etsy adore: wei’s open secret
February 2, 2009 | Filed in: accessories, etsy adore, giveaway

I’ve had my eye on this shop for quite some time and finally I ordered myself one of the items that will be given away (picture at bottom). Wei’s shop is full of the most amazing little accessories and customizable items. She is an absolute pleasure to work with as well. Let’s find out more about Wei and her shop!

Tell us a little about you and your shop.
I was born to and raised by an architect father and a restaurateur mother in Taiwan. I picked up drawing in a very early age, for which I won several national awards. After graduating from an arts and design academy in Taipei, I immigrated to the united state, obtained a degree from the college for creative studies in Detroit and has since worked for a number of graphic-design and marketing firms. I had always enjoyed making things by hand for myself. Later on it expanded from making favors for family parties into designing invitations and all visual displays for friends’ and colleagues’ weddings. Then it dawned on me that there could be a possibility that someone would purchase custom-made goods–wow–that would be a dream come true. A friend of mine, Natalie, had been selling her handmade goods on Etsy for a while by then. Seeing her success gave me confidence to try it myself. Therefore, Wei’s Open Secret was born.

What led you to the name “Wei’s Open Secret”?
For a while, I was really into this site called the Carrotbox. It is a site dedicated to all those wonderful rings made of glass, Lucite, resin, plastic, jade, wood, bakelite and even stone, except for metal. So when I was considering a name for my online shop, my mind was stuck with the word “box.” however, I couldn’t come up with anything I really like with that word. Then my brother, who’s a copywriter, came to my rescue and suggested Wei’s Open Secret. He said, “you’re sharing your highly personal and personalized designs with the public, so it’s in a way similar to sharing your secrets, isn’t it?” ok, sold!

Do you do all the illustrations in your shop yourself?
Yes, I do everything in illustrator. The pen tool is my favorite! Sometimes I use photoshop to jazz things up. Growing up in East Asia, I was heavily influenced by the Japanese culture and its pop arts. I used to read a lot of manga (Japanese comic books) and dream of being a manga artist.

I’m a big fan of Choo Choo The Owl. Which of your characters is your favorite?
Choo choo the Owl is definitely my favorite. I created it because of my love for the Harry Potter book series. I know I am overdue on coming up with more characters. Any ideas?

What is your favorite item in your shop?
My favorite item in my shop is Mao-Mao The Cat Gratuity Comment Cards because my brother gave me the inspirations. Whenever he and his co-diner had a wonderful dining experience in a restaurant, they would leave this really lovely note on the back of the credit card receipt to the server. I thought it was so sweet. Of course, if the server unfortunately did a really bad job, they would also write a note explaining why they unwillingly left a quarter as tip (laughing…)

Name 3 o f your favorite Etsy shops!
Lillyella (lillyella.etsy.com) is one of my favorites. I love to stop in and see what new pieces she has created and add each of them to my favorite item list. I’ve purchased items from her for my friends and myself. The craftsmanship is wonderful and each item comes well packaged in a box. It makes me smile when I open it.

Kup Kup Land (kupkup.etsy.com) is another favorite of mine. I’ve not purchased anything from it yet. But I love checking out her shop, which is full of imagination. It is just plain fun!

Finally, Craft Pudding (craftpudding.etsy.com) is my model for success. Everything she makes looks simply wonderful. I am impressed by and truly admire her talent. Hope one day I will do as well as she does.

The winner of this week’s giveaway will receive one personalized Choo Choo the Owl luggage tags. You choose what color you would like Choo Choo to be, what saying is on it and all yoru personal info on the back.You can find instructions on the ways to personalize it here. I absolutely needed one for all of my adventures and now everyone will keep their hands off my bag!

How do you win?

To enter:

  • Go to Wei’s Open Secret and take a look around.
  • Pick out your favorite item.
  • Come back here and comment with the name or link to your favorite item.
  • To get extra entries: blog or twitter about this contest and leave a link to it in a separate comment.
  • Anyone with a valid email address can enter. You don’t have to have a blog.
  • The winners will be chosen using the integer generator on random.org and notified via email.
  • Get your entries in by Sunday, February 8th at 11:59PM and you’re in!

