shupg - Handmade Jewelry | Wearable-art | Zakka| Lifestyle | necklace brooch ring earrings

| A different sort of love |

2012-01-27T10:30:00.001+08:00

Valentines Day - The big day when flowers, chocolates and a good deal more are given and received as a token of love amongst us humans.

But aren't there different types of love, not necessarily any lesser than romantic love. The ultimate love of God for humans, the love of our pets (I know I do), the love of friends, the love for a country, a place, a little patch of grass that grabs hold of your heart and never lets go.....

What or who has captured your heart? Do you remember when or how it happened? Keep that moment close, it is at once inspirational and everlasting.

*All necklaces available for purchase here.

And then go hug the heck out of it (God, dog, cat, human, tree, building, pet rock.... you name it)!

Happy Valentine's Day in advance to all!

shupg
27 Jan 2012

| A glimmer of colour |

2011-12-13T10:00:00.003+08:00

As the year draws to a close and the crowd gathers over weekends (and even weekdays) over christmas lunches and new year parties in town, black with a bit of bling is inevitable, isn't it?

Here's my take on the year-end season. Wood with a bit of colour.

My type of Christmas - with big dash of red

I'm calling this the "Windmill".

Can't wait for the day I can visit the Netherlands and see the windmills.

Like the front propeller of an old plane. The wright brothers rule!

Instead of your usual sparkly gem, I call dibs on this "Black Diamond". Made of wood.

A tribute to an old friend. Woof. Remembering a little dog, "Spot".

End the year on high! "Victory".

Nothing beats a bit of depth & dimension.

For a loved one. And those days spent on a bench by the sea.

Enjoy the nostalgia and familiarity of the season, don't get too carried away with all the distractions, and when making those new year resolutions, remember, you and you alone determine the colour of your life.

Happy holidays and see you all bright-eyed and bushy-tailed in 2012!

shupg

13 Dec 2011

| Put on your thinking hat |

2011-11-08T19:45:00.000+08:00

A friend asked me to make a custom gift of these "Don't mess with" brooches for a office party last year but I never really got to making a whole range of these. But THIS is the year! :)

Starting out.... hats and headgear are back! I have always wondered why my Dad always has to have a hat on, fishing hat, golf hat, tweed travelling paperboy hat (now that one I love). But when I was in Melbourne, it was such a breeze to use, to keep warm and to fend off those little drizzles. I'm waiting for the day my head could fit a floppy black felt one with bow which little french school girls carry off with such finesse in their long black stockings, red mary-janes and cute little school knapsacks.

SOooo i thought, why not put on my thinking hat :P

If you would like a hat brooch/pin or whatmatchacallit, give me a holler at shupg@hotmail.com or at my shop.

Happy hols and happy using-of-brain time!

shupg

8 Nov 11

| Attack of the Triangles ... again! |

2011-11-05T10:30:00.027+08:00

Triangles, triangles, 3 sides that meet and form a strong foundation.

Found a lovely quote today:

"If triangles made a god, they would give him three sides" - Montesquieu Charles De

Reflecting on this, isn't it such a quirk that God does have 3 sides and they form 1. Hence the Trinity. Different sides, but one coherent shape that no one would question.

As everyone can see, I"ve been obsessed about triangles recently. And that's even before I hit the fashion mags and saw them sprawled all over.

Isn't it amazing what triangles can do?

Irregular bunting triangle necklace. Available soon here!

In love with the subtle colours of Spring for now, though yes I know it's the fall/winter season.

The arrows are coming.... possibly one of the new shapes I'll be using for the next series.

Earring posts. All new range available at Dulcetfig in Haji Lane.

Me thinks it's time to look for new shapes!

And that's exactly what I'll be doing this weekend on a short get-away. Wish me luck, folks! :)

shupg

4 Nov 2011

| All hail Librarians! |

2011-11-01T20:00:00.000+08:00

I was a geek. Ok, that's out, boy does it feel good.

No wait. I AM a geek.

When I went back to school last year, my best friend at the college was the librarian! They were the first people I saw everyday, first thing in the morning. They got used to me stomping in the moment the doors opened and just before they closed.

Aah, those lovely, helpful creatures.

A recent custom order of these "sshh" brooches reminded me of my favourite petite brown-haired librarian (no glasses though) and one whom I have never spoken to but is so funky, glasses and all.

Here's a toast to all you librarians out there!

