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2011 Thanksgivings Giveaway

2011-11-13T11:15:00.000-08:00

It's been two years since I quit my day jobs as a government resercher and running Sora Designs full time. Thank you all for your support. I would like to give away 5 life size wishbone necklaces before Thanskgiving arrives . If you were the winner, you get to choose either bronze or antique silver finish for this cool wishbone necklace.

Here's how to enter: This contest has three ways to enter. You may enter via one method, more than one, or all three, for a maximum of 3 entries total.

1 - In the comments on this post, let me know which Sora Designs item would be the envy among your girlfriends if you were to own it.

2 - You can get an extra entry by posting this giveaway at your own facebook page. If you post this blogaway be sure to note that in your comment/email!

3 - Blog or tweet about this giveaway. Just be sure to link to your post/tweet in your comment/email.

The contest will close on Friday, November 18, 2011, at 5 PM Pacific Time. The winner will be announced on Monday, November 21, 2011 or thereabouts. Good luck to all!

The not-so fine print: You are entering to win one (1) Large Size Wishbone Necklace from Sora Designs as described in this post. This contest is void where prohibited. This prize is not transferable. This prize may not be exchanged for cash. Once contacted, the winner has 72 hours to claim the prize. International entrants welcome!

My Spring 2010 Trip to Taiwan- Part I

2010-07-01T13:58:00.000-07:00

Ahhh, how I miss the hot springs in Taiwan. The ones that are close to my in-law's home is in Beitou which is near the Mt. Yang-ming in Taipei.

Here shows one of the traditional public hot spring bathrooms. Now there are so many trendy spas in the area.

The natural hot spring in Beitou. In some of the public part, you can actually boil eggs in the hot springs. I did it when I was a kid.

I almost ordered one of those wooden tubs and had it shipped to US when I was in Taiwan. The shipping is too expensive. I think there is a maker in Berkeley that sells this kind of wooden tub. I like how the tub is small but deep so you can soak your whole body and that's the whole point.

Summer adventure giveaway

2010-06-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

I am hosting my first ever giveaway on this blog. I would like to hear about the adventure that you are planning for this summer or just dreaming... (it doesn't hurt to have a dream). The winner (randomly picked by me) will receive a working spyglass necklace to bring along to his/her next adventure! The last day to share your adventure and be eligible for the giveaway is June 30.

I will share my adventure that had taken place this March in Southern Taiwan. I grew up in Taipei and had rarely visited southern part of Taiwan. This time during my short 3 weeks stay, I visited Tainan twice where this photo was taken.

I will be sharing more photos we took during our stay soon. For now, I can only tell you that the weather was warm and the foods were hot and delicious. I am secretly planning our next trip. It's to visit Paris and a countryside near Bern this November when there are less tourists and no craft fairs here for me to vend.

see the improvement: 2010 Spring Pool Trade Show

2010-04-20T11:08:00.001-07:00

If you saw my booth display last August then you will find this one a greater improvement. In order to carry my vintage dress form I drove this time to Vegas. It's 575 miles one way. But it's worth it. Driving there this summer will be a challenge though. Let's see if I can handle it.

Last peek of my cubcle before packing.....

2010-01-18T11:33:00.001-08:00

ADSC09451, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

It's been one month since I quit my day job as a researcher at the Judicial Council of California. I finally get a chance to unpack and reflect on my experience now that the holiday sales and wholesale orders are winding down in January. I have been in the academic and research agency and government for the past 14 years ( I was in school for 8 years getting 2 masters and one doctorate degrees). I am entering a new field without any formal training. It feels safer to have proper "school education" for what you do. That's my upbrining in Taiwan. You study hard and you get good scores at every entrance exams and then you get a good job. What we have never been taught is to explore our interests and passions in life. It's never too late though so I am "re-educating" myself, street style this time. I will be the jewelry desiger, marketing reseracher, account, public relations agent, crafter and entrepreneur all at the same time with the help from the internet, from local community college, from artist forum, and from those wonderful peers at Etsy community. I feel so alive now. That's how I feel.

