What is an Architecture Inspired pendant?

What is that?
It's a line, squares, dots, circles that composed together to make a necklace.

The design concept is taken from basic Architecture forms, i. e: dot and lines. Those two then evolves to geometric shapes. From two dots, you can form a line. From three lines, you can make a triangle.

These geometric shapes then put together, cold connect and adorn with colorful glass beads to make this pendant. That's why I called in Architecture inspired necklace because it derived from basic geometric shape which you can find everywhere around you. You can check out my other piece by clicking "Architecture Inspired" label.


Most of the connections are movable. That's what makes my piece is unique. I wear this necklace at my second cousin's wedding.

Many people compliments my necklace. Their eyes even turn even wider when they found out that I made it myself.

It even fits perfectly with my dress neckline and color.

What do you think?...

Life without "the tube".

It's been over 1 month, we live without at TV. The power button doesn't work just before the Beijing closing ceremony and I have no intention in repairing it. It's a big ticket item that we were not budgeted for. Knowing our purchasing habit, I expect we would have a new TV say in a... hm... December?

My daughter wasn't very happy. Without a TV, she misses Arthur and other TV shows from 3:30 - 4:30 pm. I wasn't very happy either. Without a TV, I can't watch my exercise DVD, watch movie or just flip the channel, relaxing after a long day. But I managed to watch Nightly Business Report through its streaming video. It's not very comfortable way, but I can get by. As for hubby, ... it's not a big deal.

So what we have been doing in the last month? My daughter is perfecting her bike riding. Almost every day, after school, she would ride around the neighborhood or playing with her next door best friends.

I am on the other hand, is catching up with readings. I have been always wanted to read about Laura Ingalls Wilder. I managed to borrow some books read them all. I'm learning new things about life in the 1800's and also reminiscence my childhood time.

I guess TV does take a part of our time away. Don't get me wrong...I don't oppose it...
I think it is all right as long as it's a balance. I'm sure really missed the Beijing Closing Ceremony. Other than that, I could manage our life without TV.

As for hubby.... still...not a problem...


PS: Just an update. We finally get a TV, Panasonic Veira...

A longer name hand stamped necklace for Ms. B

How to fit a 26 characters (and spacers) names in a 1" hand stamped sterling disc necklace?
It's one of a challenging and fun project that I did last week.

Two ways in solving this project. One is using a smaller letter stamping that would fit all in one circle, or use regular size letter stamping in a spiral shape. I personally like the first one better. And lucky me, Ms. B who ordered this necklace also have the same idea.

Thank you for your order and enjoy the necklace Ms. B....

A simple butterfly garden

This summer, I made a Butterfly garden . It's easier than I thought.
We grew lavenders, marigolds and petunias. And of course I added milkweeds to attract Monarch butterflies.

I was so excited because my petunias and lavender grew so well. Soon, I discover there's a guest eating my milkweed... a welcomed guest.
I believe it's a Monarch caterpillar who is so busy chomping on leafs. My daughter is so very excited. She's checking on Monty ( Monarch caterpillar ) almost every day. We looked for information on the web on how to care for him ( or her ).

In about 2 weeks after we first found her, she grew longer and bigger. One day, she's gone...
We couldn't find her. Our hearts broke. I the next couple days, my daughter found her hanging upside down under the lavender. She decided that this time we should bring her inside the house to protect her from predators. We brought her in and carefully put her on the counter top.

Unfortunately, few days after that, she's gone. Instead of turning herself green, she turned blackish and shrunk to about half her her original size. Everyone is so sad.

I hope we'll do better next year...
Bye - bye Monty....

A handstamped necklace for your wedding party gift.

Looking for a gift for your wedding party? How about a hand stamped name necklace?
It's unique, one of a kind gift that last for years.

I made this for Lien's Matron of Honor, Lisa and her flower girl, Camry.

It's a 1" sterling disc hand stamped with her name in flat, shiny finish.
I also have an option for slightly domed in brushed finish.

To learn more about this piece, you could visit my Etsy store.

What's in a wedding...

Last week, my second cousin, Lien, married to Nate. Just as any other weddings, they have a wedding ceremony and then reception. However, I see it as something more than just a wedding.

I met her when she was 4 years old. Due to the geographical unfavorable, we don't see each other as often as we would like to. Her dad is partially deaf. So she was the "ear" and the translator for her dad.

They visited us at my mom's house. I remember seeing her in a short, tank and tiny heeled strap y shoes just fit for a 4 years old. She jumped on the couch and counted Froot loops while eating it. She played "fish" with her dad and she's very proud showing her clean plate after every meal.

Everyone wants to be in the picture with her. But she hated the camera flash lights. She would not want to look at the camera with a smile. Instead, she looked down and frowned.

The second time I met her, she was in her teens. She dressed like teens and act like teens. She likes camera... By this time, she lived with her aunt due to her parents separation. She didn't remember me... She told me that she was in Indonesia a long time ago.. and I told her that I met her then...

The third time I met her, I almost didn't recognize her. She bloomed and became an adorable. loving young lady. She was my maid of honor.

In the next several years, I only hear good things about her. She graduated from her college, work in San Diego, saved enough money to buy a condo and recently married to a great man.

Why am I telling all about this story... Well...I'm now a parent myself, I understand what it takes to raise a child. Unlike graduating from college and got a 4.0 GPA, parenting is so intangible.

How can you measure the success of parenting? What is the measure? In College,... you can tell weather or not you're successful within 4 years. Parenting...you won't see the result until... hm...at least 20-30 years.

So, what does wedding has to do with parenting? I think wedding is more just a celebration of marriage of two people. It's also a celebration for their parents for a job well done.


Next time you attend a wedding, in addition to partying and congratulating the newly weds, may be you should congratulating their parents too...

What do you think?

Not an engagement ring...

Looking to get something unique and personalized? How about a hand stamp ring shape pendant adorn with pearl?

I made " Not an engagement ring" for my second cousin's wedding. I want to make something that is special to her, fun and not too serious. I want to make something with their names on it, but not to feel like an engagement ring...

So I came up with this idea... Hand stamped sterling silver with their name on it, adorned with fresh water pearls dangled on adjustable black waxed cotton cord.

It's not an engagement ring, not a wedding band... I call it a commitment necklace.


To learn about this product, please visit my etsy listing.

Weekend in Maine

Last weekend, I had a wedding to attend, in Peaks Island, ME. It was one of the most impressive experience in my life... I met the "W & T" family. They are such a nice, loving, big, cohesive family.... better than the My big fat Greek wedding.

The wedding is on Saturday.
I arrived on Thursday and sailed Portland Schooner enjoying sunset. The weather was perfect. Sunny with a breeze...With a little help from the crew, I had a chance to put up the sail...

We had lobster dinner that day. It's a must when you're in Maine... It was a yummy boiled lobster.

The next day, I enjoyed meeting the family, walking around Peaks Island, ME and meeting new friendly people. Got to do some shopping... so I decided to take the ferry to Downtown Portland and bought maple syrup and some local Maine products.


The wedding is on Saturday... of course, I have to wear the necklace I made. I got compliments from the guests.

In addition to that, I also make a special necklace for the bride, who is my second cousin. It's necklace with both her and the groom's name on it with pearls. It's a new design which I call it a commitment necklace. It's great for those couples who is not quite ready to get engaged or get married but want to show the commitment to each other.

What do you think?