Flooded with Orders

The sole reason I was kind of inactive for the past 2 weeks or so? Not updating daily.

These orders!! I had a rush of custom orders for brides this month, for some unknown reason. These are the pending ones that I had prepped and packed for beading as of yesterday, for 5 different brides. (and all PURPLE!) I had already shipped out two other custom orders earlier this week, and I still have one more order waiting for measurements. (thankfully, NOT purple)

The ones above will definitely take some time to finish, as making pearl cluster bracelets is a very time consuming process. But I shall persevere! And I will try to update the blog as frequent as I could. :)

Thank you all for your understanding!

Spring 2012 Pantone Color Trend Picks #3

Sodalite Blue

Navy Blue Flags Cupcake Toppers - LBCpaper // Chunky Cotton Triangle Fringe Scarf - Vietto

Sapphire Gemstone Necklace - JarosDesigns // Anchors Away Earrings - CreaShines

Margarita

Vintage Book Collection - jaysworld // Carnivorous Minimalist Botanical Art - thelightproject

Bright Lime Chevron Hair Clips - handmadetherapykids // Spring White Photography Print - Lori411

Around the World - Russia - WassupBrothers

Wassupbrothers, what a groovy name! But her entire shop is filled with the most bright, colorful and adorable soft toys! Mostly owls and other fowls, but I love her lambs! Just look at the cheeky thing up there, isn't she totally adorable? What makes this plush Etsy shop stand out from the rest is the way the soft creatures are portrayed. Instead of just sitting there on a white background, they are held by people, (which is great to show the size of the soft toy too!) given a magical scene, or being artfully displayed. I love how her plush toys just look so joyous and cute!

Spring 2012 Pantone Color Trend Picks #2

Bellflower

All Good Things are Wild and Free - hairbrainedschemes // Large Purple Stone Pendant - YUNILIsmiles
Purple Stripes, Paris - TheParisPrintShop // Violet Square Ring, Yellow Butterfly - Lepun

Cabaret

Pink with White Circles Napkin - toocutecustomcrafts // Raspberry Quartz Earrings - aubepine

Ivory and Fuchsia Silk Clutch - eclu // Pink Romance, Large Paper Flower Bouquet - wildpaperflowers

Weekly Word Picks - Guitar

Omg! I'm so drowning in orders. But that is a tale I will update later. For today, we have another installation of Weekly Word Picks, and the word is...

GUITAR

Seaman/Tiny Canvas Print - tushtush // Jimmy Hendrix Design Leather Guitar Strap - WittyandCharming

3 Pocket Leather Wallet - TheFigLeaf // Jimmy Page Full Size Smashed Guitar Sculpture - chappellsculpture

Esmita Decorative Guitar Hanger - AxeTotem // Large Guitar Wood Art Assemblage - dolangeiman

For the complete treasury : Guitar Hero

This week's word was chosen by Amy from ChapterTwoCreations.

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

For a list of words already suggested, please refer to this post.

Around the World - Russia - Sweetkeetle

I can't believe how cute this shop looks when I first stumbled upon it, I was immediately taken by it! Sweetkeetle is a shop that sells tiny and cute hand sewn and embroidered plush brooches. They are just so tiny and adorable! The simplicity coupled with the minimalism as well as the consistent colors, just keeps her shop consistent, and cute. There may be abundant felt brooches on Etsy, but nothing could beat the cuteness and style of Sweetkeetle!

Morning Calm Giveaway

A couple weeks ago, I was lucky enough to win a giveaway by Morning Calm. And I just received the box of goodies last Friday! All the soaps are so neatly wrapped and packed, and I was almost fooled by the labels, thinking they were handwritten. However, after careful inspection, they are just printed handwriting. (clever though!) Some of the samplers I'm going to give off to friends, because my soap collection is really getting out of hand hahaha. Can't wait to use them though!

Weekly Word Picks - Color

It's a bright and fun one this week! The word is...

