monster usb

this week i had to transfer a huge file over to a printer for my client's project. due to the file size, the file transfer via ftp failed, so i had to send dvds (3!) to the printer. now, i was thinking it's probably more environmentally friendly to send them USB and have them send it back to me, or send it to my client? they are reusable and can be adorable as the one in the image above. the question is when are they going to make one as cost effective as dvds?

happy friday!

sometime a break is definately needed.

i'm in the middle of product development right now. at times i wish i have a little creative spirit next to me and not only feed me with inspiration after inspiration, but also helping me with execution part of it. what to do when you have all the inspirations in the world, but it haven't been executed or produced as well as you want?

that's the case last weekend. i have been working -almost- non stop since october of last year with very little rest. last week was my breaking point, i experienced the worst block of my designing experience and now still trying to work through it this week. usually when i get blocked, i plowed through it. this time, it was so bad, i rather work on spread sheets than designing! then, i decided to go to bazaar bizzare at the new people building in san francisco, to help my creative juices running. the event was really good, and the new people building didn't dissapoint. i just had to get 2 most adorable things there, a cuddly fat frog from wool buddy and mini figurine from mrdeadfish (picture above) to add to the nick nack i have on my working table.  i specially enjoy the art in between the floor when you take the stairs, as well as mikito ozeki, a japanese paper cut out artist with installation at the superfrog gallery.

well, this should get me going and craving to design, as looking at different artists usually make me do. but this time it didn't. then i found my source of my block. it's the endless lists that i made in my head. even after i wrote them down, they lingered and added on. so knowing that, i'm taking a break for a few days and be back to the grind on monday. 'there's no glory in working oneself to death, sometime a little break and pampering for oneself is needed.' i repeat this sentence over and over so i don't feel guilty of not getting everything on my todo list done. and another saying that i love 'when feeling overwhelmed, diligently do what's in front of you. after a while, things will be done before you realize it. of course, take a meal break once an a while and enjoy it.'

so have a good weekend all! hope you get your rest!

it's a good thing all around.

It isn't only valentine this weekend, but also chinese new year. I love new years, especially this one since there are many meanings behind the festivities. Here are the things that remind me of them, by way of etsy. have a prosperous and wonderful year of the tiger!

images: (fr top to bottom, right to left) flower brooch or pin by tago design, popmat placements-banguet by publiqueshop, chicken dumpling by lasso the moon, dumpling coin pouch with zipper by capri's handmade, delicious feeling by helen dardik, little fish pieces by little sappling toys. 

Sneak peak

3 sweethearts postcards coming this summer. my intention for these postcards are for everyday. however,  i was inspired by the feeling of valentine day that's coming. this is what i thought the feeling of love should be, from the heart and then flying outwardly like fireworks!

have a wonderful weekend!

ahh i found her!

Sanna Annuka. I found this wall hanging art randomly a few days ago without knowing who the artist was. And while browsing this blog, the coffee tins above tickled my fancy. Turned out she's the artist of the wall hanging  art that i've been admiring. Ahh the beauty of technology.

let there be... muffin?

today marks the exact day when i went to get the business license, and made the studio all official. so i've decided that today is the studio's anniversary. for me, anniversaries and birthdays are important. it gives me a reason to stop for a minute, look back, and pat myself on the back. with a young company, always in a time crunch and trying to catch up, this is a true luxury. 

also, i'd liket to say thank you for all of your support. this year, i've received a 900+ fans on my facebook page, opened up shop, and started this blog. of course, in between, i've designed and produced series of items. so i think today i will sit down, and have a cocoa hazelnut banana muffins to enjoy the hour. then back to the grind. there are many things that didn't go through last year, and many things planned for this year. as always, i'm looking ahead with a bit less of a naivete and a bit more optimism.

happy friday!

image: courtesy of here.

my obsession

top image is taken from the anime bokura ga ita (we were there) by yuki obata. middle image is taken from hachimitsu to kuroba (honey and clover) by chika umino. and lastly, bottom image, (and my most obsessed with) is taken from NANA by (my most favorite manga author) ai yazawa.

all three animes and mangas that pushes me to think and design better.

on that note, i've been itching to stop by NEW PEOPLE, a 3 story japanese experience where they have a rotating art show, in san francisco japantown. with projects piling up, having one of delica's bento sounds like a brilliant idea.

happy friday! ^^

cuteness overload

i just got back from my supposedly vacation turned to a whirlwind trip to asia for a week. while the jet lag is still here, i can't wait to share with y'all cuteness overload i found on my trip. so enjoy, and have a good long weekend.

announcement: etsy store will close indefinitely. right now i'm concentrating on separating the shops to 2 distinct shops. my direct shop is currently open, and this is where you find more stationery items. my goal is to turn etsy store to be a more of my experimental handmade limited edition items kind of store. more announcement will be made when the store re-opened. you can still convo with me via etsy.

images: top: heart donut from dunkin donut. snapped at incheon airport. middle: from prints singapore. bottom: from artbox, korean based stationery company. link is for their uk online store. 

the last remnants of 2009

Let's talk shop!

