Happy New Year!

Happy New Year according to the solar calendar. Chinese New Year will be on Feb 18th. It will be the Year of the Pig. I must dig up and tell you what is the exact year according to the lunar calendar. Last I looked we were over 4,000!

NOTE: Image is from http://chineseculture.about.com/library/symbol/blcch.htm

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Szechuan Flavor Neckwear

I came across this cute Scarf Knitting Kit tonight. I love the packaging and clever names. Available in Lychee (blue), Green Pepper (green), Black Bean (black), and Sweet & Sour (purple). The yarn is packaged in a Chinese Take-Out boxes and comes with 14" bamboo knitting needles & instruction booklet, all the ingredients you need to create a scarf.
I searched online and you can purchase the kits at Uncommon Goods, Amazon, and Modern Artisans, but not all of the stores have all of the flavors in stock.

Angela of Angela Tong Designs

Looking For Sales?

A Planet 4 Creation is having 50% off the site (except sale, Breast Cancer Awareness and club items)! Use the code "BDS50". Sale ends today Dec 29th!

Dear Monday holiday cards are on sale $3.50 (regular $5). Sale ends Jan 31st!

SixOneSix has year end sale going on! We featured them here. Some of the featured items are on sale.

Sweet Pea Handcrafts is also having a after Christmas sale. Some of the items we featured here are on sale!

Happy Shopping!!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Pencil, paper, notebook, eraser

When I was a kid, my favorite store was the Sanrio
store (of Hello Kitty fame). I loved Hello Kitty and my
older brother was a big fan of Tuxedo Sam. I loved how
the Japanese took licensing to an extreme where I could
get Hello Kitty stickers, erasers, mechanical pencils,
pencil lead cases, notepads, even waste paper baskets.

Now that I'm grown, my tastes have matured thought
I still love stationery products and would own more
paper, pens, pencils, tape, erasers than I could ever
use in a lifetime if I had the money and the space. I
love Japanese stationery import stores with a passion.
There are several here in the Bay Area. Maido Stationery
and Gifts is located in San Jose, Palo Alto, and in the
new San Francisco Shopping Center in Union Square.
Kinonkuniya in San Jose and San Francisco also has a
similar selection of stationery as well as the crazy
amount of Japanese books that are awesome. (Check
out their craft book section.)

In these stores, you can find stationery like beautiful
notebooks and greeting cards to a wide selection of
Yuzen silkscreen paper and other Japanese decorative
papers to an array of incense and incense holders. I
could spend hours here pouring through the crazy
amount of products. It's definitely the candy store
for the stationery-obsessed.

Herman Yu: 2007 Calendar

I've been a fan of Herman Yu paper products for their serene
and beautiful nature abstracts. Now would be a great time to
prepare 2007 with a gorgeous calendar filled with her
nature-inspired images. The online shop seems to be in the
works, but you can find the calendars at the stores listed
on their website.

I did a bit of googling, and here are a few places you can
purchase the 2007 Herman Yu calendars:
KenKnight.com
Rose & Radish
Relish

Wishing everyone a healthy and happy new year!! :)
~Dai from Dear Monday

Poketo Wallets

I first met Angie Myung at a craft show here in San Francisco and I swapped some earrings for one of her fabulous artist wallets. They are made of durable plastic and art prints from artists from all over the world! With a wide range of artists from Japan, Europe, the US, from all over, who specialize in all sorts of mediums, Poketo produces limited-run wallets that include a cute button (which you can keep as a collectible keepsake, since these wallets are meant to be used!). Truly stunning (and yes, they make some tshirts and bags, too!). Check them out at Pocketo.com.

Merry Christmas!

From all of us at Asian Buzz, we wish everyone a safe and
happy holidays!!

NOTE: Merry Christmas is from http://chineseculture.about.com/library/symbol/blcc.htm

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Christmas In China?

Yes, they do but for most its not the same as Christmas
in North America. Check out this neat link: http://www.jackiechankids.com/files/
Christmas_in_China.htm

Here is an old link from 2004 but neat pictures: http://www.china.org.cn/english/2004/
Dec/115622.htm

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Let's wrap it up

Perhaps what I love more than giving gifts is the act
of packaging and wrapping the gift up. Whenever she
received a gift, my late grandmother would admire the
package and meticulously unwrap it, delicately lifting
up the taped edges being careful not to rip it. (The paper
was then saved along with any ribbons or yarn it came
with in her closet to be used for another gift or for an
arts-and-crafts project for my brother and me.) As a
child watching her unwrap a present would sometimes
drive me crazy as this was not a fast process and the
anticipation of seeing what was inside almost killed
me. She must have taught my father this too because
he often still does this.

