Inspiration Tuesday - Paper Tessellations

Today's inspirations are about form and shape. I stumbled upon AndreaRusso's photostream while I was researching on tessellations and three dimension forms made out of flat surface. It's amazing. Tessellations is really not a new technique, but I wish that's included in my high school art class. I wish I can fold my own lampshade so that I don't have to go to IKEA for similar things. I think a library visit is in order.

Inspiration Tuesday - Shinichi Maruyama

This is just amazing. Reminds me of one of my ad shoot with a really brilliant director in Taiwan. We had the "matrix" camera rig, and they played with a light saber looking thing while having the cameras shot in a circle, the result is light in all different shapes depending on the movement of the arm. I wish I can show you that. It was pretty amazing.

Visit Shinichi Maruyama's site for more liquid forms.

Found via Fubiz

Interesting - Zipper Cup

The best thing I love my new aparment is the kitchen, with much added drawers and space. I now I have 1 full drawer dedicated for tea bags and leaves and I found this lovely teacup that shaped with a zipper that's slightly open. The V shape is for hanging on to the teabag thread, clever and cute.
It's available at Absolument Design for €32.

found via designerblog.it

Monday Find - From the people who hearted me. Ocean Edition

I used a good big chuck of my Sat afternoon to went through shop owners who hearted me. It's a random kind of clicks through craftcult, and this is my way of saying thank you to the people who hearted my shop or a particular item. I started with 1 picture, and went from there. I love this color scheme and it's very much me, an Aquarius who dreams to be a blue whale the next life, a little bit of blue, teal and white, just like waves of a deep ocean.

Speaking about whale, there's a little humpback whale got lost and now trapped in our polluted harbor, I hope it can find its way out soon. I'm sending all my blessing to this poor little fellow, must be a very frightening thing to swim in water that's murky and full of trash alone. I know I would.

1. Brooklyn Roofttops Skyline Shadow Box by peppersprouts $40

2. Vintage Novak Half Half Pumps, size 9 by scoutdrygoods $14 (On Sale)

3. Electric Blue Shift Dress, medium by leolucaescobar $ 36

4. Maggie the Mediterranean by hemgoods $18

5. Web (original drawing) by bluebicicletta $60

6. Vintage Forest Green Granny Boots, size 9.5 by blueberrydeluxe $45

7. Fabric Heart Patch by rikrak $4.5

8. Off Circle Latte Bowl by yashabutler $65

9. Canary Dream Print by leaca $20

10. GramGram Pillow by NewDuds $40

11. Nest Egg Pin by KnitKnit $13

12. Mint Creme Forget-Me-Nots by thegidedbee $2.5

13. Pear Pair by pillowhappy $16

New Product - Keepsake Box Ring

Yeah, this is the thing that I've been sweating about the whole week, among other things that's still not done yet. ;D

I got inspired by my mother in law's little keepsake boxes. Funny she always slips me with some ideas here and there, and she didn't even know that her little things in the drawer is an unexpected place for inspiration.

The reason that this took me the whole week, is that I made 3. First one I wanted it be a simple folding box, but unfortunately, metal is not paper, unless I guess the very thin one you can bend them, upon refining the design, I realize what's a box that can't open? So I made a second one, just like one in the picture only that it's much bigger. I love rings with a big pendant on top, but the weight of that size became an issue that it's just too heavy, it flip to the sides while wearing. So I made the third one, that's this one. I worked till 12am last night, my neighbor is probably not so please with all the hammering and filing noise.

Anyway, as people say, third time is a charm. I hope you enjoy this one as well. It's listed already, click here to see it.

Happy Weekend

It's Friday morning but I can't wait to wish you a really happy weekend! Enjoy this video of my friend's dog singing to her cellphone ring tone. I'm not a dog person, but this cutie melt my heart.

