Friday, December 31, 2010

Recap of 2010


My new year's resolution is to grow a beard like that.

I'm serious.

No, not really. I don't even have facial hair lol.

Every end of the year, I will do this meme that I found yeaaarrsss ago on LiveJournal. Yes, I had a LiveJournal account. Key word = had. Well, technically I still have it but since I started this blog I barely update it anymore lol. It's gathering dust and feels quite ignored, poor thing.

Anyway, back to the main topic. Here is a recap of 2010 in 40 questions!

1. What did you do in 2010 that you'd never done before?
- Started delving into beads and jewelry.
- Started an Etsy shop woohoo!
- Started selling at my first craft fair - Arts for Grabs in August.
- Went to my first concert ever!

2. Did you keep your new years' resolutions, and will you make more for next year?
Nooo I failed miserably! One of them was producing at least 2 artworks per month. I managed to keep up until somewhere in June, then I failed horribly. But I will definitely make more for 2011. And a part of them had been told in my previous post on my creative goals for 2011.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Nope

4. Did anyone close to you die?
Nope, thankfully.

5. What countries did you visit?
None, did not travel much this year. :(

6. What would you like to have in 2011 that you lacked in 2010?
A boyfriend lol!!

7. What date from 2010 will remain etched upon your memory, and why?
April 5th, the day I made my first sale on Etsy! :D

8. What was your biggest(s) achievement of the year?
100 sales on Etsy yeyy!!

9. What was your biggest failure?
Getting rusty with my art. :(

10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
Yeah I have a sebaceous cyst on my left ear and sprained my ankle just earlier this week. It's still bandaged now. :'(

11. What was the best thing(s) you bought?
My new and shiny Canon EOS 500D camera!

12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
Mine? Lol. But honestly I can't think of any at the moment.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
Ugh, my youngest brother. But that's a long, a really really long story.

14. Where did most of your money go?
Jewelry supplies LOL!!

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
Making sales in my Etsy shop!!

16. What song will always remind you of 2010?
Train - Hey, Soul Sister.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you:
i. happier? Hmm, not sure.
ii. thinner or fatter? Fatter. ;_;
iii. richer or poorer? Richer, woohoo.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of?
Drawing!!

19. What do you wish you'd done less of?
Procrastinating!

20. How did you spend Christmas?
Hermit at home taking pictures of my new bracelets.

22. Did you fall in love in 2010?
Does falling in love with my craft counts?

23. How many one-night stands?
Never.

24. What was your favorite TV program?
CSI Las Vegas.

25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year?
Hmm, I'm not a big hater, so no.

26. What was the best book you read?
I didn't read any books this year. :( Does the Etsy blog counts?

27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
More like a rediscovery, fell in love with Yoko Kanno's songs all over again.

28. What did you want and got?
A DSLR camera :)

29. What did you want and not get?
1000 sales on Etsy!! XD *dreams*

30. What was your favorite film of this year?
Hmm, Inception.

31. What did you do on your birthday?
Celebrated my birthday at Nandos with my dear colleagues :)

32. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
100 more sales on Etsy!

33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2010?
I started shopping in Kitschen, and started wearing leggings.

34. What kept you sane?
My crafts, although sometimes they drive me insane too ahaha.

35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
Adam Lambert, went to see his Glamnation concert. It was AWESOME!!!

36. What political issue stirred you the most?
I generally don't listen to all the political drama anymore, but I'm still surprised that they haven't settled on Teoh Beng Hock's cause of death although he died more than a year ago. How many times you want to cut the dead man up by so many coroners?

37. Who did you miss?
My many friends in San Francisco. :(

38. Who was the best new person you met?
Huey from Nottypooch!

39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2010?
Spend wisely.

40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year.
I'm not afraid to take a stand
Everybody come take my hand
We'll walk this road together, through the storm
Whatever weather, cold or warm
Just let you know that, you're not alone
Holla if you feel that you've been down the same road
- Not Afraid, Eminem

And that's it for 2010, see you all again in 2011. :) Have a fantastic new year!!

Inspirational Friday - 2011 Calendars

It's new year's eve! And instead of going out fighting the ginormous countdown crowds, I decided to be a good girl (like always) and sit at home, updating my blog. Playing catch up more likely...

So, it's going to be 2011 very soon and I can't believe I don't have a calendar yet!! Here are a few interesting ones I found online. :)


Cute calendar! I love the horse :D


Clean and unique, would look pretty cool in a minimalistic office.


Although not a typical calendar, but this is pretty awesome! I would like to count how many different face I have throughout the year towards the end of it. :D


A set of fun and funky calendar!


