The Paper Place: The Katazome Contest

Last year, I missed out on an awesome contest held by The Paper Place called, The Great Origami Giveaway.  I literally found out about that contest one day too late.  It was such a major disappointment, I actually sulked about it for an hour because I love working with Chiyogami paper.  This year, The Paper Place is hosting a new give-a-way this season The Great Katazome Giveaway – 12 Days in December

The prize this year is one sample sheet  each of all 169 patterns of Katazome paper.  Of course I entered in hopes to win.  I’ve never worked with Katazome paper before but I know they are sturdier so it would open many new opportunities of creativity.  I’m already thinking of potential projects if I win!  The designs are so beautiful. 

If you haven’t heard of The Paper Place, check them out!  It’s a Canadian based store based out of Ontario, Canada.  They have such variety of paper and designs on their online store.  One day I’ll be visiting the East Coast and definitely be visiting.

Feature Canadian Shop: quotesandnotes

I made some clothespin products for my Etsy and Artfire shops and thought to check what other sellers are offering for their items.  I stumbled upon quotesandnotes, an artisan who offers hand-printed designs on wood and fabric.  I love how simple but yet visual appealing gifts.

 5 Christmas Clothespins / Pegs - Joy, Peace, Faith, Hope, Dream

 3 in. x 2 in. Wood Mini Notepad (je t'aime - i love you)

Christmas hymn ragball ornaments - White-Silver (set of 3)

We’re Going to Disneyland!

We’ll be going on vacation to California and we plan to visit Disneyland!   I don’t plan to blog for a next couple of weeks.  However, I’m testing a blogging application on my iPhone so if I see any random crafts or handmade items and find access to free wi-fi down there, I might make a short entry or two!  If not, I leave you with two Canadian Etsy sellers who has disney themed products!

 Mickey Mouse Pacifier Holder, Toy Holder – rainbowstardesigns

   Cinderella Inspired Princess Hair Clip - sarahscreativeside

Enchained Chainmaille Creations – A Change in Opinion

You know how you form a opinion and after time, you start realizing that you were wrong?  Well, that’s what happened today.  I featured this artist back in December as I really like her chainmail art, but wasn’t a fan of her origami themed mobiles.  I originally felt the cranes took away the beautiful look of her art.  However, she posted some recent photos on her Facebook Fanpage and started a blog.  I realized that origami cranes didn’t take away from her art, it!

What is was is that the  original photos didn’t give me a real sense of the size of the cranes and how small and intricate her chainmail work really is. 

I’m glad she posted more photos.  I have a greater appreciation of her work.

My original post in December 2009

Feature Canadian Shop: Lemonpie

I stumbled upon this shop when I was reading Kym of Herrohachi blog.  Kym mentions her friend Claudia and her shop a few times so of course I had to take a peek!

Their pillows are so adorable!  What I love about these pillows is that they have a minimalistic look to them but yet each screams its own personality.  Gives me a little inspiration for my graphic designs.

Featured Canadian Seller - Bomobob

Bomobob is a regular poster in the Etsy forums.  He is usually gives feedback to the subject or casual comments.  What really drew me to check out his shop was the familiarity with other Etsians who ‘loves’ in a tongue and cheek way.

Google Analytics and Bomobob!

What a surprise to find out that he’s a Canadian photographer!  Bomobob’s work is beautiful.  Don’t expect me to give any real critiques.  I’m one of those people who thought a cheap $100 point and shoot is good enough, until we brought our first SLR camera.  

My favourite is the zebras.

But a close second is this “I LOVE YOU” one

Feature Canadian Seller: The Tiny Fig

I first learned about The Tiny Fig by noticing her iconic winking toast avatar. 

I was at a baby shower last month and one of the organizers had the winking toast pin.  I was pretty excited, but I didn’t bring it up.  I didn’t know the person that well to jump around ecstatically telling him excitedly I recognized that icon.  Maybe he just bought the pin because he liked it. 

Connie at The Tiny Fig started her business as a hobby and it grew into a full fledge business.  I love her pin accessories and she had that winking toast I want to get!  I’ll try to get to one of the local store she wholesales to first to see if they have them.

My favourite items are her bookplates. 

If you live in the Metro Vancouver area, The Tiny Fig also wholesales to a few local stores here in BC:

And one in the US who also has an Etsy store as well as a brick and mortar store in Stockbridge, MI:

Sands of Time

One of my favourite games while I was in school is Prince of Persia, a third person action-adventure game.  This past weekend, we watched movie Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, based on the game!

