Happy Chinese New Year!

Chinese New Year began on January 23, 2012! This year it is the Year of the Dragon.  In the spirit of the new year, I have created a few new Lotus Blossom items!

These items are now available in my shop as MADE TO ORDER!

It's that time of year...

When everyone is rushing to find the perfect gift for their family and friends.  If you are in need for help to find that special unique gift, Pinterest and Wanelo prove to be very helpful. Thousands of items from handmade Artisans can be found on both sites.

Urban Corner on Etsy

Lucy and Larry on Etsy

I love August!

I hate the fact that summer is coming to an end but I love the month of August because my daughter is turning 4!  Not only is it her Birthday but she is also starting pre-school.  Yes I have waited to the very end of her 3 years to put her in school and I am glad I did.  Although it's been great being a stay at home mom, it's now time to let her go.  I think she may have a hard time the first few days but I know I will have a harder time letting her go.

Happy Birthday!!!

 

 

Bring on the Holiday Season!

Look for new Fall and winter items in my Etsy shop!

Where are they now?

In October 2009, I did a feature called "Exposure" on 8 Etsy artists.  I chose artists that had been on Etsy for about 1 year and had less than 50 sales, like myself.  So you ask, where are they now and how is their business doing a 1 1/2 years later?  Have a look at their shops now!

This is the post from October 2009.  Let's revisit them and show them some Etsy Love!  Click on their shop NAME to visit their shop!

This month I wanted to feature shops that were either on Etsy for more than a year and had less than 50 sales, or had been on Etsy for less than a year with less than 50 sales. My shop, Hapa Girls falls into the second category of less than a year and 50 sales or less. While putting this feature together, I got my 50th sale!!

I would like to help Expose everyone I have featured so they can reach their 50th goal.

Featured are 8 different shops from different areas of the art world. In photo order.

I found Studiondanale in the Etsy forums. I went to her shop and found this great children's painting of a train. I thought it was interesting how she had taken a 2-dimensional painting and turned it into a 3-dimensional painting by adding air dried clay. Studiodanale has many other unique items for decorating your nursery.

How can anyone pass up this lavender dandelion by ginaphoto . I think photographers don't get quite enough credit as I think they should. As we all know taking photos of our works of art can be frustrating. Can you imagine taking a photo of building or a bridge, outside, in a variety of light conditions? Gina is a 12 years veteran of photography and it shows! Her black and white cityscape photographs are amazing.

I originally found WhiteSparrowbindery on Twitter, or maybe they found me first! Either way, I was immediately drawn to their Giraffe Journal. I love writing in journals and my daughter loves giraffes, what a great combination! The Whitesparrowbindery offers a great variety of handmade journals, photo albums and sketch books ( a must for us artists). They even make holiday journals which make great gifts!

Drcraze, was found in the Etsy forums. I am so glad the Dr. replied to my post. As a jewelry artist and wood worker, I love to mix the two mediums. So naturally I was drawn to the idea of concrete, glass and metal. Though we think concrete is heavy, Dr. Craze's pendants look light and airy with the use of brass tubing inlays. Love it!

Studiomme, has been a favorite of mine for the past 6 months! Her Victorian inspired illustrations are amazing! Let me just say, drawing is a requirement for any art degree, but that doesn't mean we can all draw!!!! Some people have a gift for it and Megan has it! Megan is not only an Illustrator , but she is also a printmaker, photographer and much more.

I found Gr8clay while I was searching for sushi dishes! I think I have found them! Gr8clay offers great functional pottery with amazing detail. The Oxyblood mug is too die for...

Choumie7, Is another great Illustrator that I have been following on Twitter for some time now. Christelle has a dreamy style to her illustrations that radiate a sense of tranquility! I also like the idea that she has taken her original drawings and made them into jewelry and accessories. Can you say "Multifunctional Art"

Lastly, I found Rebecca of edwardandlilly on flickr. Her wool felt and embroidered bird ornament caught my eye, especially the lavender one! Her shop is filled with handmade embroidered items and plush animals, a sure "sweet" friend for your little one.

Everyone needs a little Exposure now and then. For some of us having an Etsy shop is a business and for others its just a hobby. Whichever it may be for you, it never hurts to help someone else attain their goals.

Thank you to all the artist that allowed me to feature them.
Please leave a comment and visit their shops!

Is Summer officially over?

I can't believe Summer is just about over.  Of course maybe not totally here in Southern California.  However, school has started for some kids and the holidays are just around the corner!  I am in the process of making a few Halloween pieces that will be added to both my Etsy and 1000 Markets shops in late September or early October.

New Custom Orders Completed
It is always a treat when I can work with a custom on something they want to turn into a wearable piece of jewelry.

Raccoon Ring

This cute little Raccoon ring is a custom order I just finished.  My customer drew this and sent it to me to turn into a ring. I think it came out great!

This is another custom request - 6 Cherry Blossom Charms with open jump rings! Doesn't the color remind you of Fall?

New for September

Seeing that school just started for some kids ( not my 3 year old), I will be taking a vacation in the middle of the month!!  I will be leaving my shop open for that week so if you stop by, please read the shop announcement.

I will be in the process of making a few Halloween pieces that will be added to both my Etsy and 1000 Markets shops in late September or early October.

I want to say, Thank you to all my new customers and returning customers! August was a great month!

Happy Birthday my Little Hapa Girl!

Are I Spy Bags just for children?

I would have to say NO! I bought this I spy Bag from 1PixiePlace on Etsy for my daughter and found myself searching for the items before she could!!  Being a fan of Word Search Puzzles and Look and Find books I thought this would be right up my alley. I mean my daughters alley!   Besides being fun, I Spy Bags are great for keeping your child busy on road trips, dining out, Dr. Visits, and when you may need to make a few phone calls!! You Moms know what I mean!! They can also be educational.

I think there are unlimited possibilities for I Spy Bags (party favors, party games etc.)  Visit 1PixiePlace today for an I Spy Bag for your child or yourself!! 

New Hibiscus Ring

My first Hibiscus! A little tricky to make but well worth it!

1 Year Annivesary on Etsy - Cherry Blossom Giveaway

January 8, 2010 will mark my 1 year since opening my shop on Etsy. When I first opened Hapa Girls, I was very unsure of how successful I would be selling my handmade jewelry and Surfboard dog feeders in a market that was flooded with great Artisans. Needless to say I am very happy with the year end results.

In marking my 1 year anniversary I have decided to do a 1 year anniversary giveaway. I will be giving away a Cherry Blossom Keychain Charm!!
All you have to do to enter the giveaway is:

1. Heart my Etsy shop - if you want to!
   
2. Follow my facebook page
3. Follow me on Twitter
4. Follow my blog
5. Leave me a comment (under this posting) about 1 item in my shop you absolutely love!

On January 8th I will gather all the info and draw the name of the lucky winner!

Good Luck and Thank you for entering my 1 year on Etsy Giveaway.