Shrimps

Earrings for Nana Watanabe

A paper pattern is created, and the design is programmed into a computer for embroidery. After embroidering on organza fabric, it is heat cut and folded like origami to form a three dimensional shape. The piece is lightweight yet maintains a sturdy structure, ensuring it retains its shape during storage and wear. The careful selection of materials and expert craftsmanship recreate the natural texture and movement of a shrimp, with particular attention to details such as the eggs in the abdomen. The use of gradient dyed rayon thread captures the enchanting beauty of marine life.

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Shrimps by Nana Watanabe

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Earrings by Nana Watanabe

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Nana Watanabe Shrimps

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Nana Watanabe Earrings

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Unique Properties

This design uses flat embroidered organza fabric, cut and folded to create a three-dimensional shrimp effect. Intricate folds, like origami, form the pattern. The design includes translucent eggs visible on the shrimp's abdomen. The structure incorporates air, making it much lighter than it appears. These unique features combine traditional embroidery with innovative folding methods to achieve a distinctive and delicate aesthetic.

Tags

Art, jewelry, earrings, lightweight, embroidery, sustainable, contemporary, costume jewelry, Wearable art

Production Technology

My design features embroidery with rayon thread on organza, using machine embroidery. I created a pattern by hand and made a paper model. After several trials, I digitized the design on a computer. The factory then embroidered the fabric, which was heat-cut and assembled with adhesive and hand sewing. Bonding the organza was challenging, but rayon stitches resolved this. Extensive embroidery ensures the soft fabric maintains its shape.

Design Challenge

The hardest part of this design was combining the delicacy of organza with the durability of rayon embroidery. Overcoming the challenge of bonding organza involved adding rayon stitches, achieved through extensive prototyping. The project considered historical and modern jewelry techniques, eco-friendly materials, and local production possibilities. Balancing artistic vision with practical constraints required significant research and innovation.

Project Duration

The project started in September 2022 in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, and was completed in December 2022.

Operation Flow

These earrings are very lightweight despite their size, making them comfortable to wear. They combine the softness of organza with the durability of rayon embroidery, ensuring the shape stays intact even with the soft material. The transparency of the earrings brightens the face, and their artistic design brings joy to the wearer. This design offers a delicate and glamorous touch that sets it apart from other earrings.

Research

This project is a process of trial and error to design earrings with unique beauty and durability. Various materials and patterns were created, and models of different sizes were tested to find the optimal combination. Prototypes were shown to friends to gather feedback, which helped finalize the design. Through this process, it was learned that patterns and structure significantly impact the durability and beauty of the design. This design combines humor, artistry, and comfort.

Inspiration

The inspiration for this project came from the intricate beauty of marine life, specifically shrimp. I was motivated by the challenge of capturing the delicate and translucent nature of shrimp using traditional embroidery techniques. The design also incorporates elements of origami, adding a unique structural dimension. Research into marine biology and textile manipulation provided the foundation for creating a piece that is both visually striking and technically innovative.

Image Credits

Image #1: Photographer Sayuka Tanaka, Shrimps earrings, 2024. Image #2: Photographer Sayuka Tanaka, Shrimps earrings, 2024. Image #3: Photographer Terukazu Sugino, Shrimps earrings, 2024. Image #4: Photographer Sayuka Tanaka, Shrimps earrings, 2024. Image #5: Photographer Sayuka Tanaka, Shrimps earrings, 2024.

Project Overview

Shrimps Earrings has been a Bronze winner in the Jewelry Design award category in the year 2024 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Nana Watanabe was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2025, a testament to excellence of their work Shrimps Earrings.

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