Monday, March 30, 2009

Oddities in life... found an empty Welch's fruit snack pouch...

I heard someone found a phone inside a fish... a phone inside a potato chip bag,...

Today, I found an empty Welch's fruit snacks. It's still intact, but nothing inside
Other than I have a very unhappy child who is 1 fruit snacks short... I'm not sure what to do with it. I took pictures and set it aside.

I wonder how many times this things happen... Perhaps I could start empty pouches collection...

What do you think?

Saturday, March 28, 2009

Earth hour ...


It's earth hour today...!
From 8:30-9:30 pm today we turned off the light.

The house was dark, but the street light was still on. It just happened today that we received up to 7 inch of snow with blizzard. What better things to do other than snuggling together while watching the snow "show" from our window.

Very soon the baby fell asleep... in the mean time, I sneaked out and blog...

How did you spend your earth hour?

Friday, March 27, 2009

Meet Valerie Gallery





What is that...? Is that a watermelon...? a bowl....? a superman....?
No... It's a nesting bowl with watermelon color...

I was looking for a felted bowl on Etsy and this bowl really caught my eyes. It's hard for me not to knock on her computer screen and start asking more about her pieces... So, here we are, I'm interviewing one of the most talented Etsy artists.
Please meet Valerie Kessler...

When I asked about her background, here are what she has to say...

Valerie Gallery: My mother taught me the basics of knitting/crocheting and my daughter taught me the basics of felting. Together it was a match! I started knitting in jr. high and have been a fiber nut ever since.
I mainly use wool or wool blends for my creations. I love the way the natural fibers feel and the visual effect is terrific. I find it amazing that a piece of 'string' can be made into so many beautiful and useful items.

Bigib: What's new project you're working on, or anything coming up?
Valerie Gallery:I'm working on some great felted bowl designs in spring and summer colors that will be listed soon. After a long winter, I just need to see some of those fresh spring colors!

Bigib: How is your design process
Valerie Gallery: I cannot read a knit or crochet pattern to save my life, so all my work is my own. When I make a bowl, I just pick up the hook and yarn and start right in. Often times, the bowl will end up totally different than what I had in mind when I started. It is like the yarn takes over the design and my hands just help it along.

Bigib: do you innovate ( make things better, cheaper, faster...)
Valerie Gallery:I love to improve on a design. Once I finish an item I stare at it and think, "Ok, this is good, but what could I change to make it better?". I have tried so many different things and not all have been positive. But with the failures comes the knowledge of what doesn't work, and that is just as important as knowing what does.

Bigib: What is your favorite items and a brief description about it.
Valerie Gallery:My favorite item that is currently in my shop is this blue bowl.



I find simplicity of shape and design is the most soothing and appealing.

To learn more about Valerie's pieces, please visit http://valeriesgallery.etsy.com

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

NEW Personalized First Communion Bracelet with Hand Stamped Sterling Charm and/or Birthstone Color Crystal

Still hot... from the studio. New 2009 First Communion bracelet design...

It's made of fresh water pearls, Swarovski cyrstals and pearls, sterling silver findings, spacers, charm and cross, strung on nylon coated steel wire.

You can personalized it with hand stamped sterling charm with names or dates (there's a limited up to 12 characters) and/or choose Swarvoski crystal birthstone color.


The picture shown is in pink which is great for special girl who loves pink or October children. Different colors available as shown.

So new... it is yet to be listed on Etsy...

Sunday, March 22, 2009

St. Anthony's Agape Meal


As part of our First Communion preparation, we had an Agape meal at St. Anthony. Two families brought dinner and share the dinner together. Before we started, the children would break the bread they baked a day before, as an re-enactment of Jesus Last Supper.

We shared our table with the "D" family. I brought the Indonesian yellow rice, which is made with a concoction of coconut milk, turmeric, bay leaves, lime leaves, lemon grass, salt, galanga and water, completed with chickens, shredded pork, shredded eggs, fried onions, chips, cucumbers, red bell peppers and green onions. The "D" family brought Gorgonzola and almond salad (got to ask for recipe), desserts (brownies are the best) and wine.

Towards the end of the meal, Fr. Joe with the help of other parents, re-enact Jesus' last supper.
I'm sure this will help the children remember the real meaning of communion, as a remembrance of Jesus.

