Japanese 'Tsumami' Flower Accessory Workshop

Make a one-of-a-kind pair of earrings or a brooch using the Japanese technique of Tsumami Zaiku



2 hours Class size 1 to 15 guests       $80
Make beautiful ‘Japanese Tsumami Zaiku’ earrings or brooch with sustainable materials! ‘Tsumami Zaiku’ is a traditional Japanese craft used to create intricate fabric accessories.
In this Marrickville workshop, you will learn the basics of ‘Tsumami Zaiku’ flower-making, using vibrant fabrics and beads to craft a unique pair of earrings or brooch.
Don't worry if you’re new to this craft - our warm and welcoming environment is perfect for beginners. The class will guide you through each step, ensuring you feel confident and inspired as you bring your creations to life!
In this feature get to know Izumi Montgomery - artist and workshop facilitator for our Japanese 'Tsumami' Flower Accessory Workshop.
Can you tell us a bit about your background and how you started teaching the traditional Japanese craft ‘Tsumami Zaiku’?
I graduated with a Master's in Sculpture from Tokyo University of the Arts in 2008, primarily working with metal and fabric. When I moved to Sydney 13 years ago, I started to connect more with my Japanese identity and began using the traditional craft of 'Tsumami zaiku' in my small sculptures.
After becoming a mother, I made clothes for my baby, which made me more interested in fashion. I went to TAFE to learn about the fashion industry. There I realized how much waste is created by making clothes, so I went back to using 'Tsumami zaiku' to make upcycled accessories.
Around that time, I spoke with Joss, the production manager at 'The Social Outfit' (a sustainable fashion brand), and started using their scrap materials to teach 'Tsumami zaiku' brooch-making workshops.
How do you incorporate sustainable materials into the creation of 'Tsumami Zaiku' accessories?
Making clothes creates a lot of fabric waste, and these fabrics are beautiful. I don’t want to throw them away, even if they are small pieces. 'Tsumami Zaiku' is great for using these fabric scraps, and it’s a good way to upcycle.
What can participants expect to learn during the workshop?
You will learn two types of tsumami zaiku techniques, but in addition, you will explore the spirit of upcycling in relation to the history of tsumami zaiku in Japan. I hope you take this technique home and apply it in various ways!
Why do you think learning traditional craft like ‘Tsumami Zaiku’ is important in today's world, especially with a focus on sustainable materials?
In the world where we often buy and throw things away, I think it's important to use what we have to make something new. I love fashion and often make my own clothes. For example, I take old clothes apart and turn them into new outfits or bags. From the leftover pieces, I sometimes create matching 'Tsumami zaiku' earrings. This is what I learn from past Japanese cultures as well. I believe it’s good to do small things that help the environment, while also having fun and feeling happy about creating.
Learn the art of Tsumami Zaiku with Izumi in one of our upcoming workshops.

Upcoming dates for Japanese 'Tsumami' Flower Accessory Workshop

Times are Sydney time. Dates and prices as of 6 Oct 2026, 4:48am; availability and price are confirmed live when booking on this page.

1 upcoming date between 17 Oct 2026 and 17 Oct 2026.

  • Sat 17 Oct 2026, 10am-12pm
What you'll get
  • Learn two types of basic Japanese ‘Tsumami’ craft skills.
  • You can make one Tsumami flower brooch to take home or one pair of earrings
  • All materials provided.
Read more details   
Knowledge required
No experience is required.
What to bring
Just bring yourself! As this is close work, if you usually use reading glasses, it's recommended to bring them.
Location

30 Carrington Road, Marrickville NSW

Japanese 'Tsumami' Flower Accessory Workshop location
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Recent reviews of Japanese 'Tsumami' Flower Accessory Workshop

