Hello
Hello friends and fiends, this is my first blog entry... ever. I’m not sure if I have anything interesting to share but I’m jumping in. I want to say thanks to everyone that’s checked out my new site since it’s official launch yesterday. I’m overwhelmed by the warm reception. I also want to give a special thanks to all the folks who have gone out of their way to extend a kind word of support and encouragement, and the multitude of people who have shared their own stories and insights about running a small business. And, last but not least, a big family hug to my wife and two kids who have been my support system, research assistants, and inspiration.
Why children's furniture?
Over
the years, I’ve puttered around with various creative
outlets, from graphic design to aerosol stenciling, but nothing really
came together for me. But it was when I was motivated to create for
someone else, specifically for my kids, that my self-sabotaging artistic
impulse was set aside where I could run with an idea and not look back.
My rapidly growing kids and their limitless imagination inspired me.
They brought me to a place where I felt like a kid again.
When
I was three years old, back when my parents and I lived in a small
apartment in Flushing, NY, I was always cobbling things together with
tape and paste, cutting paper and toilet paper rolls. My dad
who was an interior designer, kept a drafting table at home because he
was building up his own clientele while he worked for a firm. His
drafting table was awesome... monstrous (from my wee perspective) and it
had an arsenal of drafting tools and gadgets, and I coveted it.
Anyway, out of the blue my dad made me my own desk. It was a piece of
plywood wrapped in contact paper, sitting on two milk crates, and he
gave me a little spot lamp. I was so stoked; I had my own place to make
things, made for my size... my very own desk. I will never forget that
feeling. My parents, being the stoic Japanese parents, were very
matter of fact and didn’t make a big deal out of it. But the gesture
said to me, “Hey, what you’re doing is great. Here’s a space so that
you can do more of it.”
And, that in a nutshell is why I make children’s furniture: I want to give that feeling to my kids and other kids. I want to let them know that what they do is just so wonderful. They deserve a space for their imagination to flow. Find your flow, kids.
And, that in a nutshell is why I make children’s furniture: I want to give that feeling to my kids and other kids. I want to let them know that what they do is just so wonderful. They deserve a space for their imagination to flow. Find your flow, kids.
Do you have a childhood memory that's molded what you do today? Please leave a comment if you'd like to share.
Comments
I never saw this picture. I love it and the creativity you gave our kids. Nice job. J
November 12 2011 at 12:11 PM