Morning walk
A loop along the riverside path with her dog. The color of the mountains decides her mood for the day.
Loading Bele's story.
Loading Bele's story.
Loading Bele's story.
Bele's story
In a small atelier in Gunma, Bele, who loves dogs, cats and making things, creates each piece one at a time. This is a little story about how that "love" takes shape.
To say a proper hello, here is Bele's profile.
Izabele
Tap me and I will chat with you.
Bele's profile notebook
Bele grew up in a town among the mountains of Gunma. Open the window and you could see Mt. Akagi and Mt. Haruna, and she spent her days watching them change color with the seasons.
There were always dogs and cats at home. They ran along the rice-field paths together and sunbathed on the veranda. Before long, her sketchbook was full of drawings of them.
She made little animals out of clay and lined them up on the windowsill. It was her favorite game as a child.
The first thing I ever made was a slightly lopsided Shiba. It still sits on the atelier windowsill.
The figures, embroidery and painted bowls of Bele Studio are all finished by Bele's own hands, one piece at a time.
The flow of the fur, the shape of the ears, that little habit of tilting the head. She studies the photo closely and searches for what makes that pet who they are.
If the expression is not what she pictured, she starts over, as many times as it takes. She only sends out pieces she can proudly say "I did it!" about.
She truly loves making things. She says her happiest time is at night, moving her brush while listening to the sleeping cat breathe.
When I look at a photo, I feel like I can hear that little one's voice. I'll make it again as many times as it takes, until I find the best face. Because it's a one-and-only, precious little one.
Finished pieces are wrapped in soft paper and placed in a kraft box.
She ties blue and white string snugly and adds a handwritten "thank you" card, one by one.
What expression will they have when they open the box? Will their pet come over to sniff it? Picturing those moments, she packs each piece with care.
Let me write your pet's name on the card, too. I secretly imagine the look on your face when you open the box.
Bele's wish is very simple.
For the person holding her work, and the pet beside them, to smile. For everyday life with your pet to feel even more precious.
That is why she will keep doing what she loves, making things with all her heart, in her small atelier in Gunma.
Turn your love into something to hold.
What she has always held dear when making her work.
Promise 1
No molds and no mass production. Each piece is made by Bele's own hands, one at a time. That is why no two have exactly the same expression.
Promise 2
Whether it is something to display or something to use every day, she imagines the time you spend with your pet and looks for a shape that brings a gentle feeling.
Promise 3
The packing, the handwritten card, the shipping notice. She watches over every step until the day it reaches your hands.
From the morning walk to the night sketch. Take a little peek at the hours of the atelier.
A loop along the riverside path with her dog. The color of the mountains decides her mood for the day.
Kneading, carving and painting the clay. This is the most focused time of the day, when she goes eye to eye with the photo.
The atelier is in Gunma. The gentle colors of the work and the calm, cozy air come from this land.
Mt. Akagi, Mt. Haruna and Mt. Myogi. The view of mountains all around is the backdrop to Bele's every day. Watching their colors on her morning walk is part of her routine.
Takasaki is a town known for the lucky daruma. Just looking at their perfectly round shape is enough to cheer you up.
The figures and bowls from the story. Bele makes each one by hand.
Finished pieces are wrapped in soft paper and placed in a box. The message card gets written here, too.
Carrying the boxes to the post office. She waves and sees them off with a "have a good trip".
With the cat on her lap, she sketches the one she'll make tomorrow. The best ideas usually come at night.
In winter, a dry wind called the "karakkaze" blows down from the mountains. It is cold, but the clay dries well, so it is a season when the work goes smoothly.
Kusatsu with its Yubatake, Ikaho with its stone steps. Having so many famous hot springs is something Gunma is proud of. When her work reaches a good stopping point, it is time for a soak and a rest.
