Uncommon Goods Has Lovely, Creative Gifts

09/09/2015

So I was asked quite awhile ago to review a shop that I was expected to like. I put it off.. I get quite a few requests and I’m always worried it will end up being a shop selling knock-off Chinese products VS a shop supporting actual artists. However I took a look at Uncommon Goods (go get lost in their shop!) and I noticed they carry quite a lot of unique and interesting gifts. Not only that but it is not a cheap wholesale store as their prices are true to cost; they are using actual artist-designed works. On each product you can see who makes them, why and where they’re from.

After looking around and posting online about it I had quite a few friends exclaiming that they love the store Uncommon Goods and buy clever gifts from there often! I felt so left out to have only found out about this shop now and became excited to do a review.

For the review they offered to send a few products. I gave them some ideas as to what I like (rainbows and stones) so they sent the swing tumblers in rainbow colors AND the agate coasters. These items arrived packed very nicely and in a quick manner. The box was even cute with their logo on it branded tape (these small design elements mean a lot to me). Everything inside was in it’s own box direct from the designer. The coasters were from Rablab NY and the swing tumblrs were from a designer in Germany.

I was a little worried about both items as you can see the shop has reviews on the products and there are many good reviews but a few bad ones. I thought maybe the glasses will deteriorate in the dishwasher or the coasters will condensate onto the table.. I made sure to use all items VERY WELL before this review and 1. the glasses have been used and washed a ton and are still as cute as they were when I unpacked them; 2. the coasters did not condensate onto the table and are GORGEOUS. With the coasters however one coaster sent was a product error, it was missing the brand sticker and the rubber balls to keep in place were sticky and odd on only that one. They offered right away to send a new set and let me know they had made a mistake.

Something very interesting about the company is that they not only support artists and small businesses but they support human and animal life as well. They have a very positive brand/company story here if you’re interested in reading it.

We’re committed to offering you a creative and exciting merchandise assortment and are working with our suppliers – from artists to small manufacturers – to make their products in a more socially and environmentally responsible manner. Since our founding, we’ve featured products that contain recycled components and have not sold products containing leather, feathers or fur – our goal is to sell no product that harms humans or animals.

I’m very pleased and have planned quite a few items for my spouse’s birthday coming up on October the 8th! You can’t go wrong here. There are great products (especially the ones for the home~) and they have excellent customer service. I have found a new favorite web store, that’s for sure!

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Business Features Day With a Camera

Day With a Camera: Being Thrifty (While Splurging) in Saraga Market

08/24/2015

This is my attempt to update my blog using both Siri and my WordPress app because I very rarely have the patience…

So Emma and I found we had a break in our work day and decided we would spend our lunch hour going to Saraga International Market (which is really an excuse for me to pile junk food in my cart).

If there is anything good to say about Saraga it’s that it has 1. very inexpensive produce and 2. junk food from all over the world, everywhere.

If you have a craving to eat turkish delight while drinking Ramune soda and sitting on a bag of kawaii mexican marshmallow ropes, YOU CAN DO THAT HERE! OR if you want some hot pink duck eggs, onion naan, dumplings and buns of absolutely any flavor ever imagined and a pound of squid? YOU CAN FIND THOSE HERE! And if you want Japanese junk food and produce because you are supposed to be “grocery shopping” for “necessities” but found your snack cabinet and bubble tea jars low (so what else can you do?), do it here here here! Be responsible with inexpensive produce and splurge on the best junk food and sweets all in the same market!

These are DUCK eggs died pink.. *shrug*

And stay tuned because there are upcoming YouTube vlogs on a couple of Japanese snack crates that asked for a review so I decided to compare and contrast~ xx!

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Business Features

Hoosier Salon vs iMOCA in Indianapolis

08/09/2015

In this one weekend only competition iMOCA iNSIDERS and Hoosier Salon members are invited to present their work side by side to be voted on by the public and determine which pieces are the most popular. The creators of the top five favorite pieces in the show will win special prize packages.

On Friday we went to the opening at iMOCA, because David submitted his new drawing (“My Sun Sets to Rise Again” 17.5″x24″ Black and White Charcoal on Paper) into the competition, and we were happy we did. I love seeing new art-events in Indianapolis, especially one like this that exposes one genre to another genre.