Period table of controls

I found this period table, I don't know what draws to me, maybe it's the little Nintendo controls and Gameboy and my love for chemistry when I was in high school...good old days. I'm not very into gaming until Wii. When it first came out, my old office has one, and the whole office just line up to play tennis and bowling, and we're really competitive, all the wooos and ahhs when someone hit a strike. I even went through a "tiger wood" period when I change my game gesture and my results dropped significantly....my Wii is now sitting there to collect dust, maybe I should host a little Wii Fit party this weekend along with the barbecue, burn off the extra food while you're eating...;D

image via diskursdisko

Time as it's melting away

I found this project by David Marsh through Design Dig. I know instantly I am going to use this to explain my lack of update in my blog. Simply put, there's really no time. I've been working at my alchemy table full time lately, from 9 to 6. Feels like a job really and a frustrating one.

I once received a convo in Etsy asking me about my gift boxes, and she told me she's learning to make jewelry, but not as professional as me. I have to tell you, I never feel "professional". As time progress, my techniques is limiting my design, sometimes, even a design that looks absolutely simple, I don't have a specific technique for it, so I need to experiment. That's why, so far, it's Thursday here, I have yet to have a "I can list this" finished product. As time is melting away, I wonder if I can have anything this week, but I have a list of ideas, that's about 10 items now, each requires me to figure out, how I am going to make it or make it worthwhile as a product. On the up side, since I am at it from morning to evening, I'm getting pretty good at the basic stuff.

I've been reading my metal smith bible, so I'm hoping I can solve things along the way.

The weather as of late - drawing by Kris Atomic

This daily drawing by Kris Atomic is so cute and describe the weather here perfectly.

Flickr Find - Oh My! Laurie Cinotto

I befriended with quite a number of people in flickr lately. One of them is Laurie Cinotto. She uploaded the things she's working on for a trunk show at flutter in Portland on Saturday April 4th from 11 - 6. Too bad this one is not available in her etsy shop and I don't live even close to Portland. That yellow bird...pink is not even my kind of color, but I'd love to get this one.

I'm on Paper n Stitch

An exciting news about my shop, I got accepted into Paper n Stitch. It's now live from Mar 23rd to April 23rd.

If you read Design for Mankind and Creature Comforts regularly, you probably already heard about Paper n Stitch run by the lovely Brittni Wood. It's a monthly showcase of different shops that got accepted through submission.

I'm really excited about this and I hope this will help bring more people to my shop and hopefully some sales too.

There is also a monthly contest, the most hearted shop that month will get a month free in their site, and also USD150. Second place gets USD50. So, I'm going to do some really shameless promotion here, if you like my creations, come heart my shop in Paper n Stitch. ;D

Loving this

I was re-flipping my SO-EN April issue, and I remember how I love the style of this spread. Just want to share. Sorry for the low quality scan, I'm using those home office kind of scanner printer all in one thing, the descreening doesn't work too well and I don't want to further descreen it in photoshop for it to get too blurry.

Image credit SO-EE April issue designed by Ryota Sakae

Polaroid-The digital way

A lot of you mac users out there are probably already having fun with the app Poladroid for some time now, thanks for the tip from Sina over at Erase and Repeat. I know there's a Windows version now. My god I have so much fun transforming my regular pictures with this neat little app. After the company stop producing print, all the prices for Polaroid including camera goes up and up. I've always wanted one, but kind of afraid of the print costs, now it's just totally out of my price range to buy one.

I was so glad to hear about the Save Polaroid project a while back, until then, I am going to have fun with my little digital version.

Monday Find - All that glitter

I was trying to find my products through etsy search, trying to refine my tags, and look what I stumbled on to. All that marvelous things in golden color, for home decoration. I got totally distracted and didn't do anything with my tags. ;P

1. Young Buck - Gold Antler Cast by dollpaul

2. Small Gold Paper Bowl by by up in the air somewhere

3. Screen Print of Metallic Gold Starburst Bird Original Art by sugarloop

4. Gold Syroco Homco Seagull Bird Plaques by Recy's Vintage collection

5. Brass Keys by filecutter

6. Tod Candleholder by Jeanpelle

Happy Spring Time Weekend

What are you doing this weekend? I'm catching up with family & friends, and my husband is making me a promised blouse that he had been talking abut since hm...my birthday...that's Feb...Not his fault, we just kind of have too much on our plates right now.

