Love Completes Me

Love Completes Me
Originally uploaded by desireux.

I bought a simple circular cutter from Michael's and this is my latest design. Perfect circles symbolizing completeness and the heart, for love of course. There were different fancy circular cutters at the scrapbooking section, and they all cost close to ten bucks. What I wanted was a simple compass-like one. Fortunately, a nice lady knew what I was talking about and led me to the section that sells materials for making hobby cars and I found the exact cutter I was looking for.

I've been trying to read more now, a few pages (or a chapter or more ... depending on how interesting) before going to sleep. The latest book I finished was "No more ramen: The 20-Something's Real World Survival Guide: Straight Talk on Jobs, Money, Balance, Life, and More" by Nicholas Aretakis. Although a lot of advice in the book sounds quite cliche, there's definitely some that makes good sense. One of the more useful parts talked about the importance of setting defined milestones especially career wise. I thought about mine so now if people ask me the usual question "So what do you plan to do after grad-school ... ?", I can tell them what I want to achieve by 27, 30, 35, 40 and so on.. :D

107 hearts in 2 months. :)

107 hearts in 2 months. :)
Originally uploaded by desireux.

I think hearts are a great feature of Etsy. Its just uplifting to see new hearts being added, especially for new sellers or when sales are in a slump. Its a reassuring feeling to know that other people like your creations. I've also seen the work of some wonderful artists through this feature.

Red Alert

Originally uploaded by desireux.

These berries were taken at University of llinois' Robert Allerton Park. I don't know what they are but I know they are not poisionous because a rather daring friend popped one into his mouth!

Allerton was recently voted as one of the Seven Wonders of Illinois, congrats! Here's the Allerton flickr pool by various photographers. There are some photos in there that really capture the best of the gardens.

Its been nearly 2 months since I joined Etsy and I have to say a big thank you to everyone who has given their support and especially to the new owners of my cards. You guys are the greatest!

Also, I googled myself today, and was very pleasantly surprised to find out that my designs have been mentioned in several blogs. Thank you so much to those blog owners.

Good read

Sayuri
Originally uploaded by desireux.

This article on Businessweek.com is a very good write-up about Etsy.

Do take a look at the slideshow too for some very creative pieces and good advice from successful sellers.

Paper frenzy

Long Island Ice Tea
Originally uploaded by desireux.

Today I went to Michael's to return a dollar punch that was not working properly. It turned out that they were having a good paper sale! And so I just had to add to my pretty paper collecton. What I love is that I know they will be turned into beautiful pop-ups so I don't feel bad buying so much.

In the photo is one of my recent designs to add to the cocktail pop-up card collection, available at my Etsy. Its a design I am very very happy with. The orange really goes well with the purplish-blue.

Also, on a happy note, some of my creations found new homes last week =)

Lovely Saturday morning

Originally uploaded by desireux.

Life has been rather sweet. Yesterday evening on the way to Michael's to pick up some cardstock, I saw the huge orange sun getting lower and lower. Before tucking myself into bed, I checked my Etsy and was pleasantly surprised to see that Kioko and Akina would soon have a new home. Had a good night's sleep and woke up early. Read a few blogs and forums, designed two new cards, took a leisurely bath and the best part now, blogging while eating home cooked spaghetti with a bottle of Berry Weiss beer. Yums!