COLOR

Chevron Rainbow Hair Clip - handmadetherapykids // Low Back Floral Print Cotton Dress - LanaStepul

Custom Designed Party Decor - AedrielOriginals // French Macaron Ring - miniaturepatisserie

Ferris Wheel 2 Carnival Photos - happeemonkee // Zakka Tote Kawaii Bag - SoundofHome

For the complete treasury : Colors of  My Dream

This week's word was chosen by Letterpress.

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

For a list of words already suggested, please refer to this post.

Whimsy and Spice Review

I had the delight to sample some of Whimsy and Spice's marshmallows lately, all thanks to Huey from Nottypooch and her lovely aunt that just got back from US! We got two sample packs with 6 flavors - Rose Vanilla, Chocolate, Cardamom, Espresso, Maple and Caramel.

It's pretty fantastic! It's not as sweet as commercial marshmallows, and the flavor is mild and pleasing. My favorite is surprisingly the maple marshmallow! With the espresso comes in a close second. Huey didn't really liked the espresso one, saying it tasted weird. I do agree that it had a unique taste, but it does reminds me of American coffee that I had in US. :)

I was a wee bit disappointed that the caramel marshmallow doesn't really tasted like caramel. I was having Starbuck's caramel frappucino when I tried that one and it just didn't really hit the mark. Still tasty though!

I must admit that I already have a bias to Huey's chocolate marshmallows, and though the chocolate marshmallow from Whimsy and Spice is tasty too, it's not as chocolatey as Huey's chocolate marshmallows. :)

I've always been curious about cardamom, how it taste and smell like. Now I had concluded that... it tastes weird, it's like some sort of exotic Indian spice. Not one of my favorites, that's for certain. Rose Vanilla was actually Huey's pick, and I'm not a huge fan of the smell and taste of roses hahaha. So suffice to say, it's not one of my favorites. But people that love roses would probably love it. :)

One more thing to add though, I find that the marshmallows tasted weird after it had been melted. Maybe because it's not 'fresh' anymore as it had to travel half a globe to reach us. It could be just me, but I prefer eating them as is. Their marshmallows are pretty chewy and keeps their cube form surprisingly well!

Around the World - Russia - Krukrustudio

When I first laid eyes on the gas can bag, it didn't cross my mind at all that it is a bag! Until I take a closer look... and my mind was blown. Utilizing felt and other materials, Krukrustudio transforms unexpected objects into bags, from gas can (which is very convincing by the way) to pianos, to watering cans and more. The construction of the bags and the creativity is just amazing! I mean, who would have thought? My favorite is the Reel-to-reel Akai GX-77. :D

Spring 2012 Pantone Color Trend Picks #1

Tangerine Tango

Orange with White Circles Note Cards - toocutecustomcrafts // Vintage 1960s Shift Dress - concettascloset
Chevron Orange iPhone 4s Case - redtilestudio // Be Uncommon Inspirational Art Print - hairbrainedschemes

Solar Power

Sunny Duck Print Bathroom Decor - WildLifePrints // Felted Wool Yellow Egg Money Bank - PariDesign
Golden Yellow Fascinator - ArturoRios // Autumn Greeting Card Set of Four - TerraBellusPaperCo

I have to wonder, why is this yellow named 'Solar Power'? Hmm...

More to come in the future!

Colorful Chalcedony Stones

I meant to post this during Easter, but I forgot that I was going to be away during the Easter weekend! Oh well, better late than never right? ;)

I hope you all had a great Easter holiday. :)

Pictured are colorful chalcedony stones I recently acquired. I just love dipping my fingers in and see what I picked up!

Around the World - Russia - Rarely

Time to visit another country for the Around the World series. :) I always like to pick a country nearby to the last featured one, or anything nearby that grabs my attention. And it is very difficult to not notice this country, because it is the biggest in the world - Russia!

When I think of Russia, the first thing I am reminded of are matryoshka dolls, and their vibrant propaganda posters. Which is a welcoming sight on Rarely. There is just a certain cynical yet artistic nature to these vintage propaganda posters and postcards, some are even true works of art! Although I don't know what most of them are saying (because they are in Russian) but some are pretty easy to guess, such as the anti-alcoholism one. :) I'm so tempted to get some for myself, because I've always been a fan of propaganda posters.

I went to Penang!

