Christmas and more stuff made!

Wishing all lovely friends a very blessed year ahead. May the Lord watch over you, keep you safe and bless you with lots of happiness every day.  =)

My Christmas this year was a peaceful one. Spent quietly with my DH, watching HK drama serials most of the time.

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Had the chance to complete 2 other earrings - "Purplets" (gift for my friend) and a pair of commissioned earrings. Purplets earrings are made of amethyst discs, crystal bicones and crystal droplets. The commissioned earrings are made of rock crystal quartz nuggets, czech flower beads and gold-filled loop.

Comissioned pieces

I have completed 2 of the 5 comissioned pieces these 2 days. Both of them are earrings.  ^_^

This pair of earrings is made of opalets, crystal bicones and Cloisonné beads. They sparkle alot and I love the colour combination of this pair.

This second pair of earrings is made of freshwater pearls and czech glass pink stones. I love the soft look of these little ones.

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I also made a new package tag today. Quite happy with the results. =)  Click here to clearer and bigger version. 

Breakthrough - Romantic Jasper Bracelet

(For sharper photos, please click here to my Flickr).

This piece is a ChALLenGe! This is my very first attempt to weave 2 filigrees together, add a clay rose (I bought this from the etsy seller, beadsupplies) and surround it with milky seed beads. Then I have the filigrees clawed to a Jasper stone (a gift from Geanie! thanks, dear) and used silver chains to keep it secure. How much work is that? Hours!.. of planning, staring, designing and putting into action.

I am greatly encouraged by the feedback given by the forumers from Starving Jewelry Artists on this bracelet. This forum is the most amazing craft forums I have seen so far. The bond among the members is really strong. =)

Christmas is coming! Have you prepared your heart to celebrate with the Lord?  ^_^

Results - My First Giveaway ^_^

We have a winner!!! Congratulations to Violetmoon (the no. 6th entry)!!!!  *wooohooo!!* *applause* Yeah! *dance around*

My most sincere thanks to Hermini (Geanie), Linda, Gaby, Midnight, Michelle, Violetmoon, Daniella, Rosnee, Jeh and Tygerkitty for leaving such sweet comments on my blog post. I am very encouraged by the feedback given. Thank you so much!

Bubblegum suger bracelet is the most loved design this time round. =)

Thank you once again for joining in the fun!

My First Giveaway ^_^

This is my first giveaway. I'm giving away this lovely pair of earrings which features lovely birds and heart-shaped rose pearls. Rules of the game are simple:-

1) Go to my etsy shop or blogshop.

2) Select one item which you love the most.

3) Post your comment under this post here on (a) which item you have selected and (b) explain why you love it.

4) One person per entry.

I will conduct a draw on 19 Dec 08 (10pm Singapore time) and post the result on this blog on 20 Dec 08 at 11am Singapore time. So please do check back. =) If you have difficulty in posting your comment, please feel free to e-mail it to me at phoebealeph@yahoo.com.sg

I snagged some treasuries!

Finally, luck is on my side! I snagged 2 treasuries in a single day. Treasury is a page where etsy members get to list their favourite items and share this list with everyone. The treasuries posted usually last about 2-3 days and those with the highest number of clicks (and comments) get to the front page (opening page) of etsy. Definitely a good way to publicise your shop if your item is listed on that hot treasury front page!

Here are the screenshots and their respective hyperlinks. Please take a look if you have the time.  =)

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=24652

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http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list_west.php?room_id=34707

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Store update - new item listed on 3 Dec 08 on both my etsy shop and blog shop.

God will make a way

For those out there struggling and hurting - wondering how to cope with the financial crisis, wondering when you will get a job, wondering how to pay the bills, wondering if God hears your prayers....

"God will make a way

Where there seems to be no way
He works in ways we cannot see 
He will make a way for me 
He will be my guide 
Hold me closely to His side 
With love and strength for each new day 
He will make a way He will make a way 

By a roadway in the wilderness
He'll lead me 
And rivers in the desert will I see 
Heaven and earth will fade 
But His word will still remain 

He will do something new today."

My Christmas Gift to myself & Store Update

I have found the perfect christmas present for myself. =) It's unique and handmade. Crafted by talented Kathryn Riechert, this beauty is made from sterling silver and set with a 5mm peridot (peridot is my birth stone). Most probably I will receive this lovely necklace in about 2 to 3 weeks time. Till then, I have the photos to drool over.

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Store update - new items are now available! Check out my etsy shop and my blogshop.

Christmas Countdown - 36 days

A meaningful video. Spend less on gifts, give more of your time and spread your love.

Wordless Sunday - my new creation "waiting"

Things I love about Korea (Part 1)

As some of you know, I went Korea middle of last month for about 10 days. Here's a list of things I **LOVE** about the country.

