Redux

Redux is the fundrasing auction event which happened at Meydenbaur center at Bellevue last October 2010. All the proceeds from REDUX benefit art education programs and services for non-profit organization. This was my first time to participate in auction. Thankfully, all of my jewelry were sold out. My appreciation goes to all the customers who bought my jewelry. I hope they feel so special when they wear my jewelry.

Etsy Front Page

Amethyst Earrings featured on Etsy Front Page!

New Collections

One of the most difficult things when you run an Internet business might be how to present your products through pictures, especially, if you do that all by myself. It took me a lot of time and effort to get better quality of photos. Normally, I took more than 50 shots easily per my creation. After taking pictures of different combinations of backgrounds, lighting and positions, I look through all photos. Editing starts. And I choose 5 best pictures and upload them. (www.arionjewelry.com) After 3 to 5 products listed on Internet, I get exhausted. I don't even feel like to list any products for a while. Since I live in Seattle, the weather doesn't seem to be helpful. It still takes lots of trials and errors, but I think my photograph skill is getting better. Steadily. Hopefully this is not my daydream. :) Thank you for sharing my story!

2010 Exhibition at Kirkland Art Gallery

I am thrilled to exhibit my necklace at Kirkland Art Gallery throughout August. One of my jewelry has been juried and selected for Kirkland Art Center's 2010 Exhibition. I feel so privileged to know that my necklace is the only one jewelry chosen in this exhibition. "This year, we are privileged to have Gunnar Nordstrom as our juror. Since opening in 1991, Gunnar Nordstrom Gallery has served the Eastside and the Seattle metropolitan area by bringing artists and art-lovers together, contributing much to our vibrant arts community. As both curator and art dealer, Nordstrom's discerning eye for artistic excellence and his appreciation of a wide range of mediums and ideas makes him well suited to jury this year's exhibition. The exhibit features a selection 40 works by 34 KAC Members, including, paintings, prints, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and mixed media." (KAC official website) There are alot of great art at this exhibition. If you are around, please come and enjoy beautiful arts.

After Artist Studio Tour.

Finally, it is over. The moment I have prepared for days and nights is past. Great review! Great sale! Great exposure! My first show was a great success. I had wonderful memorable experience from the preparation to the end. I never had a chance to meet my customers in person before the show since my jewelry had been sold at stores and Internet. I was always wondering who purchased my jewelry. At the show, I was able to meet and greet my customers in person. I was able to put my jewelries on them. It was such a pleasure to watch them how happy they were with my jewelries. As a jewelry designer, the wedding jewelry might be the most honorable work since the wedding day is the most important day of person's life. At least to me. First day, I sold one necklace to the lady for her daughter's wedding. She was so excited to find one to match her wedding dress perfectly. I was so excited as well. Maybe even more. And the next day, a soon-to-be bride ordered a custom-made necklace for her upcoming wedding. What an honor! It was great rewards and assurance by getting customer's great comments. I was thrilled to see that my little creation made women or men(who purchased for his wife or mom or girl friend) excited. Last couple of weeks before the show, I was really busy for my first time art tour. As a by-product, now my 8 years old son can make his own sandwich all by himself. And he was so proud of himself. During the show, my two 5 and 8 years old sons overheard many crowds' great comments on my works. They seemed to be very proud of their mom and get excited about my show. That was unexpected great gift from the show. Even though I was not able to be with them whole two days from 9 to 6, they understood why I had been busy for and what I was doing. Before and after the show, they even helped me to bring things back and forth Most of all, it was not possible to make this show without my supportive husband. At this moment, I am so exhausted and tired, but I am ready for more shows!!

KAST tour Poster

Just two more days left for my art tour event. I made a poster. It may look nothing, but it took me almost whole day to take photos and pick pictures, design and photo shop and so on. Professional can do better job, but I am pretty happy with the final look and proud of that as a amateur.

First Time Trunk Show

I am going to have a trunk show with another water paint artist on Mother's day (May 8th & 9th) at her studio. This is a part of kirkland art center's traditional artist studio tour. I am pretty excited to participate this tour as a jewelry designer. Since this will be my first show, I am so busy with so many details. Hopefully, a lot of people come and like my creations. If you are around seattle area, please come. The water paint artis is Elizabeth Kincaid. And her studio is located in 9515 NE 137th Street, Kirkland, WA Thank you.

Mother's day art tour

If you are in Seattle area, please come and visit this great event. http://www.kirklandstudiotour.com/artists.html

Tucson bead fair in Feb.

I went to Tucson bead fair in Arizona last February for the first time. When I arrived at Tucson, it was beautiful sunny day. (I think everyday is sunny not like Seattle.) If you step out side of the airport, all kinds of cactus will greet you.

One of the places I visited was the most popular Gem Mall. There were three giant temporary tents. You can find all different kinds of international foods and snacks at the food court outside. Inside and outside was filled with a lot of people from all over the places. Most of them looked excited and happy.

If you go to the other location, there is a free shuttle mini bus. But if you are hurry and can not wait, you can take a environmental-friendly cab(see above).

And they only ask you for tip. It was great experience to go to Tucson.

Now I have tons of beautiful beads and findings to creat my new jewelry collections and am looking forward to going 2011 gem show in Tucson.

Happy Holidays everyone!

