Merry Christmas, Cool Cats

Time-Lapse: Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse

It was so worth staying up for!
I've seen many images of the eclipse, but this time-lapse video is one of my favourites.


Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse from William Castleman on Vimeo.

Biko Kaleidoscope in BlogTO's Gift Guide

I know this link has been all over Facebook and back (yesterday), but I have to be a responsible girl and post it on my blog, right?

My favourite quote from the write-up is: "Biko leading lady Corrine Anestopoulos dares you to "see the world in a different dimension" while using your portable kaleidoscope around town. When was the last time a string of pearls worked that hard?"  It's so true!

Winner!

The winner of the Bijou and Boheme Giveaway is Trina!   Trina is the writer of La La Lovely, a blog on all things lovely, based in Rockford, Illinois.  She will be sent a pair of the Biko Carnelian Leafdrops, pictured below. Be sure to check out her blog!

OOAK Toronto Round-Up

OMG, so much to say.  It's been very long and so much has happened over here!  I'll start with posting a round-up of the Toronto One of a Kind Show, which ended on Dec 5th.  Just a few final pictures of my booth, along with some other cool booths with great handmade products.

Me in the Biko booth, reaching under the glass for a necklace!

I call this the 'dollhouse effect.'  Each room is so different from the next, but you can see all that's happening at once.

Here's my neighbour, Avril Loreti.  She designs amazing and playful modern home decor and accessories.
Check out her SITE and ETSY PAGE.

This is Gosia.  She creates unbelievable miniature shadowboxes, sculptures, and illustrations.  I'm a huge fan of her work.
Check out her SITE and ETSY PAGE.

Very cute, especially the little guy on the far right!

I saw these super cool wool 'taxidermy' animals by Felt Factory and just had to buy the unicorn (named Luna) to hang in my studio.

The detail is amazing, and each animal has it's own personality and expression.  Some make me laugh, while others make me feel dreamy and full of wonder. Visit their SITE.

A Biko Giveaway!

Just in time for Christmas... a Biko giveaway!
Visit the Bijou and Boheme blog for details and to enter!  

PHOTO: Pick of the Week

I came across this picture of Brittany, one of the Biko interns.  She's rocking the Effie Bow Necklace, and looking so beautiful and stylish... I just had to share this picture (sorry Brit).

The My ETV Media OOAK Show Video

My ETV Media interviews several artisans at the Toronto One of a Kind Show, including Biko!  Check out the video here!

Biko on the Flare.com blog!

Check out the direct link to the Flare.com blog here.

Biko and the Booth

Biko is at the One of a Kind Show in Toronto, at booth # L-19 in the centre aisle.   Friday was a super busy day, and the weekend should be total madness!

This show is also the unveiling of the new branding, which is seen throughout the jewellery tags, as well as the business cards and the backdrop flag signs.  I love the crest and wordmark so much, and am excited to present the complete package, which includes the new website and e-store (soon soon soon).

In the meantime, come visit Biko at the show, and pick up some of the latest pieces before they hit the stores.  You might even find some gifts for those special people in your life  (although I know it'll be hard not to keep a new necklace or bracelet for yourself).  

And the winner is...

...someone by the name of Hotsauce!  Thanks to those who entered to win the pair of tickets to the One of a Kind Show. 

To buy your ticket online, please use my personal discount code (ADu2c49), for $3 off the ticket price. Buy your ticket HERE.

CONTEST: Win a pair of free tickets to the One of a Kind Show

In the comments section, write why you want to visit the One of a Kind Show in Toronto (on Nov 25th - Dec 5th, 2010).  One winner will be chosen at random, and will be awarded a pair of complimentary tickets to visit the show!

Contest closes Sunday Nov 21st, and the winner will be announced on Monday Nov 22nd.  Get your comments in people!

