Weekly Word Picks - Antique

The beginning of a new week, a week worth of holiday woohoo! Chinese New Year is on Thursday and Friday and I get a whole week off from work, I am ecstatic!! :D Too bad the weather is too gloomy to take photos, maybe it will be better later this week. I have quite a few new pieces to show!

While we wait for that, here is this week's word pick. This week's word was picked by the beautiful Ayca who has a gorgeous shop and hails from Turkey. Her word is...

ANTIQUE

Antique Flapper Framed Lithograph from ParisCoutureAntiques

For the complete Treasury, please follow this link : Antique

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

This week's word was chosen by Ayca.

Inspirational Friday - Laser Cut Jewelry

I am very fascinated by laser cut jewelries as of late, especially the variety made with wood or bamboo. There is just a certain organic look to their design that attracts me so. Perhaps one day I would attempt this myself, who knows? :)

Anthony Roussel's work of arts (rings and bangles if you don't recognize them)

Audrey Kawasaki Limited Edition Brooch

Molly M Designs - Lasercut Jewelry

The Harbringer Co

Like Lace Necklace by Orange Slice

Around The World - China

Going up north from India, our last Around the World feature, is the People's Republic of China. The second largest country in the world, and probably the country with the biggest population of over 1 billion, China is practically exploding with talent! In this modern day, probably 95% of the products found in the market are Made in China, fortunately or unfortunately. I don't think there are a single household in this world that doesn't have anything in their house with the "Made in China" label on it.

Although there are some items that are handmade, and not mass produced with underpaid labor. They are difficult to find, but they are out there. :) So here are the ones I found! I included one extra feature because I can't take out any one of them!

If you're into cute dresses and coats like me, you would definitely love Xiaqq's stuff! Well designed and with interesting silhouettes, some of her dresses could even look a little disco or retro. ;) I loooove the cute navy blue dress on the lower right corner! Too bad her shop looks like it is on vacation now.

There are truly a lot of very talented fashion designers in China! Coming up next is Ella Lai. Her designs are not so cute, but very modern and edgey. :) They decidedly looks more sexy with a tone of masculinity for the daring fashionista. As much as I love cute dresses, I appreciate nice pants too and those asymmetrical grey pants just looks amazing. Do want!!

Having just opened his/her shop in August, isewulove only had one sale so far, which was just such a waste because their iPad sleeves are just so creative! Made with recycled clothings, the designs are just so clever. Do you prefer the shirt or the pants? Personally, I prefer the pants. ;)

Hailed from Beijing, China, but having studied design in Germany, yourspeking makes some very well designed and well constructed felt bags. You like a certain design but not crazy about the color? Not to worry, you can customize it and selecting whichever color you prefer, they have a few choices. :)

Moonbow111 has some very beautiful and intricately designed porcelain and ceramic jewelries and housewares. I am particularly fond of the hand carved hollowed out bird pendant, but the heart is pretty darn cute as well. She's pretty new to Etsy too, having only started her shop in October, so here's to many sales in the future for her :)

If you are interested, Vintage Cloisonne explains why the modern day cloisonnes are not the same as vintage ones. And in return, they sell all these beautiful and intricately designed vintage cloisonne home decors. If you are interested in collecting some cloisonne figures, you should definitely check them out.

Our last feature of the day is also a vintage seller, The Big 8s, who sells a good range of vintage products from China, ranging from teapots and teacups to retro looking clocks and old leather bags. They definitely brings back good memories of the old Chinese TV shows that I used to watch so often on TV, practically grow up with them. :) Nowadays it is no longer the same. :(

Although I am a Chinese myself, (in fact, my grandfather hails from Shanghai) I do not feel the immediate need to go to China. Perhaps it was all the bad press they get, or perhaps it is their culture. Despite that, I wish to walk on the Great Wall someday. :)

Weekly Word Picks - Worldly

I apologize for last week's mistake, that was my first screw up in this series haha. So to make it up, here is the intended word for last week, suggested by Lani from SongBirdDreamer...

