East x West Designs

27/08/2022

Getting settled in our new home! We don't have space for a craft room.. so please meet my craft corner in our garage!!! Mostly just a shrine to Taiwan and storage for the craft supplies I couldn't imagine parting with. Who knows though, maybe some magic will happen....

30/06/2022

I had a handful of custom embroidery projects I made in the weeks leading up to my Taiwan departure. I hadn't announced our move publicly, so the time of the requests was quite curious - the universe making sure I cranked out Taiwan embroideries for you all! A unique request of adding the Bougainvillea flower and including the family's years residing in Taiwan and their first names (crossed out at the bottom, for privacy purposes) was a fun challenge. Thank you all for the experience and I'm so sorry to the projects I sadly had to decline. Hope everyone is having a great summer! -Kara

31/05/2022

I'm so thankful for the dozens of PMs on Facebook and IG from all of you! I'm organizing the messages and will respond in a "first come first serve" basis - so just hold tight and I'll get back to you soon! PS... So far only one person wants a Quarantine Santa ornament and that's the one I have the most of!! 😝 Hehe, thanks again and talk soon. - Kara

31/05/2022

I've been avoiding writing this post for a while now...... after 5 magical Christmases and 2 years of embroidery kits / classes, we're closing our doors. I have so many good memories of "East Meets West Ornaments," all of which wouldn't have been possible without my fellow Christmas lovers in Taiwan (probably YOU!).  It's been an honor bringing embroidery cheer to your homes, and I hope our Christmas ornaments will provide warm memories of Taiwan for many years to come. Thank you for purchasing our products and for liking our posts -- it made a big impact on me, for which I am forever grateful.

I have several ornaments left over I'm hoping to clear out this week.  Each is discounted to $300NT, with the 2021 design, letter "A",  @ $200NT each (originally $420NT). Taiwan shipping only, at $60nt (I'm sorry, no handovers).  Purchasing can be done through PM only (our website has been taken down). This offer is only available until Wednesday, June 7, after which all remaining stock will be donated to the Community Services Center in Tianmu.

Thank you all, again, and wishing you a happy and safe summer.  - Kara

06/05/2022

20/04/2022

I was determined to finish this lunar new year embroidery before I started some of the commissioned projects I have next, and I'm super happy I did! 's pattern was so much fun! She gives you the outline of the room in a PDF, then you can choose the colors you want on your own. I stuck to her color suggestions for the most part, but gave the flower vase a different look. Highly recommend checking out her stuff! This is called "Lunar New Year Room" on her website.

14/04/2022

Pop-up embroidery class next week!!! Bubble tea and Pineapple cake design 😋Friday, April 22 @ 10am - 12pm, $1,200NT. Register on the app here: https://moonpark.page.link/6cUhR8dtHN7f47AA8

11/04/2022

I have a loyal customer in Taichung who asked me to make 3 Formosa Flowers embroideries - one for each of his sons, all of whom grew up in Taiwan but are now adults, living in the US. I feel lucky and honored to makes these gifts for your family, T! Thank you.🙏❤️🇹🇼

22/03/2022

Taipei friends! We have a dumpling class THIS FRIDAY!! 10am-12pm on Minquan W Rd, $1200NT. Register here:
https://moonpark.page.link/xga8x2MvJpicnbBKA or PM me for info and address. Just a few spots left, so scoop one up asap! Dumplings are vegetarian friendly 😉😄 thanks, see you there!! 🥟🥢🪡 Moonpark

09/03/2022

Upcoming embroidery classes!!!
- The bubble tea class is a 2 session workshop, 4 hours total of instruction, on 2 different days @ The Community Services Center - Taipei
More info and registration here: https://www.communitycenter.org.tw/civicrm/?civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finfo&reset=1&id=914

- The dumpling class meets once, at Little Tree House in Minquan W Road. I've partnered with Moonpark for this workshop!
Download the app and register here: https://moonpark.page.link/ZsK61tbZa3ZS8ggE9