A crafter by the light of the moon

2009-10-21T11:52:00.001-07:00

ADSC09113, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

Hey, I was probably working on your orders. It may look like hard work to you. But don't you worry, I enjoyed every second of it.

the new earring stands

2009-10-21T11:46:00.001-07:00

ADSC00019, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

Due to the space issue, I had to get new earring stands just for this show. Luckily I found something I like at the Urban Outfitter. I like the aqua colors that goes with my background fabrics.

Pool Trade Show Las Vegas

2009-10-21T11:43:00.001-07:00

P1070242, originally uploaded by kabakaban.

Naoko from Kabakaban took the photo for me. It was over 100 degrees in Las Vegas in August. The cash and carry section was a steal comparing to the bigger booths. I got a lot of orders that I am still working on them.

the energetic Solano Stroll

2009-10-21T11:35:00.001-07:00

ADSC09176, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

Watching parade while paddling my goodies. Tomi enjoyed it, I enjoyed it, everyone enjoyed it.

Solano Stroll in North Berkeley

2009-10-21T11:33:00.001-07:00

ADSC09268, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

It was cloudy even it's still early September. I was wearing my favorite Sunny Skies Ahead necklace. It rained at the end of the show and everything got soaking wet! However, it was still a great show for me. Thanks for everyone coming.

1000 sale party

2009-08-05T13:56:00.001-07:00

AXDSC06717, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

As I promised Madeline and Fiorina (my 2 nieces visiting us from Taiwan) that we would throw a party when Sora Designs reached 1000 sale, we had our party on August 2 (when it was still 999 sales). It looks like a Halloween costume party. It felt great that my families can be with me to celebrate this moment.

Sora Designs 1000 Sales!

2009-08-05T13:47:00.001-07:00

A_soradesigns_sold_1000th_2, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

I sold my first item on October 6th, 2008 and 10 months later, Sora Designs reached 1000 sales in Etsy. (More than 1000 items were made due to custom made bridesmaids pieces). If counting wholesales and consignments and street fairs, it's probably more than 1400 items, I don't know.) That's a lot considering each item was made by my 2 bare hands.

When I brought more pieces to the MOCFA (Museum of Craft and Folk Art) yesterday, the store manager told me that a guy came in and bought a pair of my earrings to propose to his girlfriend. I was really touched. I was also extremely satisfied when the customer told me that they wore my necklace at their wedding days or that their bridesmaids love the necklaces that I made. This is what keep me up at night or up early working because I know what I do really means a lot to my customer.

Sora Designs at the Renegade

2009-07-27T15:52:00.001-07:00

ADSC05629, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

First time at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair. My sister and her two daughters came all the way from Taiwan to join us. This is also the first I am vending with a hand made banner (see at the righ hand side of the photo). I hand cut each letter using the same fabric as my table cloth and machine stitched each letter.

I should've kept it for myself.......

2009-07-24T16:19:00.001-07:00

ADSC05345, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

this is how it looks like on a model (me). I like it on a purple dress.

Fall collection

2009-07-24T16:16:00.001-07:00

Copy of ADSC05364, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

This is OOAK necklace that I assembled using vintage emameled flower components with turquoise beads. It was snapped within the first hour of display at the San Francisco Renegade Craft Fair. Too bad I could't list it in the Etsy to show everyone how cute it is.

Weekend Deals June 26-28

2009-06-26T14:17:00.001-07:00

ADSC05299, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

HEY, this Tweet Tweet vintage whistle necklace is being featured at the Weekend Deals: Summer Jewlery guide (http://www.etsy.com/gift-guides/172). My shop is running 10% discount any purchases this weekend including the SALE section. I do not know how many people will come across my blog. So feel free to pass this deal around.