For those who want to say it, one letter at a time ;)

Could be a brooch (SGD$22.50) or a necklace (SGD$28.50)!

And don't forget to check out our Christmas promo + customisation offer!

shupg

1 Nov 2011

| It's never too early for Christmas! |

2011-10-18T10:30:00.002+08:00

There's no wait for the gentle soft flakes of snow, no snuggling up by the fireside here in hot-as-toast Singapore, but the reason to celebrate Christmas (and not even on the 25th of Dec) is a burning one.

Nevertheless, we at shupg would love to join in this wonderful year-end season, where there are many reasons to remember the year past, and look forward to the year ahead.

What can be personalised?

1) Don't Mess With range of brooches and necklaces

2) Sign Language necklaces

What do YOU want for Christmas? ;)

Don't forget to visit us at our shop and once your total purchase price (excluding shipping) is above SGD$100, I'll refund the shipping via PayPal straightaway.

Singaporean customers, if you'd like to pay via bank transfer, please do feel free to drop me an email at shupg@hotmail.com and we can make special arrangements for you.

Have fun preparing for a lovely year-end festive season ahead!

cheers,

shupg

18 October 2011

| Aztec Attack |

2011-09-28T10:00:00.000+08:00

Am having sudden attraction (or rather, a renewed one) to ethnic designs and drawings.

Had so much fun putting shapes together and forming new shapes - exhilarating!

shupg

27 Sept 11

| Have a Hexagon-ic moment |

2011-09-23T09:03:00.000+08:00

Many of God's creations feature the glorious hexagonal shape.

Here's a start to my take on the yummy honeycomb! :)

neon citrus

Worn short(.... or long! just drop me an email to let me know and I can change that for you)

Fields of purple

A lone hexagonal matrix

As usual, all are available in my etsy shop!

shupg

23 Sept 2011

| Are you in a triangle? |

2011-09-13T10:00:00.053+08:00

Just thinking about shapes in general. How could each apply to your life?

Put on a spot? Maybe you just feel like life's an endless circle that repeats itself.

Square? 4 right angles that possibly sit in comfort, solid and firm.

Triangle? Now that's a shape I like. Tension with a balancing point. In this world filled with extremes and imbalances, an imperfect world that has sinned, finding that crucial middle point will keep you balanced. Let's face it, you may never rid yourself of the tensions, but at least you can look up and see where the middle points toward - Up. And on God. Now, focus on that.

And of course, I couldn't help my itchy hands and finally I have some new after a 2-month pause. Phew.

They are all available in Dulcetfig (They are so wonderful at supporting local handmade!) or I'll also be slowly putting them up for sale in my etsy shop. I welcome any feedback or suggestions too!

Grey & turquoise. Dangle earrings about 4 inches long.

Make your "point"...hehe, maybe two!


Hand-cut, hand-drilled, hand-sewn. Had lots of fun! :)

Lies around the chest area. If you'd like it shorter or longer, just give me a shout! :)

For days when you feel less complicated and your mind's clear as day.

When a single point has many angles :)

Now time to get some reading done, a pile of books on my bed for me to dive into! :)

Till the next installment, have fun (and sometimes perhaps a little pain, after all a few falls are necessary) finding your balance!

shupg

13 Sept 2011

| I spy with my little eye |

2011-07-12T13:52:00.000+08:00

Had a really lovely fellow etsy-ian include a thin slice of shupg in her think-out-of-the-box treasury, thank you Amelietalks!

spot the "sshhh" finger brooch from shupg in this lovely treasury :)

shupg

12 July 2011

| What is your secret day job? |

2011-07-06T10:46:00.001+08:00

In this day and age, it's possible to have a day job that feeds your body...... and another secret day (or night!) job which feeds your soul.

Of course you'll lucky if your day job feeds your soul too! But I've come to accept that you can have many sides to you, and if you know how to manage all these aspects of yourself, then you're not that far off from being content (and perhaps having more time to think about others rather than just me, me, me).

These new brooches are for those soul-feeding day jobs (secret ones included!). And they are all in stock at my little space in Dulcetfig! Will be putting them up for sale in my etsy shop soon too, keep an eye out for them :)

I know there are so many of you out there! :)

video editor, fashion editor, beauty editor, newspaper editor - respect!

Music feeds my soul. Does it feed yours?

Read a friend's facebook post about having some quiet time... gotta love it.

Ever wish you could say that out loud to someone but never quite had the guts?