02/03/2022

Our first market in 2022🥳 let's meet IRL this Friday, March 4 at Eddy's Cantina in Shilin (Tianmu E Rd). We'll be introducing some new embroidery classes, new brooches, and of course, if you missed your chance at Christmas... ornaments!!! The market opens at 10am but Eddy's opens for lunch at 11:30😎 can't wait to see YOU there!!! https://fb.me/e/4MEJjswIy

23/02/2022

Shaking things up over here!! Here's our embroidered pin / brooch. We used the chain stitch for the whole design, which creates little "v's" that look like knit fabric. PM us for orders or visit us next month at the First Friday Art Market at Eddy's Cantina. Intl Women's Day is just a few weeks away, get ready! 😎🥰

21/02/2022

We're working on a few beaded brooches for our next market on March 4! Come visit us at Eddy's Cantina in Tianmu from 10am - 3pm on the first Friday of the month. We can't promise the weather will be great, but we'll definitely be bringing the rainbows😁😎.... And maybe cockroaches too....

15/02/2022

Who's interested in a FREE embroidery meetup on March 15, 5-7pm? Considering Wicked Wolfpack or Maji. More info in comments...

11/02/2022

Here's a few personal creative updates for you!
- My is going strong, although I really hate the orange color I'm using for February. Glad it's the shortest month! I started abstract-y in the coffee cup but have since been stitching actual items related to what happens in my day.
- I'm really enjoying my Lunar New Year pattern from ! Split stitch for everything is so relaxing! Also picking up some Valentines Day vibes...
- I crocheted a cat sweater for Pinto on a cold day before LNY using a bunch of scrap yarns. She hates it but I love how the color combos turned out.
- I've always wanted an accent wall in our dining area so after 6 years of being in our apartment I finally did it! I'm so so happy with it. Hope our landlord doesn't follow my account...
Hope you enjoyed! More embroidery posts and market information coming next week ❤️🪡

07/02/2022

Bravo!!! Check out these finished dancing lions from our Lunar New Year embroidery classes! I'm a proud laoshi - thanks for sharing these with me and being motivated to finish the project, they all look so fantastic!! Hope everyone was able to have a rest over the break - Happy Year of the Tiger!!! 🎊🐯🎊🐯🎊

28/01/2022

Happy Friday, team Taiwan! I'm happy to announce I have the Dancing Lion DIY kit available for sale on my website! (虎's ready for some holiday stitching??🙋🏼‍♀️) I am also running a special on the diy kit + Year of the Tiger ornament - order both and save $140NT💵). I live in Shilin and can meet for handovers if you need these fur babies urgently! Website: www.eastmeetswestornaments.com
謝謝! 🐯🦁

26/01/2022

Time to change our lunar calendar animal! "Hu's" (虎) excited for year of the tiger?! 🙈😜🎊
Tiger ornaments are available on our website and I do still have a handful of Ox decorations left too. If you want a wreath like the one pictured send me a DM! I keep mine up all year long. Thanks all, best wishes - Kara

25/01/2022

Thank you so much to everyone who came out to our Lunar New Year embroidery classes this week! I continue to fail at getting group photos, but we still had a great time! Tag us in your finished lions 🥰 Shout out to the lovely featured on the walls!

22/01/2022

I'm excited to see everyone today at 3pm at Lutecia on Wenlin Rd! If you were are our last LNY class at the Center you are welcome to listen in on this workshop for free! Also, I'm considering selling this design as a downloadable PDF file and as a kit including all of the materials. Anyone out there interested in either of these options? Thanks, happy Sunday all!!