1) Public toilets

Yes, this is top on my list!

Korea's public toilets are impressively clean and well maintained. In Singapore, it is easy to find dirty toilets in parks, tourists' spots and even in some shopping centers. But in Korea, to find a dirty one is so rare. During our 10 days tour in the beautiful country, we went to tens of public toilets and so far, I only encountered one single toilet which I consider as dirty. This is truly amazing.

Someone once said the degree of cleanliness of the public toilets reflect the depth of a country's people. How true do you think of this?

2) Jeju Island



Jeju island is beautiful, especially the Sunrise Peak. If I ever visit that lovely island again, I would want to walk all the way up to the top of the peak. Love how the waves hit on the rocks and the sweet little flowers that grow on the hills.

I also love the Teddy Bear Museum because it showcases all the cute bears from the Korean drama serial "Gong" or "Princess Hour". I was so happy when I saw them and insisted hubby to take pictures of me with all these bears. Unfortunately, I didn't like the ones they sell in the souvenir shop. So that's a happy wallet at the end of the day.

3) BBQ


Ever tried Korean BBQ? Hubby suggested to try authentic Korean BBQ for dinner one night after our shopping. And it was soooo good! We sat on the floor before a large table and shortly after we ordered our food, we were served with lots of side dishes (lots of kimchis made of different vegetables). Then came the juicy yummy beef chunks and beef slices, mushrooms and more vegetables. WOW! The meal was not cheap but we were so happy and full.

Before I end Part 1 of my list, here are more pictures I took. =)

New items on Etsy and Blog Shop

Now listed on my Etsy and Blog Shop. Do drop by! ^_^

Words of Wisdom

Things that we all need a little reminder once in a while. For me, the following are words of wisdom:-

"The best way to handle conversation in the workplace is to keep it limited to what is necessary to do the job, cordial greetings and farewells, and become adept at friendly smiles and actually saying nothing at the water cooler or at the break room without calling attention to the fact.

Emails or written communication of any kind should NEVER contain text that is not necessary to the task.

What you might do, on your next job, is cultivate the "Princess Diana" strategy.

It was one of the secrets of her charm and widely noted ability to interact and enchant people from all walks of life.

In reality, it is a very common teaching, that used to be part of the basic social skill training of young girls of every culture and society.

The basic principle is very simple - listening - and recognizing the truth that everyone you will ever meet has one thing in common - their favorite topic of conversation is themselves!

While historically this is applied, as Princess Diana did, to social situations, it is also a very useful skill to have in a workplace.

When done right, you should be able to have an extended conversation with absolutely anybody, and at the end of it, you will know all about them, and they will consider that you are the most brilliant conversationalist they have ever met, and utterly charming to boot, but all they will actually have learned about you is that you also like Madame Plantier roses. Or gray poodle dogs.

Flowers and pets, as well as the weather, are the best topics for you to express any opinion on in the workplace, and even then sparingly, positive only, and always accompanied by yet another open-ended question focused on the other person's opinion, likes, etc.

Other people, will, of course, say all kinds of things to you, office gossip, their opinion on politics, religion, everything under the sun, and you just keep being a good listener, and encourage them to keep on talking about themselves with those open-ended questions about their thoughts and experiences.

Occasionally, someone will ask you a direct question that is not about flowers or dogs, and if you have developed your craft, you will be able to successfully deflect even that into a carefully-phrased open-ended and irresistible invitation to them to forget all about what they asked YOU, and launch off into another reel all about THEM!"

- thanks to ShimmaPuff from tPF for the wonderful reminder.

Oct 08 Featured EtsyBlogger - bfbeads (Mama's Magic)

This month's featured Etsyblogger is bfbeads (Mama's Magic). =)

For all the young mommy friends I have out there, check out this sweet etsy shop "Baby's Friendly Beads". This shop features beautiful functional nursing necklaces and bracelets. Breastfeeding jewelry gives baby something else to focus on and play with, instead of pulling mom's hair or pinching her skin. Reminder bracelets which can help you to track nursing sessions. Wow, how innovative!

Do visit bfbeads' blog as well. There are lots of tips and articles for moms with newly borned babies. For me, one with no kids, I love those blog posts which talked about gardening. I love to see the photos of plants, fruits and lovely children (that's Bfbeads' beautiful kids  ^_^) helping in the fields. Congrats, Jen, for being this month's featured blogger. Yeah!

big haul of the month

This month is a month of more spending for me. Just came back from Korea, it is a shopping heaven. I prefer shopping in Korea than in Hong Kong. Particularly love Insadong, an art and antique district. Will cover more on this wonderful place in my subsequent post. For now, let's focus only on bags!! **woohoo!!!

