MInicyn blogspot

Moving to a new but old atelier...slowly taking place

2012-02-02T13:41:00.000-08:00

Check out some pics of my new atelier/workshop. It needed some serious Spring(ahmm I mean Winter really) cleaning as it's been occupied by someone who has been there for 15 years!! Evidently, still full of his artwork and some Paris dirt. But we are three content amigos.

I'm Featured Seller on Etsy this week!

2012-02-02T13:28:00.000-08:00

Thank you Etsy for making me Featured Seller! Read all about it if you dare below is the link. And many thanks to Dana Cojbuc for taking this dynamic looking picture of me! Go Dana!!

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/featured-seller-minicyn/?ref=fp_featured

Happy new year from Minicyn from Bali!

2012-01-11T10:02:00.000-08:00

Better late then never!
So happy new year to everyone that's supported me through 2012. My way to end 2011... by the beach in Bali watching this beautiful sunset, smell of nature and sunblock and no sticky Paris metro!, a good friend beside me, thoughts of happy healthy family, and last but not least Pina Colada in the other hehe, here I share with you!

And remember...
• Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise
•• You can't reach for anything new if your hands are still full of yesterday's junk
••• Follow your heart but take your brain with you
•••• All great changes are preceded by chaos.

My the dragon lead us into the new year with more peace and health for us all!
xx

Hotel Boheme! Christmas edition

2011-12-09T08:41:00.000-08:00

200 bagues! et 20 créateurs!!

2011-12-06T04:53:00.000-08:00

"200 bagues/ 20 créateurs"Jeudi 8 décembre à 18h vernissage en présence des créateurs

•
5ème édition

du 8 au 23 décembre

ouvert tous les jours

•

Comme chaque année le mois de décembre est consacré à la création, plus spécifiquement aux bijoux qui peuvent se porter comme un objet significatif, comme un objet d'amour, comme un objet de souvenirs ou tout simplement comme un objet décoratif: la BAGUE.

Pour en découvrir toutes ses formes et couleurs dans lesquelles on peut la détourner, nous vous invitons pendant deux semaines a l'expo-vente "200 bagues/ 20 créateurs".

Marché de noel!! 30 créateur de Bijoux

2011-11-20T03:42:00.000-08:00

!!! Je suis là !!!

Du 30 Novembre au 30 decembre 2011

• Entrée Libre •

Galerie Pôle Bijou

13 rue du Port
F-54120 BACCARAT

France

Hello non-french speakers/readers and jewelery lovers! This is a Christmas jewelery event in the Gallery Pole Bijou lasting just less then a month starting from the 30th of November-30th December 2011. There'll be 30 Creators'(me included!) pieces of a minimum of 15 pieces from each, yeah so get your train or plane tickets ready set go. The Gallery is located in the east of France, in a town call Baccarat – address as noted above.

Anyone interested in reading up further about the Gallery here's their website: www.polebijou.com
peace love and all that sparkle like jewels xx

Let Aziyadé light up your winter blues

2011-11-08T14:13:00.000-08:00

Heads up on a wickedly colorful exhibition starting on the 24th of November on handmade lampshades by our talented co-atelier Aziyadé! And her long time school friend Sonia–a textile designer who will be showcasing her arty mobiles for little kiddies or kiddies at heart.
It's Aziyadé's first show to the public and hopefully not last of her unique creations using especiially chosen African fabriques that's sure to light up the winter blues. So get organise for the week starting from the 24th November-1st of December. Below are more details written by the lady herself in french for all your french-lovers, and no I ain't gonna translate - but the dates are evident and venue is clear.
Oh! and don't forget to check out Aziyadé's other half's(aka Kuku) music while we're at it...my favourite song by him is The Cure: www.kukulive.com

Bonjour tout le monde.

Mon projet de luminaire prend forme doucement mais surement.
J'organise ma 1er expo le 24 novembre - 1 décembre à la galerie:

GALERIE GOUTTE DE TERRE

46 Rue Godefroy Cavaignac

75011 Paris

France

Quand Aziyadé rencontre le Chatz'ailé, c'est l'histoire de deux univers qui se croisent, le temps d'un moment de vie, le temps d'une exposition.