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  • This shop is lovely! So many cute things! I really like this little Valentine Choo Choo!!! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12533167
    This luggage tag is fabulous!

    1   Comment by Jingle on February 2, 2009 at 9:25 am


  • I love the Pink Mao-Mao the Cat Bag Tag!

    2   Comment by Maxie on February 2, 2009 at 9:56 am


  • I love this Green Eco Pendant! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20102687

    3   Comment by Doniree on February 2, 2009 at 11:34 am


  • Tweeted! http://twitter.com/doniree/status/1170231021

    4   Comment by Doniree on February 2, 2009 at 11:50 am


  • I like the Journey Necklace.
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12265108

    5   Comment by Michelle on February 2, 2009 at 12:14 pm


  • Tweeted:
    http://twitter.com/auntiethesis/status/1170345016

    6   Comment by Michelle on February 2, 2009 at 12:15 pm


  • Ooh love the little owl magnets:
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11586539

    So cute! :)

    7   Comment by Chloe on February 2, 2009 at 1:17 pm


  • I’m in love with these:

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11586539

    8   Comment by Lindsay on February 2, 2009 at 1:19 pm


  • Blogged!

    http://knitonequilttoo.typepad.com/chloe/2009/02/who-doesnt-love-a-giveway-you-know.html

    9   Comment by Chloe on February 2, 2009 at 1:30 pm


  • oh i love the green eco pendant! so cute.

    10   Comment by katelin on February 2, 2009 at 1:39 pm


  • Wow, she has some cute stuff!

    I love how Japanese-inspired it all looks. :)

    I really like the Journey Necklace. Pretty!

    11   Comment by ashley.star on February 2, 2009 at 2:05 pm


  • The “Feels Like Autumn” earrings are just gorgeous. Love them.

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=19349734

    12   Comment by SA on February 2, 2009 at 3:45 pm


  • LOVE the Be My Valentine Choo Choo! http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12533167

    13   Comment by Renee on February 2, 2009 at 11:35 pm


  • I like the owl magnets! :) They’re adorable. <3

    14   Comment by Kim on February 2, 2009 at 11:35 pm


  • Ooh, I love the explore luggage tags with the vintage pictures on them!

    15   Comment by Gretchen on February 2, 2009 at 11:49 pm


  • oh my i just love wei’s creations!!! My fav fav is bo bag tag and his little cute face saying “i’m pretty sure this is not your bag” it makes my heart melt!

    16   Comment by Alisa Marie on February 2, 2009 at 11:54 pm


  • twittered: http://twitter.com/lovealisa/status/1172066661

    the link to my previous comment: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20529193

    17   Comment by Alisa Marie on February 3, 2009 at 12:27 am


  • Journey Necklace is adorable

    18   Comment by MRS.MOMMYY on February 3, 2009 at 2:53 am


  • The 3 Hola Luggage Tags are my favorites!

    19   Comment by lo on February 3, 2009 at 3:00 am


  • Oh my gosh, I’ve never seen such cute things! I love the Pink Mao-Mao the Cat Bag Tag!

    20   Comment by Melissa D on February 3, 2009 at 9:47 am


  • I love the Bo Bag Tag! Such an awesome shop! Very cute items! :)

    21   Comment by Becky Marsh on February 3, 2009 at 9:52 am


  • The Three Explore Luggage Tags are lovely and classy. They’d make it easier to find my luggage at the carousel.

    22   Comment by Kathleen on February 3, 2009 at 10:10 am


  • the lime mao tag is so cute!

    23   Comment by Danielle on February 3, 2009 at 10:12 am


  • love the choo choo the owl magnet set

    thanks

    24   Comment by laura on February 3, 2009 at 10:30 am


  • I like the little owl magnets

    25   Comment by Melissa on February 3, 2009 at 10:36 am


  • I love the Pink Mao-Mao the Cat Bag Tag! So cute!

