Hong Kong Chronicles: Food & a Giveaway

I can't help it. This sign just makes me laugh. Before I write any further, I need to make it clear that I love my adopted home in Hong Kong. I have many good friends, I eat the food, I'm getting used to life here. However, I just love this sign because it describes an issue that has been rattling around in my mind over the differences in food culture. I grew up thinking food should beckon you to the table, make your mouth salivate, and your stomach grumble in anticipation. Here, people put doors on their kitchens so they don't have to smell their neighbor's food. Food that makes you think of feet and encourages you to close doors just seems...well...different. (I had noticed my sense of humor seemed to be on a bit of a holiday, but it came back with this sign.)

Polymer Clay Pendant & Brooches Giveaway

And on to other matters. I'm finally finding my voice with polymer clay and have items that I think are nearly worthy of ownership by other people. I made one pendant and several brooches. I decided to give these away because I need people to test them for durability. I don't want to send my polymer babies into the world if there are going to be issues. So, this giveaway is calling for testers to claim the pieces, wear them, and report back on any durability issues. If there are, I will replace it with something similar (I'm not re-creating the exact same piece...blending clay makes every pieces unique). They seem to feel like they would go well with a Mad Hatter's Tea Party with the whimsy and color.

To claim your piece, please comment on my blog and let me know which one you desire. It will be first come first served.

#1) Sunshine Carnival Pendant

#2) My Heart is Full of Color Brooch

#3) Whimsical Purple Geometry Lesson Brooch

#4) Green Serenity and a Colorful Outlook Brooch

#5) Autumn in the Abstract Brooch

#6) Orange Sherbet Heart Brooch

#7) Orange Abstract Brooch

Hong Kong Chronicles: Light

I have been living in my flat for nine months and I still fall in love with my view every day. This was the lighting outside before a big storm rolled in. I love the slate gray and the glow. Reminds me of Labradorite.

I'm experimenting with some lighting. I still don't have it right yet, but I'm moving in a direction I like. These earrings turned out beautifully, though. I have created a few variations, but these are beautiful for everyday earrings or dressing up for a special evening. They are in sterling silver and small 3mm teal Swarovski crystal. About 1.25" in length.

Hong Kong Chronicles: Happy Feet

Eighteen months and 30 pairs of shoes later, I have found My Ideal Shoe for Hong Kong.


The 18 months is in migraine time. If I didn't have chronic migraines, I might have found these shoes in 6 months. Ah, well. I've found them now.

I saw a billboard advertisement for Geox shoes that said, "Geox breathes." I bought a pair of the Geox shoes three months ago when yet another pair of my shoes wore out. Three months later, they are holding up fantastically. They look as new as the day I bought them. They do breathe better than normal shoes, which is tremendously helpful in humid Hong Kong. They did need a little breaking in, since they are leather, but with gel cushions, I have been able to wear these babies all over and walk with very, very happy feet. They are a little pricey (I think about $125) but for the wear I've been able to get with the first pair, it's worth the investment.

I had a brief period of life (maybe 5 years) as a shoe fashionista. That era ended with my arrival in Hong Kong. I have attempted some 2-inch heels. My feet were not happy. With all the walking I do here, all heels have been banished in favor of comfortable, durable flats. Geox offer some cute styles in flats. And I'm very happy to find shoes that I can buy in shops near where I work. Yay! No more shipping from the US shoes that were probably made in China. It's beginning to feel like home!

Studio Time: Mad Hatter Earrings and Pendant

Hi, Chickadees - I've been fearfully absent from the blog, but the good news is that I'm getting more organized and streamlined. I hope the trend continues...I keep seeming to run across situations that change my home organization...anyway...

These pieces are still a little messy (and therefore being kept for continued testing purposes), but I liked the quirky feel of the pendant and earrings.



I threw in a riot of colors in tiny dots to make it more interesting. Quirky. Just like the Mad Hatter.



Thank you, Mandy, Sue, Lori, and Shaiha for checking in and commenting even though I've been pretty absent lately. I appreciate your support! Lori - if you like those earrings, I can do more of the little teardrops if you would like. Just let me know the colors! Same goes for anyone who sees anything I'm doing.

Take care for now! Will try to post before three weeks go by.

Studio Time: Polymer Clay Progress

Hello, Blogland! I am making a brief appearance. I am hoping it will be more frequent, but who knows. I have been suffering from a case of the "blehs" after traveling. I always seem to suffer from the "blehs" after traveling.

Bleh = (adj.) the state between blah and functional human being

No, it's not a full-blown case of the "blahs". Just...bleh. I sometimes am able to return home and take care of everything instantly (wash, put the clean laundry away, put the suitcases way). And then there are the other times where it takes me weeks to return to the normal life rhythm. I know it sounds bad, but this is a reason I don't like travel. I'm really caught up for a while. Then I travel and I'm playing catch-up for weeks. That and I don't like being folded in half in a seat in a cramped space. I'm sure chronic health problems play into that feeling...

But, we've had some fabulous weather in Hong Kong. Usually the two seasons are cold and damp and hot and humid. This year, we had a spring...an actual spring! From the years I've been traveling here and experiences I've heard from my friends, it's been a rather nice spring. I've actually had a few days where it was pleasant to be outside and I wasn't melting into a pool. And on top of that, we finally had sunshine! Imagine that...comfortable temperatures and sunshine!

The latest in my polymer progression.



I love what you can do with scrap. I tried a few more versions of this, but I think I may need to invest in a "real" toaster oven. This one seems to heat up quite a bit and bubble up my clay. Then again, I've been noticing it bubbles more easily on thin pieces. I'm sure there are ways around that. The spectacular part about polymer is how fabulously light it is, especially on the ears, even for large pieces like the ones below.



I want to make sure my polymer clay "children" are well behaved before I release them into the wild... A little more testing and practice. Then we'll start working on the shop again!