Noah' s Ark

Recently, I have visited a Noah's Ark theme park with my family. It's a sunny day with fine weather.  Let's see some photos.

I myself love the last photo, in which the animals are happily coming out of the Ark in the sunny morning.  Life is beautiful!

A Trip to Zhangjiajie National Forest Park

Recently I have taken a break from work and joined a group tour to Hunan Province, China with my family for a holiday.

As the scenic spots of Hunan are mainly located at some remote areas, we spent quite a lot of time in transportation.  Apart from taking airplane, we also spent many hours travelling on roads by coach.  But, it is worthwhile, as the scenery and landscape there are glorious!

One of the scenic spots we visited is Fenghuang Ancient City, a valley town in Xiangxi Prefecture.  This ancient town is situated at the foot of mountains and beside waters, and is a well-preserved historical site.  The town is added to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List (Cultural Category) in 2008.

The main purpose of this trip is to visit the Zhangjiajie National Forest Park within the Wulingyuan Scenic Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.  Zhangjiajie National Forest Park is famous for its distinct geographic features.  As a result of millions of years of erosion, the mountains there are pillar-like.  These pillar-like formations can be found throughout the park.  After reaching a mountain top by cable car, you will find the weather there is misty due to the high altitude.  The scene is just like a traditional Chinese painting.

It is said that the scenery of Zhangjiajie provided the inspiration for the floating mountiains of Pandora in the movie "Avatar".  And you can find this there:

The food in Hunan is a bit too hot for me, but trying the local food is also a great experience you gain in travelling.

I love travelling.  Travelling gives you an opportunity to be away from your routine life.  The world is big and I just want to take every opportunity to explore it.  I hope that I can have another holiday soon. 

The Little Corner's First Anniversity

The Little Corner just celebrated its first anniversity on Sep 15.

Actually, 15 Sep 2010 is the day I registered a seller account for The Little Corner on Etsy.  The first item was listed on Sep 18.  I still remember how excited I was when I saw the first item appeared on the computer screen.

In the past year, I totally got 54 sales from 49 different customers, about one sale per week in average.  I know that the numbers are not comparable to many other online shops, and I also have to admit that my shop has not yet been profitable.  Maybe it is not wise to mention here my shop is not profitable, but what I want to say is that, running this little online shop gives me the satisfaction and happiness which cannot be calculated in monetary terms.  And actually, getting one sale per week in average is something better than what I expected one year ago.

Apart from a few local customers, my customers mainly came from US and Australia, and others from UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Canada, Indonesia, New Zealand, France and Germany.  I have never been to any of these countries so far, but my items were shipped to these places, isn't it amazing?  There may be millions of online shops in the internet world, and these people found The Little Corner among the countless shops, and they even decided to buy something from it.  It is really wonderful, just like a kind of magic, and I am truely grateful for them.  Many thanks to you all! 

I also want to offer my thanks to those who have made enquiries about my items even if no sale is made at last.  It is because they have shown their interest in the items of The Little Corner.  Besides, I would like to thank those who have featured my items in their blogs or treasuries.  Thank you so much!

I know I am lucky.  I have a stable full-time job to support my running of this online shop as a hobby (maybe it is also not wise to mention that I run this shop as a hobby as it sounds not professional at all).  But my ultimate dream is that the shop can expand and I can quit my daytime job to run it in a full-time manner one day.  It is not easy and a long way to go.  But, people should have dreams, right? 

Ok, let's have a look at my newest creations.  Recently I have tried to crochet a bucket hat in pink and gray:

After seeing the finished product, I just thought "Oh, it's not bad."  So I crochet it in other colors:

And again other colors:

  

And finally the hats become a new collection of my shop.  Hope you like it too :)

Dreams of the Much Younger Me

At different ages and different stages of life, we have different dreams.  When time passes by, some dreams are achieved, some become not important any more, and some are lost in the busy daily life.  At the same time, new dreams arise.  As mentioned in my earlier post, recently I love to read a blog about how a couple work hard to achieve their dreams.  I try to recall the dreams I had years ago and see how many of them have come true by now.

Here are the dreams of a 15-year-old school girl, the much younger me who lived a long time ago:

1. the cute and handsome boy in the class (in a teen girl's dreams there is always a place for a cute and handsome boy)
2. own a Hi-Fi set
3. get high marks in the public exams, and then go to university
4. be rich and attractive
5. be a writer
6. open a book shop
7. travel around the world

These are the dreams that I can recall.  Maybe they are some typical dreams of a teen girl.  Some of them have come true, and some haven't.  I will talk about that later.

The Little Corner on Artfire

In my earlier post I have said that I want to make this blog less business-oriented, but this time I would like to talk about my shop again.  I am happy to announce that The Little Corner has just set up a new shop on Artfire.

I love the design and functions provided by Artfire.  The site is very user-friendly, and I love the setting of the shop so much (Artfire calls a shop a "studio").  As opening an online shop is more like a hobby to me, simply looking at the setting and colours of my Artfire studio is enough to make me happy.  I hope you will also like its design.