Today is your last day to view the show. It’s only open this weekend: August 7 – August 9 until 7:00pm in iMOCA located at 1043 Virginia Ave Suite 5, Indianapolis, Indiana 46203

IMOCA is pretty self-explanatory. Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art. I’ve been to quite a few of their events, in fact, Jamie and I actually dressed up in blood for their campy halloween vampire movie viewing a couple of years ago. Meanwhile, the Hoosier Salon’s art is much more traditional but still contemporary in the way that it is currently being created. Richard Anderson, “People like to forget that all art created at this time is contemporary.”

Robert Horvath, Narcissus #4

The much adored Richard Anderson, gallery manager at the Carmel Hoosier Salon Gallery, along with Paula Katz, gallery manager at iMOCA, wanted to try new ways to expose and blend art and artists to new audiences as well as their organizations. As artist David Cunningham said, “It broadens the audience. You have people that are interested in contemporary work looking at traditional art while those who prefer traditional art are now seeing contemporary art. It also exposes contemporary artists of one genre to contemporary artists of another genre.”

All participating iMOCA iNSIDERs and Hoosier Salon members were allowed to submit one piece of work within a 30″ size limit, no video was allowed.

You have one last chance today to view the work if you haven’t yet!

More Information

Hoosier Salon vs iMOCA Event Page
iMOCA
Hoosier Salon
NUVO Article

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Artist & Designer Features

Contemporary Realism Painter David Cunningham aka Mistereducated

07/31/2015

You may or may not know that David Cunningham is my fiancé and long term love with whom I raise 4 children with, but before all of that he was an artist. We met because he was an artist, an art professor to be exact, and I’ve always felt strongly that his work is stunning. I felt this way prior to falling in love with him, his work is just shockingly rich. He inspired me endlessly to push myself further than I thought as a professor and as an artist and I never forgot those lessons.

His paintings themselves look as though they are windows peering into a space of stylized almost-photographicly delicate realism. I can most assure you that you will be amazed that *all* the small images below are actually paintings (or drawings) that he has spent hours upon hours on while detailing each square inch. The finished paintings are even more rich where you can really see the details; they are amazing because of the reality he creates within them. I’m a lucky girl to have this beauty and skill under my roof. Although he is male, and we have rarely featured males, I think it’s time. Skill and beauty know no sex, race or religion and nor does the unconventionality that is Miseducated.

How long have you been creating art?
That depends on what your definition of “art” is. Like most kids, I loved to draw, color, paint, build models, play with playdough, etc. Unlike most kids, I never stopped. As for “art” , art only happens on occasion. It is unique, personal, and beyond me as the creator. I think the first time that happened was around 2003.

What is your preferred medium?
Nothing beats the lumosity and color richness you can achieve with oil paint.

Did it ever become your main focus and when?
After Undergraduate school I opened up my own studio and made work full time (mostly ceramics.) Honestly, it was a very lonely time for me. I worked 8-10 hours every day and would go several days without seeing anyone. This was the days before podcasts and audiobooks a plenty that keep me company these days in the studio. It was lonely. I am an introvert but not that introverted. I found out in graduate school that teaching helped me become a better artist. It balanced me… giving me an opportunity to interact with others and exchange ideas. I have been balancing teaching as an art professor and studio work ever sense.

What has been your favorite exhibition or event to be involved in?
One of my stone paintings won Best in Show at the Contemporary Realism Biennial several years back. It really floored me. It was a national show featuring some of the best realistic art in America. It was an honor just to be included…to win was epic.

What inspires you most?
Beauty. Not beauty that others can easily recognize, but beauty that is overlooked. That is one of the things that I like about painting stones. They are extraordinary but no one really pays attention to them. The work I have to do as an artist is to make others see the beauty that I see.

How do you deal with artist’s block?
I make work. Often this isn’t the afore mentioned “art” but just studies or master copies. Anything to keep working. Pressure to perform… to make something great scares away the muse.

What has been your favorite work you’ve created?
I don’t really have favorites. Some are clearly better than others, but they are all my children. I am always surprised at what work connects with people. That is why I do it. It isn’t really important if it connects with me. My job is just to make the work. That’s it. Show up and do it.