    26   Comment by Erin on February 3, 2009 at 11:15 am


  • i like the Green Eco Pendant.

    27   Comment by Vicky Boackle on February 3, 2009 at 11:48 am


  • The Vino Noir earrings are absolutely fabulous.

    28   Comment by lindsey on February 3, 2009 at 12:34 pm


  • My favorite (among many) is the red bloom pendant. The luggage tags and notecards are great too! Wei’s Open Secret is my favorite Etsy destination!

    29   Comment by Richard Abbott on February 3, 2009 at 1:13 pm


  • I love the owl magnets! So cute!
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11586539

    30   Comment by Marianne on February 3, 2009 at 1:46 pm


  • I love Mao-Mao the Cat Door Tag, very cute!

    31   Comment by Gayle J on February 3, 2009 at 5:57 pm


  • the Pink Mao-Mao the Cat Bag Tag is SO cute

    32   Comment by Kate on February 3, 2009 at 7:52 pm


  • I think the Journey Necklace is so beautiful and very unique!

    33   Comment by Danielle on February 3, 2009 at 8:34 pm


  • I like the Star of Black Pendant, some very cute items

    34   Comment by joni chadwell on February 4, 2009 at 3:35 pm


  • I love these: http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=17155442 . I have often wished I could say, “25% because you were fabulous” or “I usually don’t tip 10% or 15%, this is a reflection of poor service.”

    35   Comment by Kelle's Kitchen on February 4, 2009 at 10:24 pm


  • I twittered! Unfortunately I have no idea how to get a direct link, but it is here: http://twitter.com/KellesKitchen .

    36   Comment by Kelle's Kitchen on February 4, 2009 at 10:28 pm


  • I love the Lime Mao-Mao the Cat lunch bag tag, the picture is cute and I love what it says.

    atomic[.]unicorn[@]gmail[.]com

    37   Comment by Caro on February 4, 2009 at 10:42 pm


  • I love the owl magnents!

    38   Comment by bFlat on February 4, 2009 at 11:03 pm


  • My favorite is: Lime Mao-Mao the Cat Lunch Bag/Box Tag. “I’m pretty sure this is not your lunch” How clever!

    lesjoujou AT gmail DOT com

    39   Comment by Stephanie on February 5, 2009 at 12:15 am


  • The Choo Choo owl magnets are adorable!

    40   Comment by Vivien on February 5, 2009 at 12:47 am


  • I am love with all the gorgeous tile pendants, but I was really tickled by the Pink Mao Mao kitty luggage tag!!So incredibly cute!!

    kladd94803 (at) aol. com

    41   Comment by karen L on February 5, 2009 at 3:38 am


  • Mao-Mao the Cat Gratuity Comment Cards are soooo cute!!!

    kira ^__^

    42   Comment by kira on February 5, 2009 at 4:17 am


  • I’ve linked the giveaway in my blog, it’s in the left column, I hope it’s right ^^

    43   Comment by kira on February 5, 2009 at 4:51 am


  • I love 7 Days of Bloom Pendants (set of 7)!!!! Thanks for the chance!!!!!

    cal_rubies(at)yahoo(dot)es

    44   Comment by janil on February 5, 2009 at 5:17 am


  • Your shop is fantastic and I love the journey necklace it is very elegant !!!
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12265108
    sudhersana[at]yahoo[dot]com

    45   Comment by sudha on February 5, 2009 at 7:42 am


  • I like the 3 Explore Luggage Tags. Thanks for this giveaway!

    46   Comment by Kimberly on February 5, 2009 at 9:03 am


  • I love this magnets: “Choo-Choo the Owl Magnet Set with a Matching Box” :)

    47   Comment by meninheira on February 5, 2009 at 9:06 am


  • I bloged here: http://bloguerosconilusion.blogspot.com/2009/02/mas-sorteos-paaaara-hoyyy.html

    48   Comment by meninheira on February 5, 2009 at 9:11 am


  • Love the Vintage Pink Flower Hairpins.

