[Purchased] - VTA7013 Lthr Laptop Backpack Solo

• After more than a week searching for the right bag, I have finally decided to choose a leather backpack for my MBA.
• Searched several shops in KL (including KLCC, Sg. Wang and Low Yat Plaza) but to no avail.
• Finally searched over the Internet and found a leather bag from SOLO.
• Also found out that the easiest way to purchase is via eBay Malaysia.
• It is definitely an expensive item. Cost me USD 120 + Shipping USD 81
• Made the Payment via Paypal today.
• Some of the Reviews can be viewed at the seller's Ebay. Or REVIEW: SOLO Vintage Leather Backpack and The SOLO Vintage Collection Backpack.

Riley Insists On A Sale Extension...

Riley just turned 11 months old yesterday - and just like the rest of his teething, his one year molars are arriving a little early...



And if you have ever had to deal with this, you will totally understand how I have gotten absolutely nothing done since Saturday. No new silk knots or shards listed into my Etsy shop as promised...

So I am going to extend the 25% off my Etsy shop through Wednesday midnight (may not have a chance to change pricing until Thursday morning, can't promise though).

I am hoping to snap some pics tomorrow and list them soon after.

Thanks for understanding!



But comforting this little darling has been my priority... I wish those big teeth would just be through already. Top and bottom on one side...

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

Riley Insists On A Sale Extension...

Riley just turned 11 months old yesterday - and just like the rest of his teething, his one year molars are arriving a little early...



And if you have ever had to deal with this, you will totally understand how I have gotten absolutely nothing done since Saturday. No new silk knots or shards listed into my Etsy shop as promised...

So I am going to extend the 25% off my Etsy shop through Wednesday midnight (may not have a chance to change pricing until Thursday morning, can't promise though).

I am hoping to snap some pics tomorrow and list them soon after.

Thanks for understanding!



But comforting this little darling has been my priority... I wish those big teeth would just be through already. Top and bottom on one side...

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

[How-To]: Update iPhone 3GS / 3G Baseband to 06.15.00 with PwnageTool 4.1.3 for iOS 4.2.1 Unlock

• I owned a locked iPhone 3G and was stucked on 05.14.02 for quite sometime.
• Today, Dev Team released the new Pwnage Tool and Ultrasn0w to Jailbreak and Unlock the 3G.
• The instructions was quite easy and I managed to get it unlock within 40 minutes.

Source: Redmond Pie

A special edition of PwnageTool (version 4.1.3) has been released which can update the baseband of iPhone 3GS & 3G to 06.15.00 so that they can be unlocked using Ultrasn0w 1.2 on the latest iOS 4.2.1 or iOS 4.1 firmware. This is important because basebands 05.14.xx and 05.15.xx are currently not unlockable using Ultrasn0w.

Follow the instructions posted below to update your iPhone 3GS or 3G to 06.15.00 baseband and jailbreak it on iOS 4.1 /4.2.1.

Step 1: Download iPad 3.2.2 firmware file from here (Required for 06.15.00 baseband).

Step 2: Download the required iOS 4.2.1 or iOS 4.1 firmware file.

Step 3: Download PwnageTool 4.1.3 from here.

Step 4: Start PwnageTool 4.1.3 and point it to iOS 4.2.1 / 4.1 firmware file.

Step 5: You will now be prompted to update your baseband to 06.15.00 so that it can be unlocked using Ultrasn0w 1.2.

Step 6: Now point PwnageTool 4.1.3 to iOS 3.2.2 for iPad. PwnageTool will now fetch the exploitable 06.15.00 baseband from 3.2.2 firmware and will replace it the baseband in iOS 4.2.1 / 4.1.

Step 7: Click the next arrow now to allow PwnageTool to create this custom ipsw file for you.

Step 8: Now follow the following steps to enter DFU mode:

• Hold Power and Home buttons for 10 seconds
• Now release the Power button but continue holding the Home button for 10 more seconds
• You device should now be in DFU mode

Step 9: You will now have to restore your iPhone to this custom firmware 4.2.1 / 4.1 file. Start iTunes, click on your device icon from the sidebar in iTunes. Now press and hold left “alt” button (“Shift” button on Windows) on the keyboard and then click on “Restore” (Not “Update” or “Check for Update”) button in the iTunes and then release the “Shift” button.

