My Etsy Shop is open again!

Moving, specially in between countries is no mean feat. Even after the physical move, there's all the adjustments weeks, and even months after.

So, after a very long break, I finally found the time to sit down and focus on my Etsy Shop. The goal is to start simple: post my caricature work. I've been based in the UAE for the last decade and it was my main market. Now, I have to spread my wings even further.

There will not be much reviews or feedback in my Etsy shop even though it is more than a year old. It's been closed for more than half that time and even before that I was not able to focus on marketing it. That is going to change starting right now.

Taddaaa.... Welcome to my OrangeJar Art's Etsy shop - hope you have time to browse!

Making cake toppers fun

For ARTE Souq Timesquare, Dubai, this coming February 8, I want to display more options for cake toppers. The most recent one I finished is this couple who apparently just fell down. In my mind the groom slipped when he stepped on the cake and they both fell, huge expressions of surprise on both their faces. I just love it when humor and action are injected in the usual traditional ceremonies. My hubby and I had a small civil wedding in Cyprus so we did not go the traditional route but if we did go the way of multi-layer chiffon with white unblemished fondant - I would have loved it if it had a likeness of us in our wedding formals doing something funny. It's not too late, we can always do it in one of our anniversaries, so I'm already racking my brains for the perfect fit.

Another cake topper I finished is a themed one, for Harry Potter fans (which can be customized to any theme - Star Wars, Shrek, etc). The great love that built over the years, through friendship, rivalry, war and magic - that of Ron and Hermione. This cake topper sample shows them both standing in the same action-packed stance, wands-a-ready, and flicking it off to some unseen, yet happy, object. 

Of course, I can't forget the traditional route. So here I have a lovely couple, just waiting for the ceremony to start. The bride has a lovely violet bouquet, a silver tiara and silver trimmings on her gown while the groom looks on, standing proud in his tux, silver tie, and matching violet corsage.

Cake toppers and more in Dubai

I am not allowing myself to buy new supplies without finishing up what I have. It's a weakness of mine... I go gaga inside arts or crafts shops. Like many artists and crafters before me, I end up going home with more than what I originally planned on buying.

Some say it's better to get your supplies online, because you just order just what you need. Wrong! I go to an online craft store and I end up putting more in my cart, again, more than I originally planned on buying. The good news is, most sites have "wish lists" now. So I just tag the ones I like and put them in the wish list. Creates a little cushion for my pocket. Sigh. Don't you just love buying art supplies? I really do.

Anyway, back to work. I've been nursing a headache these last three days so my world has been really quiet. My hubby and I got into a discussion about the term "nursing a headache". If you nurse a baby, you make her/him grow bigger, so if you nurse a headache, does it mean you want it to last longer? Rambling...

I've been working on keychains. These little cuties have a hook on their little heads that allow me to strap on silver finish key hooks on them. They'll be available on Etsy or at ARTE Souq Timesquare this coming February 8: UAE collection, Star Wars inspired collection, Harry Potter inspired collection, and the new line I've been developing - Wedding Cake Toppers. All of these are handmade with non-toxic polymer clay, with no molds used. (Insert advertisement: You can order your own custom made wedding cake topper or birthday cake topper - cake topper for any occasion! - just email me at orangejar @ orangejar.com.)

I really enjoyed working on this Ron & Hermione-inspired wedding cake topper sample. Adding all those small details was really satisfying. There are a couple more that I am working on: a Hans Solo (in his usual garb) and Princess Leia (in her ceremonial gown) and a traditional bride (white gown) and groom (tux). All of these couples will be displayed at ARTE Souq in Feb as samples of custom made wedding cake toppers. My next project will be another bride and groom but the bride will have a more elaborate gown.

Feels great to working with clay again.