The Japanese place a high regard on beautifully
presented objects no matter what's inside. Even a
simple box of candy may very well be wrapped in
beautiful paper, adorned with a shiny sticker, or
embellished with mizuhiki cord or raffia. The gifts
I give this year may not be traditionally Japanese
in their wrappings, but I do try to make them look
pretty. With extra yarn (I have a knitting addiction)
I created pom-poms and tied them to all the gifts as
well as used yarn for the ribbon. And when I do use
ribbon, I stay away from curling ribbon and go for
the fabric ribbons like satin, grograin, and organza.
I save all ribbons I receive during the year and recycle
them on other projects or gifts. For wrapping paper
I used pretty pages from catalogs, brown paper
grocery bags, and tissue paper. Catalog and
magazine pages make for interesting wraps when
only a small portion is seen.

Here are some of the presents I'm giving this year.
In this small gift for my sister-in-law, I used the
pages from my Paper Source gift catalog. I
wrapped the gift using a diagonal furoshiki style:


Here is a tiny gift (set of hairclips) for my
daughter wrapped in lavender wrinkly tissue
paper with pink novelty yarn:


And a gift from my daughter for her uncle and
uncle's girlfriend wrapped in a grocery bag:


Need interesting ways to wrap your gifts?
Japan's government has a diagram of
suggested ways of wrapping:
http://www.env.go.jp/en/focus/attach/060403-5.html
Here is another resource:
http://www.shimojima.co.jp/English/wrapping/wrap00.htm

Happy Wrapping!

Warmly,
denise of akemi designs

Pink Olive Boutique

Looking for some unique gift ideas? Stop by Pink Olive Boutique!

How about this cute oink felt clip by giddy giddy $10.00? Remember that 2007 is the Year of the Pig!

How about this "sushi happy birthday" greeting card by cat fish greeting $6.00? I LOVE all things sushi.

How about this blue business card holder by you & i novelty $20? I've seen a similar one in an antique store and they are very nice in person!

NOTE: Images are from Pink Olive Boutique and used with permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

More Asian Models

Remember my post on Du Juan? Well in my lastest issue of Audrey, they mention a few more Asian models.

This is Hye Park. She is a 21 year old Korean American from Salt Lake City, UT.

This is Anne Watanabe. She is the daughter of Ken Watanabe of The Last Samurai fame.

This is Ai Tominaga. She is 25 years old and Japanese.

This is Ujjwala Raut. She was born in India and is 5' 10". This 28 year old is currently based in Paris.

This is Sonny Zhou. Sonny is 23 years old and is 6' tall! She was born in China and fluent in English.

NOTE: Images are from supermodels.nl and Fashion Model Directory

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Little Buddha Baby

I discovered Little Buddha Baby on as a banner ad on
The Daily Stroll. I had to check it out and its a great source
of all things Asian for the little ones.

Ling - Chinese & English Speaking Doll $39.95

(on sale $32.95). My oldest has a Ling doll

but her's doesn't speak. They also have a

Japanese and Korean speaking dolls!

Violet Sakura Blooms Wristlet $34.95 This under the for

moms categories. Personally I LOVE purple but here are

lots of other color choices!

Sushi Baby 4-Piece Set $45.95 The Sushi Baby Gift Set

from Best of Chums includes a long-sleeve tee, coordinated

leggings, a hat and pair of socks all decorated with yummy

sushi appliques and packaged in an aluminum "to go"

container. CUTE!!

NOTE: Images are from Little Buddha Baby and

used with permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Yukiko Sato New York

Joyce of Wanart introduced me to Yukiko Sato New York. Her
bags are very lovely and unique. Yukiko has been designing
most of her life. She uses ethnic fabric or fabrics that are
ethnic looking.

Katty TESAGE Tote Bag in Hanabi Tree *original print* $68

This bag reminds me of a warm fall day.

Chibi TESAGE Case (Zen Velvet Black w/o strap) $22

Machi TESAGE Tote Bag in Sun Mauve $58

NOTE: Images are from Yukiko Sato New York

and used with permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Keyka Lou

We feature one of Keyka Lou's back here but thought she
should get a bigger feature.

Cherry Blossom Business Card Case $16

The Littlest Birds Sing the Prettiest Songs $16

Cherry Blossom Mini Clutch $16

NOTE: Images are from Keyka Lou and used with

permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Survey Coming Soon!