This will make iTunes prompt you to select the location for your custom firmware 4.2.1 / 4.1 file. Select the required custom .ipsw file and click on “Open”.

Step 10: Now sit back and enjoy as iTunes does the rest for you. This will involve a series of automated steps. Be patient at this stage and don’t do anything silly. Just wait while iTunes installs the new firmware 4.2.1 / 4.1 on your iPhone 3GS or 3G. Your iOS device screen at this point will be showing a progress bar indicating installation progress. After the installation is done, your iPhone will restart automatically and you should now have a fully jailbroken iPhone 3GS or 3G with 06.15.00 baseband.

UPDATE 1: A new fixed version of PwnageTool bundle (download here) for iPhone 3GS on iOS 4.1 has been released. Here’s how to use it:

a. Copy PwnageTool that you downloaded in Step 3 to a folder on your desktop. Right click, and then click on “Show Package Contents” as shown in the screenshot below.

b. Navigate to Contents/Resources/FirmwareBundles/ and copy-paste thisiPhone2,1_4.1_8B117.bundle file in this location and then simply close this folder. Now follow Step 4 and onwards as posted in the guide above.

How to Unlock iPhone 3GS & 3G on iOS 4.2.1 / 4.1 Follow the complete step by step guide posted here to unlock your iPhone 3GS and 3G on 06.15.00 baseband, running iOS 4.2.1 or 4.1 with Ultrasn0w 1.2.

[How-To]: Update iPhone 3GS / 3G Baseband to 06.15.00 with PwnageTool 4.1.3 for iOS 4.2.1 Unlock

• I owned a locked iPhone 3G and was stucked on 05.14.02 for quite sometime.
• Today, Dev Team released the new Pwnage Tool and Ultrasn0w to Jailbreak and Unlock the 3G.
• The instructions was quite easy and I managed to get it unlock within 40 minutes.

Source: Redmond Pie

A special edition of PwnageTool (version 4.1.3) has been released which can update the baseband of iPhone 3GS & 3G to 06.15.00 so that they can be unlocked using Ultrasn0w 1.2 on the latest iOS 4.2.1 or iOS 4.1 firmware. This is important because basebands 05.14.xx and 05.15.xx are currently not unlockable using Ultrasn0w.

Follow the instructions posted below to update your iPhone 3GS or 3G to 06.15.00 baseband and jailbreak it on iOS 4.1 /4.2.1.

Step 1: Download iPad 3.2.2 firmware file from here (Required for 06.15.00 baseband).

Step 2: Download the required iOS 4.2.1 or iOS 4.1 firmware file.

Step 3: Download PwnageTool 4.1.3 from here.

Step 4: Start PwnageTool 4.1.3 and point it to iOS 4.2.1 / 4.1 firmware file.

Step 5: You will now be prompted to update your baseband to 06.15.00 so that it can be unlocked using Ultrasn0w 1.2.

Step 6: Now point PwnageTool 4.1.3 to iOS 3.2.2 for iPad. PwnageTool will now fetch the exploitable 06.15.00 baseband from 3.2.2 firmware and will replace it the baseband in iOS 4.2.1 / 4.1.

Step 7: Click the next arrow now to allow PwnageTool to create this custom ipsw file for you.

Step 8: Now follow the following steps to enter DFU mode:

• Hold Power and Home buttons for 10 seconds
• Now release the Power button but continue holding the Home button for 10 more seconds
• You device should now be in DFU mode

Step 9: You will now have to restore your iPhone to this custom firmware 4.2.1 / 4.1 file. Start iTunes, click on your device icon from the sidebar in iTunes. Now press and hold left “alt” button (“Shift” button on Windows) on the keyboard and then click on “Restore” (Not “Update” or “Check for Update”) button in the iTunes and then release the “Shift” button.

