Upcoming How-to Series

I'm always addicted to Japanese fashion magazines. Different from American's, the Japs know really what everyday woman wants. Yes we love fashion photography and skinny models. But we love more how to make us look like them.

That's why I'm going to bring to you the how-to series. Premiering on my blog in Sept, it will be a combination of what you will normally find in Japanese fashion magazines (yes, it's not available everywhere in US, and they are expensive. Not to say you don't read Japanese I bet), tips from other bloggers, and my experiments on matching accessaories with your face and your outfit.

So don't miss it! The first one will be about getting that great "effortless" look with the right makeup :D

Looking for a makeover? Here's a guide for you.

If you are looking for a makeover but hesitating, and wishing that you can see how you will look like ahead of time? Instyle has a good tool for you.

Try out the Makeover tool on the instyle.com website.

You can either upload your pic, or find a model from the list that most ressembles yourself, add or reduce weight on her, then put on different celebrity hairstyle, try on various types of makeup...

Here's what I want for myself next (well that's not me in the photo though)...

BTW, don't forget about the buy-one-get-one free offer this weekend (8/29 - 8/30 only!) at my store:

http://nikisha.etsy.com

Sneak Peek - New Macrame Bracelet

A sneak peek into my next macrame jewelry! This is the 5th piece in my collection. Continuing with the concept of combining foundamental macrame techniques with metal threads to create contemporary fashion jewelry, this new piece that is titled "Sea Waves" and is a matching bracelet for my earlier necklace "Pink Mentos".

The key technique I used here is called a diagonal double half-hitch knots. The pinkish beige beads used are Japan made glass beads which are more uniform in size and has a pearl sheen with a blurish reflection. The contrasting shapes of the rectangular beads and the soft curves of the macrame create more interesting pattern. And the combination of metal and non-metal threads provides a subtle change in shine along the bracelet.

It will end on the other side with a "pink mento" button to match with the necklace.

The new bracelet will premiere in my store this weekend. So take advantage of the BOGO promotion this weekend. Or subscribe to my blog and get a 30% off any ONE item in my store if you miss the BOGO offer!*


*Cannot be combined. Subscription offer applies to product listing price and does not apply to shipping costs.

BOGO Promotion this weekend!

If you are an Etsian you'll know that this weekend is the BOGO (buy-one-get-one-free)week! This is a long week for myself and everyone around me so an exciting discount helps hopefully ;)

Despite that most likely I will not be featured in Etsy Finds, I'll be promoting this among friends here. My offer starts Sat 8/19 midnight. And here's the detail:

The Offer:
If your total order is $100 or more, you'll get a pair of earrings of your choice for free.

Note:
The earrings chosen cannot be part of the $100 purchase. Shipping is not included in the $100 value. Cannot be combined with other offers.

How to Redeem:
Convo at check out which earring is selected and I'll add it into the order when shipped. Offer starts at midnight on Aug 29 and ends 11:59pm on Aug 30 standard eastern time US. Make sure to put in your order within this peroid.

Any question, feel free to convo me :)

Happy shopping and smile :D

I just got featured in a treasury!!

This is a day to celebrate! My Ophelia Earrings are featured on treasury. This is my first feature and I'm so excited about it. Thank you very much to a fellow jewelry designer IsMoreNa. She does some amazing crochet jewelries. Check out her store on Etsy.

Addition to the Macrame Collection - Earrings

As you probably have read from my earlier posts, I'm quite captivated by macrame recently. I have launched my first macrame necklaces and now here are the matching earrings.



These earrings are made with a knot called Half Hitch. It creates a ridge and if tied with a string, it will also twist like the Half Knot Sennit. This one you see in gold was an inspiration I got from my last trip to Denver. One of my clients is wearing a pair of gold loop earrings with a similar effect but made out of wires and metal. I thought how cool it is if you can make it with macrame, an old technique that has survived through times passed down from tribes!

This one is called the "Ring of Stars" and will be posted to my etsy store on Monday 8/24. You can see the matching necklace, "Belt of Stars" here.



I also have a green version called, "Green Moonlight". And it's matching necklace is here.

Trendspotting!! Fall/Winter 09

My great pal - ShopGirl - who runs the fashion blog "Breeze in Paris" has recently posted a few great new trends for Fall/Winter 2009.

Overall, looks like the fashion world is going BOLD and EXTREME this coming season in contrast to the gloomy economic environment.

With her consent, I have summarized into the excerpt below and if you want to read more, visit her blog at http://breezeinparis.blogspot.com/


Overview

"New fall collection is all over town in Paris. All have one thing in common: Asymmetrical cuts & layers...Layers, flowy cuts...Remember proportion is the key...We have 2 other extreme trends that will hit the fashion streets this year: Bohemian, and Rocker Chick: Leather."

Colors

"Classic winter black, grey, white, and fire-engine red, with plaid being a very popular fabric pattern this time around...This winter, on top of the classic winter colors I have mentioned before, we're going to discover a relatively more colorful winter fashion than ever! One of the reasons is to hopefully spark some hopeful positive spirit in us in this slowly recovering recession."

Accessories

"The use of metals, steel pieces is a necessity in the jewelery trend...This year's accessory trend is "extremely" bold in styles, structure, and colors...The use of materials is vast and creative, often with complicated designs and combination of big and small pieces...Turning a piece of accessory into the star of the show, the spotlight of the entire ensemble."