We recently connected with Mimi Sanada and have shared our conversation below.

Mimi , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hi I’m Mimi! I’m the owner and maker behind Mimi’s Origamis, an Austin-based jewelry business that creates handcrafted origami jewelry using traditional Japanese washi paper and 14K gold-filled metals.

I am a first-generation Japanese-American, and origami was an important part of my childhood and a way for me to stay connected to my culture. Handcrafting small, detail-oriented things brought me joy, and I still have fond memories folding origami with friends at school or with my family during travels to Japan.

The crane, which symbolizes peace, hope, and good fortune, was the inspiration behind creating origami jewelry. It was through teaching my son how to fold origami cranes (which was taught to me by my mother) that led to my first design: the double crane. It features both a large and small crane, and represents the bond of a parent and child.

Each piece is folded by hand out of traditional Japanese washi paper, which not only comes in many beautiful silk-screened designs, but is also sustainably created. Each origami piece is coated with multiple layers of glaze to stiffen and preserve the paper, then paired with hypoallergenic 14K gold-filled metals to create an elegant, unique piece of jewelry!

While many people are familiar with origami as its own artform, I think creating jewelry with them is what makes my pieces truly unique. I am proud of being able to incorporate elements of my Japanese culture into something that is wearable across different occasions.

My hope is that through my origami jewelry, I can spread the beauty of origami and the messages of peace, good fortune, and creativity it represents.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being a creative is seeing the reactions of people who see or purchase my jewelry. While I enjoy creating my origami pieces, which is truly a meditative and healing process for me, it’s the joy, awe, and excitement I get to witness that is most rewarding. Whether it’s someone who appreciates the intricate artistry of origami folding, or has a connection to the paper crane or Japanese culture, I love hearing the stories of people who come across my work. Often people experience a nostalgic feeling, as many remember learning how to fold origami or reading a book about the meaning behind paper cranes during their childhood. Sometimes people walk away as they voice their desire to pick origami back up, or to share my work with someone they know. Witnessing these moments is the best gift for a creative.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

The best way that society can support artists and creatives is to elevate them through purchases and providing more spaces and opportunities to showcase their work.

Every individual makes choices when buying a product, so choosing to support an artist or creative in an environment that is typically dominated by big box stores and Amazon can make a difference. Investing in the work of artists and creatives allows them to continue their craft, and you can feel good about supporting someone who truly appreciates it. I know it makes my day when I get an order!

On a larger level, allowing opportunities and spaces to showcase artists’ work can not only provide a chance for more exposure and growth, but it can also foster a supportive and thriving community. Communities that supportive creatives and artists can be extremely powerful, as they can provide a place of belonging, inspiration, and knowledge. I have gained so much from being a part of maker collectives who give back to the community through providing resources and opportunities. We all want to improve our craft and business, and having a community to connect with allows us to thrive!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.mimisorigamis.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/mimisorigamis

Image Credits
Paige Reistle