WORLDLY

Vinyl Wall Sticker Decal Art - World Map by urbanwalls

For the complete Treasury, please follow this link : Worldly

However, there was an upside to last week's screw up. The treasury ended up on the front page a few days after I made it!! :D

This would date my 4th front page treasury, as well as my 3rd Weekly Word Picks. Woohoo! Here's to more fp treasuries!!

And... since I already have a short list of words lined up for the next few weeks, I'll ask you to refrain from suggesting any this week. ;)

This week's word was chosen by Lani from SongbirdDreamer.

KLPac Open Day

I will be selling at KLPac Open Day tomorrow with a few members from the Etsy Malaysia Team! :D Had been busy working on some new things for the festival the last few days, and check them out!

Heart pendants! An experiment with Phing's trinkets. :) This is the only 6 I have, let's see how well they will fare at the festival.

Round pendants, some with hand drawn artworks and some don't. All done with acid free scrapbook paper and antique brass findings. All pendant necklaces are available in various lengths.

So drop by KLPac tomorrow and check it out! There is a looooong list of activities and performances lined up, and crowd are promised to be crazy, in which I hope it will be. ;) You can check out the schedule and details for tomorrow on their webpage.

Now I just need to make sure I don't get lost on my way there, eek!

Inspirational Friday - Collections

Lately I've been very fascinated by things that are arranged nicely with some kind of order. I kind of wish my room was this way.... but that aside, I think there is a certain simplistic beauty in the chaotic order.

Parts and Piece No 9, Instant Collection by sushipotparts

Fall Collection Board via Design*Sponge

Autumn I. 8x10 by MilesofLight

Sculptural Crochet Primer via Super Naturale

Heirloom Tomatoes in gradient via Design*Sponge

Maybe I should attempt to photograph some of my 'collections' this way ;)

Around The World - India

Traveling along the same continent, skipping Cambodia and Myanmar (because I can't find any Etsy sellers from those countries, how sad!) I arrive in India, one of the lands with the most beautiful people and the richest of cultures. Although I am not too fond of Indian food, I would like to go India one day to visit Taj Mahal and go shopping!

But for now I will settle with online (window) shopping. :)

Vintage letterpress alphabet blocks are quite popular nowadays, and there is a certain charm in seeing them lined up together nicely. This couldn't be more true for Vintage Marvels as they already have more than 100 sales within 2 months of shop opening! I particularly like the Live, Laugh, Love blocks on the lower left above. :)

I absolutely looove the vibrancy of Paintings by Nazia. The geometrical patterns, intermingle with the vibrant color use, it is just pure genius! I love how she used the Indian ladies as her painting subjects too, so full of culture and just beautiful.

The Home Centric designs some very beautiful pillow covers. I love how she used different materials to create interesting textures, from beautiful ruffles, to buttons creating intricate lines, to the shininess of sequins that blings! Not only that, she has a super wide range of colors as well! So you will be able to find the perfect pillow cover for your house. :) Pillows not included. ;)

Getting sick of gemstone and beading jewelry? Want to look for more eco-friendly jewelry? Hippie Kingdom is where you should look. :) Created using materials such as paper, clay, hemp and thread, her jewelry is very different from a lot of sellers on Etsy. I mean, she has rainbow earrings!! I also love the Valentines earring with the red hoop and silver foil ball in the middle, looks like the ball is delicately balance on the hoop.

And what would an India-centric feature be without their beautiful bangles? Exotic Bangles sells a rather large variety of the ever famous multi-bangles that you so often see the ladies wear in Bollywood movies. These are essential to any Indian get-up, the bright colors and intricate designs will brighten up any outfit. :)

Last but not least, how can I not feature a gemstone supply shop in an India-centric feature? A lot of beautiful gemstones come from India, and if I were to visit that country, one of the reasons would be to buy gemstones hehe. Out of the many gemstone supply shops on Etsy, GemtoneBeads is one of my favorite. They have a super large variety of gemstones and quite a reasonable price as well. I made a recent purchase lately and am absolutely satisfied! And I will blog about that in the near future. ;)

Now I just need to save up and go India to splurge on gemstones, hehe.

