As a maker, high-quality tools are a must. Anyone who knits or sews knows the value of sharp and well-made scissors. But even for those who don't make their own clothing, having quality snips in the house or in your purse is a good idea. You can use them to clip loose strands on your clothing or other fabrics and even to trim up the strands on raw denim edges or other unfinished clothing garments. You never want to pull on a loose thread! It often causes your fabric to unravel even further and your hem or seam to come completely undone. Instead, trim it off with a good pair of snips.

Our favorite brand for snips is Cohana Shozaburo from Japan. These mini-scissors and thread clips were created by Hasegawa Cutlery, a manufacturer of edged tools located in Seki - Japan's foremost cutlery-making town. We keep two of their amazing snips in stock - mini scissors and thread clips.

The mini scissors are amazingly well functioning despite their tiny size. You cut with them; simply grip them with two fingers and pinch. They are sharp and reliable in the tiniest of packages. I love these for travel and keep a pair in my purse. These snips come with a cute leather case that will keep them from opening and cutting things in your handbag. The small silk tassels on their handle are carefully handmade by Imasato, a specialist in tassels and knots founded in 1907 and located in Yame, Fukuoka Prefecture. For over 100 years, Imasato has been making tassels for Yame Chochin paper lanterns, which are a traditional handicraft. Imasato creates beautiful tassels that shine with subtle, artisanal skill. So not only are these compact and portable, but they are also gorgeous and have a wonderful history. 

The larger of the two, the Cohana thread clips, are stunning! They feature a Riga braid that wraps the handles and is made of beautifully dyed silk threads. These braids have been used in armor-making for 1300 years. It has a unique texture and is a pleasure to hold. The blades are amazingly sharp and just over 4" long, protected by the leather sheath that comes with them. Each thread clip is packaged in a gorgeous box and makes a wonderful gift.