Amies dans la vie, Aziyadé et Sonia ont choisi de mêler leurs envies et leur savoir faire. De cette rencontre, va naitre une série d'objets insolites, reflets de leur personnalité.

Aziyadé a choisi la lumière, et ce qui l'entoure, comme mode d'expression. Designer franco-togolaise, son univers nous invite à l'évasion. Couleurs et graphismes de contrées lointaines entrent dans la maison, révèlent l'africanité qui sommeille en nous ; le voyage peut commencer...

Le terrain de jeu de Sonia s'inscrit d'avantage dans l'univers du rêve, où mobiles et doudous viennent peupler notre intimité. Une étoile porte bonheur près du c½ur, un nuage, des gouttes de pluie, un bestiaire imaginaire...
le Chatz'ailé nous introduit dans un monde léger et onirique, où la couleur vient se mêler à la poésie. J'espère vous voir nombreux au vernissage le 24 novembre à 18h30.

Ma boutique en ligne est toujours en développement mais tout de même visible sur www.byaziyade.com
des bises à tous

What's new...?!

2011-10-28T04:40:00.000-07:00

...just a lil' apero with little Clara celebrating Victor-y! She's donning my mariner's/'village people''s denim hat, how cute is she already huh?! And moi...looking half drunk after hmmmm 2 glasses of Champagne teeheee.
Ooooooo oo o and and some new flavors added in by the German RitterSport chocolate brand, I think I'm gonna puke!!!!!!

Victor est ne!!

2011-10-24T06:43:00.000-07:00

This song is dedicated to Victor, welcome! Congratulations to mama Dana and papa Gregoire.
and to all the beauty that surrounds us....click on the title for the pretty song just because.... 'Chambre avec vue' by Henri Salvador

Expovente! "Hôtel Bohême"... les Samedi 8 et dimanche 9 Octobre

2011-10-03T07:04:00.000-07:00

Start your xmas shopping NOW!!
I have to admit I am one of those annoying early shoppers 90% of the time, just because I love to be thoughtful and not buy for the sake of buying – so have I left you feeling guilty now???! Well then come along to the Autumn edition of "Hôtel Bohême" on the weekend of the 8th-9th October, hours are from Midday right through till 8pm. Needless to say there'll be 31 creators for one to drool over...

Be there or be square:

6 Rue Beauregard
Paris 75002
France
(Metro: Bonne Nouvelle)

Click on this to check out the BLOG for what you may be expecting! www.hotel-boheme.fr

There's a common cash register so just bring your many cards or card...or if you like the french are still very fond of their Cheque books too! Sign awayyyyyy.

Evolution! At the...

2011-08-22T06:47:00.000-07:00

...weird, wonderful and the magnificent Museum National d'histoire Naturelle in the Jardin des Plantes! I've written a little more in the Blog before this one. But because I had taken tonnes of pics so why not share them around – of how beautiful the building, all the old wooden displays are etc. For sure you'd feel like you've stepped into a film set!
Check this out though! When you first walk in, only one human "plastic" replica welcomes us, to what is behind him... that is what is below the food chain, thus below us human. We have the power and the intelligence or do we?

Sunday posts...

2011-08-21T05:39:00.000-07:00

Meowwww...poor little kitty he was so young. I was surrounded by what seems like truck loads of cute 'lil french kiddies on their school trip learning about 'Evolution' in the wonderful and magnificent Museum National d'histoire Naturelle in the Jardin des Plantes (cross out Eiffel Tower and pen this down in your list of things to see in Paris!).
Little do they know it's really about the cycle of life and death in seen through generations in bigger scale – where we may have come from, then we grow, we change, we adapt, then we die! This monkey of a man maybe your father and perhaps even mine, and we all may have even started out as a mini mollusc etc etc. Sounding a little like a pessimist but in fact I'm not, just a mini realist from time to time who likes to touch base with reality.