Well I'll be damned, a calendar pillow! This would look pretty cool on the desk and would come in handy when you want to catch a quick nap. ;)

Thursday, December 30, 2010

Weekly Word Picks - Casino

Another New Year resolution! Get my blog schedule back on track damnit! Super belated blog post for this week's Weekly Word Pick. I almost give up on this one because the search results were less than satisfactory on Etsy, but I managed to pull through. And for that, I am proud. :) This week's word is chosen by Belinda from Phings. Her chosen word is...

CASINO



For the complete Treasury, please follow this link : Casino

I must admit this is very 'Las Vegas' inspired, it doesn't help that I am currently on a CSI (the original Las Vegas series) marathon as well.

So what should next week's word be? Suggest by posting in the comments below!

This week's word was chosen by Belinda of Phings.

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

A Creative Odyssey Blog Hop - My creative goals for 2011


Haha not really. But having starting this blog and my Etsy shop in 2010, I must admit that there were quite a few mistakes made, that's normal for the beginning of any business right? :) So one of my aim was to not repeat those mistakes again, and do better next year.

So here in this post, I would like to share my creative goals for the upcoming 2011! Unlike some people who wrote about their goals in a more philosophically grey area, I am the type that like to lay things out loud and clear. So that towards the end of 2011, I would know for sure if I achieved them or not. I have a rather long list, so bear with me okay? :)



I had the ideas for PaperJuice, my second Etsy shop, for a good long while, and was actually planning to launch it in September. But of course life gets in the way and I didn't get around to do that. During that period up until now though, I had brewed quite a few more ideas to help grow PaperJuice, and truth to be told, I really can't wait to start PaperJuice!! If only I had more time!

This is definitely on the top of my to-do list for 2011 - to finally launch PaperJuice. I even had the name already reserved on Etsy. Now I just need to improve the products until I feel they are ready and define a clear direction for the shop. PaperJuice will be all about paper products and wall art. The alphabet cards you see in the picture above is just a small part of the entire shop. :) I definitely won't repeat the same mistakes I made for Skyejuice with PaperJuice!



If only!! Currently my bedroom is my workspace, and I can tell you, it's quite messy and unorganized. With my growing amount of supplies and the supplies gathered for PaperJuice, I would definitely need more storage space and a more organized workspace.

My dad had agreed to help me reorganize my room, by getting rid of a few unwanted furnitures and moving more suitable furnitures in. It would definitely be a huge work in progress, and probably wouldn't be done in a short period of time. But it will work out eventually, I have faith in myself and my wonderful dad! It wouldn't be like the dream studio that I wish to have, filled with beautiful sunlight, since my room has no windows facing outside, (I practically live in a cave!) But I will make do with what I have right now and make the best out of it. :)

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I want to give the blog (especially the blog) and Skyejuice a total makeover! Well for Skyejuice is more content-wise, to make it more concise, more consistent, giving it a clearer direction. But for the blog, it will be a lot of work.

For a long while, I feel that I haven't been the true 'me' when I am posting on this blog. I want to fit in, to keep blogging about handmade crafts only. But I realized that the blog is about handmade, but it doesn't have 'me' in it. There were things that I have been refraining from blogging about; another side of my life, and I feel that one of the reasons I weren't successful with the blog was because I myself weren't in it! So with the beginning of a new year, there will be a new beginning to the blog. I am giving it a total makeover! It definitely wouldn't happen immediately, as I need to take things one step at a time, but slowly yet surely, it will happen. Thinking of moving it to Wordpress too, but we will see what happens. :)

Plus, I have a website - Skyejuice.com, and it is in dire need of a total makeover as well to reflect the business I am running now. Currently, Skyejuice.com still features my portfolio website that I made nearly 3 years ago, ahaha!



Last but not least, I want to draw more this year! Yes, this is the part of 'me' that I had been 'concealing' from my blog for all this time. I just feel like... it wasn't very 'handmade'-ish? (although I did painted this with my hands! I just used Photoshop!) But I just feel like it doesn't 'fit in'.

But running Skyejuice had drastically affected the time allowed for me to draw, and I am waaayyyy behind on my art to-do list! So next year, I vow to do more art than 2010. :) Plus with my trip to US happening in late June, I hope I will be able to finish all the art that I want to do by then. But that is another story to be told on another day.


So that's it, this is my entry for the Creative Odyssey blog hop organized by the lovely Jessica Van Den from Epheriell Designs! Thank you for the wonderful opportunity. :) Also please check out my blogging partner Pork Chop's Nest's Creative Odyssey post too!

Monday, December 27, 2010

December Woes

Whooo! December is finally almost over and the convention is well over. Had been chilling and relaxing since then through the Christmas period. My Christmas was pretty uneventful, just sitting at home taking pictures of the pieces that I had accumulated over the month. Yeah my family don't really celebrate Christmas, there isn't a peek of a Christmas decoration in my house ahaha. So I didn't really feel the 'Christmas cheer' at all. But dad did treated us to a nice dinner that night! :9

As for my woes, (from the title) some of my supplies is running low. Reordered some and waiting to arrive, but some I needed to go get personally and that is a little difficult right now because the holidays all landed on Saturdays this month. Aaaand I am busy on the next available Saturday next month, lmao!

