Indie clothing, indie lifestyle and indie fashion

So, how was your Christmas and New Year’s celebrations? Hope you had a good time with your family and friends.

I spent mine surfing on the web for cheap car insurance and other good online shopping deals at Novica. This is one site where I can find lots of nice handmade jewelry from artisans from all over the world. Even though it’s hard to resist the little blue box and white ribbon, I still find handmade gemstone jewelry appealing and attractive. As personal as they can be, it has more character than the mass produced designer ones you get in the malls and popular stores. Then again, it’s all about your personal preferences and likes. In any case, it’s always nice to go indie this new year.

I didn’t know that the weight loss pills industry is so big here in Asia until I started to see so many advertisements in magazines and billboards. This Christmas, these companies are offering special packages to those who are after a slimmer and slender body.

This morning was a good break when I managed to shop for some new gem jewelry by Brenda Cheah in Takashimaya before heading for the salon. Brenda is very creative in combining different gems and semi precious stones together. She sure has a way to give those simple gems a contemporary and classy look without overpowering the person wearing it. I’ve always love gemstones especially those orange corals and oriental jade. If you like artisan jewelry like me, shop online at NOVICA – Handmade Artisan Jewelry from Around the World.

Those who love metal jewelry or who like to work with metals can now visit Etsy Metal (http://etsymetal.com/) directly instead of searching in Etsy’s large directory of indie artists and designers. Being a designer myself, I support handmade products and original artwork and designs. If only I have the time, I would love to work on more crafts and metals like what I used to do before.

tree bark ring by Beth Cyr Jewelry – organic/metal

I used to be crazy about creating my own metal jewelry like how those bodybuilders get crazy over legal steroids. I recalled making my own wedding tiara with swarokski crystals and pearls, it was inspiring! Hopefully one day I can learn more about metal working techniques and create more indie designs and turn them into handmade gifts.

Shopping for a woman has never been more fun and satisfying since the emergence of online technology. As a work at home mom, online shopping saves me lots of time and money too – no more traffic jams, parking problems, waiting in the queue, searching for specific products in a big mall/store and no worries about fuel consumption!

Whether it’s apparel or jewelry shopping, I’ve done it all and still loving it. I appreciate well designed online stores where I can find a wide range of products organized in proper categories and simplify my navigation process. If you are shopping for diamond jewelry, engagement rings, diamond pendants, gemstone necklaces, diamond earrings, you ought to check out MyJewelryBox.com. The site design is very neat and elegant with an user-friendly interface that enables shoppers to find their jewelry in their respective categories.

You can choose to shop by product, by material or by price and to make things easier, the different line of products can also be found at the top navigation bar. What I like most are the photos of the jewelry. They are very well photographed and clearly represented with detailed description, selling price, retail value and the savings for each item.

Personally, I find the princess cut diamond solitaire ring very irresistible. Valued at close to $12K, I am shocked that a 1 carat princess cut diamond set in 18 karat white gold is available at $3,495! Now I have to find an excuse to add that to my diamond rings collection Diamonds, pearls, gemstones, gold, silver and even Murano glass, this online store has everything for today’s modern women.

I haven’t been around in Mintd.com much lately. There is so much to do at work and online browsing and shopping is more than a luxury now for now. I’ve been thinking about getting a pocket watch for a good friend’s upcoming birthday but stumbled upon this sweet and unique turquoise pendant instead.

This is a handmade pendant using wire crochet and weaving techniques. Turquoise chip-beads are added to color and contrast the silver. Ladies with a spirited personality and a passion for an ‘unplugged’ look will find this bold piece endearing.

It’s another cool discovery from dawanda.com, one of my favourite indie marketplaces. Designed and handmade by Chocolate and Steel, this beautiful pendant and necklace was inspired by the view outside her window. Like me, designer Christine loves seeing all of the new Spring growth cos that’s a symbol of new life.

Her designs usually reflect alot of what she sees outdoors as she enjoys her time with her boy – birds, butterflies, rain, flowers, grass, sky…. so why the name Chocolate and Steel? This is because it combines opposites…organic and industrial, soft and hard, sweet and bitter and that is what she tries to do in her work. Christine loves to combine materials and subjects in unexpected ways. Actually, I would love to consider using some of her lovely jewelry as promotional products for our corporate clients.