    =) melanie
    melanieadey at hotmail dot com

    49   Comment by melanie on February 5, 2009 at 10:02 am


  • Everything is so lovely, but the Journey Necklace is my fave!

    50   Comment by Dionne C on February 5, 2009 at 11:42 am


  • I love the Choo-Choo the Owl magnet set.

    Thanks for doing this giveaway!

    51   Comment by Claire on February 5, 2009 at 12:20 pm


  • all its beutiful,i can´t choose only one…
    well,perhaps Choo-Choo the Owl Magnet Set with a Matching Box.

    I want participate from Spain, and i post you in my craftblog.
    My email is in my profile of the blog.
    Thanks

    52   Comment by Mireia on February 5, 2009 at 12:38 pm


  • I love her owl magnets!

    53   Comment by Andi on February 5, 2009 at 12:49 pm


  • i love the seven days of bloom pendant set–so fresh and fun! thank you!

    54   Comment by ashley on February 5, 2009 at 1:47 pm


  • The Journey Necklace is lovely! Please enter me in your delightful drawing. Many thanks, Cindi

    55   Comment by Cindi on February 5, 2009 at 2:15 pm


  • I love the butterfly hairpins.. so simple, yet becoming.. Good luck with your business, you have some really nice things.. I am off to look at more of your fantastic goodies : )

    56   Comment by AB on February 5, 2009 at 3:15 pm


  • 3 Hola Luggage Tags are my favorite (and they can be personalized too)

    Thanks for a great giveaway.

    57   Comment by Shelley K on February 5, 2009 at 5:42 pm


  • I like the bag tag:

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=20515793

    58   Comment by Tenika on February 5, 2009 at 6:35 pm


  • The Journey necklace

    59   Comment by N Moyer on February 5, 2009 at 6:54 pm


  • I love the Mine Not Yours Bag tag!
    Last year I had someone grab my suitcase and leave the airport by accident. Luckily I got my bag back later that day- but what a pain. These tags are a great idea, and way nicer looking than my miles of colorful ribbons :)

    60   Comment by Tara on February 5, 2009 at 11:35 pm


  • I love the Red Bloom Pendant!

    61   Comment by Shanda on February 6, 2009 at 12:32 am


  • the Journey Necklace is definitely my fave! :)

    62   Comment by Dora on February 6, 2009 at 1:10 am


  • I love the Butterfly Hairpins in Lavender. Very beautiful indeed!

    63   Comment by Aik on February 6, 2009 at 6:03 am


  • My favourite is the Mine… Not Yours Bo Bag Tag! So cute and adorable!

    64   Comment by Evelyn on February 6, 2009 at 6:06 am


  • My favourite is the Mine… Not Yours Bo Bag Tag! So cute and adorable!

    65   Comment by Aik on February 6, 2009 at 6:07 am


  • I like the Choo Choo Owl Magnets!

    66   Comment by Evelyn on February 6, 2009 at 6:09 am


  • I really like the Mao Cat Gratuity Cards! What a cleaver idea. :)

    peachygirl417 at yahoo dot com

    67   Comment by Paula K on February 6, 2009 at 9:00 am


  • I know I can’t enter the contest myself. LOL
    I simply just want to drop in and say “Thank You” to you all. :D

    68   Comment by Wei on February 6, 2009 at 9:23 am


  • Green Eco Pendant

    69   Comment by Jennifer Hedden on February 6, 2009 at 3:53 pm


  • Love the vintage look of the chocolat tag.

    70   Comment by Rosanne on February 6, 2009 at 7:54 pm


  • I love : Chocolat Ideal Bag Tags.especially the chocolat one, they are all adorable.

    Thanks for a fab contest.

    71   Comment by Zoe Lee on February 6, 2009 at 8:08 pm


  • I like 7 Days Of Bloom Pendants. It is the Ultimate cool item!