Thanks to Debby, Kathy, Mark and Fr. Joe. You all did a fine job...
Wouldn't you agree?

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

BIG DIPPER and little dipper pendant.


Your search for a perfect gift for stargazers ends here...
Don't miss out this new design.
This is one of the super cute idea for a cute person or couple.
The BIG DIPPER and little dipper pendant are connected together.

It's made of 1 inch and 1/2 inch sterling disk. Great for yourself or your special someone...
Venetian box sterling chain also available.

Don't forget to check out http://bigib.etsy.com. If you have questions about this item, please contact me. Go to my Etsy store and click contact or see my profile for my email.

Monday, March 16, 2009

Meet Karen Ondracek


I do believe Forrest Gump's quote "Life is like a box of chocolate. You'll never know what you're gonna get".

What is the chance that I would meet a person who was brought up in WI and now live in CA, while me, spent my school days in CA and now live in WI? Even more... we both were born in October and we both are Etsian...

Please meet Karen Ondracek.
She grew up in Northern Wisconsin and was really involved in art making as a child. She took lots of art classes with wonderful teachers & did lots of great art projects with her family. She studied textiles at the Rhode Island School of Design & she is a textile designer by trade.

Of course, I would like to learn more about her... Here are our conversation:

Bigib: Why do you use the material you're using to express your creativity
Karen: Lately I’ve been interested in making collages and I’m always keeping an eye out for materials that I could use in a collage. I like using older papers, and I like incorporating non-paper items, such as wood veneer & leather in my work.

Bigib: What's new project you're working on, or anything coming up?
Karen: I’m currently working on a big project for my family.

Bigib: How is your design process.
Karen: I get a many of my ideas from the materials I’m using, accidental discoveries & the natural world.

Bigib: Do you innovate?
Karen:I think that lots of innovations are the result of accidents and trying new things. I really like the process of problem solving and discovery.

Bigib: What is your favorite items and a brief description about it.
Karen: I really like a new card that I just designed.


Just listed in my etsy shop. It’s bright and light yet bold at the same time.

To learn more about her pieces, you can visit http://karenondracek.etsy.com

Thursday, March 12, 2009

Bigib reached another milestone

Wow... bigib reached a milestone...
Thirty sales today, 100% positive feedback...
Thank you so much for Bigib's patronage. Please check back often as new designs are coming for Spring...

Monday, March 9, 2009

First Communion Bracelet for Meadowbrook Spring Blast

Looking for what to do in Waukesha in May? How about Meadowbrook Spring Blast?

Meadowbrook School is having a "Spring Blast" on May 17, 2009 at Western Lakes Golf Club. This is one of fund raising activity run by Meadowbrook PTA.

For this event, I designed a new First Communion Bracelet, available for auction. It's made of fresh water pearls, Swarovksi pearls and crystals, sterling silver cross charm and findings, strung on nylon coated steel wire.

The size is 6", which fits to most 7 years old. All of my children jewelry comes with lobster clasp and 1" extender, which would allow the bracelet fits your growing "babies".

So, mark you calendar for this event. I'm sure you'll have fun...!

Friday, March 6, 2009

Changing Color First Communion Bracelet for Abigail

Our daughter is going to have her First Communion this year. She decided that she wants to design her own bracelet. Well... as a supportive mom, I let her do it.

I made the hand stamped charm for her. She looked at all the beads I have, chose the color she liked and strung it. I helped finish the bracelet, crimped it and of course, took the picture.

What is so special with this bracelet in addition to all Swarovski crystals in light color, she chose one crystal that changes color depending on the light.

On the bottom, under fluorescent light, the crystal turned green. While on the top, under sun light (incandescent), it turned gray ish rose.


Very fun design... Wouldn't you agree?

Monday, March 2, 2009

Square Earrings on Post New Design


This new design was featured on Etsy treasury.

The idea inspired by my friend, Ranti. She's my friend since school who is very artistic. One day, she came to visit me from Michigan and her earrings caught my attention.

She wore an asymmetry earrings which one of the pair looks like a single line, made of braided leather. It though it was fun and different... just as artistic as she is.

Few days ago when I was scribbling my notes for idea that is different and unique, her earrings popped in my mind. I was thinking very hard to incorporate that idea with my square earrings.
And finally, voila...

Here's the earrings. What do you think?