This will make iTunes prompt you to select the location for your custom firmware 4.2.1 / 4.1 file. Select the required custom .ipsw file and click on “Open”.

Step 10: Now sit back and enjoy as iTunes does the rest for you. This will involve a series of automated steps. Be patient at this stage and don’t do anything silly. Just wait while iTunes installs the new firmware 4.2.1 / 4.1 on your iPhone 3GS or 3G. Your iOS device screen at this point will be showing a progress bar indicating installation progress. After the installation is done, your iPhone will restart automatically and you should now have a fully jailbroken iPhone 3GS or 3G with 06.15.00 baseband.

UPDATE 1: A new fixed version of PwnageTool bundle (download here) for iPhone 3GS on iOS 4.1 has been released. Here’s how to use it:

a. Copy PwnageTool that you downloaded in Step 3 to a folder on your desktop. Right click, and then click on “Show Package Contents” as shown in the screenshot below.

b. Navigate to Contents/Resources/FirmwareBundles/ and copy-paste thisiPhone2,1_4.1_8B117.bundle file in this location and then simply close this folder. Now follow Step 4 and onwards as posted in the guide above.

How to Unlock iPhone 3GS & 3G on iOS 4.2.1 / 4.1 Follow the complete step by step guide posted here to unlock your iPhone 3GS and 3G on 06.15.00 baseband, running iOS 4.2.1 or 4.1 with Ultrasn0w 1.2.

[How-To]: Unlock your iPhone 3G/3GS on 4.2.1/ 4.1

Source: How to Unlock iOS 4.2.1 with Ultrasn0w 1.2 [Video Guide]

One HSBB Customer - Fibre to the Home

• The UniFi technician arrived at 9.30 am but his contractor arrived one hour later.
• They took about 6 hours to install and configure the service.

•  The 3rd box on the right is the Residential Gateway for which connects the fibre, setop box and the router. The 2nd box is the DLink D-615 wireless router. The 1st box (extreme left) is the IPTV set-top box.

25% off Etsy Shop Sale This Weekend!

Right now everything in my Etsy shop is marked down 25% off retail pricing.

This sale goes on until Monday, November 29, 2010.

It will be the last one I'm running this year - so have fun shopping!

I'm hoping to get a few new shard pieces up in the shop by Monday…

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

25% off Etsy Shop Sale This Weekend!

Right now everything in my Etsy shop is marked down 25% off retail pricing.

This sale goes on until Monday, November 29, 2010.

It will be the last one I'm running this year - so have fun shopping!

I'm hoping to get a few new shard pieces up in the shop by Monday…

Happy Holidays Everyone!!!

Jewelry For Artist Home Shows...

I feel like I dropped off the social media network in the last couple of weeks...


I have been preparing to send off a bunch of my work - as finished jewelry - to some friends that are hosting an Artist Open House sale of all kinds of handmade items.


The above pic is my dining room table (see, that jewelry making area in the basement studio needs to get done ASAP)...


I am SO thrilled at how these are coming out. I will be sending out a newsletter with the information for the open houses (4 of them in three weekends - starting this weekend)! Middletown and Wilmington, DE will be the towns they will be in. I will send out a coupon in the newsletter as well for the open houses - so make sure you are signed up (see side bar to the right or my website).

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

Jewelry For Artist Home Shows...

I feel like I dropped off the social media network in the last couple of weeks...


I have been preparing to send off a bunch of my work - as finished jewelry - to some friends that are hosting an Artist Open House sale of all kinds of handmade items.


The above pic is my dining room table (see, that jewelry making area in the basement studio needs to get done ASAP)...


I am SO thrilled at how these are coming out. I will be sending out a newsletter with the information for the open houses (4 of them in three weekends - starting this weekend)! Middletown and Wilmington, DE will be the towns they will be in. I will send out a coupon in the newsletter as well for the open houses - so make sure you are signed up (see side bar to the right or my website).

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

[HOW-TO]: Jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 iPhone 4, 3gs, 3g, iPad, iPodTouch with Redsn0w 0.9.6b4

SOURCE: HERE.