  • 5/5 from Phrn, attended Jul 2026: I had a great time in this class! It was fun, engaging, and easy to follow. Izumi was friendly, knowledgeable, and always happy to help. I learned a lot and would definitely recommend this class to anyone looking for an enjoyable and mindfulness craft activity.
  • 5/5 from Georgia Broer, attended Jul 2026: Izumi was a wonderful teacher, very knowledgeable and patient. I can’t wait to wear my new earrings!
  • 5/5 from Jacqueline Harrebomee, attended Jul 2026: Had the best time!! Such a civilised way to spend a Saturday morning!!! Looking forward to my next class
  • 5/5 from Kelly Jin, attended Nov 2025: A fun and easy to follow workshop!
  • 5/5 from Rebecca Humphris, attended Nov 2025: Absolutely loved our class with Izumi!! I took my best friend who loves craft and creativity and we had a ball learning the art of Tsumami flower making. It was relaxing, joyful and enriching. Izumi guided through every step and we were really happy with our creations.
  • 5/5 from Gaye Stones, attended Oct 2025: Had a wonderful time and the teacher was fantastic and sharing
  • 5/5 from Madeleine Donovan, attended Aug 2025: To celebrate a birthday, I took two 9year olds to this class. They loved learning a new skill, and and were enthralled with all the colours and choice of beads and examples! They were so beautifully encouraged and supported to do very delicate work, coming away with the most delightful earrings that looked so great! It was a really fun and engaging course, we all want to go again. And this time I’ll do it too!
  • 5/5 from Anna Uren, attended Aug 2025: I had lots of fun doing this workshop. Izumi was a great teacher and support.
  • 5/5 from Denise Day, attended Aug 2025: This was a enjoyable 2hrs crafting The teacher Izumi is charming An array of fabrics and beads available I came with away with a stunning pair of earrings. Achievable in the 2 hrs
  • 5/5 from Fiona Morley, attended Mar 2025: This was a lovely workshop - a great upportunity to learn this unique Japanese craft to make a beautiful pair of fabric earrings. Izumi is a fabulous teacher and gave very clear instructions and assistance throughout the lesson.
  • 5/5 from Nicole Giezekamp, attended Oct 2024: I attended this workshop with a friend and we both really enjoyed it. We thought it was very well presented and easy to follow. It was a little challenging but everyone managed to make the earrings in time. If you love origami, you’ll love Tsumami Zaiku
  • 5/5 from Georgina Papayianakis, attended Oct 2024: I booked this class to learn this beautiful technique. Izumi was a fantastic guide and I have a unique pair of earrings now!!
  • 5/5 from Christina Song, attended Oct 2024: She was great and it was a fun workshop. My daughter and I enjoyed it so much!
  • 5/5 from Malinda Boulous, attended Oct 2024: -Birthday celebration -Teacher was excellent -Great venue -Materials were wonderful -I learnt how to create fabric earrings -Quite good value- I would have liked a litte more time to also make a brooch -I liked creating beautiful things in a group setting and learning new skills
  • 5/5 from Maria Chetcuti, attended Oct 2024: The teacher was fabulous very helpful Kept the class engaged. The teacher gave us some history and it was wonderful that she was able to share this history with the class.
  • 5/5 from Norah Murray, attended Oct 2024: Loved this class in such a unique technique that I can hopefully apply easily for myself at home
  • 4/5 from Karen Schultz, attended Oct 2024: Materials were good. Somewhat unclear at times about how to do something. It was trial and error for me. I would have benefitted from seeing her do one next to me. Took awhile to understand the process. However, the teacher was friendly and helpful when flagged down for help.
  • 5/5 from Dalia Kaldas, attended Aug 2024: The Japanese 'Tsumami' Flower Accessory Workshop was a great. We found out about the history of Tsumami and then were shown how to make the petals. All materials were provided in a great selection of colours. The teacher was clear and demonstrated at the front and then came to do a closer demonstration at each table. The flowers everyone made looked great. It was a great workshop.
  • 5/5 from Victoria Bismire, attended Aug 2024: Really loved this class. It was clearly explained and well paced. Making the flowers was great fun! I would definitely recommend it to anyone who hates throwing fabric scraps away and loves making pretty things. Be prepared for parking to be very limited at the site.
  • 5/5 from Gail Staples, attended Aug 2024: I am so happy with my beautiful Japanese flower brooch, made in a class run by Izumi. She was patient, encouraging and very well organised. Everyone in the class was successful - the photo shows the variety of fabrics chosen by each person to make their brooch :)
  • 5/5 from Sarah Bellon, attended Aug 2024: It was a great class. Izumi was a wonderful and friendly teacher. She privided all the materials.
  • 5/5 from Joanne Martens, attended Aug 2024: I loved this class!! Great venue and great teacher! Highly recommended Thanks so much Reverse Garbage
  • 5/5 from Heather Smallbone, attended Aug 2024: As a craft person I found the experience very interesting. Different to anything I've done before. Excellent preparation & teacher very clear in instructions. All materials supplied. Now I'm ready to try more Tsumami flowers at home
  • 5/5 from Wendi Powell, attended Aug 2024: What a great class! Learned so much and had such a great time! The instructor was super great and helpful! The material selection was so good and instructions were clear. Would highly recommend!
  • 4/5 from Jenny Talbot, attended Aug 2024: Great course learned to make a gorgeous little flower broach/ hair clip. It’s a great environment in which to learn and learn new creative pursuits.
  • 5/5 from Jasmin Lin, attended Jun 2024: Izumi is a creative, talented, helpful and patient teacher. Her instructions were easy to follow and created a relaxed and creative atmosphere. Izumi also showed me how to use the techniques from this class on other mediums. I had an enjoyable Saturday morning. Thank you
  • 4/5 from Susan Hando, attended Jun 2024: Teacher was informative and and well organised. Venue was great. Class size great - lots of time for personal interaction Materials were fine - well set up with everything needed. Nice choice of colours of appropriate fabric. Will be using what I have learnt at this class to try and make versions - perhaps a little larger - at home! Looking forward to an advanced class!
Your teacher

Reverse Garbage
Reverse Garbage

4.9 (677)
female Women-owned

We are a creative reuse centre making a difference in the world by reducing waste and creating change in the way we look at resources.
We run workshops for kids, adults and community groups so everyone can learn how to consume less and make more! With us, you'll see the creative potential in leftover and castaway materials to save them from going into landfill.
At Reverse Garbage you’ll find the materials, skills and inspiration you need to live more creatively, more sustainably and more meaningfully.

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class 0 V48I01Z33L 34c052b7f77f35dccea660a6ce51910d 1 production sydney Sydney NSW AU sydney