Size:

height: 27 inches
width: 8.5 x7.5 inches
cranes: 3/4" and 3/8" high

Materials:

paper cranes
origami (folded paper) sushi
cut paper sushi
beaded wire shrimp
styrofoam
air dry clay
acrylic paint
pine boards
metallic embroidery thread
low melt glue
monofilament

Description:

A “beckoning” cat often seen in Asian restaurants & shop windows.  Maneki-neko brings prosperity and good luck to those who keep one. The beckoning gesture of his upraised paw signals people passing by to come in and patronize the establishment.

Maneki-neko is made of air dry clay that was formed over a hand sculpted Styrofoam base. After drying the clay was painted to include all of the colorful details you see here.

I chose food to ornament the wooden “geta” serving platform (which was designed by me but made by a friend) to reflect the food theme of Japanese restaurants. The sushi includes both origami pieces as well as sculpted paper and beaded wire prawns.

The metallic cranes presented a unique challenge in that much of the paper is so highly reflective I had to wash and dry my hands constantly so that I didn’t leave fingerprints on the surface of the paper. 

Cranes are 3/8” and 3/4” high.

It was also the hardest set to hang because the cranes were strung closely together. They are hanging from metallic embroidery thread and glued in place with a  low-melt glue gun.

_________________

TINYGAMI LLC - Greenville, MI
All contents on this website copyright © 2015-2016 Stacie Tamaki. All rights reserved.

Please: No reproductions of any type without written consent.