Category: 2018

My Discovery Channel: Thailand

Author stephanieip.comPosted on Categories 2018, PhotographyLeave a comment on My Discovery Channel: Thailand

My trip to Thailand was an interesting one. The food, the people, and the culture were all fascinating and eyeopening to a first time visitor. During my visit in the city of Pattaya and Bangkok in Feburary, it shown signs of grief the country was under after the recent pass of the King. As an outsider and foreigner to the country, it almost seemed like the country worships their King unconditionally, and yet the citizens seem to live in such poor living standard that was hard for me to comprehend.

Aside from the low living standards, the food was really cheap. Would I say the food was at high quality? Not really, but for sure, the food, especially the fruits, brought out the signature of Thailand. The mango was bigger than my average size hand! But, sorry to say, the taste wasn’t as great as Philippine’s mangoes. Durian was fresh and creamy!


I took a river ride on one of these speed boats. It was a fun ride going through the residential areas and the main stream among the city. The only down side to it was the water not being so clean. Also, there were alligators in the water, occationally I would see one swimming right by the boat!

Back on the land, strolling through Chinatown.
The history behind these Chinese restaurants and street vendors reminded me of my childhood in Hong Kong back in the 90’s. The type of food they served was a mixture of modern and food that was popular in the 90’s.

I got around town with my two folks by Tuktuk car, which was very compacted and not that comfortable for an hour ride. Though, it was fun to sneak through traffic jams.

The highlight of the trip was my visit at the Jim Thompson museum. The museum today is basically the house he built when he moved from America to Bangkok country side to build a Thai silk textile business in the 50’s and 60’s. Back in the day, he was one of the most famous Americans living in Asia.

To learn more about Jim Thompson,
please visit http://www.jimthompson.com.

Other than food, the temples in Thailand are widely famous for its intricacy and decor with gold finishes. A lot of work and effort were put into all of these individual temples, definitely inspiring just to look at!

Seeing that Thailand is the way it is had proven to me the idea that life can be lived with very simple basic things. It is obvious that the ratio of people buying into luxury goods are not as high as people in China, which I wonder if that will change when the economy standards catch up to the modern day society.

Hope you enjoyed today’s post!

// Stephanie Ip

Stephanie is a Creative Director and Consultant, providing creative strategy development support to small and large scale businesses in the industries of Fashion and Soft Goods. She specializes in Design and Development. Learn more about her here.

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My Discovery Channel: Hong Kong

Author stephanieip.comPosted on Categories 2018, Fashion + Soft Goods, PhotographyLeave a comment on My Discovery Channel: Hong Kong

Over 2 months ago, I was on my first longest business related trip to Asia. I had visited 5 cities out of 3 countries in just about a month! Experiencing Summer and Winter seasons within a few weeks time. On this post, I am going to tell you what I have learned from my visits in Hong Kong!

For the very first time, I am attending a trade show under my own company, going in as a Buyer! The good and (can be) bad feeling of being an entrepreneur is that you get to wear different hats, exploring possibilities by looking at businesses at different angles and perspective.

I went to the Hong Kong Fall/Winter Fashion exhibition at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. It is one of the biggest international trade shows in the Fashion Industry. As a Creative Service provider, I come across a lot of new client requests on Design and Product development quite often, having knowledge and connection with good manufacturers are generally key to my company success.

To learn more about the different trade shows in Hong Kong, please visit www.hkcec.com. 

Hong Kong is a place filled with lots of culture and history, and I have just started to appreciate more as I get older! I haven’t appreciate the city as much during my teenage years. It’s funny to find myself in full tourist mode every time I revisit this beautiful place. I became more interested in exploring and paid closer attention to every little thing about this little, densely packed island. I began to fall in love with the historical sites in Hong Kong Island side.

Besides all the colorful and award winning skyscrapers, there are nature reserved open marshes on the New Territory side. The Mai Po Marshes is one of the biggest open fields in Hong Kong, it is great place for those who enjoy submerging themselves in nature. This is often the place for bird lovers and photographers to capture a variety species of birds that pass by the marshes throughout the year.