Few moment ago we broke the news about the release of redsn0w 0.9.6b4 to jailbreak iOS 4.2.1 on iPhone 4, 3GS, 3G, iPod touch 4G, 3G and iPad with working Cydia and MobileSubstrate, as we told you earlier that redsn0w 0.9.6b4  is based on GeoHot’s limera1n bootrom exploit.

The bad new is that right now, the redsn0w 0.9.6b4 is a tethered or semi-tethered jailbreak for some devices (i.e. you will lose your jailbreak every time you reboot your iDevice, so you have to follow the following steps every reboot to have a jailbroken device )

Untethered Devices:

• iPhone 3GS (old bootrom)
• iPhone 3
• iPod touch 2G (Non-MC Model)

Tethered Devices:

• iPhone 3GS (new bootrom)
• iPhone 4
• iPad
• iPod touch 2G (MC Model)
• iPod touch 3G
• iPod touch 4G

NOTE: Those of you who rely on a carrier unlock stay away from Redsn0w and iOS 4.2.1. 

GUIDE:

STEP 1: Download redsn0w 0.9.6b4,  iOS 4.2.1 for your device(download links at the end).

STEP 2: Update to 4.2.1 firmware using the IPSW file you just downloaded via iTunes 10.1.

STEP 3: Launch Redsn0w 0.9.6b4,  and browse for iOS 4.2.1 firmware final version  

STEP 4: Select "Install Cydia" and click on "Next"

STEP 5: Now make sure your device is both OFF and PLUGGED IN to the computer before you click “Next”.

STEP 6: At this stage you will need to put your iPhone in DFU mode by holding “Power” button and then while holding the “Power” button, you will now have to hold “Home” button too. Now after few seconds release “Power” button but keep holding “Home” button until installation begins.

STEP 7: You will Get a Jailbroken Device on the latest iOS 4.2.1  as soon as the process ends.

STEP 8: This step is only for these devices iPhone 4, 3GS (New Bootrom), iPod touch 4G,  3G, 2G, iPad. While this is tethered jailbreak and whenever you want to do anything related to jailbreak like SSH your device, or running Cydia, you must first run your device in the so called “jailbroken state” on every reboot by using “Just boot tethered right now” option. 

Download iOS 4.2.1 (Final version) for your device version.
Download Redsn0w 0.9.6b4 for Windows and Mac
Download iTunes 10.1 for Windows or Mac

[How-Do] - I store mail offline if my Exchange mailbox gets full?

• Outlook has a new feature, which many Exchange users have wanted for a long time: the ability to hide “On My Computer”. 
• By default, if the first and only account you create in Outlook is an Exchange account then this new feature is enabled. 
• You can disable it by going to Outlook menu –> Preferences… –> Personal Settings –> General and deselecting the option Hide On My Computer folders. 

Source: Office for Mac2011 Help

Something New for Marsha Neal Studio in 2011

I am going to try something for a year. A Marsha Neal Studio "Specials" blog dedicated to a whole bunch of giveaways of my porcelain pieces (and whatever else I feel like throwing in there - silk, leather, jewelry findings, beads, scarves, gift certificates, etc) for 2011.

I decided to do this on it's own blog because of my general overstimulated and overworked brain that cannot seem to keep up with all the different things going on in the world of blogging.

I wanted to make it easy for you to grab one of my pieces, make something with it, post a picture & link back to my blog, and have a chance at winning a fantastic gift from me (trust me - they will be fantastic!).

There are 3 or 4 ideas for monthly giveaways already listed there. Then there are a bunch of "at the end of the year" giveaways too. And I'm open for more suggestions...

All this comes about from an idea I had today while doing a MASSIVE cleaning & organization of my "new office studio space". I have way too many beads & jewelry making supplies (yes you read that right!) That and I really get something out of making people happy, and seeing how my pieces make people happy - I just want to give it all away! And I would - except I need to actually start to pay off some of this business debt that I have gotten myself into and show a profit from my business - like soon!

