We Have Moved

Hi friends! :) I just wanted to let you know that I am moving (blogs!). Our new address is: www.the-pod.net. It will still hold Cocoa Pod announcements, as well other exciting things! :)

Hope to see you there soon!

xx
Renee
WWW.THE-POD.NET

"The Every Two Month's Blog"

Hi... remember me? I am the mystery girl who keeps popping in every two months to apologize for not blogging. The sad thing is, the main reason why is because I keep forgetting my password, and once I go through my 102 passwords, it sort of kills the creativity. The other reason is because I am too lazy to upload photos to the computer, and a blog post without photos is... boring.

Todays duty is to clean my studio which was sparkling clean only a few weeks ago.

I have got a parcel waiting for me at the Post Office, and I am dying to know what it is. If it is supplies, I will probably be making a mess of my studio all over again this afternoon. If it is my new shoes, I will be having an aching back all tomorrow. :p

Oh, and I am very proud, because I will be cooking a big-bulk dinner for tonight. It would last me a week, but alas, it will probably be finished within 3 hours by my 22-year old brother. Gobbling it down and not even tasting that it is a gourmet roast, that boy will. Squashes, capsicum, sweet potato, peanut pumpkin, egg plant, etc, etc… mmmm. I am normally a fresh salad and tofu or seafood kind of girl, but it is good to have a change.

Okay, toodles for now! See you in two months time! haha

**photos from my trip to brisbane**

Where have I been?

It is 6:30. I usually wake up at 7:30, but at 6 o'clock I started thinking of all the things I need to do and that I haven't done! Don't you hate that? Well, anyways, I thought this morning was the perfect time to blog.

Good morning Starshine! The earth says "hello!" :)

I am sorry for my disappearing act! Although things have been crazy, I am alive and finally 'hacked' into my blog. I have 21 passwords, all unlike. My imagination surfs all depths.

Since I have been away here are some of things I have been up to:

1. I left WA for the first time, and on a plane too! I can say it was super fun now, but really, we went for a family emergency, and the few days that were a holiday were so disorganised it was sort out of my comfort zone. I am pleased to report that the emergency is on the mend! And Byron Bay (NSW), one of the places we visit, is now stocking a few of Cocoa Pod's wares via Studio Ravish. If you are ever there, ask for Cocoa Pod!


2. Because of the family emergency, I missed out on all the markets this year, but I am super prepared for next year. I even have what I think (*at the moment*) is a perfect display... but when the markets approach, I probably will change it completely! haha How it is now, I love it's creative dimension and elegance, but it really needs more height! Hmmm....! Whoo - watch out 2009 market elites!

3. People are still spreading the word of Cocoa Pod! Hello Australian Edge, hello Liza, hello Rae , hello Cindy, and hello the rest!

4. Perth people will be pleased to know that Precious Gifts (Midland) and Ware (Mout Lawley) is now stocking a big range of Cocoa Pod work! And a lot of the pieces found there have not entered my Website yet! I adore both stores and their owners! When all my money does not go towards Cocoa Pod, both places will be the first place to stop at.

5. I have slightly neglected my internet Cocoa Pod side by not doing many updates. Don't despair, though! I am working on a PROPER collection to be probably launched in June, with a 'proper' but little one to be launched in February. Both these will hit the website first! Collections will be launched bi-yearly, and I will be buying the supplies in bulk (if I can), so they will last a bit more than they are now.

6. The end of the year (now and next month) I am buying Cocoa Pod's 'new' and 'old' components in bulk, which is exciting, but also scary! I know I will use them all very quickly, and that is in an investment, but at the moment it feels like throwing a bunch of money in the milky wave.

7. I will be removing my work from Waroona, and possibly Beverly this month. They are lovely shops, and I am selling a bit, but I think the customers are too conservative for Cocoa Pod.

8. I have started to list a few things that are on my website on Etsy and Madeit, in prep. for the holidays.


That's all for now! I need breakfast!

Jewellery photos are from the unofficial September collection. Go to www.cocoa-pod.com to purchase.

