This interview is a part of the "Artisan Feature" section in the articles area of the Kanzashi Garden site. In an effort to bring greater understanding towards the craft of kanzashi making, as well as an awareness of talented and inspired artists in the community, these interviews featuring artists have been conducted. This particular article is a feature on the kanzashi artist known as Regynx. Please look below to find out more information about her and view some of her creations.



Name/Username: Regina Panzeca, Reginyx (Flickr.com), LittleCookie (Etsy.com)

Birth date: June 27, 1980

Location: Texas! Near Dallas. I am a very excited native Texan. Texas is magic.

What started you on the path of making tsumami kanzashi?
When I was young my father spent much time away in Japan on business and he'd come home with so much really beautiful traditional art and gifts for my mother and my sister and me. I have kokeshi and other beautiful traditional dolls, lacquer ware, elaborate obi and ceramics all around our house to look at for inspiration. Seeing these treasures come into our home piqued my interest in Japanese design and after years of focus on other textile arts (sewing and patternmaking, knitting, crochet) I started pursuing kanzashi making and have come to find it and all the delicate steps and work involved to be my favorite process of them all.

I now make them for the love of it and am happy to have customers who love and cherish them. I participate at trunk shows, have an Etsy (site for people buying and selling only handmade goods) shop and will soon be taking part as a vendor for the first time at an anime convention in Dallas.

As you can see from the above cupcakes, Regynx a very talented baker as well!
B-Day Chocolate, Valentine Strawberry, Thanksgiving Spice, and Pineapple Cupcakes.

How long have you been creating kanzashi?
For many years I couldn't even figure out what it was called, despite a desire to own some. A few years ago, once I figured it out, I became determined to make my own. I'm educated (formally and self educated) in textile arts and have a lust for skill building, so this really sparked my interest.

At the time there were VERY few - if any! - resources in English language, so I analyzed any pictures or visual references that I could possibly find and taught myself by trial and error. Over the last few years I've developed my skills - I have a perfectionist streak that makes me relentless when learning - and about a year ago realized that my skill level was high enough to offer my kanzashi to the public.

How would you define your style of kanzashi?
I try to make many more traditional styles as close to authentically as possible for a self-taught westerner. I feel like I modernize this concept by offering small versions (one or two actual blossoms rather than a large piece of many) alongside my more elaborate pieces so that my customers can wear them more casually if they like to. I also love to experiment with different, more abstract or edgy designs for fun. The method for making kanzashi is limited, so it is fun to see where you can take it as a designer and do something unexpected with it.
 

Regynx often takes her handmade creations and sells them at shows and bazaars.
Seen waiting patiently at her booth, Regynx ponders at an Urban Street Bazaar.

What is your favorite seasonal kanzashi motif?
I love the kanzashi motifs of springtime - sakura (cherry blossom) and fuji (wisteria) with trailing branches of petals and leaves to blow lightly in the wind mimic the wearer's movement. I credit the fluttering of bira bira with seducing me into my passion for kanzashi.

Do you have any other interests in Japanese culture?
Absolutely! I am intrigued with the perfect simplicity of Japanese design of all kinds. From traditional motifs to modern novelties like Sanrio, everything is streamlined and universally pleasing. It's fascinating! I'm fascinated with the social structure, language, art, lifestyle and technology of modern Japan. I'm interested in learning to speak/understand basic conversational Japanese language, and am studying other traditional Japanese crafts, as well.
 

Regynx is also very talented with beading, felting, sewing, crochet, and clothing.
Crafting stuff, bead bracelets, bags she's designed, felt plushies, luna ball, & beads.

Any stories or anecdotes about kanzashi, kimono, or the Japanese craft culture?
During a family dinner once, my mother suggested that I show my grandmother, who is very old and senile, one of my pieces. She looked at it and was so impressed and complimented me heartily, then proceeded to put in her mouth and try to eat it! She was biting down on the flower and pulling on the clip like it was a shrimp tail or something as I sat there and stared in horror not sure of what to do! I eventually saved it, but I don't worry so much about trying to impress Grandma anymore. :D

Any other comments you would like to share with the kanzashi world about yourself?
I hope that people continue to find interest in the quality, love, and devotion that go into handmade goods as well as an appreciate for the virtues and beauty of the natural world.

Even if it is simple, to use your hands and make something improves your outlook and provides a unique sense of satisfaction that I think many people miss out on. I love to sit at my table with friends and family and work with our hands together - nothing pleases me more!





Thank you Regynx for allowing me to interview you and for all the help and contributions to Kanzashi Garden! I look forward to seeing many more of your creations in the future!

If you wish to see more of Regynx's work to view or buy, visit these places below:
Regynx's Flickr Gallery- Gallery of her Kanzashi work and other photographs.
Little Cookie's Shop- Her online Etsy shop selling her kanzashi and other creations.

Interviewer: Skye Altamirano
Interviewee: Regina Panzeca (Regynx / Little Cookie)
Photographer: Regina Panzeca
Date: April 2008
Contact: tantaga [at] tantaga.com


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