19/01/2022

We've added another LNY class this week! This Sunday, January 23 @ 3:00-5:00pm at (the Wenlin Road location!) we'll make this festive dancing lion embroidery. The class is $1200nt and includes all supplies and instructions but PLEASE note we won't finish the whole project in our workshop! You will have lots of time for stitching over your Chinese New Year break! Let me know if you have any questions! Otherwise you can just RSVP on the Facebook event page: https://fb.me/e/4CnZN8TQM
Or check the link in bio😘

06/01/2022

Chinese New Year at the Community Services Center! Don't miss next week's coffee morning discussing CNY traditions and history (1/13 @10:30) and our CNY themed embroidery class (1/20 @ 10:00) featuring this dancing lion! We also have Year of the Tiger decorations for sale at as well (notice the not-so-subtle CNY tree!). The coffee morning is open to everyone, but register in advance for the embroidery class on their website: https://www.communitycenter.org.tw/civicrm/?civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finfo&reset=1&id=910
Thanks and happy new year!

03/01/2022

Happy 2022, friends! Im attempting for the first time. The goal is to add a few stitches to this design every day for a year. I don't have any specific colors or themes in mind, but hoping to use this as a good way to learn some new stitches. Join me, it isn't too late!!

23/12/2021

Thank you Stephany and Zoe at 民視英語新聞 Formosa News for the fun interview! "Ornaments with a Taiwan Twist" 😎
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7sCXc-8m10

With the holidays approaching, many people are starting to put up their Christmas trees. Kara Wall, an American who moved to Taiwan six years ago, has been c...

18/12/2021

We will be at Maji Maji today starting at 12:00! Right near the Yuanshan MRT. It's a covered space so weather isn't an issue. Updates later with exact location!

17/12/2021

Last call for custom dumplings!!! I'm placing an order today - get em while they're hot! (before Christmas!) https://www.eastmeetswestornaments.com/product-page/custom-dumpling

16/12/2021

Let's take a break from Christmas for a second. I have a Lunar New Year embroidery class happening at on January 20 featuring a brand new embroidery design! This dancing lion is holding a banner "新年快樂" (xin nian kuai le, or Happy New Year!). Recognize the style? We joined forces with the talented Design Stories!

For more information and to register:
https://www.communitycenter.org.tw/civicrm/?civiwp=CiviCRM&q=civicrm%2Fevent%2Finfo&reset=1&id=910

Or you can even gift the class to someone for Christmas hehe. Stay tuned while I finalize the stitches in the coming weeks.

15/12/2021

! Hello, welcome and thank you to our new followers! I'm Kara, the human behind the East x West Designs creations. I started making Taiwan-themed Christmas tree ornaments by hand in 2017 when I couldn't find the kind I wanted to buy in Taiwan. I taught myself how to embroider purely out of motivation to make these ornaments. It started as a seasonal side hustle and has since grown to a full-time, year long embroidery / souvenir business. The ornaments are now all machine embroidered and handmade at a company in ZhongLi, Yeh Yu Enterprise. I've lived in Taiwan for 6+ years with my husband and 2 kids (who we try to keep off of social media!) and have a cat named Pinto. We are Christians, Eastern Orthodox and I have Russian heritage. Hobbies of mine include running, cooking, veganism, crochet, macrame, knitting, k-beauty, yoga, and... crystals are growing on me haha. The nature of a holiday business doesn't allow much room for "real life" details, most of my posts are holly jolly type stuff (unless you ask me about making fabric dragon fruits..), but it's definitely hard sometimes and especially challenging balancing a lot at this time of year. I try not to take myself too seriously (see photo) and love to laugh. OK, that's all you get today! Hope everyone is taking care of themselves. Remember what's important (not Christmas ornaments) and crank up the Christmas tunes. ✌️❤️🎄

13/12/2021

Christmas is just around the corner! Need some ideas for staff gifts? Give your girl a call! 🙋🏼‍♀️ We can work out deals and / or include gift wrapping for large orders. We can also issue fapiao. Thanks, let me know if you have any questions! - Kara

12/12/2021

East x West Designs ornaments are in 3 shops in Taipei! in Da'an, and & Willie's Deli in Tianmu. I will be restocking all locations Monday & Tuesday this week; check their hours before you go though.. Willie's is closed on Tuesdays. All places have ornaments, but LaiHao also has embroidery kits! Thanks, let me know if you have any questions! (13 days til Christmas!)