Oz Design

What's right and What's wrong

2011-05-31T20:30:00.001-07:00

This has been the main question I've been asked when I started talking about religion with people(religious ones). Or I should say when they try to push their religion to me. How do you decide what is right and what is wrong? I always wonder how come this can be this hard for some people to decide. Do you really need someone to tell you this?
I saw this list in Richard Dawkins' book. It looks like he found it online and added a few more into it. I thought that was a pretty good list and just wanted to share.
(1) Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you.
(2) In all things, strive to cause no harm.
(3) Treat your fellow human beings, your fellow living things, and the world in general with love, honesty, faithfulness and respect.
(4) Do not overlook evil or shrink from administering justice, but always be ready to forgive wrongdoing freely admitted and honestly regretted.
(5) Live life with a sense of joy and wonder.
(6) Always seek to be learning something new.
(7) Test all things; always check your ideas against the facts, and be ready to discard even a cherished belief if it does not conform to them.
(8) Never seek to censor or cut yourself off from dissent; always respect the right of others to disagree with you.
(9) Form independent opinions on the basis of your own reason and experience; do not allow yourself to be led blindly by others.
(10) Question everything.
(11) Enjoy your sex life (so long as it damages nobody else) and leave others to enjoy theirs in private whatever their inclinations, which are none of your business.
(12) Do not discriminate or oppress on the basis of sex, race or (as far as possible) species.
(13)Do not indoctrinate your children. Teach them how to think for themselves, how to evaluate evidence, and how to disagree with you.
(14) Value the future on a timescale longer that your own.

I am not the only one

2011-05-22T22:27:00.000-07:00

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Rock Climbing in JTNP

2011-05-03T20:36:00.000-07:00

Do you like to try new things? How do you go and find them? How many new things you want to try? Just trying out does not hurt, right? You like it or you don’t.

Let’s see. What I tried to do so far. Skiing, snowboarding, windsurfing, horseback riding, playing piano. What else? I am sure I am missing some.

A few weeks ago, we decided to try rock climbing. We found a deal for a lesson, scheduled time for a weekend in Joshua Tree National Park. Never seen a Joshua Tree before. They look funny, half palm tree and half cactus. They reminded me Ents from Lord of the Rings. They are not huge like Ents but you have that feeling like they can just start walking.

Here is our view from our camping site. A huge rock and Joshuas around it. We did not have a lot of time to just walk around but we have enough time to do some sightseeing.

Desert is full of surprises. You see that yellowish sand color all around you then you find these little treasures.

Our rock climbing lesson was for only a half day. It was more than enough for a beginner like me. It looked really challenging at the beginning. I wanted to give up in the middle of the first one but then I thought I cannot give up. That's just not me. I have to finish it at least once then I can decide to do again or not. Of course, everything is changed after I finished the first one and came down. I was ready to do the next one.

It was fun. It can get challenging. It was really though to look down when you’re on the top but it was a wonderful feeling. The view was gorgeous on the top. They say it is very safe. I am not so sure about that but it looked safe enough to me.

Millennium Triology

2011-03-27T22:31:00.000-07:00

I am not good at with very popular things, popular movies, popular books, popular music though I still have favorites of my own which might very well be something popular for some people.

I've heard about Millennium series a while ago and I was thinking why it suddenly became so popular. The first book was published in 2005 and here we were in 2010. Five years later. Maybe the fame travels very slowly or just me, not following the literature in Europe very closely.

Finally, I started hearing about it from my family then I bought the books. What else I could have done.

It was a very easy read, kept my attention and it has a fast-moving plot. It took me less than a month to finish three of them. Considering that I have a full time job and very active life, that was quick by my standards.

Rome, August 13, 2009

2011-03-27T21:32:00.000-07:00

What is in your Bucket List? Mine is full of places that I want to see. Is it possible to see all of them? I am not sure.

There is not many unspoken words about Rome. History is everywhere, all around you.

Colosseum, it is hard for me to imagine what these remains witnessed in the past. Violence, victory, life and death. It is incredible to remember what a human being can do an another one.

Construction of Colosseum began around in 70- 72 AD. And it is used for centuries. Now, look at us, so proud to be civilized in 21st century, and what we can do to each other. Nothing is really changed.

Food Inc.

