From the monthly archives: July 2010

gift tags

❤

They say the taste test is the most important. True enough. But with food packaged these beautifully, you really can’t help but add brownie points for presentation. I’d like to say that the Japanese have honed the art of food presentation down to a T but these pretty pictures are proof that just about anyone can do them. Be inspired. Now, excuse me while I go find myself something to satisfy the cravings! These pictures have brought about a mighty big crave for anything sweet and everything pretty.

Rose Rakugan

puccho cupcakes boxed

Japanese Sweets

Don’t you love the little garland of hearts wrapping round the package? Following through from yesterday’s experiments in packaging, I went on a search around the world wide web and here are some nicely wrapped up packages. All using the humble brown paper product we call Kraft.

Please take time to click on the ❤ to discover new shops chocful of packaging or to read on of sellers with nifty design ideas to suit their product needs. Be inspired.

gift package with handmade needlework

Little red lola tags

simple packaging

happy packages

New Handmade Soap Packaging

Sparkle Thots Jewellery :: Packaging

Lots to do! Lots of ribbons to tie. :)

Bulk orders tend to get a different treatment around here… Been exploring alternative ways of packaging the jewellery. Especially when there are more than 5 items in the order. A little kraft-ing goes a long way. And MT tape too. :D Love that stuff. Bring out the rubber stamps and inkpads, tie the organza ribbons, and hopefully, it’d translate into a package that brings a smile right from the unwrapping.

First start with a shout of joy at receiving a custom bridal order (I love these the best!). Start with making the jewellery. Finish with them.

Sparkle Thots Jewellery :: Packaging

File the sharp ends down and make sure the sizes are correct, and as requested. Pack them in their individual cotton filled boxes. Tie with a bit of organza ribbons. In true-blue purple Sparkle Thots’ colours of course.

Sparkle Thots Jewellery :: Packaging

Stand by the MT tapes! I love the wide range now available and how easy they are to use. They add a whole lot of colour to a dull project and can either be cut or teared by hand, depending on what ‘look’ you are going for.

Sparkle Thots Jewellery :: Packaging

Pack boxes into glassine bags, fold over and seal with MT tape. Again, follow through with Sparkle Thots’ purplish tinges. Note the ring sizes on the top to ensure no mix ups. Meantime, prepare a paperbag large enough to hold said order.

Sparkle Thots Jewellery :: Packaging

Lightly ink desired stamp and press down firmly onto brown paperbag. Smile at the girlishly feminine feel that the paperbag now has. Carefully pack the order into the bag. Ensure enough room is left for folding the top.

Sparkle Thots Jewellery :: Packaging

Fold over at the top and secure with a bit more MT tape…

stuff into pre-addressed envelope, add a lil note and we’re done!

photo

Oh, repeat with other bulk orders of say… earstuds?

** Above series of photos are just an indication of why sometimes it takes so long to pack your orders. :P I vary the packaging from order to order so please don’t fret if your order did not come just so. All Sparkle Thots purchases are made with love. Really.

(Yes, Quotable Quotes is late today… but… )

Happiness is many things. Amongst the long list right now, is the fact that the shop is now back online. Hurrah! It was a real welcome relief to have it back in one piece. All the data intact. Hoping to list new items (bangles!) tomorrow. That is if I can finish the orders that came in through our Etsy store over the last couple of days first.

I must admit to suffering a tinge of envy at the bridesmaids of some of my lovely customers. I’d love to be gifted the Ribbons ring. Ok, any item in the Ribbons series :) It looks completely adorable. Even after handwrapping so many since the inception last year, I am still very much taken by the ribbons. I guess, everyone has a ribbon tied somewhere to remember the good times.

It was a crazy week that just passed. Fell sick, fever. Made me wonder how the kids manage to have so much energy in them even at 40deg when all I wanted to do at 39deg was curl up in bed the whole day. Then the server went wonkers and a mini-war ensued with the webhost. Which finally resulted in a last minute decision to ‘jump ship’. The blog is nicely settled in over at the new webhost (as you can very well tell) but the shop is undergoing upgrades. Hoping to be done by the end of the week, if not next. A bit hard to predict because binary codes always get me in a frenzy. Plus the kids aren’t helping.

