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“To those who don’t know better, they won’t think they're anime accessories. But those who know, will get it. Those are the kind of things I want to make.” - Cure Employee takanashi
With their refined style and vibrant colors, these resin Clock CoLoR Bullet Necklaces were such a hit that they’re back by popular demand. How did these beautiful accessories come to be? Their creator, Cure Employee takanashi stopped by the TOM offices to talk with us about his charming accessories.
Creator Introduction
Name: Cure Employee takanashi
TOM Portfolio Page
"To those who don’t know better, they won’t think they're anime accessories. But those who know, will get it. Those are the kind of things I want to make.”
Cure Employee takanashi first got interested in making accessories after he fell in love with the anime series Puella Magi Madoka Magica. His latest resale items are his own original works, but he started off by making "motif accessories” based on various anime and game series.
“I got really into Mado Magi and my wife was making a fan magazine, so we would attend events together. We thought that just the magazines weren’t enough, so we decided to make something, and that’s how it started. I decided to try and make some Soul Gems, so I went out and got the materials and gave it a shot. When people seemed to like them, I was really happy, so after that I immersed myself in making more things."
The accessories she made based on Madoka Magica and Toho Project were so stylish and refined that they did not look like anime goods at first glance. If you look closely, however, you will notice there are various motifs and themes that fans of the series can understand. Unlike goods that feature character illustrations, these accessories can be discreetly worn or attached to a bag without attracting too much attention.
The items up for sale now are takanashi’s original Clock CoLoR Bullet Necklaces. Each bullet-shaped resin charm is covered in sparkling gears and golden threads and are available in a variety of vivid colors. The necklaces are made in such a way that the theme of "the passage of time” clearly speaks to the heart of any otaku, but even those who don’t understand the deeper meaning will still think it looks stylish. These multi-colored charms can be used as necklaces, or attached to a bag or other accessories. The various colors available makes them fun to collect and mix and match.
When takanashi first tried selling at a spot sale, they were received very well. “The boy/girl ratio of customers seems to be approximately 50/50, but leans a little towards the girl’s side. Many of the male customers ask for one of each, as if someone else had asked them to buy them. The black and other monotone designs are popular among guys, while girls tend to choose pink and blue.”
When they were put on sale by Tokyo Otaku Mode, the necklaces quickly sold out and received raving reviews from customers abroad.
“When I received comments in English asking ‘When can I buy these?’, part of me felt a bit panicked (laughs). I thought, are fans abroad really starving for things like this? I know that there aren’t many others who make accessories like this, but I was still surprised at how much people seemed to take to my work.”
Each necklace charm is handmade by Cure Employee takanashi himself. When we asked about the production process, he was very willing to show us. He apparently wants more people to discover the fun of making resin accessories for themselves.
It takes about an hour and a half from when I begin pouring the resin. After it hardens, I add the necklace parts. In total, it takes about 2 to 3 hours to get them finished and boxed up. Usually, my wife and I work separately on our own projects, but before Comic Market we worked together to make about 200 to 300 of them all at once.
Resin accessories can be made by anyone with a UV light, resin and other materials. However, it’s extremely difficult to achieve this level of perfection.
“Resin has about the same consistency as honey, so air bubbles inevitably are formed. In summer when the resin is softer, the air can escape easily, but there are still some bubbles that are left behind. When I put stones and gears inside the molds, surface tension causes air pockets to form at the back. If you use an emboss heater to make the viscosity comparable to water, the air bubbles with disappear. But I also think there’s a certain flavor air bubbles add to each item."
Though all the accessories may look the same, they’re actually completely unique. And being handmade, they’re of limited supply. Don’t miss this chance to get some for yourself!
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
