Alyx Mazerov Yuasa

Hey there! I'm Alyx, the proud owner of Ornament Designs. I’m a wife and mom of two awesome kiddos and have called Japan home for over 15 years. I’m currently located in Yokohama.

My love for handmade Christmas ornaments has been a part of me since childhood. I have fond memories of my parents making dazzling sequined and beaded ornaments from those trendy kits in the early '80s. They captivated me, and In my teenage years, with my mom cheering me on, I started making my own. Since beaded and sequined ornament kits were elusive in the ‘90, I took matters into my own hands and designed them myself. It warms my heart to know that my mom still hangs them on her tree every year.

After getting my BA in Anthropology at Texas State University, I made the big move to Japan to teach English as a second language. That's when I stumbled upon Kimekomi, the tucked fabric technique. I eventually adopted and adapted the technique to craft unique Christmas ornaments that I'm thrilled to share with you. 🎄✨


History of Ornament Designs

What started out as a hobby in 2009 after posting my first time-lapse video on YouTube has become a business with a YouTube channel with over 18,000 subscribers, this website, a successful Etsy shop, and a community of ornament enthusiasts on Facebook and Instagram.

My mission is to bring the joy of kimekomi ornament-making to fellow crafters worldwide. I take great pride in every design I create and teach, often revisiting my old tutorials to improve their quality and value, considering different learning styles and techniques.

Origin of Kimekomi

Kimekomi (pronounced kee-may-ko-mee) was developed in the 18th century at Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, Japan, as a doll-making technique. The word kimekomi (木目込み) means "to tuck into a groove." A pattern is drawn and cut onto a surface, such as polystyrene foam, wood composite material, or resin. Fabric is then placed over the cut pattern and tucked into the grooves. The technique is very versatile and can be used to create all sorts of ornamental decorations.

If you are interested in exploring traditional Japanese kimekomi, I encourage you to check out the following Japanese Shops.