Having been one, I know sometimes I wished I could SCREAM this! :P

They've got a tough job.

Enjoy folks! And I am always open to suggestions of what occupations to put on these brooches.

Leave me a comment! :D

shupg

6 July 2011

| Never knew drawing, cutting, sewing could be this back-breaking! |

2011-06-26T16:48:00.003+08:00

Phew, have been out of action in the online sphere for the past couple of weks... but for a good reason.

Am thankful for an order from a close friend, for her companies' event (Go iProperty.com!).

Step 1: Drawing (now I know what all that practice of colouring inside the lines during in nursery school is for!)

Step 2: Cutting

Step 3: Glazing

Step 4: Gluing... and more gluing

Step 5: Ironing the pleats

Step 6: Sewing

Step 7: Sticking on the blue ribbon backing

Step 8: Cutting & sticking on the felt backing

Step 9: Rooting out the duds (which means, making a good 40% more replacements!)

Round Blue Ribbon reminiscent of school days :)

Trays & trays of them filling up my tiny room, drying out & waiting to be glued

These are the No. 1 ones. Cool design by the client.

A little fella came to visit.... or rather, be a kay-poh (Singaporean slang for 'busybody').


A little colour-coded helper!

2 days to the event & a good deal more to do! Aaaarrghh!


Sewing 65 pleated ribbon rings by hand. Neck's stiff as cardboard!

All done! These are just the round ones. There were 200 more No. 1 badges. I'm panting harder than my dog! Woof!

Tired?

I know exactly how you feel!

But it all made for a good time around the dining table as the mom came in to help. We had a number of good chats in this time.

Who said artists and tradespeople have it easy?

Now after 265 specially customised brooches (or as same call it, badges or name tags) are done, it's wheeeee!

shupg

25 June 2011

| Up & at 'em! |

2011-06-08T13:07:00.002+08:00

Been burying my head in my post-grad dissertation for the past couple of weeks. After hours of staring at the computer screen, it's time to get OUT of the house!

And 6.30am is not too early (I have no idea why mom has to wake me up at 5.30am when I can get ready in 5 mins though!).

A walk with the pooch while dad does his tai-chi & mom, her "tak-tak ball".

All in all a great way to see how Singaporeans enjoy their daily morning hand-swinging-clapping-waving chatting+walking sessions. Good to see how renovations at Bishan Park is coming along too.

Are we going yet?

Such an idyllic scene (if not for the orange barricades). Love the tree branches, so wintery.

Come on! Let's get movin'!

Love all the exercise moves I learnt this 3-hour morning. Xiiii....hooooo....xiiii....hooooooooo....

Sitting down, looking up. Here is what I saw.

SUPER tired. Phew!

PANT!

shupg

8 June 2011

| Social media frenzy |

2011-05-24T11:00:00.002+08:00

As an old foggy, I'm the slowest to pick up on social media such as facebook and twitter. Or at least, I'm the sort who is prone to getting an account, realise I have no idea how to use the dang thing, leave it for a year or two, and then when I finally want to use it, I have forgotten the username, password, weblink (it's a miracle I haven't forgotten how to use the computer!)

But I'm sure there are a good many of you out there who aren't. So these are for YOU :)

shupg

24 May 2011

| Home-made-Home

2011-05-18T10:00:00.002+08:00

Where family is, is where you'll find me.

Although a great friend of mine says I have an inability to sit still, I have come to accept the fact that I'm essentially a nester.

Any creative streak I have, I think it must be from my Dad. My brothers are all for making things on our own too. My mom is a great supporter of anything we do and she makes home a great place to make new things (or old things new). She makes great popiahs (a Singaporean version of the spring roll).

A family that makes together, stays together.

Here's what we make:

My second brother made MUFFINS! Yes, english muffins, like those in the MacDonalds Breakfast Meal

Where did my muffins go? Awwww?! NO!

My Dad's creations - Handmade fishing rods! He fishes too & so catches our dinner :)

My mom makes POPIAH. Here she is preparing - plucking the roots off the beansprouts.

And after a day of chopping, it's one more day of cooking & stirring pots & pots of food...

Add sweet sauce, crushed peanuts, lettuce, beansprouts, turnip, carrots, egg, prawn, crab .... and wait for it...

The crushed salted fish! (well, actually I'm not quite sure what fish it is but it makes all the difference!)

One makes for a healthy snack. Two for a lunch done just right. Three for a feast!

And where does all that chopped waste go?

