A recently developed lantern combining  fine design and tiny micro spherical solar cells – has been named “Sphelar Lantern”.

The Spephlar Lantern was developed by Kyosemi Corporation and the design  was led by graf, a Japanese design studio.

With the unique design each solar cell captures light from all angles.  This enables a full charge in just a couple of hours.  There is also a usb connection, which can be used for charging the Sphelar Lantern if there is no sun light.  It’s hourglass shape holds the spherical cells at one end and the light at the other end.  When turned upside down, the Sphelar Lantern comes alive with it’s beautiful light.

It’s central band is available in two hand polished woods – walnut or birch, which are crafted by skilled craftsmen in Hokkaido.  With attention to detail, even the packaging of the box is inspired by the shape of the Lantern and incorporates a design pattern mimicking the solar spherical cells.

In all essence, the Sphelar Lantern delivers technology, practicality, simplicity, functionality, environmentally conscious and craftsmenship -  it encases all aspects and more of how Japanese design is (and how Japan has future opportunities in leading).

For further information, please contact Ngaire or visit the Sphelar Lantern website (in Japanese).

Original article was posted on a website – ngaire takano

It is important to spend at least 15 minutes a week to sharpen your knives either using a whetstone on a whetstone or steel.

The best time to sharpen your knife is when it’s still sharp. If you wait until it’s blunt, it will take much greater effort and time to bring it back to a usable knife.

A sharp knife is important in order to preserve the true flavours of fresh ingredients. Cutting with a dull knife will damage food on a cellular level and alter it’s taste and appearance. The presentation and quality of the cut is becoming an increasingly important issue in modern cooking.

A sharp knife is also important for reasons of safety. A dull knife will slip on food and may result in bodily injury.

Sharp knives are also important for kitchen efficiency. It will take more time and effort to cut with a dull knife than a sharp knife. Using a sharp knife is also much more enjoyable. For a small price we can bring back that joy of preparing your food with ease.

Irashai Services Ltd can provide with tailored made knife sharpening – whether in house or delivered to the offices of Irashai Services Ltd.

Ngaire Takano has studied knife sharpening whilst residing in Japan and working in Japanese restaurants in Japan and Australia.  She has also learnt how to sharpen knives correctly whilst working with a Japanese knife manufacturer.   Only the smallest amount of metal is removed from your knife, guaranteeing a longer life.

To sharpen the knives, Ngaire uses whetstones sourced directly from Japan, not a grinder nor a steel.  Great care is taken when sharpening your knives – whether it is for the home or professionally.

We can provide you with whetstones from Japan, please contact for a full price list and details regarding the whetstones.

Prices for sharpening your knife start at £5.50 each.  For mail delivery or regularly booked services, please contact Ngaire directly for a quotation.

Testimonials

“I did not know how to sharpen my knives at the same time after my 14 hour shift was really tired.  Ngaire showed me how to bring new life back into my knives as well as reignite my passion when food prepping.”  T. Thompson, Berkshire – October 2011

“Professional job, my Global knives are just like new.” R. Smith, Oxfordshire – December 2011 

“Ngaire came to sharpen 8 kitchen knives which were varied in size and who manufactured them.  One of them had a large chip at the end which Ngaire professionally removed.  Her guidance and tips for care of the knives is excellent.  A top service!  I have recently asked her to return to sharpen other families knives as well.  Very professional and the knives are a dream to use now.  I highly recommend Ngaire.” J. Fisher, Berkshire – December 2011

“The knives which Ngaire had sharpened and returned to us by courier were excellent.  It is such a dream to use the knives whilst cooking.  I did not realise how blunt the knives were, until I sliced the cucumber and tomatoes.  I have now booked the knives in for a regular sharpen every 3 months – perfect service provided – a reminder call, collected and returned all within 48 hours.”  C. Jones, Kent – February 2012

Suitable for a small evening bag, storing glasses or precious items.  Previous customers have used their bags for storing their jewellery.

Hand washable and dry by wringing it within a towel.

These cute little hand made Teapot keyrings are produced by Oigen Foundry, from Iwate in Japan.  The teapots are made from cast iron and have a stainless steel ring and little bell attached to the handle.  The handle is moveable.  Whether attached to your bag, for use in a doll’s house these key rings are a cute enough for collecting.