Do you have any odd stories about one of your pieces?
I had a large painting that I had spent many hours on and all of the parts were beautifully painted, but the composition was off. I tried to sell it for cheap with no takers. I then got the idea to cut it up into 4 small paintings. Each of the small paintings sold for more than I was asking for the whole painting.

Favorites:
Color? blue-grey
Food? watermelon, steak, lobster
Animal? goats
Music? Coldplay, Radiohead, mellow indie rock
Magazine? I don’t have time to read! I listen to audio books and podcasts though.
Movie? Forrest Gump and Pulp Fiction
Book? The War of Art by Steven Pressfield

Do you have any advice for readers interested in turning their hobby into their main focus?
Read the War of Art and do what it says. Live as modestly as you can so you have as much time as possible to make your work. Don’t give up. Art is a war of attrition. Perseverance and hard work beats talent.

What do you feel is a recipe for success?
First you have to define what success is. Otherwise, how will you know if you hit it? Secondly, find mentors (people who are doing what you want to do). Do what they do and you will get what they get.

Would you say you’re Miseducated?
I am Mistereducated. Predictably logical unless you are a woman then I am a mystery.

Learn more here:
David Cunningham Official Web Portfolio & Shop
Official Facebook Page

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Artist & Designer Features

Dream & Death Inspired Artist Sonya Fu

07/16/2015

Sonya Fu next to her work “I love” (2014) at AP Contemporary, Hong Kong

Sonya Fu is an artist whose works I feel really drawn to. She has taken inspiration from her dreams visually to a place of solitude. Her work, to me, speaks of the mixture of emotions we feel in dreams and the temporary yet lasting suspension we feel in the dreamworld. Not only do they evoke these feelings in me but she is graphic designer turned artist so her works are done digitally. I think it’s important to share her amazing creations in this age where many contemplate whether digital art is a fine art while it’s so obvious that it is. Enjoy~

You can find more work and information via her Facebook page or her website~

How long have you been creating art?
I started drawing when I was 3 or 4.

What is your preferred medium?
I work mostly with digital mediums. Digital paintings in which I paint brush stroke by brush stroke using a drawing tablet.

Did it ever become your main focus and when?
It’s become my main focus in 2010. I had my first group show invitation when I was still a graphic designer at the time.

What has been your favorite exhibition or event to be involved in?
This is a tough one because I enjoyed all of them!! They are all unique and they are all special! 🙂

What inspires you most?
Dreams. My crazy, wonderful, beautiful, whimsical, disgusting, scary dreams. Also meditation, mindfulness and music.

How do you deal with artist’s block?
I doodle, meditate, look at art magazines/blogs, talk to other artists, do things that I feel good about (when I feel good inspiration flows in faster).

What has been your favorite work you’ve created?
Another tough one! They are all special to me!

Do you have any crazy stories about one of your pieces?
Yes! My work “Tender Stillness”, the giant serpent girl, I dreamed about her a few times, she hovered in the sky and raised tsunami.

tender_stillness_by_sonya_fu

Favorites:
Color? Black
Food? Kimchi fried rice served in hot stone bowl (no meat)
Animal? ALL
Music? Space music, Ambient music, Pink Floyd, Portishead, the Silent Hill OST… the list can go and on!
Magazine? Beautiful Bizarre Magazine, Hi-Fructose, Juxtapoz etc. I appreciate all art mags and art blogs, they are always so supportive of the artists.
Movie? Beetlejuice, Alien series
Book? Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul

Do you have any advice for readers interested in turning their hobby into their main focus?
Stay focused, believe in yourself, be positive and remember “We don’t make mistakes, just happy little accidents” like Bob Ross said.

What do you feel is a recipe for success?
Believing in yourself and what you do, positive thinking, being appreciative and grateful, being a good team player, keeping your commitments, meeting deadlines, good time management, being picky about yourself and your work so you make the best out of it, welcoming and being open-minded about criticism because it helps us improve.

Are you Miseducated?
-I guess yes haha, I am both whimsical and unconventional!

inner_child_by_Sonya_Fu

I_love_by_SonyaFu

see_you_in_the_dark_by_sonya_fu

I_see_by_SonyaFu

I_imagine_by_SonyaFu

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Portfolio

We Love Fine’s Bee & Puppycat Contest: Le Puppycat Macaron

06/12/2015

Remember when I entered my minimal Bee & Puppycat tshirt design in We Love Fine’s contest? I posted about it on my blog and on our Facebook fanpage a few times and thanks to YOU (everyone who voted) I won! So now they’re selling the Le Puppycat Macaron shirt and I’m so excited~ It’s been a (long) while since I’ve felt compelled to enter in any digital design contests and so happy you enjoyed the tee!