So I'm thinking - if you can help me to promote my business for 2011 by making stuff with my work, selling stuff with my work, buying stuff with my work, share links to my website (which is really starting to come together - it will premier in January if no major setbacks are found) or blog, Etsy shop, etc - I will give you a ton of chances to win more of my stuff…

It should be like a virtual beading night with friends… One that happens every month - all of next year!

So go ahead and break out the good food, the wine and the chocolate and have at it! Let's see what you have (oh - that's another good idea for a giveaway post - what does your MNS clay pieces stash look like?). See the brain just never stops!

I'll be updating the Marsha Neal Studio Specials Blog with more details and photos of giveaways.

Oh, and of course - something extra special for the end of 2010 too...

Something New for Marsha Neal Studio in 2011

I am going to try something for a year. A Marsha Neal Studio "Specials" blog dedicated to a whole bunch of giveaways of my porcelain pieces (and whatever else I feel like throwing in there - silk, leather, jewelry findings, beads, scarves, gift certificates, etc) for 2011.

I decided to do this on it's own blog because of my general overstimulated and overworked brain that cannot seem to keep up with all the different things going on in the world of blogging.

I wanted to make it easy for you to grab one of my pieces, make something with it, post a picture & link back to my blog, and have a chance at winning a fantastic gift from me (trust me - they will be fantastic!).

There are 3 or 4 ideas for monthly giveaways already listed there. Then there are a bunch of "at the end of the year" giveaways too. And I'm open for more suggestions...

All this comes about from an idea I had today while doing a MASSIVE cleaning & organization of my "new office studio space". I have way too many beads & jewelry making supplies (yes you read that right!) That and I really get something out of making people happy, and seeing how my pieces make people happy - I just want to give it all away! And I would - except I need to actually start to pay off some of this business debt that I have gotten myself into and show a profit from my business - like soon!

So I'm thinking - if you can help me to promote my business for 2011 by making stuff with my work, selling stuff with my work, buying stuff with my work, share links to my website (which is really starting to come together - it will premier in January if no major setbacks are found) or blog, Etsy shop, etc - I will give you a ton of chances to win more of my stuff…

It should be like a virtual beading night with friends… One that happens every month - all of next year!

So go ahead and break out the good food, the wine and the chocolate and have at it! Let's see what you have (oh - that's another good idea for a giveaway post - what does your MNS clay pieces stash look like?). See the brain just never stops!

I'll be updating the Marsha Neal Studio Specials Blog with more details and photos of giveaways.

Oh, and of course - something extra special for the end of 2010 too...

Second Saturday State of The Studio

Welcome to the Marsha Neal Studio version of the Beads of Clay Blog: Second Saturday State of Your Studio Post...

Pshew - that was a lot to type!



Right now my clay area & glaze area has been serving as my jewelry making area. Mainly wire work & hammering...



The slab roller is the perfect height for working while standing and banging out some wire...



The back of the studio is still a mess... It's been one of the catch all areas for all kinds of jewelry making & craft supplies. I have every intention of making this the place where I can keep jewelry making projects in the works.



You can see all the storage bins that I have things stored in. That is part of the problem - they are stored... Not in a usable organized setup at all.



A friend of mine (Kim) was nice enough to bring this point to my attention and then proceeded to start to collect these bead bins for me (we traded for beads :). Needless to say - it is awesome to have beads & findings at my fingertips by just grabbing a case and having everything right there!



I have all these pieces pulled for jewelry making - the top basket is full of pieces ready for ear wires & oxidation... I am SO proud of myself for finally getting something done that I have been wanting to do for years...



Then this afternoon I finally got to glazing some more shards (have been trying to get here all week!).



And I have been using these trays from my bead show days to keep various shapes & sizes of shards separated for easier pairing for glazing...



And since it is technically Friday as I am writing this post, here is an image for self portrait Friday (Ornamental Blog). Trying out my new earrings & wearing a stressed face from this week. Not happy with where my studio organization is. But not upset about it either. Just annoyed...

I am down a size in pants just this last week and about 20 pounds since pregnancy (pre & post was about the same for me).
Go Weight Watchers!!!