To learn more about Mai Po Marshes,
please visit www.wwf.org.hk

Buddism is one of the most popular religions in Hong Kong. Ever since I was a little girl, I would hear my Grandma visiting Wong Tai Sin every single important Lunar Calendar dates. I was raised under a Christian family, so visiting the temples was not a thing my family would do. For that reason, I have heard of the Wong Tai Sin template many many times, but never really visited until this trip!

I took my Grandma for a visit on a day later in the afternoon. The place is well-known for being crowded and full of smoke. When we got there, there weren’t many people because it was already closed for the day! I took the opportunity to take some memorable pictures of my Grandma at her favorite place – Wong Tai Sin.

To learn more about Wong Tai Sin Temple,
please visit www.discoverhongkong.com.

A week later, it was Chinese New Year. My relatives decided to take my Grandma back to Wong Tai Sin for their early year traditions – pay a visit and place an incense, pray that the Buddha will watch over us for the year. How could I not tag along and check out this cultural event? I went, and oh boy! The crowd and smoke were unbearable. Despite all the cloudy smoke, it’s actually a beautiful place inside! We stayed and left within an hour, it was quite a scene.

Lastly, let’s talk about food! I am not a big foodie, but I do enjoy trying new things that the States doesn’t offer. Asia is famous for coming up with their own version of food for chain fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s. On this trip, I get to try out the new purple yam flavored soft-serve Oreo cone at McDonald’s! It’s not bad, but if I have to choose between chocolate, I will still go for chocolate!

And that concludes today’s post, hope you enjoyed it!
Stay tuned for the next city post – Thailand!

// Stephanie Ip

Stephanie is a Creative Director and Consultant, providing creative strategy development support to small and large scale businesses in the industries of Fashion and Soft Goods. She specializes in Design and Development. Learn more about her here.

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Handmade Cards

Author stephanieip.comPosted on Categories #100PrintsByStephanieIp, 2018, Graphics, IllustrationsTags , Leave a comment on Handmade Cards

Last December, when I was setting my goals for this year, one of the things I really wanted to explore more of is custom greeting cards. Ever since I started making my version of custom Moory Christmas cards, I knew I had enjoyed creating them so much that I wanted to continue to create more. Custom designed cards are always the best and most unique gift you can give to someone you appreciate. In return, (hopefully) they will reciprocate the appreciation of receiving a one-of-a-kind card made by you. Well, a nice beautiful card can make the first impression, but it’s the thought that really counts.

In order to create these custom card, I added the little personal touch by adding a picture frame on the back, which at the time I didn’t know exactly how I would make it more interesting. A simple plain picture may be boring, so I thought how about adding a custom printed prop, have the card recipient hold it and pose for a Polaroid image. The idea turned out to be a fun experience for everyone involved. When the recipients are happy during the process, you know you have done something right.

Creating custom cards can be a lot of work, especially when it’s for a special occasion like birthdays. As much as I love creating them, these cards take time to execute as they are all done from scratch! Well, not really 100% from scratch, thank god I don’t have to make the paper and create ink. Haha! Though, having the right tools are essential in making nice cards.

My recent Christmas gift from my lovely boyfriend!

As soon as January hit, there were a bunch of birthdays of people I know. Early in the month, I was illustrating hot air balloon for the #100PrintsByStephanieIp challenge I had set up for myself late last year. When I was scrambling to put together something unique, I thought, “What would be better than receiving a hot air balloon for birthdays?” Having the illustrations done already allowed me to get right into the execution process.

Recently, I have also picked up a new skill in calligraphy and embossing with embossing powder! A little glitter can really do wonders to a piece of artwork. Remember how glitter glue used to be your favorite art tools when you were a little kid? Glitter can get messy, but not if it actually melts into a form of embossing! This is why I fell in love with this crafting technique instantly.

A custom designed notebook with a custom embossing finishing touch.

Now, enjoy this last video of my third custom Hot Air Balloon birthday card making process!

