![](https://tsumami-kanzashi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_1698res-2.jpg)
The famous Tsumami-zaiku artists will talk about their thoughts about Tsumami-zaiku.
The ninth Tsumami-zaiku Artist is Russian artist Ms. Alena Kato.
![](https://tsumami-kanzashi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_0562.jpeg)
Profile
I’m an artist and a crafter. Mainly I paint, sew and make decorations as my hobby.
2014 – made my first tsumami-zaiku work
2015 – opened Etsy craft store “AlkatoCrafts”
2018 – created my Instagram page for “AlkatoCrafts”
Instagram – @alkatocrafts
![](https://tsumami-kanzashi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_5271-1024x743.jpeg)
Q1. How did you start working on Tsumami-zaiku? (Or did you get involved?)
I lived in Japan for 6 years and I was very curious about Japanese culture and art.
One day I just tried making a hair decoration out of some chirimen fabric scarps I had left after making a doll kimono. The result was so exciting that I really got involved in a whole process, I felt driven by creating more interesting things.
![](https://tsumami-kanzashi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_6368-1024x926.jpeg)
Q2. What are your commitments to your work and what do you care about?
I care about original ideas that my mind can produce. I find art in general very inspirational and important in our life and It feels great when other people are inspired by you as well. It’s the form of expressing self.
![](https://tsumami-kanzashi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_1644res-953x1024.jpeg)
Q3. What is the attractiveness of Tsumami-zaiku for you?
Tsumami-zaiku is a transformation of fabric into delicate beautiful decorations and it feels like some kind of magic.
![](https://tsumami-kanzashi.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/IMG_8046-1024x1018.jpeg)
Q4. What do you think about the future possibilities of Tsumami-zaiku?
I think Tsumami-zaiku can be applied in so many decorative ways. There are plenty of possibilities, it just needs imagination.
Q5. What do you want to make in the future?
I’m taking a break from crafting now because of some life events, though I actually have many ideas related to animals and flowers theme I’d love to work on in the future.
Q6. How do you think you can use/arrange or deploy Tsumami-zaiku in your country?
Tsumami-zaiku is not very common in Russia. I think it has a good potential to get more popular later. It could be used in interior designs and in outfits as accessories.