Chestnut-backed Chickadee

2009-06-19T16:03:00.001-07:00

ADSC04458, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

The most exciting news this Spring in my house is the new friends we have in our backyard-- a whole family of Chestnut-backed chickadees. We happend to capture the moment when 2 baby birds were waiting for their mommy to come back with yummy foods. The bird house was built a year ago among the bamboos but this is the first time that the bird house got utilized! We are looking forward when those baby birds are learning to fly.

My workshop 3 months later

2009-06-19T15:58:00.001-07:00

ADSC01806, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

I promised to show the progress of my workshop after it was first created in February. Now here it is with all kinds of yummy treasures spreading out all over the table and shelfs, and drawers of drawers of beads and supplies.
Across from my table I can see a big oak tree from the window. That is the best part of this workshop.

Berkeley Earth Day

2009-06-19T15:55:00.001-07:00

ADSC01701, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

I am so slow blogging about my daily life. Back in late April, I did my first outdoor craft fair this year in Berkeley. Sort of a kick off to a series fairs that I am going to do in 2009. The photos show my new display with Sempe' s illustration as a background to showcase my major pieces. It happens that Dalai Lama was there to give a speech in the neighborhood and I got to see him in distance! How exciting.

Busy March - Part II

2009-03-28T22:34:00.001-07:00

This happened almost at the same time as "Sora Designs Historical Day". The store manager at the Museum of Craft and Folk Art in San Francisco convoed me about carrying my pieces at the museum store in downtown San Francisco. How did she find me? She bought my Sunny Skies Ahead necklace in orange in February and the staff loved it so much. She wanted my items in the store in time for the opening reception of their new installment "Inside/Outside-- Artist Environment" so again I sweatshop for a whole weekend. This is exactly why I named my blog title "Busy March". I was up early every morning so I could finish a couple items before I left for work for 2 straight weeks. I still managed to pick up Tomi on time and cooked dinner every night though (well, almost every nights :-) ) Of course I couldn't do this without the support from Harlen, my photographer and "significant others" (see how I think of him as photographer first and partner 2nd, man, I was so addicted to my Etsy shop now.....)

Sunny Skies Ahead Necklace in Orange beaded flower - the necklace that got me into the Museum Store

All these 5 items are "MINE". They take charge of the whole display window.

First Light Necklace was also featured in the Museum Store

Alley of Imagination Necklace - the most popular item-- 3 has been sold at the Museum in less than one month.

"Artist's name tag" I did not make this whole thing up. My name is in the display window. Though I wish they could show "Sora Designs" on the name tag too......

The night at the opening reception of the new installement and Sora Designs' debute at the MOCFA museum store.

Link to MOCFA : http://www.mocfa.org

Busy March -Part I

2009-03-28T21:30:00.000-07:00

A week after my record sale at the Noise Pop N' Shop event in San Francisco, one of my items was featured at Etsy's "Etsy Finds: Weekend Deals, Jewelry Fit for Spring " posting on March 6th. It was really something to be featured in a posting that was going out to millions of people (okay, maybe not millions, but it's almost there). My shop was being viewed about 2444 times in a single day and I had a total of 102 sales during that whole weekend. I spent that Friday just re-listing and responding to convos then spent another couple hours just printing out a stack of orders and shipping labels (BTW, I took a Personal Day off that Friday without knowing that my item would be featured). It's very encouraging to know that so many people recognize my designs and craftsmanship.

This is the ring that got featured at the "Etsy Finds: Jewelry Fit for Spring ". Still available at shop now for $18

Here is the link to the original posting.

http://www.etsy.com/storque/spotlight/etsy-finds-weekend-deals-jewelry-fit-for-spring-3519/

A screen shot of the Google Analytics showing a huge spike in number of views on March 6th. A historical day for Sora Designs.

My New Studio

2009-01-29T12:26:00.001-08:00

Possibilities are as open as the sky.... I will be dreaming, designing, creating, playing in this new space. It took Harlen 3 weekends (one weekend is for design and shop for the materials, the other 2 weekends are dedicated to lots of drilling and assembling). Tomi is just as thrilled as I am when we are working/playing in our new space. I sure will spend lots of time here in 2009.