// Stephanie Ip

Stephanie is a Creative Director and Consultant, providing creative strategy development support to small and large scale businesses in the industries of Fashion and Soft Goods. She specializes in Design and Development. Learn more about her here.

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Under the Water

Author stephanieip.comPosted on Categories #100PrintsByStephanieIp, 2018, Fashion + Soft Goods, Graphics, IllustrationsTags , Leave a comment on Under the Water

Happy 2017! I hope your year is off to a great start!
In 2016, it was getting harder for me to find time to explore and create while there was so much happening in my world of Creativepreneurship. I am hoping my first year as a Creative Consultant will help shape my perspective on my journey ahead.

My second batch of 5 prints has finally come together! In fact, they are up for sale on my – I call it “Made-To-Order Shop” – operated by Society6! I find this platform incredibly sustainable for small creative product business owners who have the desire to sell products, but do not wish to store unbearable amounts of inventory that may not even end up selling. Besides, we live in an abundant world, where we should consider how our creation will affect the rest of the world.

Enough of me talking – let’s look at what I’ve to share with you today! This group of prints is inspired by the creatures under the water.

#1 Jellyfish

Medium: Watercolor, ink
Products: Tote, zipper pouch

#2 Seastar

Medium: Ink
Graphic Manipulation: Watercolor

Products: Zipper pouch set, clock

#3 Octopus/Squid

Medium: Ink
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator

Medium: Ink, watercolor

#4 Seaslug

Medium: Watercolor
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator

Products: Framed art print

That’s it for this batch! Let me know what your thoughts are. If you are interested to see more behind the scenes stuff on these print creations, feel free to follow me on Instagram @sipbystephanieip!

Thank you for reading, until next time, have a creative start of your 2017!

// Stephanie Ip

Stephanie is a Creative Director and Consultant, providing creative strategy development support to small and large scale businesses in the industries of Fashion and Soft Goods. She specializes in Design and Development. Learn more about her here.

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Oriental Breeze

Author stephanieip.comPosted on Categories #100PrintsByStephanieIp, 2018, Fashion + Soft Goods, Graphics, IllustrationsTags , Leave a comment on Oriental Breeze

Ever since I was a little girl, I have found the Japanese culture interesting and unique. It was not until my Mom told me that I hold 1/16 of Japanese blood in me, then I realized my appreciation of Japanese art and culture makes perfect sense.

My recent trip to Okinawa in Japan was a memorable trip I took with my Dad. It was especially exciting to explore the different types of food and snacks in the convenient stores. The beautiful and graphical package designs make everything look tempting.

Our first stop was at this local convenience store that sold all kinds of stuff you would normally find at a 7-Eleven in the U.S.

Of course, ice cream was our first pick!
(Left) Match green tea ice cream sandwich with pancake
(Right) Sweet purple yam, which is Okinawa’s specialty crop, in ice cream form. 

There are endless options of soft drinks, cold and hot. My favorite was the Royal brand milk tea.

My travel buddy, Almond, with yet another milk tea drink by Ti-Ha.

This McDonald’s salt and pepper packaging was especially smart looking, I thought.

Through the sketching and design process, I have noticed how my appreciation of Japanese art and culture has somewhat of an influence on the outcome of the prints. The first batch of 5 prints was a total exploration of my Chinese heritage. What do you think?

Medium: Ink
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator

Products: Clock, framed art print, leggings, cushion, tote
Graphic Manipulation: Adobe Photoshop + Illustrator
Products: iPhone case, leggings, rectangular pillow, zipper pouch set

This is just the beginning. Stay tuned for the continuing story of my exploration process! Feel free to let me know your thoughts, would love to hear all of them. ☺

You can now shop for these prints and printed products on my Society6 shop. Click here to get to my shop.

// Stephanie Ip

Stephanie is a Creative Director and Consultant, providing creative strategy development support to small and large scale businesses in the industries of Fashion and Soft Goods. She specializes in Design and Development. Learn more about her here.

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