    72   Comment by Terri on February 6, 2009 at 9:35 pm


  • I think the Lime Mao-Mao the Cat Lunch Bag/Box Tag that says “I’m pretty sure this is not your lunch” is so cute. Darling stuff there.

    Thanks for having the giveaway!

    73   Comment by Jacqueline in Atlanta on February 7, 2009 at 12:11 am


  • butterfly haripins are nice

    74   Comment by susan varney on February 7, 2009 at 12:55 pm


  • Star of Black Pendant is my favourite.

    75   Comment by Amy Tucker on February 7, 2009 at 1:21 pm


  • Mine… Not Yours Bo Bag Tag is my favorite! So cute!

    76   Comment by Melody on February 7, 2009 at 2:33 pm


  • I like the Pink Mao-Mao the Cat Bag Tag very much. Great design.

    77   Comment by Crystal on February 7, 2009 at 2:33 pm


  • The peas in a pod necklace http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=11104285 is pretty!

    78   Comment by Rita on February 7, 2009 at 2:34 pm


  • I blogged about the giveaway at my blog at:

    http://mel-88-88.livejournal.com/31847.html

    Thanks for the giveaway!

    79   Comment by Melody on February 7, 2009 at 2:36 pm


  • Great stuff! I’ll choose Be My Valentine Choo-Choo! Perfect as a valentine’s day gift.. :)

    80   Comment by H.S. on February 7, 2009 at 2:37 pm


  • Choo-choo is so cute!! I like the Choo-Choo the Owl Magnet Set with a Matching Box. I also like the Feel Like Autumn earrings!

    81   Comment by jjampm on February 7, 2009 at 2:38 pm


  • http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=12265108

    I like the Journey Necklace very much. Classy & pretty!

    82   Comment by Dancerinthemaking on February 7, 2009 at 2:39 pm


  • I like the Choo-Choo the Owl Magnets =]

    83   Comment by Laura on February 7, 2009 at 2:48 pm


  • The Owl magnets are my fave.

    84   Comment by Linda Chaput on February 7, 2009 at 6:01 pm


  • I like the Star of Blue Pendant!
    Carla
    cpullum(at)yahoo(dot)com

    85   Comment by Carla Pullum on February 7, 2009 at 6:13 pm


  • The little owl magnet set would be the perfect gift for a friend of mine.
    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?ref=sr_list_3&listing_id=11586539&ga_search_query=owl&ga_search_type=user_shop_ttt_id_97413

    86   Comment by Catherine on February 7, 2009 at 6:18 pm


  • I love the journey necklace.

    87   Comment by Denise Reilly on February 7, 2009 at 8:57 pm


  • Red Garden Pendant is my favorite.

    88   Comment by Sharon C on February 7, 2009 at 10:05 pm


  • Choo Choo the owl magnet set with box would be my choice. so cute!

    89   Comment by Dolores Olsen on February 7, 2009 at 10:24 pm


  • The little own magnets are really cute. Thanks for the contest.

    90   Comment by Donna R. on February 7, 2009 at 10:33 pm


  • I love the Vintage Pink Flower Hairpins!

    91   Comment by Storm on February 7, 2009 at 10:47 pm


  • Choo Choo is what I choo-choose.

    92   Comment by Denise on February 8, 2009 at 12:31 am


  • The eco green pendant is beautiful. And I love the funny sayings on the tags.

    93   Comment by Kelly K. on February 8, 2009 at 1:05 am


  • Oh my goodness, this is one of my new favorite Etsy Shops!!! So bloody cute. My favorite thing is the Pink Mao Mao the Cat Luggage Tag.

    94   Comment by meredith rogen on February 8, 2009 at 2:25 am


  • Vino Noir Earrings is my fav! They are GORGEOUS! Love the site! Totally recommend it!

    95   Comment by kristi blackstone on February 8, 2009 at 3:42 am


  • My favorite item is the Mine Not Yours Bo Bag tag!

