Earrings clearance sale!

OFFER! Only $4/pair.
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Now selling past-seasons' stock at an irresistable price. Only those shown in the photo above.

:: Find out more

Creating a Terrarium

Living in a apartment doesn't allow me the luxury of planting trees on terra firma or creating stunning landscaped gardens that other homeowners have. But thanks to a balcony that gets kissed by the morning sun - and visits everyday by cute little sunbirds that announce their arrival with loud chirps - I get to indulge in some high-rise gardening with rather satisfactory results.

Recently, I have been intrigued by terrariums, especially those enclosed in pretty glass containers. From elaborate plantscapes to simple designs, setting up one of these self-sustaining eco-systems can be a lot of fun. The result will liven up any coffee table or office desk.

Here's are two very simple mini terrariums that I've created:

An open terrarium with cactus

Red and green frittonia growing in a glass bottle
    

Quick How To

Step 1: Choose your glass containers and plants. If you're making an enclosed terrarium, make sure the plants are small enough to fit entirely in the container when covered, with some room to grow.

Step 2: Line the base of the container with the following in this same order.

1. A layer of small pebbles
2. Sphagnum moss, available at gardening supply shops - I bought mine from Far East Flora
3. Soil

The pebbles create a form of draining so that the plant roots do not trap too much moisture, which may result in rot. Sphagnum moss is useful in maintaining the layer of soil above it and not seeping down gradually into the pebbles.

Step 3: Gently arrange your plants inside the container and packing the soil firmly around them. Popular plants for terrariums include frittonia (nerve plants) and other non-succulents.

Step 4 (optional): Top up visible soil surfaces with coloured sand or pebbles. To add interest, you may include little figurines or rocks to create a nice little landscape with a story to tell.

Caring for Your Terrarium

• Do not have the urge to overwater the plants. Enclosed terrariums usually do not require watering for weeks. But do play by ear. You may give your plants a drink whenever the soil appears to be parched.
• Remove leaves that have whithered quickly.
• Trim overgrown leaves or repot plants that have outgrown the containers.

t.d.m. Saturday Flea Market

Much as I've wanted to, I've never set up stall at a flea market... until today. A neighbourhood RC had organised a Saturday flea market held at the void deck and so I decided to give it a go.

The crowd trickled in very slowly and business was pretty lull not only for my stall, but every one else. Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience! Thanks to friends and family who stopped by to lend their support, as well as those who purchased items. >_<

Beads Passion @ Far East Closed

I was informed that Beads Passion, run by a friendly Chinese expat couple, would be moving out of Far East Plaza recently and therefore had to go and collect back my stuff that had been consigned there. Thus ended my foray into retail @ Orchard... for now at least.

Beads Galore in Shum Shui Po, Hong Kong

Ah, finally got to check out this place, which I heard is a must-go destination for any avid beader. So during a recent holiday in Hong Kong, I made it a point to stop by Shum Shui Po in between all the other sightseeing and shopping in this exciting Asian city.

The area of Shum Shui Po in Kowloon is famous for the Apliu Street flea markets peddling everything from electronic goods to household knick-knacks, as well as wholesale shops brimming with clothing and fashion accessories. Moreover, those looking to top up their beads stash will go ga-ga at Yu Chau Street/Pei Ho Street, lined with shop after shop selling beads, beads and more beads.

Even if you're not planning to buy, simply peering into the shops will leave you awed by the countless varieties of beads on sale. Entire drawers are filled to the brim with crystals, wooden beads, acrylic baubles and everything in between.

And that's not all; around the corner is another entire street dedicated to buttons and ribbons. I randomly stepped into one shop just to take a look-see, but ended up buying a couple of packets of buttons and what-nots, simply because everything was just so cute!

How to go: Take the MTR train and alight at Sham Shui Po station, Exit A1.

On days when you want something fun & flirty

Some like it petite and intricate; some like it bold and chunky. We're talking about necklaces here and we know it's all a matter of personal taste. But for an attention-seeker or a gal simply not afraid to flaunt an individual style, nothing says it better than a statement piece of accessory round the neck.

Check out my three new necklace designs here.

New Arrivals this week

Hi Peeps, lots of new earrings available this week for order online. Check out the one with the absolutely adorable bird charm, and other danglies. I also made a pair of stud earrings, with buttons and pearls - my first foray into something that involved, er, glue on earrings. Happy browsing!
:: Go to earrings catalogue.

Don't forget, more items available for sale at:

• Beads Passion
• de.laudrette