Everyone of us has a hobby and passion. There are things we are devoted to doing even if it takes great efforts and dedication. We may not be artisans but we are passionate in doing our hobbies well and letting our talents shine through them.

I used to like colored beads and stringing my own jewelry. Beads for jewelry come in all shapes and forms as well. In spite of beaded jewelry’s reputation for being inexpensive, a person can also use precious gemstones like pearls and precious metals, such as gold and silver, to make beaded dress accessories. For beginners, however, less costly materials are widely available for making beaded jewelry: glass, crystal, coral, to name a few. Just like a car enthusiast who is passionate about his Ferrari parts, an artisan will choose her beads carefully and everything is done with a touch of creativity.

Whatever materials the artist uses, he or she is easily able to customize the type of beaded jewelry to be worn personally, given as a gift, or sold to beaded jewelry enthusiasts.

I love Christmas. To me, it’s a season of giving and blessing your loved ones with warm wishes and appreciation and it helps bring the family closer. When I was young, I looked forward to be a receiver but when I’m adult now, I witness the joy of giving. There are some friends whom I exchange gifts every year. I told some of them that I would be looking out for eco gifts this Christmas and they are looking forward to their surprises.

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In the world of beauty and trends, every woman wants to look younger and better. With many beauty products on the shelves, it’s hard to determine which ones work best for your money. I have friends who hop from one beauty centre to another, pampering themselves with therapies and spa treatments to grant them better appearance. As I shop around for an eco gift, I came across the NuFace who would be perfect for my good friend in the medical equipment industry.

NuFace is the only microcurrent hand-held device approved by the FDA for over-the-counter use for cosmetic facial toning. This little and handy device uses a gentle microcurrent to help lift and firm your face, lessen the look of lines and wrinkles, and pump up production of collagen and elastin. Literally reprograms muscles to their original shape. With these features, it will help to save my friend money from face lifting procedures…etc.

Looks like I’m doing good shopping for eco gifts for my friends and family. There are still a few to go but I’ll keep them for the next week or so. I need to shop around for my own christmas gift too!

So it’s summertime and many people are heading to the beach. Before you get overly excited with the sun and fun, don’t forget to equip yourself with the right skin care before you start working on that tan. How about some natural sunscreen and eco sunglasses to get you started for a healthier summer?

Some people make the mistake of staying under the hot sun for hours with any protection. I hope you are not one of them. Skin cancer is common and I’m one who believes that prevention is better than cure. As much as the sun does provide us the necessary Vitamin D for the formation of healthier bones, we need to protect our face and body from the harmful rays too. Moderation is key for all things. A natural sunscreen is not expensive and you should use it both for your face and any areas exposed to the sun. Too much of the sun will cause premature aging, brown spots and freckles – something we women dread!

Ladies have the alternative to use mineral makeup is they still some makeup for their face while under the sun. Mineral makeup contains natural sunscreen which helps to offer a certain level of protection. Personally, I would still use a sunscreen with a mineral makeup pressed or loose powder. The fact that our skin perspire more in summer with heat and humidity, mineral makeup helps to prevent the clogging of pores too. Did I mention they are natural and eco friendly too!

eco-sunglass

And yes, for eco sunglasses, how about bamboo ones to set you apart from the normal plastic ones? As cool as they can be, these eco sunglasses arehand made, painstakingly crafted and made from real sustainably harvested wood. Plus, they are lightweight too which makes it great wherever you are and whatever you do – driving, shopping outdoors, sun bathing, walking, long distance moving and even just cruising.

So it’s not too late to grab your necessities before getting that glorious tan. Protect your skin. Protect your eyes. Choose the eco friendly way. Shop at Greenloop for the best selection of designer eco-fashion and sustainable accessories for men and women.

Sometimes I feel like I’m so backward when I’m surrounded by friends who either has an iPod classic, iPod Nano or iPod Touch and the latest Apple iPhone. I’ve been a Mac user for almost 20 years and I have not owned any of the above!

I’ve this crazy friend who is a gadget fanatic besides being a Leptorexin follower. Well, if you are looking for iPhone or iPod covers, you are going to look this artistic wood cover at Miniot.com. The wood cover is carved from a single piece of wood and you can choose from a nice range of wood finishes. Should I own an iPhone or iPod Classic, I would be grabbing one too!

I had a all girls gathering last week and it was great to meet some of my old schoolmates during the session. One of them was talking about her weight loss stories and what she did with Leptovox while I was sharing with them the wonderful finds I had in online jewelry shopping.

Citrine and carnelian choker, 'Chrysanthemum Trio' Citrine and carnelian choker, ‘Chrysanthemum Trio’ Layers of delicate citrine petals form chrysanthemums centered with carnelian. The beautiful trio poses on a choker with Busarin’s hallmark styling. Faceted crystals and glittering beads complement the natural gemstones.


