Learning about "Cute"

I make an original handmade character called "Panda no Hikomaro".

When I make this Hikomaro🐼, people get the impression that I must love pandas, certain popular famous characters, and the fluffy, soft, cute world!

Of course, I wouldn't make them if I didn't like them, but it's not the kind of "love" everyone thinks it is. I'm really just a complete amateur, or maybe a casual fan, so I feel a bit guilty and apologetic...

When I started making handmade items, I made various things other than needle felting, but it feels like I just happened to end up here as a result of perfecting what people were happy to receive, rather than it being a "result of perfecting what I love."

I've been making things without really understanding "why did this sell?" and have been feeling my way through it, thinking, "I guess this is what it's about, right?"

I can't help but envy artists who say they make things because they think they are cute.

I'm always going through a process like a monster that can't fit into human society gradually understanding humans, thinking, "So this is what the world considers cute..." lol

But you wouldn't think that if I only made pandas and cute bears, would you?

So, since I have the chance, I'd like to introduce what my actual tastes and preferences are.

Stylish cafes are nice, but I want to go to shrines and temples.
Fluffy, cute stuffed animals are nice, but I want Buddhist statues.
Mrs. is nice, but I want to listen to sutras.

If I have time, I want to copy sutras.
I want to learn Buddhist statue carving.
I want to make handmade amulets.
I want to make a miniature shrine.
I want to make my own shimenawa rope.
I want to be able to wear a kimono.
I want to learn Aikido properly again.

The gap between my work and my hobbies is so huge it's hilarious

I've seriously thought many times about aiming to be a more sophisticated handmade artist closer to my hobbies, and I've worried about it quite a bit.

However, I believe there is a meaning to having arrived here like this.

I've also finally understood why a person with such sophisticated hobbies has been working hard to learn about cute.

I worried and worried and worried, looked back on my life, and suddenly remembered.

I have been saved by books at key points in my life...
That's it, I want to make a picture book!
I want to make a picture book that turns the wisdom of the very sophisticated predecessors I love into a super cute story that even little kids can read!
I want to make a picture book where people can enjoy learning important things in life.

When my children were small, I was a library volunteer and did weekly readings at schools and libraries. The children's reactions were good and the learning was deep... so the number of works I could choose from was quite limited.

Of course, there are many wonderful picture books that aren't the type for reading aloud or for everyone, but as I read many books every week, there were many times I thought, "I wish there were more picture books like this."

At the time, I didn't think I could make them, but now I can take on the challenge.
Whether they sell or not is another matter, but I can make it happen.

I've been planning this since last year, and I'm thinking of finally executing it this year.

Please support me when the time comes.
I'll do my best so that you will support me.