Here is a new item from my Artfire shop, and you can also find it from my Etsy shop:

Constant Heart Ring - The Mathematical Constant Pi 3.14159...

3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510...

Let this mathematical constant symbolises how constant your heart would be.

Getting where

Recently, I have read through a blog titled Getting There, from its very first post to the most recent post. 

The blogger Laura lives with her husband and four little children in Canada.  The blog is about how she moves towards a simple, self-sufficient and meaningful life.   She now lives in a rented condo, and she and her husband work hard for having their homestead some day.

Though the blog is just about the frugal life of a mother of four, I really love this blog.  Laura and her husband have dreams.  They work hard to fulfill their dreams and believe that they will get there.  I love people who have dreams!

Then I think about myself.  Is the recent life is what I have dreamt of?  To where I want to get?  How many dreams of the younger me have come true by now?  And how many dreams have been lost in the busy working life?  Time flies like an arrow, and I don't want to get old with a lot of unfulfilled dreams.  Perhaps I have to spend some time to think about these questions.  

Be a Blogger

I wonder if readers find this blog boring.

When I started this blog two months ago, I had considered about what to be talked in it.  I admit that one of the reasons I started this blog is to make more people know that there is a litte shop called The Little Corner on Etsy.  But I don't want to talk just about my shop in the blog.  I also want to talk about the books I have read, the places I have visited, the movies I have seen, etc., that is, something more personal (though readers may find it even more boring if I talk about these personal stuff).   I want to connect with the rest of the world through this blog.

However, since recently I have been busy with my day-time job, I have little time to update my blog.  (Or busy may be just an excuse, the real reason is what I have said in my very first post -- I am a lazy person.)  The most easy way to update the blog is to upload photos of my shop items.  So I keep updating the blog in this way.  But after some time, I find the blog become too business-oriented.  And this is not something I have intended to be. 

I think this is the time to bring the blog back to its originally intended direction, that is, something more personal and less business-oriented.  Hope you will like it!

Hand-crocheted Flower Barrettes

Roses are an ancient symbol of love and beauty.

These barrettes are hand-crocheted with a yarn that is 70% wool and 30% acrylic. They are pretty hair accessories for any sweet girl.

Long Flower Barrette - Rosette Blossom in Pink and Brownish Red

Long Flower Barrette - Rosa in the Shades of Fall

Crocheted Flower Barrette - Rosa in the Shades of Pink

Christmas in July Sale

It is never too early to prepare Christmas gifts for your loved ones.  The Little Corner on Etsy is now holding a Christmas in July Sale.  Up to July 31, customers can use the coupon code "2011XMASJULY" to get a 10% discount for all our items. Enjoy!

And many thanks to lakeuka for including my Somewhere Over the Rainbow Earrings in this Christmas in July - Bling in the Holidays! treasury.

Charm Earrings - Somewhere Over the Rainbow Earrings

Made of bronze-tone earwires and diamond-shaped charms with multi-coloured tiny beads, these delicate earrings are just like beautiful rainbows sparkling for you.

July Trends

Many thanks to ZhivanaDesigns for including my Cell Phone Charm - Green Tea Macaroon in this beautiful and lovely treasury!

Cell Phone Charm - Green Tea Macaroon

This green tea macaroon charm is a sweet dessert for your cell phone.

They were speechless with love in their eyes

Many thanks to sunnyplainquilting for including my Pure White Daisy Ring in this dreamy and airy treasury:

Romantic Floral Ring - Pure White Daisy

In the language of flowers, the daisy is a long-standing symbol of purity, beauty, innocence and loyal love.

Treasury and Treasury

I am so happy that two of my items have just been featured on Etsy! Many thanks to the treasury curators!

Thank Knotescape for including my Little Song Birds Earrings in this Never too early for Christmas in July! treasury.

It's never too early to buy Christmas gifts for your loved ones!

And thank suekari for including my Lovely Kitty Cell Phone Charm in this The Cat's Meow treasury.

Lovely Kitties!

Best Friend of Wizards and Witches in the Magical World

The last movie of the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, is finally coming.  Really can't wait.  It may be something fun to wear an owl necklace when seeing the movie in the theatre.

Necklace - Autumn Owl

Necklace - Dr Hooty

The owl is a symbol of wisdom and thoughtfulness, and it is said to be a good friend of witches and wizards in the magical world. An owl necklace makes a perfect accessory for all smart girls.

Necklace - My name is Tweety, but I am an owl 

Don't you think this owl looks like Tweety? Maybe they are relatives.



Be my Ballerina

Thank DetailLoving so much for including my earrings in this lovely treasury!

Charm Earrings - Ballerina Tutu

These ballerina tutu earrings are a lovely accessory for all sweet girls.

Little Song Birds

The Little Corner has just set up its facebook page.  You can find the link of the page at the right column of this blog.  Hope you will visit and like the page :)

Here's the newly added item of The Little Corner:

Charm Earrings - Little Song Birds

"My little song birds, please sing me a love song."

My Kindle

Currently, I am reading Margaret Mitchell's Gone with the Wind with a Kindle.