So sorry for the sudden disappearance! But there is a perfectly good reason why I was suddenly gone...

I went to Penang that's why!! This was a trip I've been looking forward to for ages. It's been 15 years since my last visit. (I remembered because I heard of the news when Princess Diana was killed the last time I was in Penang) Although there were quite a bit of bad memories shadowing the trip towards the end, it was a trip I direly needed for a change of scenery, and fantastic food!! The company of my crafty friends were fabulous as well. Food pics will come at a later date as I need some time to sort them out. :)

Around the World - Ukraine - Zverrriki

Zverrriki's artist teddies and bunnies are super cute, I must admit. But I've always been the weird one and what first attracted me to this shop was their funny PhoneEaters! (what a cute name too) I like that she posed them in an interesting way, like giving them a scene when she photographed them. It makes them that much more amusing! But don't get me wrong, I love her artist teddies and bunnies too, they are just so adorable. They would make great gifts and keepsakes for little children. :)

More Interesting Cork Stuff!

Since I did 'Cork' for this week's Weekly Word Picks, I am finding a lot of interesting cork products lately! Meet the Corkers!

This was a Design collaboration between Oded Friedland (Monkey Business) and Reddish Studio. Basically they are animal body parts that you can pin to your cork to turn them into little animals! How cute is that? :D My favorite is the bear!

You can also mix and match, creating new creatures.

The mustache man (made from the buffalo's horns!) is really cute too!

They are available for sale on Monkey Business. I love that website, so many quirky and creative designer products. Just a few months ago I bought the Yellow submarine tea infuser from them and I love it to bits! I actually have it in my cup now!

Around the World - Ukraine - Mimimi Cards

Mimimi Cards, isn't that name just so cute? And such delicate handiwork too. Paper cutting is a craft that takes a lot of precision and patience, but the result is oh-so worth it! I mean, just look at that Rabbit in stars card (do you see the rabbit?) and the flowers butterfly card, just stunning! I'm not sure if I have the patience for these type of work, so I have a lot of respect for people that do them well. Maybe one fine day in the future, when I have the time I'll try it. One fine day~

The 30 Days of List - I am Famous for...

1. Doing awesome last minute work. My friends still remember me and my pineapple assignment.
2. Not eating my vegetables. I'm a carnivore.
3. Manning a booth at a craft market without a voice. I was sick. (this happened just last week! Lol)
4. Drawing great looking guys.

Kind of ironic that this was done in the colors of carrots and vegetables. (seeing as I hate to eat vegetables)

The 30 Days of List - Confessions

1. I am terrible at sewing.
2. I have never kissed a girl.
3. I like hairy men, they are manly.
4. I have arachnophobia. (A severe case too, eep)
5. I prefer dinosaurs over barbies when I was a kid.
6. I love eating chicken skin. It's so unhealthy but I love it!

Darker list warrants a darker color theme. ;)

Weekly Word Picks - Cork

After been on hiatus for almost a month (omg had it been that long?) Weekly Word Picks is finally back! This week's word is...

CORK

Terrarium Cork Bottle 1pc - QuillandFox // Hand Punched Cork Hearts - Decadence2artbar

Two Baskets with White Forest Print - PrintParty // Tall Glass Apothecary Jar - GallivantingGirls

Wall Garden: Air Plants on Sustainable Virgin Cork Bark - Plantzilla // Vintage Leather and Cork Slip On Sandals - abuckandabrokensmoke

For the complete treasury : Cork

This week's word was chosen by Alexandria from rexiej

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

For a list of words already suggested, please refer to this post.

The 30 Days of List - My Care Package

That is assuming, these would be what I would love to see in my care package :D

1. A comfortable pillow. (for the good night's sleep of course!)

2. Starbucks gift vouchers. (I'm a bit of a Starbucks fiend)

3. Empty journal. (to scribble things on)

4. Basic stationary set. (to be used to do the scribbling)

5. Delicious milk tea. (I'm a bigger milk tea fiend!)

6. Yummy cake. (no one could say no to this!!)

Still playing catch up, I should have these done by... April! Wait!! It IS April already, whoops! Happy April's fools. :D (no this is not an April's fool joke lol)