We would LOVE to learn more about the readers of
Asian Buzz. We will be setting up a survey. Please take
5 minutes to answer the survey questions and you will
get a chance to win a prizes from A Planet 4 Creation,
Dear Monday and Akemi Designs!!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Uncommon Goods

Sorry no pictures for this post. I emailed Uncommon Goods
but they didn't get back to me with permission to use
their image.

They have some cute children's rice bowls. A lovely
Lotus Necklace. Perfect noodle bowls for noodle
monsters like me!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Kim Family support

I'm sure many of you are familiar with the Kim family,
their struggles and ultimate tragic ending to James
Kim. To support the family, Lisa Congdon of
birdinthehand.typepad.com and sister have set up
an online auction featuring the works of over 40
artists. 100% of the proceeds will go to the James
Kim Memorial fund. Stay tuned to the dedicated
website for more details.
http://kimfamilyauction.typepad.com/

To donate directly to the fund, visit:
http://www.jamesandkati.com/

Also, if any of you are in the Bay Area, please come
to the Relish At Home 2nd annual Holiday party
at their store tomorrow (Saturday) evening at 5pm.
10% of all sales will be donated to the James Kim
fund. I will be there, as will Mimie of Mi Spa.
I would love to see you all there!

Warmly,
denise of akemi designs

Ananda Khalsa

I can't remember where I first heard about Ananda Khalsa's
work but you won't forget it! Her work is beautiful!!

Koi Fish Suite, Necklace $225, Bracelet $214 and ring $178

Teardrop Lotuses with Pink Tourmalines: Necklace $210,

Earrings $208 and Ring $170

Chunky Moonblossom Necklace $266

NOTE: Images are from Ananda Khalsa and used

with permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Wanart

Michelle of Pitter Patter Creations mentioned Wanart
to me. The artwork looked familiar to me and then I
realized that I had seen it on China Sprout! Wanart
has some cute and beautiful items. Here are my
favorites!

Baby Gear To Go - Pig Bodysuit $24.00 or Bodysuit

& Bib Set $35.00 Joyce has all the Chinese Zodiac

animals available here. I picked the pig since 2007

will be the Year of the Pig!

Lunar Babies Tote Bags $21 Only the most popular

of the animals are available as tote bags (tiger,

rabbit, dragon, monkey, dog & pig). I LOVE the

monkey for my little monkey!

Lenticular Notepad - Ballet $12 My oldest would

LOVE this notepad. She is big into the ballet. The

cover features a figure that changes into three

different positions depending on the angle that

the cover is displayed.

Jellybeanz - Fortune Cat Notecard $2.95 for one or

$14.95 for eight. It is the cutest Maneki neko I have

seen!

Bamboo Collection Framed Print - Good Luck $25

I really like the simple but elegant design! Everyone

can use some more good luck.

NOTE: Images are from Wanart and used with

permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

INDIE*LICIOUS Holiday Bazaar

Where: MicroMuseum ® – 123 Smith Street, Cobble
Hill, Brooklyn, New York
When: Sunday, December 17th, 2006; 12pm – 5pm
Who: 20 Independent Designers – Jewelry, Clothing,
Housewares, Stationery, & More

INDIE*LICIOUS features NY’s hottest emerging
designers. Shoppers looking for a unique gift from
flirty clothing to kidswear to stationery won't go
wrong here, and you can chill in the lounge while
your gifts are wrapped on-site.

Featured designers:

•Mignonette (www.indiefashionista.com)
•Luka (www.lukadesigns.com)
•L2 by Lisa Levinthal
•It's By Erin (www.itsbyerin.com)
•Tider Design (www.tiderdesign.com)

…and a variety of New York’s most innovative apparel,
accessory, stationery, pottery, skincare, housewares,
and handbag designers.


Support local talent - buy Indie*Licious.
www.designleague.org


-Angela of Angela Tong Designs

Hello Kitty goes Bling!

The beloved Hello Kitty is going PLATINUM! For this
holiday season, Sanrio is putting out a one-of-a-kind
Hello Kitty figurine. The Hello Kitty figurine is made
out of Platinum and has seven gemstones on her bow
(rubies, pink sapphires and diamonds). She stands
2 1/4 inches high and weighs 21 lbs. Sanrio only made
one and it will be sold in Tokyo at the department
store, Mitsukoshi, for a mere asking price of $150,000.

Angela of Angela Tong Designs

Janet Jewelry

I first found out about Janet Jewelry back in 2005
when I was just starting out. There use to be a Crafty
Diva (I was suppose to be the Crafty Diva for Oct 2005
but the site is pretty much closed) on a site call Girl
Posse. Janet Jewelry was mention by one of the Crafty
Divas in her interview. I've been checking in on Janet
every once and a while through her store opening and
her having her little girl!

