Designer Sunnies and their Gigantic Cases!

Argh!
Why does every designer brand and associated eyewear manufacturer make gigantic hard cases?!
With the amount of moolah they charge for said eyewear, the least they could do was make boxes that fit the darn things nicely instead of a 'one size fits all' lazy bum approach.

Case in point this time around -
the Dior So Reals are very slim yet the box is huge and squarish which means its a struggle to get it to fit into most moderately sized handbags and if you can get it in, it almost fills up the entire bag!
(Safilo have now started accompanying sunnies with the much slimmer black boxes, unfortunately, these still came with the giant white box)

*grumble grumble grumble*

Anyhoo, of course this is a good opportunity to custom make a box for the slim sunnies.

Presenting:

 

The custom case isnt tiny but follows the shape of the sunnies much better and fits more snugly than the original.
The side profile shows the uneven trapezoidal shape i made these in to follow the different slants of the front and back side of the sunnies. This shape is new to me so was an interesting challenge.

A little bit of casual neon polka dots on the side...

 

I made a large flap opening that opens up all most of the way for easy access that minimises the risk of squishing the sunnies or having to slide its way in which may inflict painful scratches.
The 'back' wall is lower for easy pick up because you know... its all rush rush rush lol

The inside is lined in emerald green scrap silk satin which you may remember i had also used as the lining for the 'wa! pucca flex sunnies soft case'.
The inner side where the front of the sunnies sit is padded - just like a silk pillow for the precious =)

With the finished case, i could have probably made it slightly smaller height-wise.

It was only after making this custom case that i found out the new black slim boxes were coming with newer models. The black case is slim and is the profile is actually a long triangle - which means its long and pointy at the bottom - probably not the best combination with soft leather lining in some bags.
Interestingly, the black cases are so slim that now you get the reverse problem where some sunnies like the Diorama barely fit in there - actually squishes the sunnies abit. You also have to slide it in and out to get it as on the top lifts up to open. Scratch central, anyone?
Oh vey =S

Average 45 Matches

Finally got some slightly larger but still thinnish magnets in the mail and what better way to try them out than to use them in a slightly unusual box.

Modelling it off the humble matchbox comes the next design.
Vintage safety match boxes always feature interesting artwork and have usually have absolutely nothing to do with matches.

Since the designs are fairly intricate for only 2-3 colour designs, painting it onto fabric would be pretty time consuming and require way too much concentration.
What a good time to test out the fabric markers from Sharpie.
Stained by Sharpie.

i had come up with my own three colour design based on the plethora of vintage matchbox artwork, and i only required red and black sharpies with the fabric itself providing the third colour.
The tips of these liquid ink markers are very fine and sharp. Good start. However they are not soft like a paint brush as the top left corner of the pack suggests. They are hard like normal textas.

I started off with the red on my canvas. Inks like a dream. Colour is saturated and the ink did not bleed.
Buoyed by the excellent start, went to complete the picture with the black marker.
And then disaster strikes!
The red pen was so sharp and smooth, but for whatever reason, i did not have the same luck with the black. Right away, pen on fabric, the ink bled like crazy. It probably doesnt look that bleedy from a short distance away but it felt like crazy considering the red was so sharp. Particularly obvious with the outlines.
*le sigh*

Soldiering on.
Matchbox style is alot more difficult to put together than i had anticipated. That's not to its not possible, just much trickier. Especially handling the outer casing.

Presenting my Three Ducks brand Safety Matches :)

Bang, bang

Push, push to slide out

Riveted loops for chain

I won't be putting this up on Etsy.
I love this design, but im not happy with the black ink and the overall wobbliness of the drawing. I will most probably come up with another way around the Sharpie issue and make some to put up for sale. You know what they say, where there's a will, there's a way.

Stay tuned!

Now Open: the Art of Jemology

Its been a long time coming.
I have finally mustered up and opened up my very own Esty shop - Art of Jemology.
Yep, Jemology, that's the name of my label. Check it out!

The craft is starting to take over and as much as i enjoy making these box clutches, there just isn't enough room (real estate is at a premium here in Sydders :P donchaknow?) to keep all of them.
So why not share the love and offer them up to some happy campers.

The shop is a little bare right now, but no doubt i will be adding more.

First up is the Jemology 'Today is a Gift' large box clutch.
How cute is this japanese print!

not a real mirror makes for wobbly reflections :P

Ribbon goes all the way around!

My very own Box of Joe

Its been a long hiatus.. isn't it annoying when a day job gets in the way?
Even more annoying when the day job becomes a night job as well ☹
All the pain but none of the glory *sigh*


Getting back to it.
The last few project were sewing projects so its past due for some boxy fun!


The latest creation is based on the humble milk carton (stumpy version).
Presenting Caffe Latte in a carton.
My very own box of joe (although i do not drink coffee at all) =P

The chain strap/handle is removable; in fact, i pinched this off my Moschino Cheap & Chic bag.
Currently its cross body, but can be replaced with a shorter hand held chain strap.
Its spacious enough to hold the essentials and more.


just a thought, why is it that people order a 'latte', but they obviously don't mean (just) milk, but milk/white coffee?

Vintage style caffe latte graphic

Front and side.

 

Front & other side

Open wide!

Tick, tock, tick, tock...

What time is it?!

 

 Its time for a surprise!!

.. or maybe is time for something "engaging"...

Abracadabra!

I designed this novelty ring box for fun.
Ring boxes out there are quite run of the mill, plain-ish, and "regular".
Most ring boxes i see on etsy are associated with engagements so what better than a clock to ask what time is it?

Of course, its not limited to only engagements. It can be time for anything!
The insert for the ring can be easily changed to an insert for a necklace chain or earrings.
Stay tuned for more.