So I guess for certain pieces, I wouldn't be able to make again for a while until I get my supplies. :) Anyways, enjoy the new pieces I made this month, they are all bracelets!

Title : Coral Reef Jewels
Price : USD20.00

Title : Innocence
Price : USD22.00

Title : Vanilla Cream
Price : USD20.00

Title : Black Cherry
Price : USD20.00

Title : Romance in Purple
Price : USD20.00

Title : Forest Green
Price : USD20.00

Title : Golden Dreams
Price : USD20.00

Title : Chocolate Cherry
Price : USD20.00

Title : Vintage Warmth
Price : USD20.00

2011 is almost upon us, and I have a few plans in mind, both for the shop and for the blog. You can say it can almost be a total revamp of how things run. I will be running a clearance sale in the beginning of January though, for things that really need to go. As for what are the changes? Perhaps I will write a post about it in the near future, so feel free to stick around. :)

Do you have any plans yet for 2011?

Saturday, December 25, 2010

Twelve Days of Christmas

On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
A blank album for good memories.

On the second day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.
On the third day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the fourth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the fifth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the sixth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Six buttons rolling,
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Seven bowls-a-hanging,
Six buttons rolling,
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the eighth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eight bowls-a-nesting,
Seven bowls-a-hanging,
Six buttons rolling,
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the ninth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Nine soaps-a-bubbling,
Eight bowls-a-nesting,
Seven bowls-a-hanging,
Six buttons rolling,
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Ten gift tags hanging,
Nine soaps-a-bubbling,
Eight bowls-a-nesting,
Seven bowls-a-hanging,
Six buttons rolling,
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the eleventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Eleven books for writing,
Ten gift tags hanging,
Nine soaps-a-bubbling,
Eight bowls-a-nesting,
Seven bowls-a-hanging,
Six buttons rolling,
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,
And a blank album for good memories.

On the twelfth day of Christmas my true love gave to me...
Twelve balls-a-bouncing,
Eleven books for writing,
Ten gift tags hanging,
Nine soaps-a-bubbling,
Eight bowls-a-nesting,
Seven bowls-a-hanging,
Six buttons rolling,
Five Tree Paintings~~!!
Four spool of threads,
Three pretty feathers,
Two green glass earrings,

And a blank album for good memories!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Inspirational Thursday - Holiday Jewelry

It's amazing, how people could come up with the most amazing and matching accessories to celebrate the festive season. I know it is a little late for gifts now, but I would like to share some Christmas jewelry pieces that I find very suitable for the season :)




Tuesday, December 21, 2010

Weekly Word Picks - Money

I apologize for my absence, but I was prepping for a convention in the weekend and returned sick. It was not a very nice last few days, am actually still a bit groggy from the cough medicine. @_@ But enough about my poor health, I am back and (hopefully) in full swing, and shall be punctual with this week's word picks :) The word this week was chosen by the lovely Nadiah from Nukilan. She picked...

MONEY



For the complete Treasury, please follow this link : Money

What sums up the dangers and temptation of money more than booze and guns? So what should next week's word be? Suggest by posting in the comments below!

This week's word was chosen by Nadiah of Nukilan.

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Weekly Word Picks - Create

Aaaaah I am late a day again at posting for the Weekly Word Picks! At this rate, I should just reschedule it to Wednesday lol! But I promise next week will be on time. :)

This week's word was chosen by the lovely Evelin, owner of AngelicQuirk. (she makes lovely cards) And the word she chose is...




For the complete Treasury, please follow this link : Create

This week's word was chosen by Evelin of AngelicQuirk

So what should next week's word be? Suggest by posting in the comments below!

Thursday, December 9, 2010

Inspirational Thursday - Upcycled Christmas Ornaments

Christmas is nearly upon us! Had you decorated your trees yet? If you're out of ideas on what to hang on your trees, here is a post on unique and fun handmade ornaments, to give it that handmade touch to your tree. Best of all, they are all made using upcycled materials. :)


Bored of the old ornaments? Paint something on it! :)


Add a touch of vintage and shabby chic to your tree with these spool ornaments :)

Are you a wine lover with a lot of wine corks laying around? Why don't you consider something like this :D


This cute pomander ball made of vintage music sheet is pretty cute too!


Who knows Coca-Cola cans can look so festive too?

And to celebrate the spirit of handmade, here is a tutorial I found to make these really cute little rosette ornaments. If you have any stray buttons or cloth scraps, you can try some yourself too :D