The teapot style is very similar to the Maromi Teapot.

organic

So your about to make your dress, you have chosen a beautiful naturally dyed dusty coloured blue slow fabric silk is all ready cut out. Organic interfacing has been placed yet it requires something… Your 6 hand crafted re-purposed red buttons are delightful and will be stitched down the back of the dress.  The light blue Tencel lining is exquisite, works wonderfully with the slow silk.  Your grandmother’s sewing machine is gleaming, after being serviced and is eagerly waiting at the starting line.  There is one thing that is missing… Thread.

Whether your producing clothing, needlework, stitching on buttons or hooks or sewing up the latest seasons sample run, thread is a key element of your sewing box.  So going back to the question – How is your thread?

If you are a conscious and passionate about the clothing or other articles you make or wear, how much do you consider of your garment or articles to include -conscious of the environment, the people producing it and the output it has caused on the surrounding area, resources (water, energy) and people?  Is it an aspect which has not been considered, or is it a cost factor, thread is not important so let’s stick to just producing everything else “friendly” and not worry about the thread.

Forbitex is a business in Holland which traditionally has been producing yarns, threads.  They produce a range of strong, reliable thread, spun in Holland by Scanfil and dyed with fiber reactive dyes.  It is also Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified.  The colours are diverse and are available from Irashai Services Ltd directly.   This multi-purpose thread comes on 100 metre wooden spools.

These exquisite scarves are initially slightly crisp in handle,  have a soft fall and drape, whether to wrap around your neck, shoulders for day use or enhance your evening wear. Not only are these scarves made with organic silk – that is completely traceable, the colours used are completely natural – having been dyed using natural materials – barks, berries, leaves and coconut.

Garlands scarves have looked after a life long before they arrive with you. Fabric that has a soul, supporting the Masters of their art at the same time their own local community. The fabric itself has been nurtured and is of a high quality. All the scarves are hand woven using traditional floor or back strap looms.

Each piece is unique, due to the production and use of natural dyes, there are limited runs; primarily due to the time scale involved. The ethos of Slow Fashion – what is supplied locally, relying on and using local ingredients and materials, though most important supporting a skill and trade that generations have shared amongst themselves.  These scarves are fairly traded and the Women’s Co-operative is a member of the World Fairtrade Organisation.

Garlands scarves are available in three colours (as shown in the picture above); Purple Orchid, Silver Roses and Peonies.  The Silver Roses is the one listed in stock.

These exquisite scarfs make a truly special piece, perfect for special occasions, as a gift, or even as an opulent wall hanging.

Fabric: 100% Slow Silk
Country of origin:  Thailand

This not-for-profit event coincides with London Fashion Week and will be open to the public, press and trade. Go to The Good Fashion Show website to watch the official video and find out more. Do keep an eye out for some really inspirational designers, fashion and jewels of designer ware…

I have heard that Tammachat, Indiegreen and some new international designers are attending.

£5.00 entrance fee – book here for entrance for the market and exhibitions

£30.00 catwalk show - book here  - for entrance for the catwalk show from 7:00pm onwards

Tammachat is run by two lovely Canadian women, Ellen Agger and Alleson Kase.  Both are highly knowledgable about fabrics, threads and fairly traded. They both bring a wealth of knowledge and hands on experience in supporting and empowering women and providing opportunities for traditional skills and crafts to be sustained.

Tammachat have 3 key principles which resonated with me personally. They encase what we need to consider when dealing with our daily lives whether it is the fashion sector or even the food and drink. – Ensuring skills are retained and passed onto generations, women have choices about and control, that men and women are fairly and adequately paid for their work (not badgered into reducing a price to meet the Designer’s need) and most importantly using the resources wisely and according to their needs, which ensures communities and planet are preserved for future generations (text quoted from Tammachat’s website)

Women weavers and dyers are traditionally rice farmers who weave to make extra income after the harvest is brought in. These skills are a critical supplement to the family income, especially in these difficult economic times with the global recession reducing income from factory work while inflation increases prices.

It just shows that if you are working with mother nature then you have to understand that there is some slight discrepancy when it comes to colouring and weight. This fabric is bespoke, it is unique, it is one off. You cannot get this fabric again. It is exclusive. That sums it up really. Mother earth delivers what is required and the weavers weave their magic and the outcome is a unique piece of fabric or scarf. This then leads onto to having an article of clothing that is totally bespoke and unique.