As compost for the little avocado plant my youngest brother

patiently cultivated from a seed in a glass of water

And there's me of course, the scary sister who makes a a good deal of fuss, and all the other hits & misses in my online shop - shupg.

Not forgetting of course the little furball that makes us all go "awwww".

shupg

17 May 2011

| As Time Goes By |

2011-05-16T23:18:00.002+08:00

Finally scrunched down & did a treasury on etsy! WOw, it's now so easy to use, perfect for tech-idiots like me :)

A tribute to time. And a reminder to make each day count.

Perpetual Calendars - gotta love them!

'As Time Goes By ' by shupg

I count the days that have been with me

Vintage Wooden Perpetual Cal... eFlea $11.50	Vintage Adjusting Date Perpe... Shadowmark $20.00	Vintage Perpetual Calendar N... luckylittledot $45.00	vintage office gold metal pe... camelotia $13.00
Perpetual calendar. MademoiselleCh... $35.00	Vintage 1950s Bowling League... MySecretVintag... $28.00	Vintage Brass Perpetual Cale... fintogdejlig $20.00	Vintage Wood Perpetual Cale... lovintagefinds $59.00
Wood Grain Perpetual Calenda... midmoderngoods $10.00	Antique Brass Desk Calendar ... GreySquirrelAn... $19.50	Vintage Desk Set with Perpet... jherrmann $22.00	Tag Calendar - 12 Month Perp... erinzam $28.00
Chalkboard Wall Calendar wit... SimpleShapes $64.00	Upcycled Vinyl Record Perpet... IttyBittyPress $20.00	Embroidered Perpetual Calend... BySaraLynn $86.00	Black Doxie Perpetual Calend... GualesWoodcraf... $24.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio.

shupg

16 May 2011

| New designs! |

2011-05-12T10:30:00.003+08:00

Fresh out of the oven are these new designs for my fellow animal lovers. All available at Dulcetfig (Haji Lane).

Does a cat or a dog (or maybe even a rabbit, chicken, horse or some other amazing creature) have your heart?

I know a pup who has mine! :P

long necklace(rests around belly button) - great with dresses and slouchy tops

Meorrrrw!

The heart-shaped piece is separately added on - so has a really "3D" feel!

This is worn shorter (just below collar bone)

This is the shorter version of the long necklace (see first photo)

Part of my "Don't mess with" range of brooches!

Don't mess with Me-OW! (think "Ow" like Michael Jackson)

Here's the pup who has my heart:

shupg

12 May 2011

| Where's Wally? |

2011-05-06T09:55:00.001+08:00

Have you ever felt sometimes felt like you could vanish into the crowd.

It's easy to feel like you're disappearing in crowds, things, thoughts. So how do you hold on to yourself? Contrary to today's popular belief of "taking control", I think we need to first give yourself up.

Let go and let God.

Ok, getting heavy. On a lighter note. This recent train of thought has brought to mind a childhood favourite storybook character - Waldo of "Where's Wally?" fame. :)

And I have a little "Wally" of my own too. Check him out, hehe.

Where's Waldo? Somewhere out there!

Peer hard! Glasses on a stick - by MaroDesigns

He might be near! Where's Waldo? necklace - by lbjohn

What better way to find your own spot during lunch

than with this Where's Wally lunchbox - by olysoldies

Send him a letter. Handmade envelopes - by Leaseguin

Yes, it's all an illusion! :)

Sweet little girl's derss - by OliviasUltimate

Can you spot my Wally? ;)

Your Where's Wally challenge for today? Find your own spot in the world but still make a (red & white) splash!

shupg

6 May 2011

| Green green grass of home |

2011-04-28T10:00:00.008+08:00

After years of thinking that i was a free spirit, I realised that I'm your usual female nester. I like routine (well, in some areas at least), I am a little (or a lot!) fussy about my bed and toilet, and I know what it is that brings me back to a place.

Home may not necessarily be a place. It could be a person. An animal even. But I realised I'm home wherever I had that sense of peace & joy inside me, a strong, solid feeling that only God can give.

Green is my colour of home. A blade of grass, endless stretch of hills and valleys, meadows dotted with little yellow flowers, a bowl of salad.

My dog's home too. He found his bit of green (and is saving it for dinner!)

He loves his cabbage!

