Hello San Diego...

Photo courtesy of Quincy Sultzbaugh

I'm delighted to announce the debut of selected pieces from jz designs sf at the grand opening of Sugar Kiss Boutique (in San Diego, CA) on Friday, May 7th (11AM to 8PM)!

Owner Quincy Sultzbaugh has been working diligently towards this new venture; I'm very thrilled and honored to be a part of her superb collection of Californian artisans! Please stop by if you are in the area:

Sugar Kiss Boutique

4185 Adams Avenue

San Diego, CA 92116

Hours: 

Tuesday-Thursday  11am-6pm
Friday and Saturday  11am-8pm 

Sunday and Monday  By appointment only

Cheers!

you really are... "fantastic"

Boggis and Bunce and Bean     

One fat, one short, one lean     

These horrible crooks     

So different in looks

Were none the less equally mean

I just finished watching FANTASTIC MR. FOX on DVD -- I totally love this movie! It's definitely on my top 10 favorites of 2009; certainly my favorite Wes Andreson film. I first watched it in theaters last November, then a couple of weeks ago at a free screening at the Independent, and now again on DVD. 

Based on a children's story Roald Dahl, MR. FOX is Wes Anderson's first stop motion animation film. According to a featurette, It's in the Details, each second of the film is made up of 24 pictures; which is utterly amazing to me! As with other Anderson films, the soundtrack of this film, with a fabulous score by Alexandre Desplat, is truly stupendous.

One of the most amusing things about this film, is how the word "cuss" is being used to replace any profanity. Be sure to watch the DVD with subtitles turned on to catch gems such as: "Holy swearing cuss!"

Around the time of the DVD release last month, I also caught a re-brocast of an interview Wes Anderson gave on NPR's Fresh Air with Terry Gross that made me appreciate the amount of hard work and raw talent it took to make MR. FOX... "fantastic" -- bravo!

My new hat!

Hooray, I finally finished knitting the "Slouchy Beret"! I saw a sample of this hat at ImagiKnit (aka my yarn heaven) about a few weeks ago and just had to asked them for the pattern. It's on Raverly, and also available on (the pattern creator) Allyson Dykhuizen's blog. 

Here are a few photos of the finished piece from my flickr.

I have a giant head (and tiny hands -- go figure), so I had to knit the "large" version (repeated Cable Round 4 and Cable Round 5 twice). I call it my Marge Simpson hat since it also reminds me of her hair (except it's not electric blue).

I used 3 skeins of Cascade Dolce (2 strands held together) in color 971 "silver"; on size 11 double pointed needles.

I’m planning on knitting another version soon using Misti Alpaca Chunky; which is my favorite yarn in the world! ♥ Although I'm still trying to decide on a color... definitely a light color to show off all the cables. :)

Now on to the next one... knitting that is: Dobbs Ferry Knit Cowl.

Cartier and America at the Legion of Honor

Last Tuesday, I took advantage of Free Admissions Day (special exhibit fee still apply) at San Francisco museums, and visited the Legion of Honor inside Lincoln Park for the Cartier and America exhibit.



It's been over 10 since I've to Legion of Honor; I forgot how astonishingly beautiful this museum truly is! I felt as if I stepped inside another world, and left the hustle and bustle of the city behind me (literally).


The Cartier exhibit is an impressive collection of sketches, photos /painting of patrons, and of course, actual Cartier piece (behind a glass case of course). Photography is prohibited, but I sneaked one in anyway (flash off of course, with Palm Pixi phone cam): the Star of South Africa necklace. Shhh, don't tell on me!



The proof that I was there!



My favorite part of the exhibit are actually the colored pencil sketches of various pieces. Some of the actual pieces looks almost flake and or costume-like. I even overheard a lady asking her husband if the piece we viewed is really aquamarine because it looked like glass to her... LOL! There is also a very informative behind the scenes video of how a parrot theme necklace is painstakingly created from beginning to finish; which made me better appreciate Cartier's exquisite craftsmanship.

I'd highly recommend visiting the Legion of Honor if you get a chance, and Cartier exhibit (ends April 18, 2010) is magnificently curated.



I'll be posting more photos from my visit on my flickr stream next week. :)

Resolutions

Oh my, it's almost the end of January and I haven't posted anything yet...

First off, happy belated new year to you my dear readers. How has 2010 been treating you so far? It's been a rocky start for me, but things are settling down finally...

