Cocktail Pop-Up Cards

Classic Martini
Originally uploaded by desireux.

I was thinking of possible designs for Father's Day cards and wanted something that would not only be cool for Dads but also for any other occasion. I love my new line of cocktails with the tagline "Treat your dad to a drink this Father's Day". There are four so far: the Margarita, Pina Colada, Martini and Champagne. The Long Island Ice Tea design is still in progress :)

Flying off into the sunset

Flying off into the sunset
Originally uploaded by desireux.

I love the colors of this card. It reminds me of a beautiful sunset and a carefree time at the beach. Thinking back, its been a while since I've taken time to admire a sunset. I remember last fall when the days started getting shorter, I would stand at the huge glass window on the 6th floor of my lab and watch the sun go down behind the buildings. I remember being so excited and calling a friend to watch the sunset together because something so beautiful had to be shared. Now that its summer and the days are longer, I'm in my apartment when the sun sets. I'm glad that its bright when I walk home in the evening but I really should take time to look out and smile.

Happiness is ...

Sakura
Originally uploaded by desireux.

... finding just the right amount of change in your pockets, schoolbag and handbag to buy a packet of Famous Amous cookies from the vending machine.

And thanks to littleput for the cherry blossom idea.

From the fortune cookie: Customer Service

,
originally uploaded by desireux.

A new facination of mine is collecting the little 'fortunes' inside the cookie. Its like astrology, the message is always something that you can relate too and believe (if you want to) that it was fate that you got that cookie.

So this recent cookie I had said "Customer service is like taking a bath; you have to keep doing it". Now I could definitely use that bit of advice, especially when I'm just starting out with my Etsy. The most 'scary' part of this whole process to me is when i get ready to ship out the item. I look at the card carefully, make sure its in great shape, put it into its envelope, take it out a few seconds later, put it back ... pack it into the 'shipping' envelope, double, triple check to make sure everythings in, resist the urge to open it up and check again, and finally take a deep breath and seal it .. phew! And I'll be wondering if it'll arrive safely and in the same condition it left me, if it will meet the new owner's expectations and even better fall in love with it. But that's all part of the exciting process :)

Sumi Pop-Up card

Sumi Pop-Up card,
originally uploaded by desireux.

It is such fun to create these cards. From trying to picture the design and making a pattern, to cutting the lines, and finally 'popping' the image out and seeing it in 3d is a very satisfying process. It almost reminds me of organic chemistry where I had to visualize the molecules on paper into 3d structures and rotate them in my head! I'm still learning though, so most of my designs have a 'prototype' copy where I will realize that something doesn't 'pop' just right and will have to do some tweaking to make it just right :)

Tori Pop-Up card

Tori Pop-Up card,
originally uploaded by desireux.

When I saw these flying cranes motif in the Japanese patterns book, I knew I had to incorporate them into a design. The book describes them as seeming to fly of the picture plane, and I thought that they would be beautiful if made to 'pop-up'. I gave them a bright, cheerful green cover for a simple zen but happy card.

Designing

Aiko Pop-Up card,
originally uploaded by desireux.

Was sketching around in my Moleskine today and studying some pop-up card templates trying to come up with my own designs. Saw some motifs on Japanese paper that I had bought for an art project some time ago and decided that I would design a collection of about 5 pop-up cards with Japanese motifs. I also went to the library and borrowed a book titled Designer's guide to Japanese patterns, by Jeanne Allen. The book was rather inspiring, I hope I have time tomorrow to sketch a few more designs. The photo shows my first design. I'm rather pleased with it.

Congrats!

Congrats!,
originally uploaded by desireux.

Made this pop-up card for a friend who is graduating this semester. Can't believe its one year since my own graduation and my mum was here in Urbana-Champaign. Seeing friends with their families makes me wish mine was here too. Anyway, congratulations to Class of 2007!

The First One ...

Orange Pop-Up card,
originally uploaded by desireux.

... will always be the sweetest. I had my first order yesterday and had a silly grin on my face for the longest time :D

The beginning

Thanks to some encouragement and inspiration, I've finally decided to stop saying " I really want to .... " and just get started. So three weeks ago, I started the process of getting my Etsy store up and running. Its been a whole new learning experience. From ordering supplies to checking my mailbox everyday to see if they have arrived, and bugging other people to go check it too :P, to designing, checking out the market, pricing, to the creation of the actual product ... its been fun so far. Last weekend I listed my first 20 products and now I'm super excited each morning, checking on my little store.