I woke up super early this morning because of the humidity, so without wasting my time doing nothing but staring at the ceiling, I made myself productive and listed my "Little Goddess" headband.

Enjoy your weekend!

photo by BeryIM

Shop Update - New Products and more

You've seen the Cloud 9 headband here before. Initially, I wanted to just make this for fun and wear it myself. I showed it to a friend, and she advised me to put on my business woman hat, and think about listing it and after giving it some thoughts, I think she's right. Why waste a good product? Obviously some people like it. I wore this last week on the street, I've been given those, "where did she buy that" look. ;P So I styled another photo shoot with a cleaner background and just listed it yesterday.

And I made two new things too! They're not listed as of yet, but I can't wait to tell you about them.
The middle one I called it "Little Goddess". It's inspired by my weekend hiking, and also my recent fun for making headband. Normally, I don't really want to do literal nature stuff, but I've been thinking hard about my products, being unique is one thing, but I do need to make something that's more wearable for all people. That's also my friend's suggestions, because she likes all my things, but thinks that it's very me, yes of course, it's created by me. ;D Though she said she can't buy some of the things I make, because she thinks it won't quite fit her normal day to day style, which I agree. So, nature pieces to me are more "general", but in order to keep my own aesthetic, I give it a bit of twist (literally), resulted in this headband. I hope people will like it. It's a piece that took me quite some time, just cutting out the shape took me a full day and many many broken jeweller saws. This also can be a great bridal piece which I think is a good market to get into, so I styled one of my photos with a veil. You will see it when I list it this weekend. ;D

Oh, the last one is "Gentlemen Shirt Bangle". I know my previous men related items are not exactly great hits, but can't stop me trying. A fun piece, loved by my husband (of course). When I told him the idea of making a bangle like this, he just told me yes, please work on it. Not that he's going to wear it, but he loves the result. I love the little button. I am coming up with a girly style one, but need to work out some technique problem with the design I have in mind. Spring is here, summer time is coming, everyone can start wearing a bangle or two.

Stay tuned, I will of course let you know when I list the "Little Goddess" and "Gentleman Shirt Bangle". ;D

And I nearly forgot! From now till May 18th, customers who purchase USD100 or more, will receive a mystery gift from me. The gifts will be one of my previous collection of Objectication's acrylic products valued from USD20 - USD45.

Look Closer - Hand Woven Carton box

Amazing, down to the bar code sticker, is hand woven. More amazing hand woven objects by Frances Trombly here.

via hello craft

New York Fun - Art Gallery in Subway

I always wonder how is it like to be living in New York other then the expensive cost of living. What Katie showed in her blog is that, you will stumble on to strange things, and it's looks like all kind of fun.

via Color me Kate

This is my current desktop wallpaper

Seems like everybody is also on the topic of getting things done these day. Noted this video posted by swissmiss about procrastination.
I found this poster yesterday through Bre Pettis/I Made Things blog by Joshua Rothaas. It's now acting as my desktop wallpaper.

This week is my creation week and I've been working on my alchemy table most of the time, to fill a couple orders and making new things. This is a perfect reminder of how to just get things done. I will be updating you soon about the results of my adventure with firing and soldering.

Mad Men

Ok, this is absolutely irrelevant to design, but I spent the whole morning sans shower to look for things to write about, well, apparently everybody is sort of on St. Patrick days' green and beer mood. I never quite understand this Irish related holiday when I was living in the US, all I know I'm supposed to wear green and drink beer. ;D

So I thought I will write about what I did last night instead. My friend lend me the season 1 of Mad Men, from the AMC channel. I heard about this show, but never really get around to watch it. It was a fun watch, I used to work in Ad agency, and watching it made me smile, and to see the ego on the show made me explained to my husband, that I worked with some people that are just like that, even though, it's no longer the golden era for Ad agency anymore. I watched it till the wee hours, better than drinking beer I say.

Content aside, I'm totally smitten by the set dressing and the costume. All the details with the vintage mid century furniture to kitchenware down to the clock and the cigarette holder, all the women dresses so very nicely, even the wife's go to bed night gown made me drool. I would imagine being a Hollywood set dresser or stylist must be a really fun job.