Other greens that make me grin:

Ginkgo leaves print by JenniferAitchinson

One of my favourite ways to brighten up the room. By Hindsvik

Ah how I wish I could keep a terranium but minus the bugs! By JeffreyJamesModern

One day I'll live in a burrow under a huge oak tree with a wooden door that leads out into the woods.

Some greens of my own:

shupg

28 Apr 11

| Raindrops on noses |

2011-04-24T11:07:00.005+08:00

As a kid, I used to watch Sound of Music every time I had a chance to. Before there were laser discs or LDs (yes, those HUGE vinyl pieces) I caught them on TV every time they were screened (which was like twice a year during long weekends with public holidays). And then I made my parents borrow the LDs every fortnight. Then I recorded them on VHS and watched them every time I felt sad or a little nostalgic. Well, of course now they are readily available on DVD but I've yet to secure a copy... maybe because it's embedded in my mind so firmly I don't need visual reminders anymore :p. It helps to have visited that long tree-shaded gazebo in Salzburg where they filmed the many lovely scenes.

Raindrops on noses ..... ah..... an unforgettable tune.

Black raindrops come from white clouds... or do they?

This elephant loves raindrops, especially those which brings with them a star.

Bring a snazzy jazzy black brolly, though it doesn't look like rain. For now.

| Red Blue White |

2011-04-21T09:24:00.003+08:00

Summer's coming - or is it already here! In Singapore it's summer all year round.

Let's go light & nautical with red + white + blue.

A little french seaside holiday is on the cards. :)

Hi there, it's a great day for a sailboat ride. Come with me!

On my little colour block crescent-moon boat

Sail all the way to France

We shall write them a post-card ...

...with lots of love.

shupg

21Apr11

| shupg @ Dulcetfig |

2011-04-19T10:00:00.017+08:00

Most of you probably know that shupg doesn't get out much... well maybe because I'm such an 'auntie' (a slightly mocking term of endearment in the most Singaporean sense of the word) and I have to sleep early, don't like to take the cab or sit around doing less than one thing at a time.

So I'm so glad that someone found shupg at a chance meeting at the Pigeonhole (a great new cafe at Duxton Road) - Thank you Lovie of Dulcetfig!

And now - shupg's only physical exercise is at Dulcetfig at Haji Lane, one of the pioneer shops of the area and still going strong for many great reasons.

Here's a tasting-platter of what shupg's serving at Dulcetfig.

We'll see you there! :)

Monochrome geometric shapes with lots of 3D action!

I whistle - Ooo whee wheet!

One piece only! I think it looks like a cat - meow!

The way to live life

Hah!

For a little quiet time

One of my favourite series - made of retro wooden toys! ;)

I'm so one!

How many of you can relate to this? I know people who can!

1 out of 2 persons I see is carrying a camera - Singapore has many photographers!

A subtle message at work - it might work! :) at least it'll get a laugh!

shupg

19 Apr 11

| Vintage Coverage |

2011-04-17T07:14:00.004+08:00

Hats and I are longlost lovers. They don't take to me, and neither me to them. It doesn't stop me from loving them anyway. They create such lovely daydreams and stories of a cosy corner in time past and present.

Oh what about a pickwick picnic today? - by DearGoldenVintage


Or maybe a train ride to see yellow-dotted green meadows whipping by - Boater Hat by EGVintage			EGVintage

Straw Boater Hat - by Kimrib23

Yes, Mr. Darcy, I quite agree - Widebrimmed straw hat by CustardHeartVintage

Mum's the word - a little upturned snootiness by calloohcallay

Bring along a nice niece in her felt hat - by PearlWestwood

A walk down cobbled lanes, 70s pants, white floppy shirt and brown platform heels - by pineapplemint

Or imagine yourself by the Agean sea on a Mediterranean holiday - by pineapplemint

What story does your head piece tell of you or your loved ones?

shupg

17 Apr 11

| Caught up in a cloud |

2011-04-16T06:31:00.004+08:00

I look back at when I first opened my etsy shop in 2008 and saw this. Something I so thoroughly enjoyed making and which a lovely lady in France liked enough to purchase almost instantly. Kismet!

It reminds me to get crackin' and to carry on, despite the fact that it may not be everyone's cup of tea.

I'm happy here though I don't know why. Perhaps because I can see the clouds above.

shupg

16 Apr 11

| Brown Brogues 2 |

2011-04-15T06:45:00.004+08:00

More brown shoes. I know, I'm a little obsessive compulsive when it comes to forming collections. :P

shupg

15 Apr 11