The Coffee Diet Trick

Yikes, 15 days later... although, it feels so much more. I didn't tell you before, but until about a week ago we have been helping a friend who was in great need, just about 24/7, so it has been hectic. I am slowly getting out that zombie/almost brain-dead mood. I'm SURE thats almost all thanks to the supplies have bought and I am finally receiving them, full of new and exciting beads that I am sure will thrill you soon too! The parcel made me so excited, I skipped my morning coffee and went straight into creating. The second day I received a parcel I did such a happy dance, that I sprained my ankle. I am such a dag!

By the way, elite people of this world, Ikea has a new catalogue! See the online version here.

Ikea makes me happy, I could spend a whole day there, even just window shopping and eating at their café.

But before I love and leave you, I must share with you this forgeous Bouquet by Australian designer and paper 'florist', Lilly Buds! It is truly stunning, don't you think? :)

Renee

PS: I'll do a further Cocoa Pod update later this afternoon, promise!

More past Press

Big or small; it's all appreciated!

Etsy Treasury :::::::::::::: Etsy Showcase


Bits Of Toffee :::::::::::::: Indie Voice

9th of Sept, photo diary

Chocolate overtones, secrets, spring fusion, daydreaming...

procrastination.

Looking Back

Cocoa Pod as a babe at...

Market


Etsy


It's a lovely feeling looking back and seeing how much you have grown! Being the perfectionist that I am, it's embarrassing too. Speaking of perfection, I am learning that some things should not wait until it is 'perfect', because it never really is... or not for long. You always continue to grow and need larger 'clothes', 'food' and 'money', and I'm slowly accepting that.

Hooray for growth!

Mood Board

Inspiration Amy Butler fabric; Trailing Cherry/brown & Martini/Moss

Create this Room 1. Table runner (technically a scarf) 2. Pins
3. Pendant lamp 4. Throw rug 5. Bird bowls 6. Beige/white vases
7. Coffee table 8. Box stack 9. White chair 10. Flower arrangement
11. Green chair 12. Plywood chair 13. Coasters

Hope you enjoy this mood board that I created a few months back for a competition. I really enjoyed making it, and I can totally see myself living in that room.

Successful Opening

I'd like to thank you all for the successful grand opening Cocoa Pod experienced. It has been lovely, despite my computer crashing, hail spoiling one day of Spring, and various other things! I am looking forward to what next week brings. Thanks also to the people spreading my joy - these people include:

Creature Comforts Yen Magazine's Blog

Style Directory

Some things have been sold out entirely, but hold on tight! I am working on getting my hands on the rare supplies again to make more. Also look forward to updates (= more items!) all through September. From October each item will be launched in a group the first of every month.

The 1st of September

Today is the first day of Spring in Australia, and Cocoa Pod's flowers are opening, with buds yet to bloom. Yes, the said cocoon in this post has finally opened, and the beautiful butterfly is enjoying this day with me too.

Today is the launch of:
www.cocoa-pod.com

Look forward for exciting updates all week!

I'd love to hear how your first day of Spring is going/went! Or, if you're from a different zone from me, I'd love to know what season you're in.

18 days past

But it feels like so much more. Hello me-deprived people! It has been crazy, crazy, and I am surprised I can not think of one quirky story to tell you at the moment. Right now I'm feeling ill and lost somewhere in my clothes as I keep forgetting to eat. :p Here are some silver lining:

Jasmine Tea ::::::: Organized Desktop

Toadstool Treat ::::::: Some call it Work

Cocoon EXPOSED!
www.cocoa-pod.com

Illustration and Mirrors

today's treasures

Dede's box, Grandma's brooch and Nan's buttons (all late), swapped and thrifted vintage cabochons.

Now I know why I was feeling off before - it was a start of a virus, but now after general laziness and various natural remedies, I am on the mends!

My orchid is going good too. It was looking so *perfect* for such a long time, it was sort of like looking at your 89-year-old Grandma who is still living at home perfectly. It just makes you think, "she should NOT be alright", so you put her in a nursing home and from there, everything goes down hill. Only instead of the nursing home I watered it heavily. I hope you have learned something today from my dramatic and intelligent dripping illustration!