The 2010 calendar will be discontinued on January 15th. Without a discount, it's still a bargain! All of 2009 Holiday cards will be pulled from the etsy store as well as the shop on January 15th also.

I have added a special section on shipping at the shop.175designstudio for an easy single stop to find information on when the purchased items will be shipped, as well as order announcements.

Lastly, I'm taking a much needed break on January 5th to January 17th after a flurry of studio and shop related activities during the last 2 months. Etsy store as well as shop.175designstudio will be open during this time. All order placed on these dates will receive free standard domestic and international shipping.

The new year has started off with a bang for me. Hope it's the same for you!

positive outlook

This image feels like the right attitude toward new year, positive with lots of love with music on.

Image: by Andrew Bannerker.

happy holidays

i'm off until after the holidays. in the mean time, here's the marvel of origami by chris palmer, origami artist from chicago. i found him while watching this on PBS last night.

happy holidays!

late post... colorful life

ok, so this post is pretty late. i was busy out of the office today, and has to rush home to upload images for poppytalk handmade. i'll send link on monday for my 'table'. pretty excited about this. cross my finger, this may be a good marketing for the studio! this blog is #7 in 50 of the world best design blog by times online. so... what does that mean to me? more exposure of course.

so to close the weekend, i usually like to post food things. but today i still feel very colorful and in a non food color way. then i found this fun photo on flicker via one of my favorite photographer.  but, let's not break the tradition, and here's Chocolate Torte, Caramel Ice Cream and Chocolate Shorbet from Tartlette, the place where i always go to find wonderful recipes with equally beautiful pictures.

happy weekend all!

a bit of red a bit of blue

i'm ready to move on from christmas reds to winter blues right now. and lately, i'm attracted brighter non pastel colors.

image credits: top: heart by ban.do, middle: work by anu tuominen found via here. bottom: mandala series by studio MIKMIK, can be purchased here.

Greetings!

for last minute e- greeting, you can download the image above and attached it in your email. please only for your own personal use, and not for profit. please also credit me when you're using it.

to do so: click on image, then right click to download image.

enjoy!

Holiday Promo

a couple of weeks ago, postcards were sent to the people on my mailing list. what supposedly a simple project, made complicated by my printer refusing to cooperate. i blamed it on the sometime cool and wet, sometime dry weather, making all the papers funky. but, all's done, and now i'm in the middle of other projects. and this what i love to make me warm (inside and out) while working.

happy friday all!

things i want

a nice sureal bath and nice cup of tea. both can be found here.

curl up and read

it's been really cold where i am, i'd love to take a break and curl up with a good book. this past summer, penguin has republished its classics with wonderful book jackets designed by Ruben Toledo. while one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but isn't it wonderful when the cover is just as fabulous as the words inside? i especially love the pride and prejudice cover, and it is my favorite book of all time.

christmas and things

some of my fav things for xmas:

1. ornaments.

2. cookies. while i do make cookies from time to time, but i love them specially from this store.

3. mittens and gloves.

4. last but not least... of course, charlie brown.

image is from my wedding album taken by this talented photographer.

happy friday!

and we're thankful.

the holiday season is here. eventhough it feels like it's been here since september, but now this is the time. to start things up, it's time for home made yumminess. if you're not the kind who makes things at home, some delivery can be as good.

here's a little lists of things i'm thankful for:
1. the young studio store and shop  (and all the people who has helped to make this happen)
2. chilly beautiful weather
3. the smell of pumpkin
4. holiday teas
5. and most of all, i'm thankful for my family.

this will be the only post this week.
hopefully i'll be able post new items (that should come in soon) next week.

stay warm!

hem... doughnut...

thanksgiving is literally around the corner. and pumpkin has been in my head since the beginning of autumn. this doughnut recipe is a great alternatives for dessert after a day of heavy meal. but then again, there's nothing wrong with a great  traditional pie.

image is from here.

-have a happy weekend!