Customer Photo: 'Little Lady' Harmonica Necklace

I came across this photo posted by Rachel Ma on her Flickr Page. She came by the Bicyclette Pop-Up Shop and picked up the 'Little Lady' Harmonica Necklace.  Check out Biko's new card with the new logo (printed in metallic ink)!

VIDEO: Toronto Vlogger Monique Lahey Visits the POP-UP Shop

Paige Boersma speaks of her Bicyclette inspiration, and I talk about Biko. Watch us here. =) 
For those of you who haven't yet checked out the Bicyclette POP-UP Shop, it's been extended until Sunday Nov 21st, at *Hotshot in Kensington!

A Zombie Halloween

I'm sure many of you in Toronto saw some wandering zombies last weekend.  The annual Zombie March brought out so many slow-moving creepy creatures, with awesome costumes and high zombie spirits.  I came across this Flicker set and just had to post these images.  If I wasn't away from home this Halloween I think I would have definitely taken some inspiration from these costumes for my own.

 

  

THE LAUNCH PARTY: success!

The Bicyclette Boutique Launch Party was so fun!  Thanks to everybody who came out and helped make the evening such a success.  If you haven't check out the store yet, you still have time!  It's open for 2 more weeks, until Nov 10th.

Here are some photographs from the event:

The balloon canopy was one of my favourite additions to the store yesterday.

Wolfie all done up in the corner.

Thanks for coming Emma!

Jess was out first customer early in the night.  She even brought her dinner.

Monique Lahey interviewing Emma for her Vlog.

Mel doing a bit of shopping.

From out front.  *Hotshot is such a great space!

YOU'RE INVITED: Bicyclette POP-UP SHOP launch party!

Here's the official invite for the POP-UP SHOP Launch Party this Thursday, from 6-10pm.  Pass it along and come celebrate with us!

This is a great opportunity to shop a finely curated assortment of unique and hard to find clothing and accessories, and experience the store first-hand in a bricks-and-mortar location. While the POP-UP SHOP runs from Oct 22nd – Nov 10th, the launch party on the night of the 28th will offer a special discount of 10% on all purchases, as well as a raffle of select pieces from each local designer, delicious nibbles, a live DJ, and of course complimentary drinks!

Don't forget to RSVP for the party to [rsvp@shopbicyclette.ca]

POP-UP SHOP Madness

Today was a pop-up shop set-up party, which started off rough (with our rental car breaking down), but ended up being very productive.  You see (I never did mention this before), my friend Paige's online store, Bicyclette, is being brought to the real world for only three weeks, beginning tomorrow!  This store is seriously going to be super hot when it's complete, and so far, it's looking amazing. 

The deets are as follows:
WHERE ///  *Hotshot Gallery / Kensington Market / Toronto / 181 Augusta Ave.

WHEN ///  Oct 22nd - Nov 10th, 2010

HOURS ///  Wed: 11-5 / Thurs-Sat: 11-7 / Sun: 11-5 / Mon+Tues: Closed

*Hotshot Gallery is such a beautiful blank slate, with rough hardwood floors, pristine white walls, spotlight lighting, and a dark wood coffee bar (serving great coffee).  We set up about half of the large space, and have the rest to finish up tomorrow.  Here are some images of the place so far.

Also, stay tuned for info on the opening party, scheduled for next week, October 28th, 6-10pm!

The front of the shop so far.  Those frames will be filled too!

That's me adding some Biko to an amazing Dolce Vita cape/sweater/jacket.  I want it so bad!

The beginnings of our wall collage.  Just you wait 'til it's done...!!

Behind the Scenes: This is what fall days are made of

About a week ago, on yet another beautiful fall day, my interns (Mel and Brittany) and I went outside to enjoy the sunshine.  Yes, we did get a lot of work done that day, so our long lunch was much deserved!

We ended up doing quite the photoshoot, which included throwing around bright leaves and taking advantage of the local statue of Johnny Lombardi.  Many pictures were taken, but only the most tasteful ones made the blog cut.   Stay tuned for the 'Street Style / Intern Interview" post, coming soon!