Something for my pinboard

We all have goals and I'm one of those people who find it hard to focus. One minute, I'm on track, the next moment the motivation's gone. There are days when inspiration is nowhere to be found. But thanks to the internet, there is a plethora of inspirational and motivational quotes that get me by.


This one from Steve Jobs is one of my favorite:

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

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About Me (Part 1)

I'm not a born writer and definitely not a natural blogger. So to say something about myself is going to be a struggle. But let me try ...

My name is Monique and I'm the indie artist behind Kikay Designs. I enjoy making handbags with my own designs. I particularly like printed fabrics with bright and vivid colours.

One day in 2007, I sat on a sewing machine and taught myself how to sew. Since that day, I've lovingly made handbags, purses, wristlets and gadget holders. I've learnt a lot since then, and I'm still learning new things everyday.

I also love to paint with oil and acrylic. Once again, I taught myself. I did attend painting lessons for one term but then I quit because the lessons were just too slow and dragging. I just wanted to be able to get my hands dirty and paint away!

Okay, I think this is all for now as I'm running out of things to say. Hmmmm, maybe I should just do this as a series (?). Until Part 2 of 'About me'.

Reserved for Linda

Just finished these wristlets for Linda. These are great for hi-tech gadgets such as a blackberry, mobile phone or ipod.
Or ... if you don't want to carry a bag, these are also great for just the essentials!
The wristlets are made of high quality, limited edition Laurel Burch Tapestry. One of my favorite material of all time.

Aren't they cute?

To Linda --- I hope you'll love the wristlets!

When the boredom gets tough, the bored gets a Nikon D60!

Maybe I'm bored, maybe I'm not but one thing's for sure, my photos were getting boring. When my compact digital camera was broken a few weeks ago, I had to get by with my phone camera ... so not pro!

Last weekend, I decided to take the plunge and got myself a Nikon D60 DSLR. This nifty gadget is for someone like me who's just starting, not that I'll be concentrating on photography full on (but then again, why not???).

I can't wait to finish an order so I can get on and start learning how to use this new toy. In the meantime, without even knowing what the buttons are for, I played around and took some newbie photographer shots.

Made to Order

Back in August 2007, I had a customer named Jill who accidentally found me in Oztion. Oztion, if you haven't heard of it, is an Australian auction site just like eBay.

Jill loved the bag so much that she asked me to make her 3 more bags. I was hesitant at first. I like making handbags at my own pace, designing as I go and I didn't like the idea of being under pressure. But then I didn't want to disappoint Jill. I value my customers especially those who love and appreciate my work. So I said yes. These are the bags I made for her.

Sometimes all it takes are a few good words to get you moving.

Thought I'd share with you some motivational quotes I read from fitsugar.com - "Words that move you". Here are some of my favorites ...

"Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going."— Jim Ryun, 1968 silver medalist in 1,500 meters

"I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can't run, what they'd give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me."
—Anonymous

"Always bear in mind that your own resolution to succeed is more important than any one thing."— Abraham Lincoln

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all."
— Martin Luther King, Jr.

"Yesterday you said tomorrow" - Nike

"Fall seven times, stand up eight."—Japanese proverb

Kikay's Firsts ...

Looking back, my first Etsy sale was on 13 July 2007. It was this chocolate brown coloured 'Swing Bag'. I was so excited then.



On the other side of the world, after joining Dawanda in March 2008, I sold my first bag on 27 April 2008. This time it was the 'Maria Tote with Supersized Ribbon'. I had a lot of compliments on this bag.



Early this year, I decided to have some fun and listed my first bag on eBay. This ultra spacious 'Uni Tote' was sold to the winning bidder at a price beyond my expectation.


So there, those were my first sales and I'm so looking forward to making more hip bags in 2009!

First Sales ...

Looking back, my first Etsy sale (my "buena mano") was on 13 July 2007. It was the crossover swing bag, I was very excited then.

On the other side of the world, after joining in March 2008, I sold my first bag in Dawanda on 27 April 2008. This time it was the Maria Tote with a supersized ribbon.

Early this year, I decided to put have some fun so listed some of my bags for auction on eBay. This is the first bag that sold to the highest bidder (the winning bid was more than I expected!).

I'm Back!

So they say, time flies when you're having fun ... can't believe the last time I posted was in July last year. I'll try to keep this updated but in the meantime, here are a few of my creations in the last few months that went by so quickly!