own LGBT businesses feel they have to hide for fear of being seen as 'rainbow washing'. I also know people who are trolled online and who have lost customers simply by showing their support for the LGBT community. This is the very opposite of what Pride stands for.

🌈🌈🌈

If you own, or know of, an LGBT-owned business, I would like to invite you to comment with a link to it below so that others can have the chance to support it. LGBT people also need allies, so you don't have to be part of the community to add your support. And I have to approve each comment before it is shown publicly, so don't worry about trolls!

🌈🌈🌈 Happy Pride Month to Everybody 🌈🌈🌈
7 Comments
Jake Furby link
3/6/2021 06:45:13 pm

Thank you for choosing us as a charity for Pride Month we are really honoured. During Covid-19 our demand has increased and more and more people need to access our services. We offer 1 to 1 support, social groups and events. You can find out more what we do here.

www.yorklgbtforum.org.uk

All the best
The York LGBT Forum Team

Reply
CJ Allison (Equality Cards) link
3/6/2021 06:50:22 pm

This is such a lovely blog post Katie. Thank you 💕 - June is Pride Month but LGBTQ+ businesses need allies all year round - this is a great opportunity to promote similar businesses and we are happy to be involved - all our greetings are are designed by and for LGBTQ+ people and proceeds support local charities in North Yorkshire x

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Katie Becker link
3/6/2021 06:56:16 pm

You have such an amazing selection of cards for every friend/family member xxx

Reply
Vikki link
3/6/2021 07:32:29 pm

Hey!

My partner runs a (very) small shop selling predominantly hand dyed yarns, and very definitely comes under the category of LGBT owned/run small businesses.

I have to admit, I've been a little nervous of late, as we have a number of pride inspired colourways (in particular a pick and mix miniskein set where you can pick from a variety of pride flags) -

I have been a little concerned that it will be seenn, as you say, as rainbow washing. Particularly when you consider that I do a lot of the advertising, and from the outside I'm just a woman married to a man, advertising pride products in June... Obviously it is not that simple, as Pod (my partner) does not identify with that narrative at all (bi/non-binary), and I am fully in support of this. On top of which, we have been making and selling pride inspired colourways since we started dyeing wool, and will continue long after the end of the month. .

I guess what I'm saying is that it is very refreshing and comforting in a way to see that small businesses doing products like this can be seen in the sense of being heard, visible etc, rather than just profiting from pride. We don't want to be tarred with the same brush as the large businesses, so thank you for seeing us in that light 😊💕

I also absolutely love that you are making a donation from your sales. This is absolutely something we aspire to as well, but sadly not something we can feasibly afford at this time (the perils of just starting out and being so small I guess! But one day...!)

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Katie Becker link
3/6/2021 07:39:47 pm

Thank you for taking the time to comment, it's really important that different sides are heard and your business definitely deserves support for the lovely things you are creating. Many people actively want to support small businesses, LGBT creators etc so the more visibility the better in this case!

Will be having a browse later xxx

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Emma bragginton link
3/6/2021 08:30:20 pm

What a lovely post Katie and love your products.

We run an LGBT owned pet sitting and dog walking business in Northallerton, north yorkshire and want to be able to ensure any of the LGBT community here feel safe with us looking after their house and family pets.

Sit and go Northallerton

Reply
Lin
4/6/2021 09:11:20 am

Great blog Katie. So proud to be your Mum! xx

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    I started Japan Crafts in 2006 and have been bringing wonderful fabrics and techniques to people in the UK ever since.

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