The multi-colored montage and images from Woody Allen's 'Manhatten' was taken from an out door cinema in Paris. I have a love and hate relationship with Woody A. even though he is as we all know a narcissist and an egoist but I'll give him credit for playing humans as we all truly are un-restricted by social constructions.

And the carrots! Yes they are indeed from my basket of organic veges so THIS is what real healthy UN-orchestrated vegetables SHOULD look like!!!! Just like us imperfect humans tasting sweeterrrrr.
Anyway, some of you may want to know that I've in fact have had a lovely Sunday and I hope you had one just as nice too.
xx

A little visit to the Jardin du Luxembourg

2011-08-13T07:56:00.000-07:00

Summer is nigh...
Just a few days ago we had a surprise sunny day in Paris, so I hurried myself along with my book for a little lay down under the sun. Could have been my last sun filled day for the next trillion months but I think I took enough in to lasts a month or so.
It's just so encouraging and lovely how these individual green public chairs are dotted in line everywhere for all to seat — though in the past I've witnessed 2 strangers argue(VERY heated) over one at the hype of Summer!! How possessive/precious something can become when there's lack of even when it's not for one's tummy.

This was all in the Jardin du Luxembourg – my favorite garden of all the gardens in Paris the 2nd largest public park in Paris(22.5hect). I have a feeling that the Le Bois de Boulogne is the largest? Anyhow, that's an entirely different kind of Park with a "different" kind of entertainment if you know what I mean.

Have to go! Making Rhubarb jammmm and boiling up some vege stock in the background.
x

les vacances...

2011-08-09T16:23:00.000-07:00

My bi/tri annual pilgrim to wherever my family may be is where most of my holidays are usually spent! This time in Singapore... besides the flora and fauna which I always look forward to, a little surprise awaits me too – a little new nephew with forever curious eyes!!! Only cries when he has hunger for mama's milk or beddy bye byes hehe. Ain't he the cutest.

It's been a while...

2011-06-13T04:18:00.000-07:00

Well, it's been a while since I've engaged myself with the virtual comm., but it doesn't mean that things in reality have come to a halt too – just my Blogging, Twittering and listing new items' been neglected. So many changes have taken place and surely many more to come for the better I hope. It's just like dominoes... when one thing topples the rest follows! Promise though I haven't stopped producing and being creative!
I thought I'd sneak in a few pics of my new pieces to show together with some others of what Ive been up to – just some new pieces I've been working on and lastly 1st signature up in the air pic by Dana Cojbuc in our new photo studio in the basement below our atelier 'La fabrique a Ressorts'(meaning There's Spring at this Factory),

200 rings exhibition starting this week!

2011-05-30T05:03:00.000-07:00

The 4th edition of the 200 rings exhibition with 20 creators' rings at your disposal for 14 days starting from the 2nd of June. Come along this Friday on the 3rd of June for the Vernissage/Opening starting from 6pm with drinks and live music to boot. The french tend to start their opening the day AFTER the actual opening of the show... don't ask me why.
Address below:

GALERIE GOUTTE DE TERRE
46, Rue Calvaignac
Paris 75011
(Metro Voltaire)

Handmade happening May 21-22nd 2011!!

2011-05-17T14:31:00.000-07:00

My next 'Expovente'(equivalent to an artist/handmade market or happening in Paris! How can one resist?! Grab your train or plane ticket now and come visit me tout de suite. There'll be 30 other makers/designers there to tempt you with hundreds of goodies for all to enjoy.

Here's the address:
6 Rue Beauregard
Paris 75002
Metro Bonne Nouvelle

See you there this weekend !

Tis a season to be Brocante!

2011-04-12T13:24:00.000-07:00

April in Paris, four seasons in one day... Did the Crowded House write about it with Melbourne in mind or April in Paris? Nonetheless it seems to apply to us here of late. Anyway, all I care about is that it's the season to be jolly as the bric-a-brac, vintage, antique markets are now popping up in every arrondissement :D.
Here's to last weekend's finds(pic. wise)... no pics of my purchases sorry!