2010-02-27T18:32:00.000-08:00

"How much do we really know about the food we buy at our local supermarkets and serve to our families?"

I recently watched the documentary called Food Inc. It is amazing. I had a hard time watching some of the scenes (the ones showing the cruelty to the animals), but other than that, I was all ears. Not all of them will be news to you, but I am pretty sure that you will learn something new.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to erase "greed" from the surface of Earth. We can just help others to see it as we see it.

""Buy from companies that treat workers, animals, and the environment with respect !!!""

http://www.takepart.com/foodinc

What is in your Bucket List?

2009-11-15T17:37:00.000-08:00

Times Square, New Year's Eve to welcome 2007.

It is unbelieveable. It has been two years and we are going to welcome 2010 soon. There are too many other places to celebrate the new year. Times Square was in the list and CHECKED. One more item to strikeout in the list :))

Red Hot

2009-01-11T20:34:00.000-08:00

The theme of the week for the etsyBead street team is Red Hot. Valentine's Day sale will go till 1/24.

Here is a crazy red berry from our store for the theme.

To see the whole list, you should visit our store.
http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5118493&section_id=5112299

Mammoth Around Christmas Time

2009-01-04T22:33:00.001-08:00

When you live in California, you really miss the snow. We decided to make a little change and be with the snow this year around Christmas time.

Here is the first scene for our journey. We were still far far away from Mammoth.

It was a wonderful trip though. We stayed in Bishop, Joseph House Inn. It was such a good experience. We read the reviews before booking the room. They were all good but we still weren't expecting to be that good. We met with lovely people.

Big Christmas tree in the village and us.

And of course, we were snowboarding :)

2008-11-20T19:08:00.001-08:00

I don't believe it has been five months since I updated my blog. The life is just so crazy lately. So busy but in this economic situations being busy is a really good thing. I did not have enough time to do anything about our jewelry business. Let's start with updating my blog, right :)

Here comes the holiday season. I just love to watch and listen everything around me during this time, decorations, holiday songs, gifts, gifts, gifts, everything.

Happy holidays everyone !!!

SeaWorld San Diego

2008-05-31T22:04:00.000-07:00

This was not the first time I've been in SeaWorld San Diego but I haven't posted anything about it. If you never been in there, you should see at least these.

When you live in San Diego, that becomes a part of your life. A friend comes and visits us from abroad or other states. Usually he/she has this amusement park in the list. We cannot turn them down, right? So we go with them again. We should really consider buying those annual tickets. But you never know when you will have a visitor.

The best part of the story, visiting SeaWorld was enjoyable each time and I am sure it will be enjoyable our next visit too. The question is if we soaked. Yes, we did and yes each time...

My Mom

2008-05-05T22:47:00.000-07:00

Here is me and my mom years and years ago. I love this picture. My mom was younger than my current age. When you think about it, it is little creepy.

This picture does not really show but I was a happy happy kid. That was my regular posture in life I guess.

Deyfing my mom the biggest authority in my life to prove whatever it was in that time.

Mother's Day Sale

2008-05-05T22:44:00.000-07:00

You know my mom makes our jewelry. She is the talented one. We have a sale for moms from my MOM. 20% off on ticketed price on jewelry in our store. Do not forget to check our store !!

http://theozfamily.etsy.com/

A new theme of etsyBead is 'Flowers for Mom' this week. So do not forget to check ebtw tagged items on Etsy. We have an additional 20% off for tagged items.

Charmed, I'm sure

2008-04-08T07:34:00.000-07:00

This week you will find charmed bracelets on ETSY. Theme of the week is “Charmed, I’m sure” this week. Please look for our tagged items as ebtw or “Charmed” on ETSY.

You can find the selection of bracelets in this treasury for this week’s theme.

http://www.etsy.com/treasury_list.php?room_id=38155

Our crazy bracelet was one of them. Here it is!

Do not forget to check http://theozfamily.etsy.com/ and Sales etysBEAD section for items on SALE.

