Tutorial: DIY Painted Belt!

I did this video tutorial as a submission for ModCloth's DIY Boss Contest-- it's my first time shooting a video tutorial, and I had a lot of fun! That, and my back ached like a crazy old man by the end of the session. Well ok to be fair, mostly due to the DIY camera rig I constructed haha.

Here are some behind-the-scenes pictures

All shot in natural daylight-- the best kind of lighting! I was rushing to get all the shots before the sun went down.

I prepared a very rough storyboard so I had all the steps visually planned out, so that I would not waste time thinking on the spot (something I learnt from helping Lobak with his production of wedding short films).

To keep the camera on a lock shot, I disassembled one of our Ikea shelf/trolley thingies and made a rig for the camera. Love you, Ikea!

My nail polish stash. My favorites are actually IN2IT because the texture is not too thick, but I love the colors of the OPI Minis that my mother-in-law gave to me for Christmas-- it's the Nicki Minaj collection heheh. Thanks to Mel and Jean, I love Face Shop's line too, because of the texture and wide range of colors.

I'm not sure if I've mentioned it here before, but I have a weakness for belts. Whether they are new or thrifted or handmade, from a retail store or a night market, I. LOVE. THEM! Any belt lovers here? :P

The whole video was shot on my Samsung NX10, a camera that I absolutely ADORE. I bought it during a clearance discount I chanced upon (wouldn't have been able to afford it at full price), and I don't think I've ever loved a camera this much. I chose a 30mm pancake lens for the bokeh because I absolutely love bokeh. I know, I'm loving so many things on this post LOL. Most of my recent pictures in this blog were taken by my NX10.

The video was edited in iMovie, and the music was composed on Garage Band (my other music projects can be found here). 

Editing took the longest time for me (and an extra cup of coffee), but it's also something I'm consciously trying to improve on. I think I really enjoyed this video tutorial because it's a combination of everything that I love: photography, music, fashion and art. 

FINALLY! You made it to the end of the post! Haha. Ok here's the video, let me know if you like it!

p/s: Hello new readers! My blog is now at http://chingmakesthings.blogspot.com :)

Tutorial: A different kinda bow

My dad celebrated his 68th birthday yesterday! Happy birthday pa! <3 

My dad will always be young at heart, and that's what I love about him. I hope that when I get to that age I will still be able to laugh heartily and make silly jokes like he is still doing now :D

We brought him a small gift yesterday, and for the first time in my life I tied a ribbon differently on a present. I think I saw this technique on Weibo, and it's pretty neat, so I thought I'd share it with you too. It's super easy!

Told you it was easy :) Depending on the width of your ribbon, once you've tied the bow you can slide the whole bow lower (like I did with my dad's present). 

I'm off to finish some work now, but meanwhile, some fresh colour block asymmetrical clutches have been added to the shop. I'm glad colour-blocking is back this Spring, all those colors do make me happyyyyy!

Color block clutches @ L.A.R.K

Til the next one, tardytartar!

p/s: Yes I spelled color the American way and the British way. Sigh... decisions, decisions.

Excited, nervous, but I guess mostly excited! Ok maybe more of nervous.

Check out the new collection @ L.A.R.K

Hello new followers! Thank you for following my blog! \ :D /

I've been keeping busy with the Etsy shop. Am going to send off something to France tomorrow, how exciting it is to be writing an authentic French address on an envelope! (cheap thrills haha) I haven't been getting a lot of sales online (some of the sales are offline sales)-- if anyone has any tips for promoting and marketing an Etsy shop, do leave a comment, I'd appreciate it heaps.

Listed some new faux leather jewelry today. Had so much fun making them. I really do love the burst of colours and shapes!

Speaking of jewelry, I have an appointment coming up to meet with a retailer. It's my first time meeting a retailer and letting them have a look at my jewelry, and frankly I am quite nervous. I will be bringing key pieces from the faux leather collection, as well as my portfolio (photographs of other jewelry that I've done throughout the years). It did cross my mind to cancel the appointment and chicken out because of the fear of rejection, but HEY! Why am I being such a wuss? So I shook myself a bit (mentally) and slapped myself (mentally) and vowed to put my best foot forward and just DO IT. After all, if anything, it would be nice to have that experience of meeting with a retailer-- another new thing to learn in my lifetime.

I recently bought a domain (I think it happened at 4am, and no I wasn't drunk lol) and am going to start my own online store in the next few months. First, I've got to continue building the inventory... The current plan is to sell a mix of ready-to-wear, digital sewing patterns, as well as handmade jewelry and possibly some items for the home too.

Meanwhile, the husband and I are also planning for our home renovation. Been putting it off for way too long :-S  My mom and I are going to embark on some reupholstery projects, SO EXCITED! We have a lot of great old sturdy furniture in this house that have been here for 25 years... My late mom-in-law picked them and she's got good taste. (Sidetrack: My father-in-law said when they both got married and bought this house, they only had enough money for one sofa, so the house was pretty empty for quite some time. That story still makes me smile because it's pretty romantic.) I've never really worked with furniture before, so this chance to refurbish some pieces is terribly exciting that I keep using the word excited. Heh.

I will be posting up a tutorial soon, and this time it's something for the home! Come back soon ok! :D

/waves


p/s: Oh! I'm having a giveaway again :D Superrrr easy. Just "Like" L.A.R.K on Facebook and you'll be automatically entered into the lucky draw for this Mini Monolith ring inspired by the ancient pyramids. Ends March 15, 2012, so do spread the word!

Fresh from the ovenna: Handcut pleather accessories

I had so much fun making these! Cutting the individual strips were a pain and assembling them together was time consuming. I think I shall take a break from jewelry-making and get back into sewing :-) .... although err, I'm really not sure if I can do it.. my mind's constantly thinking of accessories to make, even when I'm in bed! *_*

Accessories available at my Etsy store L.A.R.K