launch of a new blog

Yes, because I don't have enough to do (besides a full-time job, an Etsy shop, 3 blogs, etc) I've just launched a new blog!

"give me crafty" is a new blog that I hope you will all make use of. It's a giveaway promotion blog because I love handmade and I want to support and promote it even more actively, but I didn't want to flood this blog with giveaway listings, since this blog is more of a personal one.


So, if you love getting free handmade goodies, or you have a giveaway that you want to promote, please head over to give me crafty - the submission process is super easy and I'm going to work hard to promote the blog and your giveaways!

Go to the give me crafty blog now.

i feel the earth move under my feet...

So...there I was, sitting in a meeting room with my manager, discussing my work objectives for 2010 (which my performance review will be based on at the end of the year) and all of a sudden the room started to vibrate.

For the first 5 seconds, we didn't really pay attention (sometimes when large trucks go by or they're moving large furniture in the office, the floor vibrates), but when it lasted for more than 10 seconds, we kind of started thinking, "um...what's going on?"

When other people started peeking out of meeting rooms and cubicles, asking if anyone else was feeling it, we knew something was happening.

EARTHQUAKE!

Yep, Toronto (where I am) felt tremors. Apparently, there was a 5.0 magnitude earthquake close to Canada's capital, Ottawa and the quake was felt in Ontario, Quebec and parts of northern US.

Eeek! Pretty scary stuff.

What's even scarier is that almost within minutes, people were online hawking t-shirts, buttons and other "memorabilia" centred around "Canada's 2010 earthquake". I think it's really silly (and kind of stupid and tempting fate) to buy anything that says you survived a 2010 earthquake when there's still over 6 months left in 2010, don't you?

star sign rings - update 3

What's your sign again?

I still haven't been able to find any more of these stunning vintage intaglios, so I can definitely say that these rings are VERY rare and unique. As I've mentioned on this blog before, I only made 2 of each symbol and unless I can uncover more intaglios (and it doesn't look good), this will be it. Many of the zodiac signs are already sold out, so get yours before it's too late!

Here's an update on what's available:
Aries - 1 available
Taurus - SOLD OUT
Gemini - 1 available
Cancer - SOLD OUT
Leo - SOLD OUT
Virgo - SOLD OUT
Libra - SOLD OUT
Scorpio - 1 available
Sagittarius - SOLD OUT
Capricorn - 1 available
Aquarius - 2 available
Pisces - 2 available

milestones

I love hitting milestones. It's the same with goals - hitting milestones makes me feel proud, like I've really accomplished something.

So I'm pretty excited to share some awesome milestones my little Etsy shop has hit and will be hitting (hopefully) soon!

- last week pandacub passed 500 feedbacks (all positive)
- the shop is 6 shop hearts away from 1,000
- the shop is only 2 sales away from 450

I'm pretty excited about these numbers, as they are far more than I had every thought I could hit when I first started my little shop. Once I hit 1,000 hearts and 450 sales - I'm holding a contest!

UPDATE (June 16, 2010): I hit 450 sales! Whoo-hoo! I'm also at 999 hearts, so one more shop heart and there will be a contest! :)

pandacub shops local in...paris, france

Wow, I haven't don't a "pandacub shops local in..." feature in months! I had so much fun "shopping local" in Ireland last time that this time I stayed in Europe and headed to Paris.

In a city known for it's romance and it's good taste (in fashion and in food), I knew I'd find some great Etsy sellers here!

So now that pandacub has checked out Etsy sellers in Paris - where should I "shop local" next? (Check out all the posts under "pandacub shops local" to see where else I've been!)

Left to right:
Top row:
1. Original abstract painting,acrylic on canvas 27,6 high x 59,1 wide in inches - One of a kind, $300.00 by nataera
2. Lola swings...knitting canvas, $45.00 by okapiknits
3. Floral strapless Dress with Bow - black red and blue vintage cotton - OOAK, $235.00 by malam

Middle row:
4. Parisian Beatnik Girl, $15.00 by sunnybuick
5. Deep water... Something blue, $159.00 by MaryzAigredou
6. Croissants and Pains au Chocolat - 1/12 miniature, $30.00 by PetitPlat

Bottom row:
7. France (Bordelais), $40.00 by GoldenCathy
8. Valentina Gown, $300.00 by HMSlatex
9. CLAUDE Shoulder bag Charcoal Grey in Gray Leaves with double straps, $54.00 by ikabags

go sock monkey!

A few years ago, I met a really warm and friendly gal named Lindsey at a craft show that we were both vendors at. It was my first time selling pandacub accessories at a show and Lindsey, who was my "neighbour" in the display area was super friendly and chatty and made me feel right at home.

Lindsey runs Operation Sock Monkey, an initiative that supports Clowns Without Borders South Africa (CWBSA). CWBSA is an amazing organization that provides laughter, hope and healing to communities affected by HIV/AIDS.
Operation Sock Monkey (OSM) raises funds by creating sock monkeys. You can either purchase sock monkeys for yourself, or sponsor them to be sent to children who are in need of a smile. OSM also regularly hosts sock monkey workshops and teaches others to create these whimsical little bundles of joy (below is my little Sock Elephant from Lindsey).


Anyhow, I've always wanted to support OSM in some way, but lack the sewing ability and time to create my own army of sock creatures, so I've come up with a small way in which pandacub (and you!) can help OSM. I've always had these adorable sock monkey brooches in my shop, but now, every sock monkey brooch purchased will be helping OSM.

Every time someone buys a sock monkey brooch from pandacub, I will donate $1.50 to OSM (which is 50% of the selling price of the brooch). I'm hoping that with your help, we can help OSM and CWBSA continue to bring smiles and laughter to children who are in much need of it.

There will be lots of new sock monkey brooches appearing in the pandacub shop soon (so far, they are available on a red background, but coming soon will be blue and yellow backgrounds), so please, for a few dollars - help me support OSM and the awesome work that they do!