Flowers In My Garden

Again, on my quest to save things vintage, I spotted this cute barrel (which turned out to be plastic---but you can't tell) with "fake" water spout on my neighbor's grass waiting to be taken to the garbage dump. I decided it would make a cute planter with a little TLC.

So I took over to my yard where it sat for a bit. When I had the energy to tackle this project, I took out my trusty spray paints---white and black---and sprayed the areas to cover up the old paint which was a green yucky color. My husband drilled some holes on the bottom, placed some rocks on the bottom, and filled it with the big big bag of soil he bought from Home Depot. I planted some pansies (which I love), thyme, mint, and tried some Manoa Lettuce and mixed lettuce. Here's some photos of my pansies and the cute planter barrel. The lettuce isn't doing so well, kinda wilting---think it's too hot and it needs a lot of water.

In our garden, we aren't able to grow the beautiful bulbs like you gals on the continent. Here's some photos of the orchids that are blooming and the cute clover flowers in a pot. Our garden is so cute and green...I love it. Here are some photos of the other plants growing in our garden.

My Etsy Funk is Over...for now

I only started adding to my blog yesterday. Why? I've been MIA because I was in an Etsy funk. Nothing was selling in my shop and I was thinking "why?" and driving myself crazy like a loony person thinking all sort of crazy thoughts spinning in my head.

I kept putting new creations in my shop. And at times I felt like I was "chasing" a sale---making things that "others" might like but not necessarily my normal "style" that I sell. Like my Understated Beauty line. Which while I never really made "simple and understated" pieces to sell to my friends and customers in Hawaii, I actually did create "simple" pieces for myself to wear on a daily basis. You know, that "throw it on and wear it with anything" kind of pretty yet uncomplicated jewelry. I just never thought that my customers in Hawaii who normally buy from me would want something like this.

Then I realized that you can either have a whole bunch of the same look in your store or you can change it up and try to attract different markets. It's not necessarily "chasing", it's running a business. But, after couple weeks, I didn't think that my Understated Beauty line was striking a cord in anyone b/c nothing was moving at all.

Until this Saturday and then boom, boom--2 sales both outside USA---one from Canada, the other from England. Wow! Had to learn how to fill out those International forms and then stand in line at the post office to mail them to foreign lands. The 2 gals bought necklaces from my Understated Beauty line. So, I decided to forge on and create more simple but elegant, wear everyday and any occasion jewelry.

Here's some of my newest creations that I made using my fav pearls---Keshi pearls. I love these pearls that I picked up at the Tucson trade show this year b/c they have such a beautiful nacre and luster to them---love the color...creamy rosey color. Keshi pearls cost me a pretty penny (vs. the cost of your standard fresh water pearls) but totally worth it. They remind me of dainty rose petals. No two are alike which makes them all that more special. Check out my Etsy Shop for all my creations---I've made quite a few newbies.

New Look For Front Porch

Yesterday, my hubbie and I went to the Buddhist temple to pay respects to his mother who is deceased. As we turned out of the temple's driveway, I asked him to drive in the opposite direction than we normally take b/c I wanted to check out the cute homes in the area. As we were puttering down the street, low and behold, I spotted several totally cute chairs that someone had put out near the sidewalk for bulk pick-up.

Immediately, I asked him to turn the car around b/c I wanted to take a look at the chairs. They were so cute and vintage. My hubbie's trusty old Suzuki Aereo car was able to fit all 3 chairs in the back. It's like Santa's red sack---it can hold a ton of stuff.

Anyway, took them home and found the perfect spot for the adorable light cream chair right on my front porch. I put some pillows that I had picked up from Walmart awhile ago and voila! I spent the day sitting out on my porch reading a book and sipping my bubbly water. I'm in heaven.

My vintage craze comes in handy. I can smell something cute and vintage a mile away.

The other pic shows a cute metal bird atrium thingy that I had spray painted Robin's Birds Blue and put a potted pink spotted plant I got from Home Depot. The other shot shows the other 2 cute low to the ground chairs with lots of paint peeling. LOvE them! ;)

New Designs for Spring--Understated Beauty

I just recently created some jewelry which can be worn everyday and for every occasion. How great is that? I call it my Understated Beauty collection. These charming and pretty pieces are created for those times when you just want to wear something which will be pretty but not bold. I like to wear these when I go to the neighborhood store, have dinner in town, meet friends for lunch, go to work, go to a party...you get the idea. They are that simple, easy, and cute to wear. These would also be perfect for your bridal party to wear at your wedding. It will accentuate your bridesmaids' dresses without overpowering them. Understated Beauty. ;)

From Sheasy's Shop---Little Pink Bunny--New Craft Room Mascot

Newly arrived---just hopped down the lane to my white cottage today...Little Pink Bunny from Sheasy's shop. You have to check out Sheasy's Etsy shop (sheasy.etsy.com)because it has the cutest little handsewn felt creations like cupcakes and little capped mushrooms. So cute! This little bunny is going to be my craft room mascot. She'll be looking down at me when I'm creating my new jewelry.

Ever see the movie "Amelie"? That offbeat Parisian movie about a shy coffee shop (or is it a pattisserie?) waitress who tries to make the lives of the people around her better---like her dad and the garden gnome who keeps traveling to a bunch of different countries and magically sends her dad back photos showing the gnome's latest trip.

Well, here's some photos that Little Pink wanted me to take of her to capture her first day in Hawaii and the new friends that she's made so far. The first photo, Little Pink with her new friend Rocko on the front step. The second photo, Little Pink meeting her new next door neighbor Mr. Woo. And lastly, Little Pink taking some time to smell the flowers. I think she likes it here. ;)

I Love Flowers---My Latest Treasury in Treasury West

I'm at it again! Someone please stop my addiction. Nah! I love doing these.

Now I've been turned on to "Thumbalizr" which takes snapshots of screens for me. Yayyy!

Please check out my new treasury creation by clicking here. I have used several of my CADdy gals creations as well as those from my WeLoveEtsy pals. Enjoy! And stay tuned for my next Treasury----you may be in it. ;)

Treasury Addict---help me!

I'm a Treasury addict...constantly in the right place at the right time. I've made about 5+ different treasuries w/in the last month. Once you start, you can't stop especially when that little box just pops up like "magic". You can't say "no" to it. Luckily, I just go thru all my favorite items that I have hearted and I come up with a theme. Takes me about 1 hour to choose all the items and add it to the treasury. But the results are rewarding.

Here's my latest Treasury West creation called "Birds of a Feather". My inspiration is my little peacock blue lovebird Tobey. Thought these creations by my fellow We Love Etsy, Ning artisans to be just fab and had to be shared with my fellow Etsians.

Just wanted to memoralize it before it expires in 2 hours. Tried the "thumbalizr" to take a snapshot of the screen to place it here in my blog. Neat! Try it---you'll like it.