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Whistler

I took this photo 3 and a half years ago. I was so exhausted after teaching my 5 years old son how to skii. But the scenery was breath-taking. It was sooo beautiful. So I took this one photo. It just brings me such a fresh happy memory with my family. Who knew I was going to use it for my future online store logo?

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Exihibition and Sale

I am so happy to tell you that my jewelries have been selected for exhibition at Kirkland Art Center by the artist juries. The showroom is located at 336 Park Place Center, Kirkland during Nov 27th to Dec.31. It will be open Monday-Saturday. 10AM-6PM. and Sunday 11Am-5PM. Please come! Thank you. Happy thanksgiving to all of you!

New Earrings: Blue Chalcedony and Onyx

These are new listed earrings. I like the color combination. These look fresh and sophisticated. All metal is sterling silver.

My studio

I would like to show you my studio and a little bit of me as well. Some of you might have already seen it before. As I announced that on my blog, one of Etsy artists was particularly interested in working area and put the pictures of my studio on her blog. If you are interested in seeing my interview, check this talented artist web site at www.etsystudios.blogspot.com. Here, I would like to share a couple of new additional pictures with you. "Studio" sounds glamorous, but it is a corner of my living room. The studio/working space was set up by my supportive husband. Before this space, I was working on the guest room where has not enought sun light. My husband was concerned and provided me this wonderful space for me to work and enjoy. There used to be a piano. And he moved that heavy piano for my desks. I added my oil paintings on the wall. And finally, I have my own space! It is very convenient, cozy and comfortable place. It faces the southeast backyard which gives me a lot of sun light through the day. I usually wake up early in the morning and can enjoy watching the sun rise between the tall trees. It is my most favorite time of the day and work alot while my family still sleep tight. During the day after school, sometimes my little boys bring their chess board to play chess or study next to me while I am working on my computer. All my finished jewelries are displayed or put/organized on the stack able trays inside of the cabinet. How do you think of my studio? Thank you for viewing.

Featured on Etsy studio Blog

My store is featured on Etsy studio blog. The artist of the blog is Kerry who has a shop at Etsy. She featured the pictures of me, my working area as well as my jewelries. Please visit at www.etsystudios.blogspot.com . Thank you.

Little Creatures-Crochet

"Halloween Vampire Bunny"

These little bunny or panda will make you smile. They are so adorable as if they are alive with their own individuality. The pink bunny's name is "baby Psychadelic bunny". Look at that serious looking bunny. You will just smile. Below is the interview with bunny's mom, "Parami Panda" artist, Alix.

1. When did you start your business "Parami Panda"?

I started Parami Panda about a year ago, a couple months after I learned to crochet. I started making amigurumi as gifts for people, and couldn't stop. Someone suggested I sell them, and the rest, as they say, is history :)

2. How do you get your inspiration/idea for your cratfs?

I get my inspiration from the world around me. Every time I see something especially cute I think, how could I crochet that? Sometimes it turns into something, and sometimes it fails miserably. I mostly have to wait for the ideas to come to me, and usually they do - I just suddenly know what I need to make, like my vampire bunny, and the pandas. 3. How do you promote your business?

I promote my Parami Panda with my blog - http://paramipanda.blogspot.com , my facebook fan page - http://www.facebook.com/paramipanda , and by participating in etsy gift guides and making treasuries.

4. Do you have any advice for new Etsy sellers?

My advice for new etsians would be to stick with it and not get discouraged! Post often and explore the site! There are promotional opportunities everywhere! And get your stuff selling in local shops and sell at craft fairs! Many people who have seen my work that way find me on etsy :) 5. Could you tell me your short and long term goals?

For Parami Panda my short term goal is to get to 100 sales, and my long term goal is to have my stuff selling in 10 stores in Washington and California and Canada. For my life my short term goal is to own a miniature schnauzer, a standard schnauzer and a giant schnauzer all at the same time, and my long term goal is to breed dogs that look like baby pandas.

"Mommy bee and her baby"

You can find her more creatures at http://paramipanda.etsy.com

Korean Barbecue (Korean Kalbi) Recipe

Would you like to try something new other than usual dishes for this weekend? How about Korean Barbecue (Beef Kalbi). It is very simple.

*Ingredients*

5lb beef short rib

4cup soy saucep

4cup water

4cup sugarp

2T minced garlic

2T sesame oil

1T pepper

1 bunch spring onions (Sliced or grind)

Optional: Add 1/2 cup red wine

*Steps*

1. In a large bowl with flat bottom (preferably). Mix all the ingredients.

2. Add short rib to the mix and marinate well at least 3 hours.

3. Barbecue, oven broil or pan fry

My favorite choice would be barbecue, but any of those three methods tastes good as well. You can use chicken or other meat instead. And enjoy!

Interview with HandMadeNews

I had an interview with Heather Folkner who is the Editor at Hand Made News. It was her first interview and I had a great pleasure to asnwer all those questions. Please take a look at the website and give us some comments. You can click either the title or here http://www.handmadenews.org/article/index.php?id=3854 Thank you for your support.

First Metalsmith Works: Silver Rings and Necklace

These are my first metal smiths works. I had to spend five days to make two rings and this silver pendant for necklace under my teacher's supervision. It was so exhausting and hard work, but it really gave me a great gratitude. I feel like I conquer the world. (almost..) These are just for me. And it is priceless!