Thanks for the best wishes in the previous post, and thank you Sarah for the plant-help, I will now go back to watering it once a week. =P

And I know, I know, everything seems so quiet, it's hard to believe anything is being done to a naked eye. Cocoa Pod is in a cocoon, and I suspect it opens on September the 1st, but possibly August the 1st, if my trip to THAILAND is delayed. You just cant rush nature. ;) For now we will mainly be talking about mirrors and such, and SOME sneak peaks, for sure.

I bought a new jacket! My last one offically died from me being lazy and wearing it while metalsmithing - I burnt it. Normally I do not worry about the cold, as after 10 minutes I am on another planet, and blue fingers just seem normal. The studio is in an outside room, you see.

Going back to the photo, smudging is great in the not being able to see my imperfections way (read: the Australian singature, freckles, and the far away yet so close to home 'Greek' singature. Go figure), but not in the tidiness factor. I hate mirrors, as I can never get them clean. Any secrets?

Busy little Bee

(Oops! This post was posted a week late!)

I have been a busy little bee filling orders for two local shops, as well as personal custom orders, and coming up with an exclusive range for one of my lovely stockists (stay tuned!). ^_^

I went down to the metalsmithing studio a week ago. As well as making much needed necessities (I'm a cheat - I write this word all the time, but can't pronounce it out loud :p) I finally did something irregular and organic again. My poor thumb might disagree; getting hit a couple of times.

Today I was putting my clothes back into my 'normal' closet, rather than my floor one. :p The prints, I thought, were quite inspiring together...

Oh, and I forgot to tell you before! I think I have come up with the perfect setting for my jewellery. What do you think? Your opinions are much appreciated. If you say you hate it, your comment will be deleted (kidding! :p).

Modeling today is the lovely Bee Hive earrings.

Have you heard? ...

Created by a variety of vibrant designers and business woman, it's already (in my opinion) proven successful by the amount of truly talented designers/artists who have sent applications to be a part of this great event. I'm quite thrilled for them, although upset that I won't be able to make it. Are you going? Tell me all the details, so I can feel apart of it! haha =p

Some past Press

Thank you, all! I'm delighted you enjoy my work! :) Ordered alphabetically.
Etsy

Neet Magazine Wickedly Chic

Indie

Have a peak at my attic

I have a folder on the computer that I dig through and add to like an attic. They are pictures I admired for various reasons and then saved to my computer. Sorry for not crediting them, but unfortunately I can't remember where I got them from. If you do, goodie, please say! Or if you own them and would like me to remove them, please say also. :)

Tuesday, hello!

This morning I am going to the local silversmith studio I have a membership to. I should really be getting ready to go now, but my excuse is that I am having my coffee while on the computer, so I am not wasting any time. It doesn't take longer having my coffee while on the computer, Mum. Well, I like my coffee cold, Mum. ;)

A short note to say...

Goodbye, Style Bytes!

One of the first blogs I have ever read, Style Bytes aka Agathe, has decided to put the towel in. I forever admired her, and now I'll forever remember her. Agathe, you will now sit gracefully next to my childhood loss and memory,"Hey Hey, It's Saturday". :p

February dispeared in blue smoke

Or was is purple? Well, I think I have died and came alive, just from the smell of N.E.E.T. Magazine new issue (out this June). Of course, it does help that I have got an (over due, but never too late) new camera!



Whenever I receive something new, I take it everywhere, like a little girl and her doll. Sure, taking a camera everywhere is fine, "she's a photographer" or "enthusiastic tourist". I know people thought I was gemologist when I was carrying the rock I found all through the city. I know.



I had an unusual cleaning frenzy, and now everything looks as sweet as sugar cane! And the blurred background makes my feet look... swollen, lovely! At least it is framed with beauty - delightful new shoes I received in the mail the other day. They are from the lovely Sarah, they match just about everything, and the things they don't match, I make them. =P Thank you Sarah, and Wardrobe Swap Shop!