Here are my favorite pieces from Janet Jewelry:

Middle Kingdom Coin Necklace $207 It comes with

your choice of 2mm or 3mm cord thickness and your

choice of 14.5", 16", 18" or 20" length cord.

Origami Tsuru Necklace $58 (on sale $52.20) You

can pick your necklace length of 14.5", 16", 18" or 20".

Hurry there is only 9 left!

Janet has a section of Kanji jewelry. Here are some

of my favorites:

Kanji Tablet Necklace with Genuine Coral $84 Again

you have your choice of necklace lengths of 14.5", 16",

18" or 20". There are 8 choices of Kanji characters.

Pictured is "Zen".

Abstract Kanji Necklace $78 Pictured is "Ki"

(Spirit/Vital Energy).

Kanji Droplet Earrings $70 Pictured is "wa" (Peace).

Here is a great idea for the guys. I know jewelry is

usually for the women.

Danger Boy Cufflinks $110 Avaliable in a matte

glossy finish.

Use the code "ASIANBUZZ2006" for 10% off

your order expires Dec 25/06

NOTE: Images are from Janet Jewelry and

used with permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Five Finds

Obi Belt Designed by: My Rebe $92.00 from Style Scene

Tranquility Face Wash 5 FL OZ / 150 mL - $11 from

Darshan Beauty

BUTTERFLIES, CHERRY BLOSSOMS & KIMONO

GIRLS Asian Dress
Size: 6 months to 6 Price: $49.95 from Lilputians NYC

Mums on Red Clutch $22 from Keyka Lou

Goddess-Cake: Bixia Yuanjin Green Tea &

Ginger Scented Soap with Green Tea Leaves $5 from

PsyrenSoap

NOTE: Images are from the respective businesses

and used with permission!!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Crafty Robot

Looking for a unique, Asian inspired stocking? Look no
further then Crafty Robot! I would LOVE to have this
Monster Stocking waiting for me on Christmas morning.

Monster Stocking - Small Winter White Bad Bird $50

NOTE: Image from Crafty Robot and used

with permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Day 12: Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

There's been some great mentions of gift ideas, but
don't forget to fill those stockings.

For those who love paper, how about some really
cute Dear Monday enclosure cards? You can get
them in a set of 3 for $5.00. There's always one
occasion or another around the corner, so anyone
who receive these can be prepared and have
something to put atop their gift. Below are
some design examples. And don't forget to
use coupon code: 2951091206 for 15% off!
Good until end of December.

How about some cool Protozoan Hairpins from

Starving Artist Bazaar. They're made with handmade

glass buttons; very cute mini art for your hair! $7 each

Last are bottle openers from Button Arcade.

These are $5, that's with shipping included!

It'd be great for a guy or gal.

And how can you not like the 'Irked Pin Cushions'? :)

$6 each

Be sure to check out lots of Button Arcade's pins,

mirrors and felt monsters! Very fun stuff!

And there you have the 12 Days of Holiday Gift

Ideas Asian Buzz Style. Enjoy!

Happy holidays to everyone!
~Dai of Dear Monday

Day 11: Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

For Her:

This Jade Forest Necklace $60 would be beautiful

around her neck. Jade is known as a symbol for

wisdom and balance. The chain is sterling silver

and is 16" long. Each Jade leaf is unique due to

the hand carving.

Take 15% Off your order and receive Free Shipping

by entering coupon code "asianbuzz15".

For the holidays, all orders comes with a free

gift (a candle or a small wooden jewelry box).

Visit Angela Tong Designs today to get your

holiday shopping done early.

For Him:

Comix are pieces of art inspired by a love for comic books.

Each piece is carefully crafted by first choosing a theme

and selecting the images and text from a mix of vintage

comic books. After hand cutting the selected images and

text, these one of a kind collages are put together to pay

homage to the super heroes of our childhood for the

young and young at heart.

These are all One-Of-A-Kind art pieces and are truly a

labor of love. The creator behind Comix is my husband,

Steven Yau. I can attest to all the hours he has spent

creating these collages.

One of my favorites are the Canvas ones he makes. They

are decoupaged on a canvas and then sealed with acrylic

medium. Head over to Comix to find your favorite comic

book hero.



-Angela of Angela Tong Designs

Day 10: Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

I have a daughter that I never need to buy clothes for because
we have the fortunate situation of great hand-me-downs from
friends as well as generous (i.e. spoiling) grandparents. However,
my husband and I couldn't help but go a little crazy over the
clothes at Tea Collection. I can't wait for my order to arrive,
and when it does I will see how cooperative my daughter is in
modeling the clothes for the camera and post it here for you
to see. For those of you searching for a unique and beautiful
holiday gift for the little ones in your life, I urge you to shop here!