Tasting Umeshu

2008-12-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

I have been waiting for this day forever. Sometimes I would take a peek in the storage room. But most of the times I actually forgot about it. I am talking about the umeshu (plum liqueur) that I made this spring. Here I am showing the before and after photos. I am showing the one made with vodka and I have another jar made with whisky. I like vodka better. It's super delicious. I will take a sip every night after bath. (yeah, kinda like a Japanese shufu after a day's work.... tired). No, I am not drinking it in the closet. I am gonna remember to buy more plums next year.

Wild Birds Flock to Me

2008-11-12T15:46:00.001-08:00

ADSC02214, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

this is how I got started. I was making birthday card for my friend with bird motif. She really liked it and encouraged me to make more and sell them. I made about 50 of them for my first street fairs. I sold 5! Obviously it is not the most popular items. I still like the designs though. Each card looks the same yet they are all different. I hand cut each bird from the past issues of Anthropologie catalogs (yes I collect the catalogs. they are so pretty). Then I arrange the birds based on their patterns and color on the card. I also hand carved a stamp (inkan in Japanese) in Kanji characters "SKY" (my shop's name) so I can stamp it on each card.

I am more thrilled when people bought the cards than when people bought the jewelry. Maybe I will use them for a wall art so I can look at them everyday.

Indie Mart at Thee Parkside

2008-10-30T13:27:00.001-07:00

ADSC07737, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

Jamie and I signed up for our second show at the Indie Mart this October. Over 70 vendors offering everything from locally made tees, vintage, handmade unique gears for men and women, & the lil’ ones and more. Notice the antique dress form on the left side of the photo? It's my best find from the Craigslist for $20. Perfect for displaying jewelry and tote bags.

My Work Space

2008-10-27T13:48:00.001-07:00

ADSC06780, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

This is where I create my jewelry pieces and note cards -- our formal dining room. The great thing about this space is that the table is huge. The downside of it is that my tools and materials are all over the places. This room does not get enough sunlight in the afternoon so I will be working on transforming one of the upstair bedrooms into my workshop this winter.

An entreprenur in the making

2008-10-27T11:24:00.001-07:00

ADSC06154, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

Little Tomi tagged along to the fair. He enjoyed the weather and the performace in the park. Tomi did not fuss at all all day long. He loved people watching and of course, the Hershey's kisses we put out.

Vintage and Recreated-Vintage Button Earrings

2008-10-27T10:45:00.001-07:00

ADSC06050, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

My hubby took incredible photos, didn't he? Harlen likes to play with color and light and he is one of the most talented person I have ever seen. Thought sometimes I called him "guai mao" ("hard to please" in Mandarin). I guess being an engineer and an artist, he likes to see everything he touches being perfect. BTW, those earrings were a hit at this event.

A bowl of rings

2008-10-27T10:36:00.001-07:00

ADSC06038, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

People commented on how geneious it is to display rings on top of the rice.

Jamie and Wen Creations

2008-10-27T10:24:00.001-07:00

ADSC06041, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

My co-worker and friend Jamie is an amazing seamstress. She told me about this event and we just clicked. She is going to set up her Etsy shop soon. Lucky you.

Expo for the Independent Arts at the Dolores Park, San Francisco

2008-10-27T10:19:00.001-07:00

ADSC06144, originally uploaded by tomi&tree.

I can’t even remember how my Etsy shop started (http://www.soradesigns.etsy.com/). Crafting has been in my gene ever since I am in this world. However, I have never tried to sell anything I created. There were not a lot of craft fairs in Taiwan where I spent my first 22 years. When I moved to the U.S. for my graduate study I was fascinated with all different craft fairs or festivals held throughout the year. I enjoyed browsing one booth after another admiring the works being displayed. Here I am— holding my first ever booth for things that I have created. I am speechless --- and yes, some sleepless nights before this big event.