Advertising with Art, Music and a Giant Floating Ball

I saw this ad / art installation last year but just stumbled upon it while trying to clean up my folders. I thought it very a fantastic idea and it was quite a sight to see while having dinner outdoors by the water.

This ball must have been a few meters high since it was pretty big from far away for us. The volume was also quite high considering it was night in the city (Yokohama, Japan).

Here is a brief video to show you the projected images on a floating white ball (held down by ropes):

Funny Stereotype Commercial

There’s no escaping it….. the Japanese stereotype is true…. but at least not this crazy….. yet!

http://www.japanesecommercial.net/2010/06/in-japan-they-start-young/

Thank you yet again Japanese Commercial always providing me with hours of entertainment!

Simple Chiyogami Butterflies

Here is a simple tutorial to make butterflies.

I’ve used chiyogami and washi tissue, but any paper will do, as long as you have complimentary colours or a very nice contrast.

Here is the basic outline of the butterfly wings:

First, draw this shape on stiff cardboard to make your own template.

Then, outline the template on the back of any decorative paper you chose and cut it out.
***Make sure not to cut out two of the same side! Flip the template so they are opposing shapes.***

Finally, take the cut out wings and stick them on a fine tissue or any lighter material then cut around the wing shape, but larger than the originals to create an outline.

Example:

When you’re done, hang them in the window, stick them to cards or book covers, create puppets by sticking them to popcicle sticks, or even try to do the same thing with fabric!

Um….First what?

Passed this by and did a classic double take…..

Personally, I find the tea on it’s own quite nice, but the ad just turns me off…..

Upcycle plastic packaging boxes:

Ever purchase or receive items packed in a plastic box or case?
I had a few of them from electronic devices and even holiday light decorations. While some of the packages can be used to store items, some aren’t practical for it, and it’s just becomes more trash.

I always feel bad for throwing them out, so I decided to try and make something new.

One idea I had, that was also fun for kids, is to transform some of the plastic packages into paper mache moulds. All you have to do is grease the inside with cooking oil (or lubricating spray) and paper
mâché the inside, making sure to get all the corners and edges.
Leave it to dry, gently pop it out, and paint it to create buildings, creatures, face masks and more. The same mould can be used over again for other materials like putty, modelling clay, and especially rubber
or clay moulding materials.

Here’s a package from a set of simple knives that can be used as a mould, or a use it to start seedlings off before transfering them to bigger planters.

If you would like to use the plastic package itself, paint or collage over it to create a trinket box/tray.

One of the things that I made was a simple planter. All you have to do is poke a few drainage holes and you’re done. There’s also the option to hang them by threadding a cord or string through holes on
the side.

This option would be great for those of you who use plastic cups and don’t want to throw them away! String a few together, either hanging at different lengths, or strung on some dowels/branches to create a
potted plant mobile.

Next time you come across plastic packages, give one of these projects a try -and show me how it turned out!

Missed the best photo!

I missed the best photo snap -ever!

This morning while I stood squished against the train door, I saw an older salaryman STANDING beside the door and swaying. He was fast asleep and even snoring.

That’s not the best part.

At the next station, a younger salaryman squeezed in front of the older one and started texting with his mobile. The older man briefly woke up, looked around, then fell asleep again…..and dropped his head on the young salaryman’s shoulder.

Not just gently touching the shoulder, but full-on cheek squished and mouth wide open (teeth were on the other guy’s blazer) and snoring.

Visualize that for a moment.

The young guy felt the head drop on his shoulder, raised his head abruptly and looked at the train door’s reflection to see what happened……when he saw the drooling salaryman, he immediately tensed up and stayed that way until the next station.

The moment the doors slid open, the young guy backed into me as though he was escaping the plague.

I actually had tears streaming down my face from holding in my laughter.

Since the train was so packed, I couldn’t even reach my phone, but burned the entire event in my brain.

I’m so sad that I missed such a wonderful photo of a sleeping salaryman…… but for your enjoyment, here are a couple pictures that are typical sights here in Tokyo:

This was sent to me from a friend who witnessed this very tired salaryman on a Saturday morning……

….and this one of a young woman who must have worked a lot of overtime….

If you are a facebook member and would like to see more examples of people asleep in Japan, check out the group “Nobody Sleeps Like The Japanese Do”.
Here are a few taken from the group to show you what I mean:

Very tired salaryman on the Yamanote Line train in Tokyo….

One of the many interesting poses that people are able to sleep in…. and now my all-time favorite……

Ramen Boy!!!