Anyone made any resolutions for this year? I've accomplished 1 out of my 3 goals so far:

1. Kick my night owl habit and get to bed before 1AM. (Obviously, I'm failing at this one... but I'm still trying)

2. Go on a detox cleanse for one week. (Well, it's been postpone for next month when my friend returns from her trip... "strength in numbers" and or "misery loves company")

3. Take a photo of the day and post it on my twitter; inspired by our friend GSM. (Although I started doing this a little few days late, I've been having lots of fun doing this little "assignment". All photos are taken with my new Palm Pixi phone (heart!). I also posted a few "catch up" photo on my flickr stream.)



Above is one of my fav photo of the day, also the very first photo I took in 2010: Edward! My friend Deniz and I were walking back to the APT after parking her car (parking is a major pain in SF), we were looking up at the blue moon... All the sudden, she screamed "OMG, it's him!" at the life-sized paper cutout of Edward Cullen "looking" at us in the window! We just about died from laughter, and we had to take a photo of him... Hey, where's Jacob?!

Wave goodbye, say hello

It's so hard to believe 2009 is almost over, and 2010 is right at the door... 2010! That number makes me feel so old because not too long ago it seem to be in the far distant future. When that 2012 movie released (which I'd never want to see), I realized that's just in a couple of years!

Anyway, 2009 has been a rough year for most of us. But like everything else in life, there is always the good with the bad. I always like to think of New Year's Eve as a time to reflect and give thanks to friends in my life. This year in particular, many of my friends have been very supportive of my etsy venture, and for that I'm eternally grateful.

Here's to 2010 -- wishing you all lots of Murray naps (inside his "mur-nopy" because snuggies are not very fashion forward).



May you get your catnip donut just like the Murray (gift from his aunt and uncle SL squared);


Even if what you're looking for is actually right on top of your head!



Take care and happy 2010!

Another chance

Get a second chance to win my Etsy Stalker giveaway by either:

a.) follow me on twitter

b.) copy and paste this twit: I want to win fab bling from @jzdesignssf http://jzdesigns.etsy.com.

This is only for my facebook/ twitter/ blog friends, and not announced on my etsy page. A winner will be notified on Sunday, January 10th. Good luck!

Giveaway!

I'm featured in Etsy Stalker blog's December Shadowbox Gallery!

To celebrate this occasion, I'm doing my first giveaway! To win your choice of a fabulous piece of bling from my 30 USD and under page, please leave a comment on my gallery page on Etsy Stalker (http://etsystalker.com/?page_id=5377) and you will be automatically entered. A winner will be notified on Sunday, January 10th.

So, please stalk away, leave a comment, and good luck!

Last SALE of 2009

Yikes, it already December! 2009 is just flying by...

This week, I'm having another sale at my etsy shop. It will be the last sale for 2009, and next sale won't be until July 2010!



What: Noel SALE at jz designs sf
http://jzdesigns.etsy.com

When: now thru Sunday, December 13, 2009

Details:
* Free standard shipping (USPS First Class only)
* 10% off orders of $50 USD and more; 15% off orders of $75 USD and more

- No codes necessary; discount will be credited back to your paypal account
AFTER payment is received
- Applicable to stock on hand ONLY
- NOT applicable for special orders and no substitutions
- NOT to be combined with any other offers

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please place your order by Sunday, December 13, 2009 to ensure delivery by Thursday, December 24, 2009.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Happy shopping! ;)

Giving thanks + holiday SALE = smiles

It's hard to believe Thanksgiving is tomorrow, and Christmas is just around the corner! In the spirit of giving thanks, I would especially like to thank my friends, family, and fans for their continued support and encouragement of my etsy shop! I couldn't have done it without you... I could go on, but this is not an Oscar acceptance speech.

So, here's the big announcement -- get a jump start on your holiday shopping with the first ever SALE at jz designs sf!!



What: jz designs sf Holiday SALE

When: Wednesday, November 25th thru Monday November 30th (11:59 PM PDT)

Details:

• 10% off entire shop + FREE shipping! No codes necessary; discount will be credited back to your paypal account after payment is received
  
  
• Applicable to stock on hand ONLY
• NOT applicable for special orders and no substitutions
• NOT to be combined with any other offers

Wishing everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving, and happy shopping! :)

a fine tooth comb

I found a really good article recently about becoming a better seller on etsy:
http://www.scribd.com/doc/ 14827232/Secrets-of-Savvy- Etsy-Sellers

The author of the article, Julie, has a really good blog that I've been following called "on the dot":
http://onthedotcreations.typepad.com/onthedotcreations/

She also launched a new blog recently for etsy sellers:
http://onthedotcreations.typepad.com/fine_tooth_comb/

As Julie suggested, I've been auditing my product photos with a fine tooth comb, and I've been keeping busy with re-photographing (yet again!) the listed items. So far, I've finished all the earrings, necklaces, and now working on the rings. I'm trying to remind myself everyday that my etsy site is a work in progress and NOT a race to the finish.