Whether you require 2 metres or 20 metres, Tammachat silk is available for personal and wholesale use. Please contact for further information. Sample meterage is also available for students.   Scarves are also available wholesale or retail directly from Irashai Services Ltd.

Merging traditional production with modern design, the two handle pan provides grace to any kitchen. Whether you are preparing a traditional lasagne or a roasted pepper couscous, the cast iron pan enables it to be served straight from the pan at the table.

With the use of cast iron in the pan, the food is kept hot, but more importantly the flavour of the dish is not impaired.

We are clearing stock of these pans, order now to take the opportunity to grab the last one of these pans now available within the UK and EU.

These pans are VAT and is not included.  It will be added when processing through the checkout.

Hint of Japan scarves have looked after a life long before they arrive with you. Fabric that has a soul, supporting the Masters of their art at the same time their own local community. The fabric itself has been nurtured and is of a high quality. All the scarves are hand woven using traditional floor or back strap looms.

Each piece is unique, due to the production and use of natural dyes, there are limited runs; primarily due to the time scale involved. The ethos of Slow Fashion – what is supplied locally, relying on and using local ingredients and materials, though most important supporting a skill and trade that generations have shared amongst themselves.

These exquisite scarves make a truly special piece, perfect for special occasions, as a gift, or even as an opulent wall hanging.

Fabric: 100% Slow Silk
Country of origin:  Laos

Spring Blossoms scarves have looked after a life long before they arrive with you. Fabric that has a soul, supporting the Masters of their art at the same time their own local community. The fabric itself has been nurtured and is of a high quality. All the scarves are hand woven using traditional floor or back strap looms.

Each piece is unique, due to the production and use of natural dyes, there are limited runs; primarily due to the time scale involved. The ethos of Slow Fashion – what is supplied locally, relying on and using local ingredients and materials, though most important supporting a skill and trade that generations have shared amongst themselves.

These exquisite scarves make a truly special piece, perfect for special occasions, as a gift, or even as an opulent wall hanging.

Fabric: 100% Slow Silk
Country of origin:  Laos

Summer Harvest scarves have looked after a life long before they arrive with you. Fabric that has a soul, supporting the Masters of their art at the same time their own local community. The fabric itself has been nurtured and is of a high quality. All the scarves are hand woven using traditional floor or back strap looms.

Each piece is unique, due to the production and use of natural dyes, there are limited runs; primarily due to the time scale involved. The ethos of Slow Fashion – what is supplied locally, relying on and using local ingredients and materials, though most important supporting a skill and trade that generations have shared amongst themselves.

This exquisite scarf makes a truly special piece, perfect for special occasions, as a gift, or even as an opulent wall hanging.

Fabric: 100% Slow Silk
Country of origin:  Laos

Riverbank scarves have looked after a life long before they arrive with you. Fabric that has a soul, supporting the Masters of their art at the same time their own local community. The fabric itself has been nurtured and is of a high quality. All the scarves are hand woven using traditional floor or back strap looms.

Each piece is unique, due to the production and use of natural dyes, there are limited runs; primarily due to the time scale involved. The ethos of Slow Fashion – what is supplied locally, relying on and using local ingredients and materials, though most important supporting a skill and trade that generations have shared amongst themselves.

These exquisite scarfs make a truly special piece, perfect for special occasions, as a gift, or even as an opulent wall hanging.

Fabric: 100% Slow Silk
Country of origin:  Laos

These exquisite scarves have a soft fall and drape, whether to wrap around your neck, shoulders for day use or enhance your evening wear. Not only are these scarves made with organic silk – that is completely traceable, the colours used are completely natural – having been dyed using natural materials – barks, berries, leaves and coconut.

The unique net pattern is a traditional fisherman’s knotting which is used by local Laos fisherman which has been incorporated within the design of this wonderful silky scarf.

Dream Net scarves have looked after a life long before they arrive with you. Fabric that has a soul, supporting the Masters of their art at the same time their own local community. The fabric itself has been nurtured and is of a high quality. All the scarves are hand woven using traditional floor or back strap looms.

Each piece is unique, due to the production and use of natural dyes, there are limited runs; primarily due to the time scale involved. The ethos of Slow Fashion – what is supplied locally, relying on and using local ingredients and materials, though most important supporting a skill and trade that generations have shared amongst themselves.

These exquisite scarfs make a truly special piece, perfect for special occasions, as a gift, or even as an opulent wall hanging.

Fabric: 100% Slow Silk
Country of origin:  Laos