Wonder if I'll get any more studio organization done before next month's post... Or just more jewelry making???

Thanks for stopping by!

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

Second Saturday State of The Studio

Welcome to the Marsha Neal Studio version of the Beads of Clay Blog: Second Saturday State of Your Studio Post...

Pshew - that was a lot to type!



Right now my clay area & glaze area has been serving as my jewelry making area. Mainly wire work & hammering...



The slab roller is the perfect height for working while standing and banging out some wire...



The back of the studio is still a mess... It's been one of the catch all areas for all kinds of jewelry making & craft supplies. I have every intention of making this the place where I can keep jewelry making projects in the works.



You can see all the storage bins that I have things stored in. That is part of the problem - they are stored... Not in a usable organized setup at all.



A friend of mine (Kim) was nice enough to bring this point to my attention and then proceeded to start to collect these bead bins for me (we traded for beads :). Needless to say - it is awesome to have beads & findings at my fingertips by just grabbing a case and having everything right there!



I have all these pieces pulled for jewelry making - the top basket is full of pieces ready for ear wires & oxidation... I am SO proud of myself for finally getting something done that I have been wanting to do for years...



Then this afternoon I finally got to glazing some more shards (have been trying to get here all week!).



And I have been using these trays from my bead show days to keep various shapes & sizes of shards separated for easier pairing for glazing...



And since it is technically Friday as I am writing this post, here is an image for self portrait Friday (Ornamental Blog). Trying out my new earrings & wearing a stressed face from this week. Not happy with where my studio organization is. But not upset about it either. Just annoyed...

I am down a size in pants just this last week and about 20 pounds since pregnancy (pre & post was about the same for me).
Go Weight Watchers!!!

Wonder if I'll get any more studio organization done before next month's post... Or just more jewelry making???

Thanks for stopping by!

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

Earring Experimentation...

I have FINALLY got my butt in gear and banged out a pair of earrings for myself...


I have had this idea in my head for a while... I now think it was from 3.5 years ago when I took a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer at Bead & Button.


Cause when I sat down and looked through some books for inspiration, I pulled her book on "Making Connections", paged through and lit up when I saw her "Trapeze Attachment"


That's it!!! That is what I had in mind when I started making the shards... Eureka!

So after banging out a few tries with variations, I think I am going to try this pair out tonight & see how they feel with my hair down & around them (will they tangle, pull - we'll see!)

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

Earring Experimentation...

I have FINALLY got my butt in gear and banged out a pair of earrings for myself...


I have had this idea in my head for a while... I now think it was from 3.5 years ago when I took a class with Susan Lenart Kazmer at Bead & Button.


Cause when I sat down and looked through some books for inspiration, I pulled her book on "Making Connections", paged through and lit up when I saw her "Trapeze Attachment"


That's it!!! That is what I had in mind when I started making the shards... Eureka!

So after banging out a few tries with variations, I think I am going to try this pair out tonight & see how they feel with my hair down & around them (will they tangle, pull - we'll see!)

-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone

Obsessive Ways Of Creation...

Is it just me? Is it because in work in porcelain? I feel that sometimes I just can't pull myself away from making these...





I feel the same way about really good milk chocolate too (who am I kidding - anything chocolate!)...





To me these coils of clay marked then cut into even sections even remind me of the tootsie rolls that Chloe got for Halloween...





I can't help but to work in batches. Obsessively...





Especially when the clay has perfect plasticity & moisture...





I could sit and make these for hours...





In fact, that is what I did with our "extra hour" yesterday...





Phone app (or maybe it was me - I am completely ok with suggesting it was not the tech, but the user - at times...) made pics turn sideways - so I apologize for these...





Started making shards with holes at the skinny end...





There are many more casualties this way - but I must make some. Have been inspired by some great dangle earrings I "hearted" on Etsy the other day...

See - obsessed! Going to get them from the kiln right now to glaze them up...

Become a fan on my FaceBook page: Marsha Neal Studio to see pics from the studio as I am working on these new projects!

Jewelry making sessions are next!
-- Pictures Taken With & Posted From My iPhone