The 2007 NY Stitchin gave rise to the first TK/TT Scissors Lanyard -  used for Stitchin name tags and hotel room keycards, they were also an instant hit to keep everyone's scissors handy (not to mention no more confusion about whose was whose!) - no one was digging for the scissors while working anymore. The lanyards were so popular that they sold out soon after word began to spread about them.  The 2008 Stitchin gave rise to th TemariKai slogan of "Stitch Temari, Share the Wa", in honor of the thoughts shared by Ozaki Sensei II in the then-current issue of the Japan Temari Association newsletter. Sensei always writes a “President’s message” in each JTA News issue. The words of this particular message were particularly meaningful and I knew that within them we'd found the long-searched for motto for and of of TemariKai.com and Talk Temari YahooGroups:

Deep feeling for Wa (Circle of Peace) (by Japan Temari Assoc. President, Ozaki Keiko).

"I recently found some literature that my mother, the last (previous) president of Temari Association, had written. In it, I felt her love for Temari in each word and each Japanese character her writing. From her one seed of Japanese traditional Temari making, Temari making has spread to all over Japan as well as to all over the world. My mother's wish to scatter (spread) the seeds of Temari making to the entire world, is now being materialized. I feel, stemming from the year's foreign country Temari teacher's certifications, that our Temari culture will spread even more than ever, and even into unreachable places in the world. It is hoped that Temari crafts, that were woven with warm feeling of love, stitch by each stitch, will bring that love and peace to the people who would receive them into their hands. It is my humble wish to continue to spread the “Wa” (circle of peace) of traditional Temari, even more than ever before."

(From JTA News Issue No. 43, April 2007. English translation thanks to Tomiko Morimoto West)

        The 2008 NY Stitchin bag was the first to carry the motto and heartily received. "Stitch Temari, Share the Wa"  continues to work its way into Temarikai and Talk Temari presentaion. Given the ongoing requests to restock scissor lanyards we redid the design appropriately. No matter what you may use the lanyard for (like keys, cell phone, MP3 player, ID badges, etc) - it will be one reminder of sharing in and being guided by Sensei's thoughts. 

Custom printed for the Temarikai.com/TalkTemari readerships, as well as temari stitchers the world over, the lanyards come equipped with a swivel J-Hook that is large enough to hold virtually any style scissors (including ergonomic styles such as Fiskars-type handles). Yet, it is not intrusive of interfere with using your scissors. The lanyard keeps your scissors easily found and within reach (lots of people loop the lanyard around the handle of their stitching bag when not wearing it, so they don't have to "dig" for their scissors). Your snippers will be within easy reach to use while wearing the lanyard,  without posing danger to you or anyone else (some scissor keepers tend to "whip" back into housings, sending the points of scissors flying a bit close to eyes, face and skin). Should you wish to remove the scissors from the lanyard, the quick-release clip makes it super-easy. Lots of stichers have taken to using one, with comments that it's a pretty nifty idea and helper.          The lanyards can also accomodate keys, badges, cell phones, MP3 players - whatever you wish;  it can be worn around your neck or looped through your stitching bag handle or zipper (or anything else you might what to loop it around like belts, backpacks, purses....). They are constructed of durable, double layer tubular polyester, yet are soft and comfortable - not at all stiff or scratchy.          Lanyards are 1/2 wide (1 cm), and total length to end of the J hook is 20" (50cm). Length to the quick release clip is 16" (40 cm). In red as shown, with the "Stitch Temari, Share the Wa - Temarikai.com"  logo imprinted in white. (Scissors/accessories not included.)