Custom Bridal Order

Yikes, October is almost over and I'm behind again on updating my blog! :(

I'm sad summer is over, and now I'm looking forward to spring and summer again. Fall and winter are not exactly my favorite time of year because I don't like being cold. However, there are things that I look forward to in the cold season -- a thick hand knitted sweater (preferably alpaca), cool boots (Ugg, Frye, Hunter), and hot cocoa (Godiva Dark Chocolate Cocoa) in a latte bowl.


Anyway, so far this month I finished my first custom bridal order -- hooray! A customer in New York really liked the Fanny Earrings (http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=32569865), but request a gold version with a orange stone instead for her bridesmaids. I chose carnelians because it's a lovely translucent stone with a range of orange tones.

Here are the finished products from my flickr album: http://www.flickr.com/photos/63951483@N00/sets/72157622540805213/

As a result of this custom order, I've added a new "Weddings" section in my shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=6086079&section_id=6459204

Hooray!

Richard Avedon at SFMoMA

I finally made to the Richard Avedon exhibit at SFMoMA last week, and it's absolutely amazing! The only thing that I remember from Photo History class at SJSU that he worked for Harpers Bazaar, but I had not seen much of his work until the show:
http://www.sfmoma.org/exhibitions/384

The thing I admire the most about Richard Avedon's portraits is how he captured everyone, celebrity or not, with such simplicity and stunning beauty! Here's one of my favorites:


The Fab Four: John, Paul, George, and Ringo.


Also memorable is Avedon's series "In the American West":

http://www.richardavedon.com/#s=18&a=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&p=7&at=0

My favorite the portrait of "Juan Patricio Lobato" (image #19 of 26); which I should have taken a photo of, but didn't cos the gallery was a little crowded at the time.

This is by far one of the best photo exhibits that I've ever seen, and one of the few that I'm planning to go see again!

I also got to finally see the new rooftop garden at the MoMA (pictured below).


Also, slightly off topic, I noticed this window display at the Marc by Marc Jacobs store (at the corner of Fillmore and Sacramento) yesterday, and was highly amused by it.



Anyway, be sure to check out the Richard Avedon exhibit at SFMoMA (now through 11.29.09)!

I've a rep to protect!

Sorry I've been slacking on keeping up with this blog. I finally finished remodeling my etsy listings photos by re-shooting 60+ items on a brand new background of my Cavallini Papers & Co 2008 Paris Calendar. The new background is working so much better than shooting on a white background with natural lighting, and it requires less editing time in photoshop!

The Murray attempted to assist me with my re-shoots but he turned out to be an incompetent photo assistant. I've got photographic proof!

Here's the Murray chewing on the set! Bad, that is not in the job description!



Sleeping on the job...


Trying to steal the merchandise... Good help is so hard to find!



The Murray should just keep his day job as supermodel Baron Murray von Furenberg!



All joking aside, I'm really happy with the new photos! After all, I have a rep to protect as a graduate of SJSU BFA Photography Program! I tried to apply the lessons I learn in studio lighting class. We had a "tenting" assignment; which is one of the most difficult shoot I had to do. So, not to get too geeky, but photographing shiny object such as jewelry requires a special set that is build to literally surround the object in a tent; otherwise cameras and other nearby items will be reflected in the shiny object (think chrome tea kettle). Does that made sense? I'm not good at explaining technical things sometimes. Anyway, I hope I've made Prof. Helprin proud... RIP.

* Kona Ring featured in photos above:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=30045760

Panda Face Ring

Here's a photo of my new Panda Face Ring, a recent purchase from a fellow etsy seller, featuring the Murray. He tried to eat the ring a couple of times when I placed it in front of him -- I bet he thinks everything we have belongs to him.

Panda Face Ring available on etsy, by Steppie:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=29253966

Outtakes from Murray and Panda Face Ring photo session:

The Waffle Man

On most Wednesdays, I make a pilgrimage to the Civic Center area to visit my favorite Waffle Man. It's authentic Belgium waffles, FRESHLY made with love by wonderful man inside of a most adorable truck/bus! Airy yet dense -- sweet -- heavenly! Stop by if you're ever in the area -- your tummy will be grateful!


I heart the Waffle Man:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/waffle-mania-truck-san-francisco

bling bling bling

Now that I have about 52 items for sale on etsy, I've decided to to list new items 3-5 times weekly instead of daily. I need time to work on new items and have a couple of themed ideas and custom orders on the to-do list. I also need to get the word out about my site with some "community outreach" and posting flyers.