Weekly Word Picks - Luggage

Finally, my work is done. (for now) Been wrestling with 8 videos to be done in 4 days since late last week, super glad it is finally done and I can have a breather, at least until the client comes back with changes, eek! Taking a small break to update the slightly dusty blog hehe.

Terribly sorry for being late again, but here is this week's word picks!

LUGGAGE

vintage black roller skates case with stickers by lacklusterco

For the complete Treasury, please follow this link : Luggage

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

This week's word was chosen by Lani from SongbirdDreamer.

EDIT: OOPS!!! Her chosen word is actually Worldly, LOL!! I should have read her convo more properly hahaha, I mistaken because 'luggage' was in the same sentence. Not to fear, Worldly will be next week's word then :D

Inspirational Friday - Underwater Photgraphy

There is a certain organic beauty to underwater photography (with human models) that I really love. The way the clothes and hair move, how changing directionality changes the perspective, the way the light shine through the water, what kind of props and material to use. And most importantly, your camera equipment in order to capture these beauties.

It is perhaps one of the most difficult photography out there, but the results are just breathtaking!

Alice by Elena Kalis

Floating by Sky-flame

Light My Way by Elle Moss

Angel 2 by Zena Holloway

Miracle Forever Series by Valerie Morignat

Around The World - Thailand

In this week's Around The World entry, we travel up north to Thailand from Malaysia, formerly known as Siam. Although there were a lot of turmoil in the country last year, but it still doesn't detract from the organic, exotic and beautiful culture that it holds, and the talent that shines through. :)

A Little Dot is a little jewelry shop that sells some uniquely designed jewelry in geometry. Less is more right? I just love how she used simple lines and shapes to form such intricately designed pieces.

Thailand also have some of the best leather workers. I absolutely love the stitchings on these leather bags and wallets from The Leather TH. Do you know that my wallet brought from Etsy was also made by a Thai seller? ;) Although it is not made of leather haha. A friend of mine do have a leather messenger bag made by a Thai Etsy seller, although the shop name slips my mind at the moment... fantastic handiwork though!

Anyways, moving on!

Labyrinth Vintage makes some of the most unique charm jewelry that I have ever seen, some are even bizarre! I am absolutely in love with Caribou/Reindeer bracelet cuff above, truly beautiful! And not too expensive too. :)

If you love vintage clothing with a modern look, you are going to love And What Else is There. They have pretty amazing range of high waist pants and some pretty retro looking clothes. Plus, the photos and models are just amazing! I mean, just look at them!

These bag designs from However are nothing short from chic and modern. :) The simplistic and even sometimes flexible designs, you can wear them in up to 3 different ways. My personal favorite is the Candy bag (top left) but with the candy stripe colors. (top right) Although I think the design for the S coin pocket design is pretty awesome too.

Another really talented bunch of clothes makers are the After Shower Shop. They are a family team consisting of 4 people and they create really beautiful flowing clothing. I love their harem pants which really reminds me of the exotic culture of Thailand, and their lovely flowing dresses~

I really should go to Thailand someday. I mean, it is a neighboring country to Malaysia after all. Maybe one day... when I feel richer. ;)

Weekly Word Picks - Midnight

Last week, I started adding a sentence to my convos that I send to the people I feature in my Weekly Word Picks treasuries - "Feel free to suggest a word for next week." I couldn't believe that I haven't done this sooner! I got a feedback from one of the lovely people I featured last week... and she chose...

MIDNIGHT

Such a fun word to work with!

Vintage Sapphire Jewel Earrings. Midnight by dreamyvintage

For the complete Treasury, please follow this link : Midnight

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

This week's word was chosen by Kathy from TheLittleCorner.

Artist Feature - Shinichi Maruyama

I truly believe that art exist in endless form, and in my opinion... water is one of the most difficult subject to capture on photo. However, it is not a problem for Shinichi Maruyama. The free form of water and the mixture of simple monochrome colors, just creates such a quiet harmony to his pictures.