So… for the moment, shop over at our Etsy store (July’s sale items are still on sale for a couple more days…) or drop me an email if you spot something you are interested in in our Flickr photostream. Thanks for your awesome support. And I hope you’d enjoy this edition of peace and calm brought to you by the humble lavender plant.

I’m sure in need of it.

Lavender Harvest

if i close my eyes all the work disappears...

Flare over Lavender

Here’s to a refreshing week ahead. (One can hope no?)

family treasures

I fess… this post is a spin off from my infatuation with rings. I never quite noticed the use of rings in local children / baby photography sessions but I was awed into searching for more after seeing a couple of these. They are meaningful and that taken of premmies really tugged at the heart strings. Rings are just that big… and to see the lil baby’s hand fitting through it was heart-wrenching.

Thankfully, the babies have since grown up strong and healthy. No longer wee little ones. Take time to enjoy…

Mommy's ring

Humble Beginnings

Togetherness

1 + 1 = 3

a novel on love

Given my infatuation with rings and all things wedding, I cannot quite understand why this post is only appearing now. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not getting married (what with two kids?!) nor planning any other wedding but I just love to read about weddings and all the details that go on behind the scenes. To me, they are a great source of inspiration. And I do hope Sparkle Thots would be readily identifiable for romantic chic jewellery that go from wedding day to all occasion. Because love is forever. Not just the wedding day.

Ring

got rings?

Verse 8

Love for Ever ! ~ Wedding Cake ~ Ring Shot

With This Ring

Fotógrafos de boda Edward Olive    Wedding photographers Madrid  Barcelona London Paris - joined

… and they lived happily ever after.

Come back tomorrow for a second installment of rings. If you aren’t tired of them yet.

Teddy Bear

I love stuffed animals. Amongst the most commonly found ones in my collection are teddy bears. And while I do have a collection that is more than enough to go around for the entire family, each kiddo has their own collection that seems to be increasing. We’d probably be able to start a farm soon.

There really isn’t much to hate about the teddy bear… From the colourful to the typical brown furred ones, they are oh-so-adorable. Plus, they come in an assortment of shapes to fit your whims. They make great pretend friends, lift up your spirits with a bear hug and do just about anything you want them to.  But the most interesting thing about them is this new (to me) initiative that I discovered whilst bear-hunting for this post.

Teddy Bear Hospital 2009

The Teddy Bear Hospital is a public health project is an international one that works with children aged 3-7. Through the use of teddy bears, they help the children overcome their fears of doctors and hospitals in a fun engaging way. Plus, it allows medical students to work with children. OJT without all the threats.

And now, continue on and see these lovable stuffed creatures in a new light. :) Each picture tells of a different, yet highly treasured relationship between bear and owner companion (think Christopher Robin and Pooh).

Day 77 - Teddy steals the spotlight

Teddy "Olive Oil" Bear watchin' out

I wanna be forever young. 80/365 Explored! :D

...shortly thereafter Logan & White Teddy became treasured companions, emerging rather manky and in need of a wash...

the end.

This week I am obsessed with coral peonies. It all started with reading about a wedding planner’s gorgeous use of them as deco in a wedding she had carried out in late May and it set off an insane infatuation with peonies. And not just any peonies but coral peonies. Truth be told, I never quite adored the peony. It played such a central feature in so many Chinese paintings that my mind’s eye subconsciously shut it out. But it was love at first sight with these…

I hope they’d brighten up your day. Their beautiful coral colour just perks up whatever arrangement they are in. Whether they are the ONLY flowers in the bouquet or playing a part for the larger whole.

Aren’t they gorgeous??! (Click on ❤ the to get the sources, and in many cases, to see in more detail how they were part of some really fantastic deco)

**stop by for a great resource on selecting flowers for weddings

… and if you got the time, drop by Sarah Chen’s site for a really amazing first birthday party. Held in the honour of her beloved Ellie. All I can say is, she’s one lucky babe! (oh, she used coral peonies as part of the deco too!)