Our weekend

2011-03-28T05:57:00.000-07:00

Whilst uploading these pics I'd remembered how my partner and I met almost 6 years ago whilst we were both on vacation, I was in fact one third way through my 6 month 'back packing' experience. We had both done our part of the Pyrenees just prior to meeting; him the French part and I the Spanish/Andorra(which I truly recommend). I guess we were both destined to meet as the chances of our paths crossing in the remote tinee tiny Hendaye train station was one in a million(there was one other person there). Though I must emphasize that it was not love at first sight for either of us, but then again it did only take a week before both our hearts pitter patter for each other.

Point is that we both love an adventure big or small, so most of our weekends no matter where we'd be living would always be filled with explorations of areas, towns, restaurants, cafes, routes etc. We hardly disagree on where to go and what to do.
Anyway, before I rat on and show my age here are some pics of last weekend's little outing to an 'outdoor/nature' expo thus the area surrounds by foot on our way home.

Pictures are of:
• A Swiss (of course)kinetic display at the 'outdoor' expo
• a unexpected stall selling herbs, spices and teas of various awesome mixes from all over the world, found at the expo of all places
• fun and interactive lenticular(I think it's making a comeback) advertising by Nespresso
• a sexy vintage Renault in cream! In bon condition... we both love

Relief Japan bracelet JOIN ME

2011-03-17T05:57:00.000-07:00

Well done all! I have raised around just under almost 280Euros, thank you very much to those who have participated I'm humbled :)

I have now passed the 10 bracelets where I'm doubling your proceeds, thank you for all those who have supported and helped me on this I'm humbled. The next 10 listing's net profit goes straight to Red Cross again. To purchase one please click here CLICK.

No man is an island, we are all in it together. So please join me as I'll be donating double of what you purchase/donate for this bracelet(net profit) to the Red Cross. It's a small gesture but many small gestures make a whole. We are after all part of a whole.

In time of desperate need we all should lend a hand because we can – those of us who are still fortunate to have a simple roof over our head, food to feed ourselves and our love ones... let's do a little something, come on.

I've used a leaf motif to represent the fragility and beauty of humanity for the silver charm and the color red is representative of Japan. So far I have only made 5 bracelets as I am currently working towards an exhibition sale this weekend. More will come if it sells out. NOTE; they will vary a little individually.

Thank you for joining me. x
Proof of proceed will be recorded and sent out to each participants.

Paris Ceramic Festival 2011

2011-03-13T13:08:00.000-07:00

Saturday was such a unusually beautiful day, a hint of Spring appeared willingly greeting the start of the weekend with hope of warmth and some curiosity. So I thought ok since you've made an effort Mr Sunshine I will! So why not make my way to this year's Ceramic festival 2011, not far from the famous Pere Lachaise.

I'd been to the one last year and was awestruck by some gorgeous work, work that awakens one's goose bumps and wish you could decorate your whole house with and take the artist home with you to have cups of tea with. This year I was surprise to find jewelry work by Violaine Ulmer; jeweller, sculpturist/installation-ist(if there's such a word). I've exhibited with her a few times at the Gallery Goutte de terre though this time I lucky enough to see a much bigger collection as a whole installed with her own signature style of display. I mean... who would've thought to combine silver with porcelaine/clay creating a granulation effect. One day I tell myself, I'm gonna have one of those tasty morsels on my many finger.

Here are some pictures of her work from the show, and a handful of other ceramicists that I thought you'd enjoy.

Here are links, if not their contact details:
Violaine Ulmer

www.violaine-ulmer.com

05.61.20.22.44

Benedicte Vallet
tychen@wanadoo.fr
06.37.96.43.98

Beate Ronnefarth
oseramik@neuf.fr
06.28.22.52.07

Caroline Wagenaar
lesateliersceramique.com

Virginie Preux
virginie.preux@laposte.net

Maya Micenmacher
nicolas.rousseau19@wanadoo.fr
06.19.24.04.27

Goutte de Terre
06.98.63.77.32

Thank you to all those who have agreed to have their work taken.
Enjoy!