When it comes to online jewelry shopping, I won’t hesitate to highlight the artisan works at Novica.com. From gemstones to handmade fine jewelry, you can find all kinds of artisan works – handcrafted rugs, handpainted vases…etc. These handmade jewelry are crafted with dedication and skillful hands by artists from all over the world. Whether it’s wedding jewelry or just a keepsake jewelry, you can find all kinds of handmade jewelry in Novica.com. Shop to experience for yourself the artisan handiworks of these talented artists.

I’ve so taken by those new mini computers in the marketplace lately. With all the cool features and performance, I guess there is no need to worry about memory cards at all. What’s nice is that I can tuck the light little mini notebook into my handbag and I can whip it out anywhere and anytime I want. I’m not sure if this is eco friendly enough but I sure hope that someone will invent an eco friendly laptop in time to come. This will be the dream of every eco living individual and fan out there!

Click here to claim* your Sony® VAIO® Laptop!

My hubby flashed me with that look when I was oggling Oakley watches at the store display in the mall. I had to assure him that I was only ‘looking’ – just window shopping in other words. I am switching more to a eco friendly fashion lifestyle of late. Even when it comes to shopping for sunglasses and other accessories, eco friendly sunglasses or jewelry made from recycled materials are coming top in my list. For a great one stop shop for eco friendly fashion goods including clothing, shoes, gifts and others. Even if you are not a big time fan for eco friendly stuff, you can start simple by learning how to conserve energy in your house! For instance, switch off the power when your electrical goods are not in use! For eco fashionistas, check out the eco friendly store at GreenLoop now!

Everyday, the artisan world market is growing with more independent artists and creative designers jumping onto the bandwagon. I was going to read up some diet pill reviews when I was distracted by some artistic finds in novica again.

Any seen an alpaca or pet one before? While I was studying in Perth ten years ago, I visited an alpaca farm. At first sight, I found the animals a little ‘weird’ looking but after spending a few moments beholding their mannerisms, I found that to be one of the mildest animals. Gentle and meek, a little like sheep and a camel.

So when I saw this alpaca wool wrap at Novica, I find a little warm. Peru’s Alfredo Falcon fashions this beautiful, full length wrap from a luxurious alpaca blend. Unparalleled in softness and warmth, this elegant wrap is a must for winter wardrobe. He combines weaving by hand and on classic machinery, remaining true to Inca and colonial motifs. I would like for the world to receive through my work high quality products, with modern colors and traditional motifs.

Alpaca wool wrap, 'Versatile Black' Alpaca wool wrap, ‘Versatile Black’

Alfredo Falcon selects solid black to combine with everything from jewel tones to tweed. This cloak is woven from a luxurious alpaca wool blend, unparalleled in softness and warmth. Elegant and versatile, it is a must for the winter wardrobe.


If you haven’t discovered the artistic and unique handmade finds at Novica, you should. This is a great online store for me when I need an original tapestry or a pair of artisan earrings for an occasion. Besides the creative range of ceramics and pottery which make great family gift ideas, there is a huge collection of shawls, scarves and wraps for those who are seeking an artisan touch.

Silk batik scarf, 'Feminine'

This silk batik scarf stole my heart this morning when I was searching for a birthday gift for my close sister friend who had been on Lipovox for a while. She is that sort of gal who gets very conscious about her flabby tummy and extra weight after the birthday of her second newborn. For Handmade and Unique Clothing and Accessories from Around the World, Novica has lots to offer. This Silk batik scarf, ‘Feminine’ shows soft pastel colors make this a very feminine fashion accessory from Melati’s Collection. Working in batik, Artisan Melati creates delightful floral motifs and graceful ferns on a fringed silk scarf.


This morning, I was greeted by a nice website design change at Novica.com. Perhaps the site design had been changed for a while and I had sort of missed it due to a very busy schedule. Novica is a great place to shop for Handmade and Unique Clothing and Accessories from Around the World. I love their artisan jewelry collection especially the ones crafted with sparkling and colourful gemstones and quality silver. They are original, creative and unique for indie shoppers who like an artistic touch to their accessory treasures.

This jade choker by the name of ‘Harmony’ is a lovely creation of artisan Matta from Chiang Rai. Orange jade enhances energy, while yellow jade is linked with understanding and empathy. White fosters the practical application of spirituality. Cool and serene, green jade is thought to augment longevity, fertility and harmony. Jade is just one calm stone who anyone who seeks serenity and a balance to their busy minds. For more handmade jewelry and accessories, check out Novica.com.