My friend only have season 1, and I so want to watch season 2.

Supermarket Concept Store in Serbia

I actually read about this in a local travel magazine, and I'm totally intrigued, mainly because I used to have a friend from the the country formerly known as Yugoslavia, now Serbia. From what I heard, it's a turbulent place with constant war, and to think that now they have this really nice and pricey supermarket designed by local Belgrade design studio reMiks, is kind of surprising for me.

This supermarket used to be a discount super store, now turned into this concept store that's vintage looking with communistic nostalgic aesthetic. Looks cold but in a strange way kind of nice, more like a movie set than a place to shop. Not that Serbia is on my list of places to go, but if I ever go there, I'd definitely check this out. It certainly beats every cookie cutter malls in Hong Kong.

photo via Dezeen

Winner for the Giveaway Contest

Thank you for all the participation, since only 16 of of you entered the contest through blog/tumblr comments or etsy convo. I wrote all of your name down, and put it in a brown bag, and pick one from random. Congratulation to Ms. Unreliable!!

Monday Find - The word is Upcycled

If you don't know already, the word "Upcycle" was coined by William McDonough and Michael Braungart, authors of Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things. It's not just about reusing a thing, but giving a thing another life by turning it into something new. It's amazing you get 1400+ pages when you search the word "upcycled" in etsy. Being responsible for our environment is a big thing these days, and I'm glad to tell you, supermarkets in Hong Kong now won't voluntarily offer plastic bags, which makes me carry a big canvas bag and 3 Envirosax shopping bags everyday, just in case I need a run to supermarket. ;D Regulation definitely helps, even for the already eco conscious people.

Here are this week's Monday Find with really interesting and creative "upcycled" products:

1. Game Set Match Mirror by Pepelicous/Broken Toy

This is absolutely great for any tennis lover, but even if you don't play it, the vintage racquet in itself is an delight, let alone the notion of hanging it on your wall as a mirror.

2. Turquoise recycled bike clock by 1byliz

There are similar shaped mechanical looking clock that set you back for some great dollars. This one use polished bicycle chain ring and turn it into a clock. How clever and great looking? Check out the shop, many different colors and patterns are also available.

3. TV remote control copper circuit board earrings by Upcycled Jewelry

About some 15 years ago, my aunt gifted me a pendant made out of defunct Intel Pentium chips, from the Intel gift shop. It was my favorite for a long time, and I still wear it from time to time. To paired with this pair of earrings, will definitely create a geek chic look.

4. TwIsTeD Mister Data Wire Bracelets by Courtney Watson/ TwIsTeD

Great color come out from telephone wire. Convo Courtney for your own custom color combinations. Hearted.

5. Eco-Luxe Modern Vase by Jalex Studio

Simple, elegant, made out of recycled bamboo and cabinet door pulls. Great for showing greens or flowers in a minimalist home.

6. Repurposed 8MM movie Camera bookends by 1453 designs

This is really cute, and great for any filmmaker or people who just love vintage. I'm not quite sure about the mah jong titles, but they do make for a great pair of little legs and added lovely colors. Amazing. I've always wanted a 8MM, but it's hard to find a working one, so having them as bookends can be a great addition to my cluttered home.

Happy Weekend

We have blue sky! After many weeks of gloomy weather, this is long overdue. The weather report is right, I gave up hope last night because of it's strong winds and rain but the sun decide not to disappoint me.
I'm going for a nice stroll (I want to say hiking, but the destination really doesn't qualify for that word) in a park. I wish you a happy and active outdoor weekend.

photo credit: montanaraven

Das Parkhotel

I admit it, I'm a city girl. I did camping twice in my life, once in the most beautiful beach in Hong Kong, once in Big Sur, not that I didn't like it, but without the usual things you're so accustomed to, it's kind of hard for me. My husband was those outdoor people who has all the camping gears one needed to survive in the woods. Yes, "was". Every time he urged me to go camping with him, I usually made up hundreds of excuses to avoid it actually happen. So after he met me, he haven't had a chance. Poor him.

