Fun With Finny: Japanese, Vintage And Kawaii Jewellery And Items

One for the girls. After coming back from Hyper Japan with tons of business cards and a re-ignited passion for cute jewelley, charms and items, I have decided to put together a (hopefully helpful) list of places where like minded people can get said items.

Fist of all... TOFU CUTE! One of my favourites and they have an amazing online stall! (http://www.tofucute.com/) I practically raided their stall last weekend at Hyper Japan and bought loads of great and immensely cute things from them. The prices are really reasonable too, and you can see them at many conventions and events up and down the UK! They put my purchases in mini pink drawstring gift bags - too cute >_<

Next, Two Bad Bananas (http://www.twobadbananas.com/ - but they use Etsy for most transactions) have some really original pieces, mostly in the shape of happy food, HOORAY :)
I first heard of Now, Voyager at Hyper Japan and I am amazed at their hair clip range including cakes, toys and birds XD I believe I even saw a lilly pad head clip. They are beautiful additions to any outfit. (http://www.now-voyager.co.uk/).

Another place that does original and quirky jewellery is Dragon Dreads. (http://www.dragondreads.co.uk/) They have everything from yummy pudding necklaces (I got an ice cream cone there :D) to miniture book necklaces including the Harry Potter and Twilight series. There were even cartoon character necklaces and Steampunk jewellery again, at very reasonable prices. I personally love their fruit necklaces and dolly mixture bracelets!

Whenever I'm in Reading, I always visit Octopus (they also have an online shop - http://www.octopusshop.com/) as their range is second to none. Everything from the handbags, (including the watering can handbag that I wore on Sunday) to rice bowls, beautifully painted hairbrushes and dog shaped spray bottles to business card holders and keyrings - the choice is endless and everything is guarenteed to be unique and fun :)

Walking around places like Chinatown or even your local high street can have some interesting finds such as.... CAPSULE MACHINES! For just £1 or £2 you can get phone charms, figures or keyrings from your favourite series or of your favourite character. In Chinatown there are also various shops labelled China Town Market which have original (and mostly good value) items like bento boxes, rings and plushies. One place in Chinatown even has a website - http://www.qutse.com/ - which looks really colourful!

In one, there's even a Puri Kura photo booth in one where you can take fun pictures with your friends and decorate them with drawings, backgrounds, special effects and pictures :D

6% Doki Doki visited the Japanese Arts Festival a while ago, and they even have an online shop. (http://www.6dokidoki.shop-pro.jp/ - I'm sure you can translate the page) A store based in Harajuku selling items for decora and kawaii fashion, some bits may be expensive but feel like you have a part of Harajuku with you. >3<

If you go onto Ebay and search for seller ILOVEKITSCH2004 it will come up with a great selection, most handmade by a lady I met at the London Film and Comic Con. I got a bracelet with a beautiful bronze wolf and glass hearts which is really pretty and amazingly it was only £6.
Sometimes at conventions, and in their shop in the Trocadero, Tokyo Toys do some great pieces, but the main place I visit in the Trocadero are the Japanese inspired accessory stores including THE PANDA STORE! Which sells, well, panda related items and sweet headbands.

Last but not least - why not try making your own? That way if you have a creative idea you can get exactly what you want and hopefully minimize the cost. If it's too difficult however, sites like Etsy and Ebay are great for comissions :) And if you are lucky enough to go abroad to a place like Japan or Hong Kong you can get them first hand from shops and markets.