About Maya
Maya Suzuki grew up between Tokyo and San Francisco, navigating two craft traditions that at first seemed worlds apart. Her Japanese grandmother practiced ikebana and washi paper folding. Her American art teacher pushed her toward collage and mixed media. Maya spent years trying to choose between them before realising she did not have to.
Her practice today is a synthesis. She brings Japanese concepts — wabi-sabi, ma (negative space), mono no aware — to every project, even when the materials are entirely Western. The result is work that feels both rooted and fresh: shibori-dyed fabric made with found natural dyes, washi collages layered with ink illustrations, furoshiki wrapping cloths used in contemporary gift design.
Maya writes with precision and warmth. Her tutorials often begin with a short essay on the cultural history behind a technique before diving into the practical steps. She believes that understanding where something comes from makes you a more respectful and more skillful maker.
She teaches workshops on Japanese craft traditions and consults for brands interested in incorporating Japanese design philosophy into their product lines.
Tutorials by Maya
3 articles published
