- About -

Hi. I am Hiromi Hasegawa, a crafter at Kobo H.

I grew up in Shizuoka, Japan's approximate geographic center and best known as the home of Mt. Fuji. The curly haired baby in a wooden stroller is me a long time ago...

I always liked making things with materials around me - leftover yarns, fabrics and some buttons from some old shirts or jackets. And there were always people around me - my mother, grandmother and neighbors - who showed me how to make things to use in our daily lives. My mother knit sweaters from old sweater yarns to recycle them. My grandmother sewed some caverlets from leftover fabrics or old towels to cover futons and mats. One of my neighbors showed me how to sew by hand. They did not like wasting things, so they often recycled something when they needed. Those creations were not fashion magazine materials but had their own practical beauty.

Nowadays, we have so many things we can purchase even without spending a fortune. I buy things I need or like. But at the same time, I feel something is missing - an appreciation for good-old-days handmade crafts.

I work with recycled yarns or fabrics, alpaca or sheep fibers from local farms, and sustainable materials as much as possible along with other materials I purchase for my creations.

A portion of my sales will go to support...

• The Snow Leopard Trust in Seattle, protects an endangered animal, the Snow Leopard and the local community where the cats live.
• The Rolling Dog Ranch Animal Sanctuary in Montana, rescues and shelters disabled animals.
• Kiva, the world's first micro-lending platform helping unique entrepreneurs in the developing world.

Kobo H. is one-person operation. Your support is very much appreciated.