Wee! I feel so honored! And thankful! And this is of course how I looked when I won. Keep in mind this is after a long day of working from home while 4 kids are on summer break, taking them to the zoo after work and then walking over to the baseball park to eat with David’s coworkers and play in the sunshine. I’m surprised I’m even still awake but it was the first moment I had to myself all day! And how exciting to hear my design won a place in the contest full of amazing designs by other fans! I fell asleep before this was taken. Yes before.

Buy the tshirt HERE!

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Business Features Giveaway

Kawaii Box Subscription Club Review & Giveaway

04/20/2015

Awhile ago I was invited to review the Kawaii Box which is a super cute subscription box that offers kawaii goods from Japan and elsewhere.

As I’ve said before, subscription boxes are a big thing right now — you can find them for just about anything you have an interest in! I was very excited to hear of one who only offers kawaii goodies. I did a home-stay and studied in Japan for a few months in college and had to purchase 2 more suitcases and a few shipping boxes in order to bring all of my purchases home! I can’t think of a better subscription box for me to review..

..and so please view the video review AND enter in the giveaway (lots of options for more giveaway points!) to win your own gift subscription box for a taste of kawaii delivered right to your mailbox!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Comments

Design Your Life DIY Positive Energy Project

Positive Energy Project: Selecting, Cleansing & Charging Crystals

03/19/2015

Selecting Your Crystal

Identify your purpose.
Look for a few crystal varieties that seem aligned in the area your purpose lies in.
Look at crystals and pick one that feels right to you or attracts you the most visually.

If you’re in-tune with your intuition and emotions pay attention to how you feel (happy, excited, drawn to it), if I’m instantly imagining the crystal on my nightstand or sitting on my mantel then I’m likely to get it.

Cleansing Your Crystal

Crystals are a mineral that absorb energy and hold onto it until cleansed. I like to cleanse my crystals when I get them especially because who knows what or who touched them and got absorbed and if I want to welcome that into my home.

I have read and heard a lot from people advised to do just about everything in regards to cleaning them so be sure to chose the method that makes sense to you.

For instance I really prefer sitting my crystals in a clear jar of salt water in the sun or moon light for a day or two but some crystals, minerals and pearls are too sensitive for such a treatment. If that’s so then I will light sage and hold them in the smoke for a few minutes, best outdoors, while letting it billow out and away. Be sure to sage yourself a bit afterwards.

A good salt water solution is about 20% sea salt and the rest water. If you have actual salt water then that is best! When you’re done soaking them, pour the water outside into the earth.

Charging Crystals

I charge my crystals in sunlight and moonlight. I sit them on a window sill at either time and let them charge for a day.

Sunlight re-charges crystals with ultraviolet light. When crystals are harvested from the earth they are removed from the energy they were nurtured in. The crystals have been taking energy and nutrients from the God and the universe via the ground providing nutrients to develop into a crystal. They now need to absorb energies for renewal. The full spectrum of light restores the crystal’s depleted energies. The moonlight offers and even broader spectrum of energy, especially a new or full moon.

Activating Your Crystal

Sometimes, a crystal can be asleep in a sense and not know it is going to be used for healing or meditative purposes. Making a spiritual connection with the crystal helps to awaken its consciousness. You can activate your crystal by holding it, praying while holding it, meditating on your higher dreams and aspirations while holding it, rolling it in incense, communicating that it is yours for comfort.

Because each crystal absorbs energy (like a magnet, just touch one) they can absorb new instruction. Sometimes the crystal gets filled up with unconscious instructions from people handling the crystal, unaware they are projecting energy thought forms that are picked up and stored (alas the cleaning when purchasing/finding). When we add our own energy and prayers the crystal will then resonate with that amplifying, broadcasting, and projecting the new set of energy patterns to ourselves, others and our environment (I most often use them to just enhance my environment or hold while meditating/praying).