    96   Comment by Amber G on February 8, 2009 at 7:16 am


  • The 3 Hola Luggage Tags look cool! I would love to win! Thanks so much for the giveaway!

    97   Comment by Jeanine P on February 8, 2009 at 7:36 am


  • I love the journey necklace.

    98   Comment by Sandy Brown on February 8, 2009 at 8:24 am


  • I love owls and we could use them for our trip to Florida! thanks!

    99   Comment by Roseann K. on February 8, 2009 at 10:42 am


  • green eco pendant

    100   Comment by david basile on February 8, 2009 at 11:30 am


  • It’s a hard decision because there are so many cute things, but I think my favorite is the Red Bloom Pendant. It’s so vibrant and cheery, thanks!

    101   Comment by xenia on February 8, 2009 at 11:52 am


  • I like the pink flower hair pins. Thank you

    102   Comment by Candie L on February 8, 2009 at 12:14 pm


  • i love the Red Garden Pendant :)

    103   Comment by kathy pease on February 8, 2009 at 12:49 pm


  • I like the blue luggage bags.

    104   Comment by karla k on February 8, 2009 at 1:09 pm


  • Love the Journey necklace.

    105   Comment by Amy H. on February 8, 2009 at 2:23 pm


  • I actually piked 2 things I love the Buterfly Hairpines and the Journey Necklace is nice

    106   Comment by Tammy on February 8, 2009 at 3:00 pm


  • I soooo love the Be My Valentine Choo-Choo!! So adorably cute!

    Thanks so much for this fabulous give~away! : )))

    leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

    107   Comment by Leah on February 8, 2009 at 5:08 pm


  • And, I TWITTERED about this give~away…….user name: leahita.

    http://twitter.com/leahita/status/1189903502

    leahita[at]gmail[dot]com

    108   Comment by Leah on February 8, 2009 at 5:09 pm


  • i like the mine not yours tag :)

    109   Comment by Valerie M on February 8, 2009 at 5:10 pm


  • http://twitter.com/valerie2350/status/1189912842

    110   Comment by Valerie M on February 8, 2009 at 5:11 pm


  • I love this:
    Pink Mao-Mao the Cat Bag Tag

    111   Comment by tricia on February 8, 2009 at 5:18 pm


  • I like the Firenze Luggage Tags the best. Thanks for the contest.

    112   Comment by Kathleen yohanna on February 8, 2009 at 5:42 pm


  • I love the 7 Days of Bloom Pendants (set of 7). Would be perfect for Spring
    rosans4@comcast.net

    113   Comment by Rosanne on February 8, 2009 at 6:24 pm


  • Lucky Clove Hairpins (set of 2)

    http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=9125498

    114   Comment by Marcy Strahan on February 8, 2009 at 8:16 pm


  • I love the SUPER cute owl magnets!

    115   Comment by Michelle Pennington on February 8, 2009 at 8:19 pm


  • The Lime Mao-Mao The Cat Lunch Bag/Box Tag is so super cute! I love these tags!

    kayceewilliams at gmail dot com

    116   Comment by Kaycee on February 8, 2009 at 9:07 pm


  • Tweet! (username:iloveyouhecried)

    kayceewilliams at gmail dot com

    117   Comment by Kaycee on February 8, 2009 at 9:08 pm


  • I love the Mine… Not Yours Bo Bag Tag. How cute!

    118   Comment by Ilissa H. on February 8, 2009 at 9:22 pm


  • I like the Journey Necklace.

    119   Comment by Donna K on February 8, 2009 at 9:27 pm


  • I like the Journey Necklace.

    120   Comment by Helen on February 8, 2009 at 9:56 pm


  • I like the journay necklace.

    121   Comment by Tamara Burks on February 8, 2009 at 10:33 pm


  • I am really liking the green eco pendent, I would love that. Thanks

    122   Comment by Amy Gangloff on February 8, 2009 at 11:37 pm




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