Anyway, I made a super bling bling cocktail ring this week that I'm excited about -- Kelly Ring: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28934852. It so (h)uge (as the Donald would say) but I love it! Not sure why I'm so fascinated by large rings... since I used to like more delicate stuff, and I've got tinny hands (ring size 3.5-5). I heard someone say once that: "It takes a large person to pull off a big ring." Oh well, I love it because it's fun to wear!

I made and listed this ring in the same day. The bf's reaction to it is: "It's huge!" To which I replied: "Yes, you may kiss my ring!" Hee hee hee! I'm going to make a version for myself in a smaller size later and rock it at yoga and or the farmers market. "Paper airplanes" by MIA played on my ipod, usually on shuffle, as I worked on the ring, and I started singing to myself: "All I wanna do is, bling bling bling, and take your money!" Such a fun ring for my silly mood. ;)

A post b-day sweet treats report

Another year older and hopefully wiser. I spent my b-day yesterday with the bf and grazed on some of my favorite sweet treats:

- belly good crepe (my usual #2; see photo of my crepe monster above) http://www.yelp.com/biz/belly-good-cafe-and-crepes-san-francisco

- lemon crunch cake (since they sold out of the coffee crunch cake slices), from Yasukochi's Sweet Stop http://www.yelp.com/biz/yasukochis-sweet-stop-san-francisco

- blueberry crème brûlée and a half of the bf's tiramisu, both after dinner desserts from Capannina (blueberry crème brûlée rather disappointing but delicious tiramisu) http://www.yelp.com/biz/capannina-san-francisco

I had hoped to go for some coffee toffee and salted caramel at Bi-Rite Creamery (http://www.yelp.com/biz/bi-rite-creamery-san-francisco), but I just got too stuffed after dinner to make that trip; we would have gone if Bi-Rite is closer to our APT... Although that would have cost me a trip to the ER. There is always tomorrow!

j'aime le chocolat

I'm remember how a friend of mine suggested a year ago that I should blog about teas and chocolate; since I'm a connoisseur and have a kitchen drawer full of teas (seriously)! So, here's my first review of a new Parisian chocolat that I bought from Whole Paycheck (Whole Foods) just the other day:

Michel Cluizel Noir au Cafe dark chocolate bar:
http://www.chocolatetradingco.com/magazine.asp?section=42&id=109

I adore dark chocolate for it's subtitle bitterness, and it's even better when there is coffee added into the equation! However, this bar is rather disappointing. Even though it smells lovely and has good texture, the flavor is just not quite right. I didn't taste the coffee very much and it's a lot more bitter than what I would expect from a 60% cocoa dark. Michel Cluizel Noir au Cafe gets a 2.5 stars (out of 5) from me.

For a better use of your chocolate funds, check out Mo's Milk Chocolate Bacon Bar, by vosges chocolate; also available at whole paycheck for the same price ($5.99):
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/bacon_exotic_candy_bar

Ooo, I just noticed that vosges chocolate recently lauched a dark version of the bacon bar -- how exciting!
http://www.vosgeschocolate.com/product/mos_dark_chocolate_bacon_bar/bacon_and_chocolate

I must try it soon and will report back! I love bacon -- it tastes good with everything! I even bought a button (gave it to the bf) at the SF Renegade Craft Fair a couple of weeks ago that reads: "I love you more than bacon".

Potter Potter Potter

In honor of "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" releasing on IMAX today (and Leos everywhere), I designed the "Minerva Necklace": http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=28552473; named after Professor Minerva McGonagall, Head of the House of Gryffindor, from the Harry Potter Series.



Being the geek that I am, I gathered the bf and two of our closest friends for the first showing of the movie when it opened at 12:01 AM on 07.15.09. It's the first time that I attended a midnight showing of a newly released movie, and it was well worth the wait (people started lined up at 7 PM or earlier)! Even though a major key part of the novel is cut out of the movie, it has impressive cinematography, stunning special effects, and a good script. It's my favorite movie version of the books so far; a position previously held by movie #3, "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban" (because I love Gary Oldman portrayal of Sirius Black).

Anyway, the inspiration for "Minerva Necklace" comes from the adorable sterling silver lion charm in the center. As soon as I found the charm, I knew that I had to make something Harry Potter and or Leo related with it. The gold filled frame is suppose to symbolize a shield, and I made it with hammered 18 gauge gold filled wire, and then wrapped with 24 gauge gold filled wire. I also hammered the gold filled ring on top of the frame to represent a Quidditch goal post, and added the carnelian beads to represent colors from the House of Gryffindor. I enjoyed making this necklace, and I will be sporting my own version of this necklace when we go see Harry Potter again on IMAX! Hooray!