The way I do this is the same way I cook, which is also a meditative, prayerful and reflective state for me in connection with God and the universe. I think about love, the things I love and value, affirmations to myself and my family (and even the world) and I imagine infusing these things into the food, crystal, candle, whatever it is I am working with. Then I feel the energy of that love and healing, the energy of my higher self, emit through the crystal, the smoke, the meal when we eat. Most often I visualize healing, protection from God and love as these are the things I most appreciate in our lives.

Where to Buy Crystals

There are usually stores that carry minerals, crystals or New Age-y materials in cities. We have a few here. However you can also find them on ebay and other online boutiques.

3 Comments

Business Features Vlog

Vlog: BarkBox Review by Bacon the Puppy

02/11/2015

Bacon and I were invited to review the Barkbox by this amazing company that provides this service, a BarkCam app for “dog selfies” and gives %10 of all money made to help dogs in need and homeless dogs find homes. So we jumped at the chance to review the box and we really enjoyed the quality of the products. Bacon’s favorites were the bully stick and the snow monster toy – he’s still in love with those!

In other news I’m sorry for being so MIA with my vlog (I missed a week!). I have had a lot of personal things going on that I’ll discuss more in the future, a huge end to something that has been going on for over 2 years. Among that are family things, house renovation, and work deadlines. But we made it through as always. I missed You(Tube) and our chats here.

In other news I turn 30 YEARS OLD on Friday so I’ll be sure to make a post about that soon. XO! Enjoy our review.

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Mew for Today

Valentine Gifts Fit for Queens & Mermaids

02/04/2015

There is a lot going on around here with work load, renovations to our home and a custody battle that has been going on for over 2 years (it shall be finished soon, keep us in your hearts/prayers). However as we dive into these projects and they come to a close what better day to come along than St Valentine’s Day? Why? Hearts, glitter, flowers and other lovely things promoted as ‘gifts for her’! I love Valentine gifts and decor most of all and have always felt lucky that my birthday is the day before!

Another thing happening.. this February 13 in 2015 I will be turning THIRTY. *gasp*

Treat yourself below or, if you have a significant other, drop hints for being treated (like a link to this page). Happy heart day!

Mermaid Tea

Calling all my mermaids ! This blend is designed for you. Make yourself an iced or hot tea with this blend of hibiscus flowers, rosehips, apples cubes, pineapple, coconut shreds and many more delicious and healthy ingredients.

Heart Dust by Moon Juice

Opens the heart, literally and metaphysically, dilating capillaries and promoting the heart’s permeability.
Strengthens the heart’s ability to accept and release. Contains rosamirinic acid and glycine which produce love feelings in the brain that melt right into your heart.
Add one teaspoon to 8oz of any hot or cold liquid. Delicious with nut milk water or tea. Makes anywhere from 25- 50 servings depending on taste and desired level of potency. Don’t be afraid to double dose!
Wild Crafted Ingredients: Longan, Reishi, Ligusticum, Salvia, Lo Han Guo, Stevia

Mermaid’s Kiss

Mermaid’s Kiss EDP smells of fresh ocean air, island fruits, lush native flora, and the warmth of your skin in the sun. With notes of Jamaican lime, jucy pineapple, French cypress, pink lotus, bamboo lily and bay rum. Exotic and intoxicating!

NINA’S Marie Antoinette

Dedicate To Marie Antoinette, this very delicate tea is scented with delicious fresh apples & rose, with a touch of strongness with Black Ceylon tea basis Apple aroma done with apples coming directly from King’s Kitchen Garden – Versailles.

Let Them Eat Cake Parfume

A touch of decadence: Sugar Cane, Coconut Milk, Vanilla Orchid & White Musk

Iced Green Tea Bon Bon Lip Balm

Candied lemon imparts a hint of sweetness upon delicate Mountain Green Tea, a refreshing drink for the thirstiest of lips.

Kukula Tea Cup

Limited edition and gorgeous tea cups by KUKULA.

Pura Vida

Each bracelet has a unique and different color combination so coming across someone with your exact bracelet will be a tough find. The hard work that goes into making each bracelet represents the dedication and respect for the beautiful land that we all live in.

Marshmallow Home Fragrance by Laduree

“Délice” is a marshmallow perfume, a nostalgic fragrance, dedicated to childhood in the prime of youth. It’s a touching and light perfume, both indefinable and irresistible. A scent of unforgettable childhood.

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