T-shirt Party

For my birthday this year I invited friends round to my apartment to screen print t-shirts.

My wonderful housemate, Helen was a chef before she came to Taiwan so she provided the food. An amazing array of fruit, cheese, and antipasto. All the guilty pleasures which we take for granted back home, but are a rare treat here in Taiwan.

We set up a make-shift work room in our Japanese tearoom and people got busy sketching designs, cutting stencils and printing.

Fred acting as official squigee handler.

Marie hard at work while others observe amidst the finished t-shirts hanging about like a Chinese laundry.

Jason and Marie's designs. Designed, cut and printed by themselves.

Inspiring Rooms III

In a city of endless blocks of buildings whose architecture is devoid of anything distinguishing, this place stood out like a diamond in a coal mine. Upon closer inspection we discovered it is a restaurant. Because it was mid afternoon it was empty, so the staff allowed us to check out the interior. The inside was even more impressive and other-worldly than the outside. The prices were expensive, but if the food is anywhere near as good as the decor it will be worth it.

My Taiwanese Pad

I've been living in Taiwan for just over a year now. I'm currently living in Xizhi, which is in Taipei County, just outside of Taipei itself. I have a fantastic apartment by Taiwanese standards. It is on the 20th floor of a massive apartment complex and has a view across the Keelung River. The clincher for me though, was the chandalier in the living room.

I found the bear skin rug in an Op Shop in Keelung. I thought it was a cattle hide, and it took the shop owner three attempts to convince me that 'bear' was not a Chinese word for 'sucker'.

I am really happy with how the place has scrubbed up. Especially considering how little I've spent on it. It's such a shame it's not in the city. I'll definitely miss it when I move into Taipei in August.

My Stuff VIII

Show Us Your Hot Dividing Curtain!

Before I left for Taiwan I was working on this job for a couple of friends. It is a dividing curtain that shuts off their mezzanine bedroom from the rest of their apartment. Their apartment is in a beautiful old department store building in Prahran, Melbourne. It has huge windows fronting the street, so they wanted to try to eliminate as much sound and light as possible. 

I suggested a champagne gold face fabric with a bit of shimmer, and a dark back fabric to enclose the bedroom and make it feel cosy and den-like. The fabrics they ended up going with are amazing. Hats off to you guys for your appreciation of the quality and value of your choice. It looks hot! I am really happy with the result. 

Taiwan

Update

Over the past year I have been working on getting a job teaching English in Japan. I was successful in securing a job, but due to the financial crisis the date of my placement kept being postponed. So I decided to cast my net a little wider. And just last week, my persistance has paid off. I have got a job in Taiwan, and I am leaving in 3 weeks! I wasn't expecting to leave until August. I am very excited and nervous, and I have a lot to organise.

MIKE ID has been put on hold for a while. My plan is to save money whilst working in Taiwan, soak up the inspiration that comes with living in another culture, and come back to re-start my business all guns a-blazing.

Thank you to all those who have supported and encouraged me with my endeavours over the past eighteen months. I truly appreciate it. It has been a fantastic learning experience and a lot of fun.

My etsy shop will close in a couple of weeks, so if you are interested in owning a MIKE ID original, get in there now!

Thanks again and stay tuned for further adventures.

Mike.

Hot Photos

My friend, Steve has given my T-shirts the attention they deserve, making them look as sexy and funky as they actually are in real life. Cheers Steve! Not only is he a fantastic professional photographer, but he also scrubs up well as a T-shirt model.

I've posted these photos on MIKE ID's facebook group and on my etsy shop.

If you'd like to join MIKE ID's Facebook group here's the link...

http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=38546185548

If you'd like to check out my shop click here...

http://mikeid.etsy.com/

Doll

Cameo

Monkey Love

My Stuff VII

Alpha Lamp

This lamp is the first thing I've made using the meterage from my first fabric design, 'Alpha Damask'. I made it for my sister, Kristy for Christmas.