That being said, I'd love to spend a night or two in DasParkhotel, just look at the lovely hotel room design, I'm sold. Let's go. ;D I'm sure he'd like it too, confine spaces is one of his favorites.

via HDF

Cloud 9. Something I made for myself

Instead of trying to find a head accessory that can fit me, I took matter into my own hand, and made one myself. Since I love my wall decoration, I recycled the graphics, (how green...haha) and made myself a brass headband with a major cloud on the side. There's a Cantonese saying that by suggesting someone is "a cloud", that means this person is an air head, my husband pointed that out and laughed at me a bit, but I love the result regardless.

I was kind of unsure of how this will turn out since I am not very experience working with thick wire, but the adventure metal smith side of me prevailed and as it turned out, it's not as hard as I have imagine and it's incredibly comfortable, the wire headband I brought from store usually gives me headache, but this one I fired it to quite red, so it's kind of soft and easy to adjust to different shapes.

I'm not sure if I want to list this as an item, because shipment will be kind of expensive for a heavy item like this and I currently don't have large logo boxes to pack it, but I'm thinking I'm going to do more pieces like this in the future, so that's something I'd need to figure out.

BTW, the giveaway is still going on till sunday night hong kong time, see the post a couple posts down, comment for a chance to win. ;D

Yellow and French

I'm catching up on reading some of the fashion blogs which I was really into, but after I started this blog, the amount of blog posts I read in the design category is so overwhelming that it became a pick and choose thing, I only have limited amount of time in my 24 hours day, all the 1000+ new posts in my google readers is scary at times.

Nonetheless, I'm glad I pick the fashion category today because I found much delights, look at all the yellow! To say yellow is the next hit color is really not an overstatement, because it's a great color, even though it doesn't necessarily works with every skin tone, but it's popping up everywhere.

There's always this mysteries about how French women dress, and there's always this admiration and oooooooooo and aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah....about them. Last time I went to Paris, I was kind of disappointed, because I didn't see the myth comes alive in front of my eyes, but of course, places I went are full of tourists, that doesn't really count.

Let's examine the examples here to see how, to dress with the color yellow, I think the key is layering, and pair with a darker color to amplify the effect of the strong color, and make that a focal point. Look at the woman on bottom right, if wearing yellow is not your thing, you can still work it in with the accessories. What can I say, I am the yellowgoat, I love the yellow.

via Garance Dore, The Satorialist, Face Hunter

If I live among great illustrators

I think I won't mind my illustrator friends to come in and draw on my sofa too. ;D This looks like a very fun party and the sofa's a result of talent and alcohol. Visit Hairyteeth's blog for more.

via yay!everyday

200th Post - Give Away Contest

To celebrate my 200th post, and my 4th front page on Etsy (this happened last night! Yay), I'm in such good mood I've decided to host a giveaway contest for one of my Objectication Necklace - Double Gentleman Hat.

To enter, simply visit my shop, leave a comment and tell me your favorite item in my shop and how you hear about my shop/blog.

The contest will last till the weekend, starting....now! The winner will be annouced Mar 16th Monday Hong Kong Time.

You do need to leave a valid email address so I can contact you. ;D

Mankind Mag

I'm sure all the avid design blog reader out there know about the Mankind Mag from Design for Mankind. It's a small fee ($1.99) download magazine. The editor Erin hosted a giveaway for this magazine because she had to canceled her trip to Ireland of her lost passport. I left a comment, and guess what, I was one of the 10 commenter who got this issue for free. ;P I was really excited, not that I can't afford for the magazine myself, but I never really win anything online, so this is kind of nice.

And I have to say, the magazine worth every penny if you do decide to pay and download one.

Paper Architect Golden Gate Origami

I bought a book a while back, "The Paper Architect" by Inggrid Siliakus, Maria Victoria Garrido Bianchini and Joyce Aysta. I've been meaning to make something out of the incredible templates and finally today, I stop procrastinating and actually make one. The first one in the book, the easiest one (my arm hurt from some impromptu weight lifting in my building complex's gym, so I opt for something simple ;P) - Golden Gate Bridge from one of my favorite city San Fransisco. The result is quite nice, though I should really go light hand with the folding lines. I want to make more in the future. There's the London eye template, I think I can make that next.

