Hokkaido, Niseko has finally started to warm up, and the tulips in my garden are now in full bloom.
Because we live in a region with very heavy snowfall, I mostly grow perennial flowers that bloom again every year.
Every winter, they quietly wait beneath the deep snow, and when spring finally arrives, each one begins to sprout and bloom in its own perfect timing.
There is a quiet strength and beauty in the way they endure the long winter, and whenever I see them, I feel encouraged by nature itself — as if it already knows exactly when its own season will come.
Today, I made a pair of earrings for someone I used to work closely with.
Although we worked for different companies, our jobs often connected, and every year before winter, she would travel all the way from Okinawa to Hokkaido for our meetings.
I still remember the first time we met.
She was about the same height as me, and somehow that alone made me feel close to her right away.
Her calm and gentle way of speaking always felt comforting, and over the years, I came to look forward to seeing her at those winter meetings.
Last year, we had such a fun conversation about chestnut picking, and we even talked about how nice it would be to go together someday.
She was also the very first person who kindly let me practice color therapy on her when I had just started studying it.
I still clearly remember her smiling brightly as she said, “I like pink.”
Keeping her gentle atmosphere in mind, I chose soft pastel shades of pink and added small flower motifs, creating a pair of earrings with a warm and delicate feeling.
When the light shines through, the beautiful patterns in the glass become even more vivid.
Although she has now left from work and we no longer have a professional connection, it also gave me a new little dream — someday, I would love to visit Okinawa.
And secretly, I also look forward to the day she might come to Hokkaido for chestnut picking someday.
From now on, rather than simply being former coworkers, I hope we can continue our connection slowly and naturally as two people brought together by a meaningful bond.
Wearing a favorite color may be more than simply choosing a color.
It might gently bring out a person’s own charm, comfort, and individuality.
I truly love the time spent creating while thinking about the person the piece is meant for.
Little by little, I shape their favorite colors and the feeling they carry into each design, and I hope to continue creating each piece with care and intention.