When Tokyo-bred Tomoko Yoshitake initially met the folks at Art/Not Terminal, she struggled to convey her artistic vision. But the language barrier didn’t prevent them from recognizing the beguiling beauty deserved a space in their gallery. A graduate of the Tokyo Glass Institute and a current employee at GlassyBaby in Madrona, Yoshitake has blown glass for over a decade. “I don’t know why I love it, I just do,” she explains with a giggle. “It’s like asking a girl why she loves her boyfriend.” Yoshitake’s work reflects the kawaii (cute) aesthetic so prevalent in J-pop culture; she transforms molted glass into pastel teddy bears and purple elephants. Her debut show, “All About Me” (through May 1), features new glass creations and her own modeling photographs (Yoshitake is smokin’ hot). And if that isn’t incentive enough, burlesque dancers will perform there, too. ERIKA HOBART

Sat., April 5, 7 p.m., 2008