DH knows my bag craze and he knows my desire to have a big work bag. He bought me a lovely pressie from Coach just before our trip -- presenting the classy Legacy Leather Zip Satchel in Amethyst! Love the design but not used to the distressed leather and the antique looking hardware. I love it nevertheless cos it is a heartwarming gesture from DH. ^_^

In Korea, I went into a small shopping spree at LV. Bought a purple epi cles and a violette vernis Roxbury Drive. Yeah!!! Buying from overseas is definitely better than buying in Singapore. I get tax refund in Korea and escape any additional tax/ markup here. Below are pictures of my new beauties.

In Jeju Island of Korea, there is a Teddy Bear Museum. One of the exhibits is a cute bear dressed in LV monogram brown coat and cap, plus he has a classic monogram suitcase too. Very cool, yah? =)

Having 2 new bags is a wonderful thing and I know it is time to impose a ban on myself on luxury items. These pretty things add colour and interest to my life but should never take my focus away from the better things in life.

New toy!! Cocoa

Cocona (ココナ)

Bought a figurine yesterday. This is my first big size figurine (she's in a scale of 1/7)! She's named Cocona in English (ココナ) and she's a cool fighter - broad big sword and gorgeous outfit. Her silver armour has a purple sheen when light shines on her. Love her hair -very life-like. The entire piece has so much details, from head (see the hair and the two little flowers) to toe (see her boots and the sweet ribbon). This babe costs a whopping SGD95 but I am so in love with her. She's a wonderful piece of artwork.

I came to know that Cocona is the artwork of Shunya Yamashita, a professional illustrator and character designer. Yamashita-san's website is pretty cool (http://shunyama.web.fc2.com/), check out his amazing Illustrator Gallery.

Featured EtsyBlogger of the month

**drum roll and the cheering begins**


September's featured etsyblogger is our leader -- Joey and Adaleetha! Visit her shop -- She has the loveliest kids and toddlers clothing - from t-shirts to jumpers to bibs (ok, that doesn't count as clothing but wow, they are sooooo cute!). The fun etsy shop also sells cute baby bracelets, sweet quilts and fun baby cuffs. Such fashion! =)



Check out the blog too, contains lots of beautiful pictures and fun articles. I love sweet Lily (not sure who this sweetie is? Then go check out the blog!). **wink

My Very First Treasury!

Woohoo~~!! I made it to a treasury! Thanks to JenK of SJA (Starving Jewelry Artist) for getting hold of a treasury slot and added my pastel floral bracelet to her listing. This is my first time being featured on a treasury. I was really happy yesterday. ^_^

EtsyBloggers Blog Carnival - Work: anything to do with your work which is outside of Etsy

Our etsybloggers carnival's topic for this round is on our work - anything to do with our work which is outside the etsy world.

I would talk about my job then. I am an Intellectual Property Manager with a fuel additive company. Previously I was trained in the area of patent when I was working for the country's patent office. As I am not an engineer, it takes alot more reading and understanding for me to prepare myself before I start a particular task. For example, to do a proper preliminary patent search on topics relating to fuel additives, I need to read and research quite a fair bit to gain basic understanding before any decent search can be done.

Besides patent work, I also handle Trademark related matters for the company. This is a new area for me but it is definitely easier than working on patent matters.

Having a patent and trademark agent working for us makes my life much easier but it does not remove my responsibility to monitor and ensure that everything is running smoothly for the company. It also means that I have to always keep myself updated with the developments in the IP world.

Here's one interesting blog which I subscribed to:- http://ipkitten.blogspot.com/ There are alot of interesting articles and updated court cases to read. If you are interested in this subject matter, check out their blog. =)

Inspirational Storque Article from Etsy

An article from Etsy which I find very encouraging and inspirational. A good read. It's about an Etsy artist (Lillyella) who quitted her job to sell full time on Etsy. I wish I have the talent and optimism like her to actually do that. This is my dream and I really hope I can make it one day.

Read about her here    =)

This is my favourite from her shop.

Orangetree Etsy Store Update ^_^

~~***Autumn Scent - Bracelet***~~~

From my floral filigree series. Now available!

I weaved 2 filigrees together, added the purple clay flower, beautiful crystal bicones and rounds; and some seed beads to make up the focal. This focal is chained to lovely amethyst stones and ended with a dainty purple crystal to complete the look.

Measures a length of 7 inches and extendable. Please feel free to let me know if you want a longer length. Alteration is free of charge.

Beautiful bracelet can used as a daily wear and can be worn for all occassions. =)

you are warmly invited to check out my other bracelets in the shop!

New Love! Belen Echandia

I have not seen any Belen Echandia bags in real life yet but the photos on their website and on the purse forum are enough to send me drooling away.

Here are some lovely eye candies on my wishlist:-

Love Me Series

Whisper To Me Midi Series

Take Me Everywhere Midi Series
All images taken from BE website. Are you tempted yet? ;P