March 19-20th! 32 Creator's event at Hotel Boheme

2011-02-25T05:13:00.000-08:00

Hopefully by then Spring will be upon us for real, and I'd be able to store my winter woolies away for at least a few months as winter in Europe seems to take up 90% of the year. To find out, why don't you pop around to see me and 31 other artists and enjoy some warmth and smile emanating from the handmade atmosphere.

It'll be the first of the quarterly event held by Hotel Boheme at the same location each time in the 2nd arrondisement near the metro 'Bonne Nouvelle'. Without fail one will be tempted in every way possible(trust me!); to adorn yourselves/friends, decorate your home, your kids or nieces/nephews, your husband/boyfriend etc etc. Your presence will show support to small businesses and without handmade our lives will be forever taken over by big shopping centers and big brands making huge unreasonable profits... making our connections with each other less and less humane. So, what are you waiting for? Go get yourself a train or plane ticket and lock in the date!

Below are some of the links of the participants involved:
• Japanese charcoal jewelry! http://www.eskimeit.com/
• Bags ladies!! http://www.sacadidie.com/
• Cold enamel brass jewellery http://www.marinedediesbach.com/
• Cutesy home deco http://www.pieddepoule.com/

Come hither...

Here I've gone and done it

2011-02-04T10:11:00.000-08:00

I've just uploaded some samples of my new picture cards here with images of photography around Paris and France taken throughout last year – they'll be up for sale in my shop very soon(but they are now!). Made in standard size business cards with enough space at the back for writing little cheeky notes to send with ones gifts, or punch a hole at the top, loop a ribbon through it and turn it into a book-mark! They're suppose to mimic vintage souvenir cards back in the old days when you can get them in a pack nicely wrapped together. So, I guess this is my attempt to revive 'em. You can still find vintage ones in bric-a-brac stalls, antique markets etc so if you're curious about what they may look like so keep your eyes open. Some avid collectors love 'em just like others do with stamps.

Until then x

A lil' trip to the local garden centre

2010-12-26T16:53:00.000-08:00

I love the simple pleasures in life, just a lazy sunny Sunday with my dad and my brother's family to the teenee tiny local garden centre. We all tend to forget from time to time especially for those of us who live and work in the city that nature plays a significant part in our happiness; the kind of happiness that makes our blood flow with serenity(not the Walt Disney kind), and gentle smiles peak through the corner of our mouths willingly. Just the hour there took me back to my days of living in the antipodean where garden centres can be just as big and popular as shopping centres... with tea rooms to boot!

The splendor in shapes and sizes and the sheer magnificence in color of the tropical flora and fauna never fails to impress me. Here are just a small bundle of treats for your eyes only :)

Christmas in Paris?

2010-12-22T04:47:00.000-08:00

.... nop! I won't be spending Xmas in Paris, sad for some but not for me. I'm off to a warmer climate as the cold tend to immobilize me and we don't want that do we ;)

The weekend before I left for my vacation in the tropics, we took a stroll under the beautiful fluffy snow with intention of crossing the river Seine for a picturesque winter view; co-incidentally absorbing some of the festive deco on our way there around the Place Vendôme square, and along the nearby street 'Rue de la Paix' world famous for shopping and it's high-priced boutiques in predominantly jewelry. You'd find labels such like Dinh Van, Georg Jensen, Cartier, Van Cleef Arpels, Repetto etc, not all necessary to my personal liking but yet worth a window looksie of their spectacular displays to meet and greet the festive season!

Don't mean to be a party pooper but, it stands out like a sore thumb that this particular council of this 'Champagne and caviar' arrondissement have spent up large on deco and electricity(not to mention cleaning the streets, good for them not so good for the rest in the not so significant areas), on these extravagance to elevate nothing but one's urge to spend and feel poor!! But, on the other hand I have to say that these gorgeous designery-funky-coral-like lights that climb the outside walls of every building are indeed spectacular juxtaposed against the generic taupe colored Parisienne architecture.

Jiggles and wishes to you all, until next year x
P/S: I love the xmas tree constitute of used plastic bottles, tops!(no pun intended) – delaying the inevitable but point noted.