The producers didn’t follow the game story but the premise was similar.  However, I had the pleasure sitting beside a hardcore gamer who seemed to be upset that the game storyline didn’t follow the movie. 

“It’s just a movie woman!”.  Well, I yelled at her in my head.  Overall, I really enjoyed it!

I thought it would be fun for an Etsy search for any products that were tagged, “sands of time” but nothing that is an hourglass, which would be an obvious reference to a sands of time tag line

The result, two from Canada, but there are a few unique products!

Sands of Time - Brown and Cream Banded Flint Wire Wrapped Pendant w/chain by wirebutterfly

 

Monster Trucks...PDF Crochet Pattern by KTBdesigns

Feature Canadian Shop: Herro Hachi

Kym of Herro Hachi first discovered me with a compliment on my origami Etsy Canada late last year.  I was shocked since I don’t really focus on my shop like I should.  Of course I checked our her Etsy shop at the time and found her Engrish shirts so appealing because I completely “get it” as a fellow Asian.  A few months later, Christina of Akane Designs Blog did feature interview and now I’m a great fan of Kym’s work.  I just need to buy one of her shirts at a show since she’s a local. 

If you want to purchase any of her shirts, just click on the photo, they are linked to her shop listings.

Nobody Cares About Your Status Updates

Engrish Menu Tees in Woman's and Men's

Fluent in Engrish 

 

 

Kym also sells a selection of buttons!  I want one with just her Herro logo in the speech bubble.  If she ever sells them, I’d get one to start a collection.

 

Wickaninnish Gallery - Grandville Island, Vancouver, BC

I’ve been reminiscing lately about a school project I did back in school.  Every team had to take on a real life project offered by local business in order to graduate.  The projects ranged from website building to consultation services.  My team bided on several but our program head deemed they were too easy for our skill set.  He assigned us the project no one requested.  The owner wanted to market her products online to international markets.  It was quite challenging but I’m proud to say that my team got the the top mark in our program!

Wickaninnish Gallery

The gallery was founded by its owner Patrica Rivard in 1987.  It is named after her Great Great Grandfather, Chief Wickaninnish, who as a powerful chief of Nuu-chah-nulth in the late 1700s.

Wickaninnish Gallery is a unique gallery & gift shop that offers a wide selection high quality art and jewellery created by Northwest Coast First Nation artists. 

They have beautiful jewellery crafted from sterling silver or gold.  The necklace pictured was tagged in the company's profile on the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC website.  I wish I could show you more.  If you are ever in BC near Granville Island, I urge you to go and take a look.

 

The Net Loft, Granville Island

Suite 14 - 1666 Johnston Street
Vancouver, BC  V6H 3S2

Ph: (604) 681-1057

http://www.wickaninnishgallery.com

 

Earth Day is April 22

Earth Day is celebrated every April 22, worldwide.  I thought it would be great to find Canadian Etsy sellers who produce and sell recycled, upcycled or environmentally inspired products.  I wasn't disappointed! 

Authentic Sea Glass Pendant - sweptfromthesea

 Organic Baby Quilt - SewnNaturals

Rainforest Pocket Mirror - jellybeans

Feature Etsy Shop - Momiji Studio

I was reading the forums and happy to find a positivety thread and scanned a post that this seller did saying she was from Vancouver, BC.  Caught my eye since I live here too!

This seller specializes in custom accessories made from Japanese textiles.  I have a soft spot for over the shoulder and messenger bags because they leave my hands free.   My favourite is the Butterfly messenger bag.

Please check out her shop!  Momijistudio

Butterfly Kimono Fabric Messenger Bag

Kimono Silk Slouch Purse Weeping Cherry Blossoms

Kimono Silk Slouch Purse Butterflies

Go Vancouver Store! Favourite Shop: kukubee

 

Kukubee, Vancouver, BC shop got featured on Etsy's blog this week!  It's wonderful, they managed to quit their day jobs within 6 months of opening up their own small business. 

They run their online shop and Etsy storefront focussing their work based on Kawaii, a method of incorporating cute childlike renditions of cartoons into their design work.

I particularly like their which panda are you zipper pouch.

The owners also have another shop Meowza, which is dedicated to the artist's work itself in forms of prints and jewellery.

I notice that the artwork in this branch of their business is very whimsical and some takes a little enlightenment that my mind is not ready for.  I like the art work.  His tree girl series involke a mixture of feelings, but that's what art is about anyways.