In the past, I thought that books must be something made of paper.  I have got used to books that are made of paper for so many years.  And paper makes books, especially old books, have a sweet smell.  However, the reality is that, when buying more and more books, the storage of books becomes a problem you have to face.  New books are usually first published in hardcover version, which are always thick and bulky (and more expensive than the paperback version).  I do not have a big study, and my home becomes short of places to store new books (as well as magazines and comic books).  So finally, I have bought my Kindle.

Yes, I know, e-books are nothing new.  But to read with an e-book, I have to change my reading habit.  As I have said, I have got used to paper-made books for so many years.  And I like the smell and touch of books.  Nevertheless, since it is no hope that I will be rich enough to buy a big house with a big study in the coming future, changing my reading habit seems to be the simplest and easiest way to solve the book storage problem.

And, at least, I think I have done something that is eco-friendly to the world.

Peace and Love

Let this world be full of peace and love.

Peace and Love Necklace

Three Heads Six Arms

A giant copper sculpture I saw yesterday.  The "Three Heads Six Arms" sculpture by Zhang Huan weighs 15 tons and measures about 10 meters tall and 18 meters wide.  It's huge and impressive.

Flowers For Spring

Springtime is the season of flowers.  And you can find beautiful spring flowers in this lovely treasury: Flower For Spring

Thank you so much to OkanaganCrafts for including my newly-added floral ring in her treasury.

Romantic Floral Ring - Yellow Daisy

we are all mad here...

Oh, I have an item being featured again! Please come in and have a look of this wonderful treasury: we are all mad here...

Necklace - Enchanting Victorian Scissors

Hope you love it.

Ring around the Rosie

I am so happy that one of my hand-crocheted flower ring has just been featured in a treasury at Etsy.  Please come in and have a look at this lovely collection: Ring around the Rosie.

Flower Ring - Rosa (Magenta)

Daisy

In the language of flowers, the daisy is a long-standing symbol of purity, beauty, innocence and loyal love.

Romantic Floral Ring - Pink Daisy

Keepsake

Want to find a personalized keepsake for someone special?  A custom initial ring may be a good idea.

Custom Old English Initial Ring - Letter K

K is my initial.  You can choose your own initial letter:

Hope you like it.

I'm in My Secret Garden

Sunflowers are a long-standing symbol of adoration and loyalty in the language of flowers. In Springtime, let this sunflower blooms with your reading.

I am honoured that my crocheted sunflower bookmark has just been featured in a lovely treasury: I'm in My Secret Garden.   Please come in and have a look at all the dreamy collection of this treasury.

Hand Crocheted Bookmark - Sunflower

Solitude

This is a photo taken three days ago:



And this is a necklace from my shop:

Petite Resin Necklace - Missing You on a Solitary Afternoon



Two quite different pictures, but they share the same personal feeling.  On this solitary afternoon, I miss you.

Sweet Melody of Life

A newly added item from my Etsy shop, hope you like it.

Red Harmonica Necklace - Sweet Melody of Life

10 Things

1.   I love the sound of thunderstorm.

2.   I saw the most beautiful sunset in my life in Enoshima Island, Japan.

3.   I love the books of Twilight series written by Stephenie Meyer much more than the movies.

4.   I love The Host more than the Twilight series.

5.   I usually wake up earlier on holidays than on working days.

6.   I love sweet.

7.   I am a bit superstitious at times.

8.   I like to shop online rather than going to shopping malls.

9.   I love tea more than coffee.

10. English is not my mother tongue.

My favourite movies

I love books and movies.  Actually, you can say that I love reading and watching stories of other people, especially those from a far-away age or place.   Here are some of my favoutire movies:

1)  Letter from an Unknown Woman (US, 1948)
                                                                                
2)  Bicycle Thieves (Italy, 1948)

3)  Before the Rain (Macedonia and UK, 1995)

4)  The Birds (US, 1963)

5)  Psycho (US, 1960)

6)  The Shawshank Redemption (US, 1994)

7)  Stand by Me (US, 1986)

8)  What's Eating Gilbert Grape (US, 1993)

9)  The Towering Inferno (US, 1974)

10) The Omen (US, 1976)

Oh, except Letter from an Unknown Woman,  none is a romantic movie.   But I love romantic movies too, and the above are just a few of my favourites.  Maybe I will make a list of my favourite romantic movies next time.

Hi, I am finally here

Hi everybody, welcome to my new blog!

I have thought of writing a blog for a long time.  However, it was always a thought without action, partly due to the busyness of my job, and mainly due to my laziness.   Time just flew by and I understood that without action, I would never have a blog of my own.  Now, after a long struggle with my laziness, I am finally here, writing the first post of my new blog. 

I love books, movies and all things nice.  I also love crocheting and making lovely accessories.  My created items are available on my Etsy shop.  The shop is more like a hobby to me.  It's fun to have an online shop since you have customers coming from different places around the world.  Though it is just a little shop, it is big and important to me.

Here are some of the items from The Little Corner, hope you like them:

Floral Post Earrings - Pink Marguerite in the Spring Breeze

Romantic Floral Ring - Pure White Daisy

Petite Resin Necklace - Whisper of Butterfly