Formula Wisdom by Craig Damrauer of morenewmath.com

I'm kind of tired a looking at some really repeated images today. I know Craig Damrauer's morenewmath.com isn't the newest thing under the sun, but today I gave it a good stroll, and these are true formulae of wisdom to me. ;D I love the new math.

Is Barbie your thing?

It's kind of uncharacteristic for me to write about Barbie, but I heard the news (olds) that yesterday was Barbie's 50th birthday and I remember my Barbie story. Nothing really caught my eyes today so far, so I decided to share my little Barbie story. When a person is at a certain age, being nostalgic is inevitable. ;P

I didn't get to be in contact with a Barbie doll until my mid teen, the only thing Barbie related that I ever own, is a pink plastic closet, I guess the person who brought me that thought there will be a Barbie inside, but it's really only a closet. The real Barbies were my cousin's, I played with hers one summer, and me being me, I cut off her one of her Barbie's golden hair and told her that it would grow back, of course it never did. To this day, I can't understand why I did that. Maybe it's a bit of jealousy, that I never have a Barbie before, not that I'm into dolls, so I'm not exactly sure what my motives were. I only remember I made my own plywood fairy magic wand and hide it behind the radio. That's the extend of how "girly" I was. For a long time, I wish I'm those girls with long flowing hair and wear lace trim socks to school...but I just sort of realize I'm who I am. Not too girly, not too tomboy, just kind of in between.

What about you? Is Barbie your thing? Do you have a Barbie story?

photo credit: Ro

Monday Find - Decorate your head

I just had a hair cut the other day and I'm not entirely satisfied with the result, so I was out looking for some head gears. I'm kind of over the feather fascinator thing, and I can make my own floral one, so I want something kind of different and unique, and there's always some surprises when you hit search.

1. Beatrice by katieburley. She named all her pieces, and this fun bumble bee hat is definitely making a statement. I'm not British, so I don't have events to go to which requires me to show off funky hats...too bad, or else this will be perfect for a spring outdoor party.

2. Ear Flap by serpilerol. It's strangely cold this weekend, and this kind of strange weather seems like it's going to stay for a little bit. Wearing a ear flap may be a bit too exaggerated, but you can't argue with a nice handmade one.

3. Giant Bow Beret Head Piece by frannyvintage. No need to say more, yellow and blue is my favorite color combination now.

4. LIZZIE Laurel by thecandythief. The colorful headband is on sale. Something I've been waiting, since Christmas.

5. Black, silk lace cat mask by Mascherina. Her shop is full of sexy gears, cat mask and blind folds...a market niche that I didn't know exist in etsy.

I love how the photos are all modeled by a real person. Something about modeling with a plastic head turns me off.

Zookimono- Vinyl for you Apple Gadgets

I don't know where I found this, but I think I want the top "how are you, mr. blue" for my old ipod nano. All of the vinyl stickers are incredibly screen printed by hand. It available for iPod, iPhone, Macbook, Air. Right now it has 4 graphics to choose from. Visit it's shop for more.

Lena Corwin's vintage clothes on ebay

Lena Corwin, author of Printing by Hand, has been posting her ebay auctions for her vintage clothes collection during the weekend. She's getting rid of some the things that she just doesn't wear, or not fitted. The starting bid is low, but some items is going up very fast. A couple auctions ends in 2 days. I hope it's not a bidding war for the final hours, she has a huge following, so I'm sure there're many bidders. Not that I'm a red or a pink person, but the red/white/blue blouse and the pink dress speak to me in soft voices and keep telling me to place a bid. So very tempting.

My weekend delights

I was trying to find a kitchen timer for a couple of weeks, because the old apartment's microwave comes with a timer function which I relied heavily whenever I cook. Timing my pasta cooking time has been great and I never over cook my pasta. My new microwave doesn't have this function, and I was looking all over the places from 10 dollar shops to IKEA and then my husband spotted this little kitchen scale looking timer, I know this is the one, and it's on sale too.