Etsy mini for GG's Exclusives

2008-04-08T07:32:00.000-07:00

I was planning to present fellow Etysians stores in my blog but as I said earlier, I am fighting with the time nowadays. We will see who will win. Here is the first one of this series. Hopefully there will be others

GG’s Exclusives - http://www.ggsexclusives.etsy.com

Last updates

2008-03-10T16:23:00.001-07:00

It has been a long time again but I was not motivated to write lately. A lot is going on in my life nowadays. I changed my job. I changed my house. Both of them together took most of my time. But none of them excuse for this break for my blog. I got new jewelries from my mom but I couldn’t put them to my site. My camera is broken at the craft show we attended on November. I have to buy a new camera soon. I guess that will motivate me to take some pictures and update my blog and my Etsy store. I will post some pictures here too.

One of my friends told me that she saw the same kind of earring on Etsy. I hope it is not the same earring design. It cannot be coincidence if it is the same design. I haven’t seen it so I cannot really tell how different it was. Keeping your design private is really hard in this online world.

Handmade for Holidays - Boot 40

2007-11-10T19:26:00.000-08:00

We will be in Boot 40. Find your greatest gifts and warm your loved ones' hearts.
Come and visit us. We will be glad to see you.

November 23-24 (Friday & Saturday)
11 am -6pm
Fairfax High School - Parking Lot

Dreams in Pastels

2007-09-23T22:43:00.000-07:00

This week you will find wonderful pastel colors on ETSY. Theme of the week is “Dream in Pastels” this week. Please look for our tagged items as EBTW or “Dream in Pastels” on ETSY.

I just want to show samples of pastel colors. I found this wonderful sunset and then I saw these cutest cats ever. I could not choose one of them, so here they are.

Do not forget to check http://theozfamily.etsy.com/ and Sales etysBEAD section for items on SALE.

Vacation

2007-09-06T12:05:00.001-07:00

I’ve neglected the site more than a month and I am very sorry about that. I have been very busy traveling. First our friend came to visit us so we showed him around. Since we are working full time, we had only evenings and weekends. It was pretty good but it took all my time. And after that I went on my two week vacation. First three days, I was in London. I’d never been in London before so I tried to see everything. I was exhausted but it was a really good trip.

Here is the proof that I was there

And this is one of the photos I took from London Eye.

After London, next destination was Istanbul. I saw all my friends and my family in Turkey. That was wonderful and two weeks weren’t enough at all.

And Bosphorus, Istanbul. I love these ferries !!

Berries

2007-07-21T21:59:00.001-07:00

Here is our first sale from ETSY. Three of the berry necklaces are just sold. Reddish brown, brown and the yellow one. I hope she will enjoy wearing them as we enjoyed making them.

They look perfect together. I forgot to take pictures of them before packaging them but I got the picture of the package.

Surf and Sun

2007-07-05T20:56:00.000-07:00

This week you will feel warmness of the sun and the breeze of the ocean on Etsy.

Check out etsyBead treasuries. Search for “ebtw” or “surf and sun” to see list of gorgeous jewelry.

Our earrings are selected for treasuries too. Here they are.

4th of July

2007-07-05T20:34:00.000-07:00

We went to San Diego Fair for 4th of July. We should have stayed at home and worked on our jewelry business but we could not resist the call of fireworks. We arrived the Fairground around 6 pm and left around 11pm. It was crowded but was not so bad. We ate lots of junk foods and spent lots of money on those games that you never win but we had fun, real fun. Can you tell !!

We were on the Great Wheel during the firework show. Show was wonderful.

You should see the photo we took from the top of the Great Wheel. They look like toys. What do you think?

Can you hear the music? Just watch the dance of fireworks.

I said you never win on those games but we won a huge, cute penguin. Here he is.

Theme of the week - Surf and Sun

2007-07-02T11:14:00.001-07:00

Theme of the week is surf and summer this week. Please look for our tagged items as ebtw or surf and sun on ETSY

I have two earrings and a set of necklace and earring on the thread.

Here they are;

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6207986

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6169730

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6335091

Ender’s Game (1985)

2007-06-28T15:49:00.000-07:00

Do you like science fiction? I do. I like reading or watching sci-fi. I have just finished one book and I decided to put information about this book to my blog.

I enjoyed reading this book as Orson Scott Card enjoyed writing it. Reading is a wrong verb selection since book was Books on CD version. I have such a long commute between my work and my house. So I am addicted to book on CDs. This one was totally random selection from the library. Actually one of my friends advised me to read it when I was trying to select one. Now I am planning to read all series.