Some of my Asian-inspired faves are:

Ray of Light Tee

The Haiku Set



The Snowbird Sweater


Be Strong Tee


The Tea Collection is a San Francisco based company that

focuses on "serving little citizens of the world." Their clothing

designs are based on the cultural differences found around

the world--from Marrakesh to Scandinavia to Tibet. TEA

is also partnered with The Global Fund for Children and

100% of the proceeds in the GFC clothing line go directly

to the Global Fund for Children. You can feel good about

buying the items here because not only will the recipient

love the clothing, the proceeds will help other children

in need. One of my favorite items in this particular

collection is the Mandarin Layette Set.

For more information, please visit:
www.teacollection.com

All photography by laurie frankel © 2006 and graciously

provided by Tea Collection.

Warmly,
denise of akemi designs

Day 9 Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

Something yummy, something fuzzy, something cool and something luscious for your body.

Something unusual for everyone....

warm tea/coffee set @ rare device

Sparkly Creamy Scarflet @ Auriis Knit Cafe

secret agent london tee from goh girl

15% off, use code code: 23306743124

at last, heavenly bath melt @ mi SPA

Cheers! Mimie from mi SPA

Day 8 Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

Uplifting Arts has a few super ideas for the holidays!

rabbit patch handbag $29.99 This is a beautiful and practical under $50 gift idea!

bliss pouch $4.99 Here is a cool stocking stuffer or a under $10 gift idea!

lime pouch $6.99 (limited quantity) Here is another special stocking stuffer or under $10 gift!

Have no idea what someone would like from Uplifting Arts? How about a gift certificate? Available in $10, $20, $50 and $100!!

NOTE: Images are from Uplifting Arts and used with permission!

Lilie - A Planet 4 Creation

Day 7: Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

Lenox has made a great serving set for people who love Chinese Food. This Lenox Order Out Chinese Dinner Gift Set is beautifully made. The bowls and containers are made in porcelain and comes with a serving tray and four sets of chopsticks with rests. Great for people who love to cook and just as great for people who don't. It can bring your next order of take-out Chinese food to the next level.

This Eisch 4-Ounce Sake Crystal Glass is just pure elegance. It's a very contemporary look with a Japanese character (alcohol) etched into the crystal. Perfect for people who like Sake, Plum Wine or Cordials.

The AeroGarden Japanese Herb Seed Kit would be wonderful for gardeners. The kit has seven seed pods to grow hard to find Japanese herbs used in Japanese cooking. You use it in conjuntion with the AeroGrow AeroGarden for indoor gardening. You can harvest the delicious herbs right from your kitchen.

Angela of Angela Tong Designs

Day 6: Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

It's all about paper! Here's some holiday ideas to bring back writing... when people actually used things like pens and pencils. LOL!!

First up is Rag & Bone Bindery. They specialize in handbound books since 1991. So if you're looking for journals, these are fabulous to jot down precious thoughts or hold inspiring sketches. The price is $24-$48 depending on size.

They come in 3 different sizes and there are a variety of cover patterns to choose from. (Cover options can be found here.) Below are 3 cover examples Peacock - Ginger - Cherry blossom:

I also like the Accordion Books ($26). It's a neat way to display your photos and folds up so compactly. I know this holiday idea isn't encouraging writing, so think of it as a bonus idea! :)


Now time to toot my own horn. Next are some lovely flat note sets from Dear Monday. These flat notes are perfect for a quick message and even work as thank you notes. Best of all, they can be personalized and could make great gifts for mom, auntie, sister, co-worker, friend, babysitter and so on.

See more designs here. $12.50/set of 10 or $23/set of 20.
Get 15% OFF with coupon code: 2951091206 (exp. 12/31/06)

Bring back personal writing! As much as I love email, it's a nice treat to receive a handwritten note. I hope these ideas help a bit with your shopping!

All the best ~ Dai of Dear Monday

Day 5 Holiday Gift Ideas Asian Buzz Style

This is a great time to be gifting at Prismera Design.



Right now, every single order comes with free bag jewelry, made with Swarovski crystals and sterling silver accents.



There are lots of great gifts under $40 from most collections:

Naiad Collection - Seahorse Stud Earrings: $22


Spring/Summer Collection - Dew Drop Necklace: sterling $25, goldfill $35


Prism Collection - Starlet Earrings: $34


Spring/Summer Collection - Wild Rose Earrings: $32

We now offer free shipping, so come on by and browse the collections. Happy shopping!