Also, I noticed a sprouted onion from my bag, it's looks very nice and green, so I planted it in a small pot, I don't know what kind of plant an onion will grow into, but right now, it's looking lovely. Nature is kind of amazing. ;D

Happy Weekend with Free Print Download

It's Friday, and I'm giving myself a lazy and relax weekend, the weather is suddenly cold with rain here, but it doesn't deter my mood one bit because of the green mountain I see outside my windows. I have to say, I'm loving my new apartment.

Today's free print is by Sarah of The Small Objects, it's her birthday, but she decided to let us download her invitation card for free. Happy Birthday, Sarah and thank you for your gift! And I found out about Lisa Rupp's free monthly calendar through black*eiffel. Enjoy your weekend, hang a March calendar and send some invitations for a spontaneous party!

Find of the day - Mummy Sam doll

I'm not really a big fan of dolls or softie, I never have many when I was young because probably because I like to cut things up. Sometimes I find some cute one, but nothing really makes me have some shopping impulse ticking. I found these couple new dolls from MummySam being different and nice, because it's built on charaters that doesn't tailor for kids. It's kind of mature which makes it kind of special. She designed these based on her British background, which shows, like the outfit they're wearing. I like the background she use for the photo too. Visit her flickr and blog for some more.

via the constant gatherer

Free giveaway hosted by Decor8 and A Cup of Jo

Who doens't love a freebie? I'm seeing a lot more giveaway and freebie around the design blog network, maybe that's because of the economy?

Top: Decor8 is hosting a free give away by Print Pattern Paper, enter before Mar 9th EST for a $75 gift cert.

Bottom: A Cup of Jo is hosting a free give away of 2 vintage products by Sweetshorn Vintage. (I featured this shop's product in my Monday find before, and I'm drooling over this give away.) I do hope I get the deer, it's really a darling, and a really nice addition to my home's cluttered objects decoration window front.

A funny thing about giveaway happened to me yesterday. My shop's stat slow down quite a bit from before my 1 week absence, I'm seeing my hearts is near 500, but keep being quiet, and I so wished it will reach 500 yesterday. So I did this on the fly free giveaway of one of my Objectication earrings to the 500th heart. I posted it in the forum, and then, my hearts got stuck at 498, I guess people don't want to be the 499 heart that doesn't get the gift.

I should come up with better plan for giveaway next time, and really have to think about human psychology of this kind of thing. ;P

Anyway, the good news is that it's over 500 now! woohooo. It's a huge landmark. Remember I was so happy for getting 50? I hope I can continue to grow as a designer, seller, blogger, metal smith, online marketer, anything and everything in between that requires me to get my shop up and running.

Michael Laube

I've been looking at lots of wall installation lately, as my future inspiration for what I can do with a blank wall. This Michael Laube's acrylic geometric installation caught my eye. I like how the random semi-transparent color blend so well together and I like geometric shapes, it's more neutral, so that my husband doesn't have to feel like he lives in a "feminine" apartment. If I have more business with my shop, I may have the budget to do some laser cut acrylic installation myself.

via ///

New Product - Good Time Ring Cheap and Chic Graphic Edition

I made this before my move, but it was too hectic to list it, besides, I closed my shop for the whole week anyway.

This is an extension to my original Good Time Ring. I made this cheaper version because I like this idea very much and I think there must a way to make it more available to people, price wise. I got inspired with a trip to the art supply store. I finally have something yellow in my shop, which is kind of long overdue.

It comes with a pack of 7 graphic cards as a starter kit for different moody days, they are:

1. Breezy laundry day
2. Today feels like a rainy day
3. I'm a multitasking octopus
4. Work! Work! Work!
5. Digital happiness
6. Sunny blue sky day
7. Let me put my tired eyes on day

But of course, you can put in whatever you want, really. I tried felt, which is kind of nice.

You can buy it here. Currently available color is yellow and baby blue, will add more color if it catches on. Hope you guys like it. ;D