Ender’s Game is awarded with both the Nebula Award and Hugo awards for best novel of 1985, and the best novel of 1986.

You can find more information about this book and whole series in Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ender's_Game

They also decided to make movie based on the novel. You can find more information about the movie from the link below.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0400403/

If you have any other sci-fi suggestions, please let me know.

Theme of the week

2007-06-25T09:47:00.000-07:00

The EtsyBead street team is having out theme of the week sale. This week our theme is red, white, and blue. Look for our tagged items as ebtw on ETSY.

Here are two new treasuries created for the theme of the week. One of them includes my bracelet and the other one includes my earrings.

Family

2007-06-24T15:57:00.000-07:00

I have decided to put some family pictures in our blog. Everybody was saying that they want to see some personal information when they visit blogs. Since I always use jewelry pictures even for avatars, the only place you can see our faces is here. I tried to choose photos which also show little bit something about Turkey too.

Here is my mother. She is our talented designer.
I really like this picture. Life just goes by behind you. When I look at this picture, it reflects so many different emotions.

She is not always that serious of course !! When she has her favorite bag, you can see the smile :)

Other part of my family: My aunt and my nephew. This picture is taken in Ephesus, Turkey. I had chosen this picture because it has such a beautiful part of Turkey as a background view.

Here is me and my friend in Istanbul. Lady in the greens is me. I missed those days.

And one closer photos of me, as always I am trying to say something when someone tries to take picture :( Check out my cheerful bracelets. All of them are sold but of course I kept two of them for myself.

And I missed Istanbul too, here she is. If you have never been there, I totally suggest you to visit.

Snowflakes

2007-06-23T14:31:00.000-07:00

I do not have any snowflakes in my store right now but snowflakes are our best known jewelries. So I want to put them to my blog and we will start working on them again soon. We had earrings, bracelets, and necklaces with snowflakes in almost every color made of snowflakes and we sold all of them.

Here they are. Aren’t they gorgeous? I just love them.

ETSYBead Theme of the Week

2007-06-20T16:58:00.000-07:00

Summer lovin color is our theme of the week sale and this is the third time that one of our design is selected. Please check the tags for ebtw, you will find great collection of summer lovin colors. Here is the latest list and my bracelet.

Treasury

2007-06-19T20:59:00.000-07:00

My jewelries are selected for treasuries in ETSY. Here they are. Thank you everyone who selected my earrings for their treasury listings.

Filigree

2007-06-19T14:43:00.001-07:00

Today's discussion on ETSY was the difference between 'filigree' and 'ajoure'. Here is the explanation from Wikipedia.

"Filigree (formerly written filigrann or filigrane) (Also known as “Telkari” (the name given in Anatolia it means, “Wire work”) or “Cift-isi” (Meaning Tweezers work - Pronunciation: Chift-ishi) ) is a jewel work of a delicate kind made with twisted threads usually of gold and silver. It is nowadays exceedingly common for ajoure work to be mislabelled as filigree. While both have many open areas, filigree involves threads being soldered together to form an object and ajoure involves holes being punched, drilled, or cut through an existing piece of metal."

We called this technique, “Telkari” in Turkish. When I checked the English word for that, dictionary gives me filigree as a translation. That's the first time I've heard ajoure which I could not find any translation. Our filigree jewelries are made by using technique of filigree. I do not want to mislead anyone but I could not find any better explanation for them. If you have one, please let me know.

Ice Cubes

2007-06-18T15:01:00.000-07:00

I just want to thank Mama Trep for putting my earrings on her blog. It’s a wonderful feeling knowing someone else likes the earrings you love and she made me a very happy person today.

Thank you Mama Trep and here is her blog; http://www.mamatrepsdesigns.blogspot.com/

We are also working on creating different necklaces by using those cubes. You can visit our store to see what we have right now. Pretty soon we will have different designs with these cubes.

Filigrees on Sale

2007-06-17T23:04:00.000-07:00

Please check out the ETSY listing for details.

http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=6218726

Oz Design

2007-06-14T22:23:00.000-07:00

Our goal is to create fashion jewelry with a difference. All jewelry is original in design and handmade in creation. We encourage your feedback regarding any aspect of this store and jewelries.

http://www.theozfamily.etsy.com/