This is so Christmassy, possibly because of the red and green on the polymer clay beads.
Topping this set is a lovely smooth black onyx oval.
11.30.2006
AMELIA S$30 SOLD
CRANBERRIES & EGGNOG S$70 SOLD OUT
Poinsetta would be a very appropriate name for this creation but mixed with the elongated oval cream aventurine beads and faceted cream czech glass this takes on a new flavour - cranberries and eggnog....so with the season.......can you smell the nutmeg?
FLORENTINE S$50 sold
Deep red and maroon czech glass beads form the bulk of this creation. The 'spice' in this concoction lies in the 3 round polymer clay beads which have flowers in the same colour tone as the czech beads. Two large white czech glass beads give 'volume' to this necklace which has mainly dainty beads. 25" long
FAITH close up
This only gives a good impression of what the polymer clay beads look like but the czech glass beads are still showing up as very dark. Must retake tomorrow.
FAITH S$58 SOLD
Following closely behind HOPE is FAITH. The diamond shaped czech glass beads are actually a deep purple which doesn't show up in tonight's photo. Beautiful lilac polymer beads with silver specks are worn to the sideI will find time tomorrow to redo this. A slightly longer version than the ones I've done recently, the total length of this necklace is around 22"
11.29.2006
HOPE S$70 SOLD
HOPE now belongs to someone who gave me
strength and hope today. Thank you GGH ;D
Today, as some of you know, was a particulary stressful day for our family. Early this morning my sister and I checked our Mum into hospital for a scheduled surgical procedure involving the heart. The most stressful part was the waiting. However, with the grace of God, prayers and good wishes of many of our friends and relatives, everything turned out well. We left the hospital with a sense of relief and where there is love there is hope.
After dinner and a refreshing shower, I decided on something fresh and cheerful and which would evoke the spirit of hope and new beginnings. I think this piece (of course the real thing looks much better than this photo) represents just how I feel now! Full of hope ;p
Turquoise howlite elongated nuggets with antique gold finish spacers and turquoise and gold polymer clay beads.
I will retake a morning shot because the lighting isn't showing this up well.
LILAC FLOWERS S$30 SOLD
Once again, the lovely clay beads of Karin are making their appearance.
These are beautiful lilac and purple pillows all tied up with wilver findings, toped by czech glass and swarovski crystals. Silver earhooks to hold these beauties to your ears.
I'LL BE IN AND OUT OF THE HOUSE FOR MOST OF THE DAY, OUT MORE THAN IN, BUT I HAD TO POST THESE LOVELIES, TO CHEER MESELF AND TO LET OTHERS ENJOY.
11.28.2006
RETRO SWIRLS S$28 SOLD
You've got to see these fantastic fuschia polymer clay beads to appreciate them. Swirls of pink, fuschia, brown and gold. Handmade by Karin of Kamoe Clay, Germany. This pair is topped by a faceted cherry quartz bead and hangs from goldfilled earwires.
This is part of my collection for Christmas
APRICOT WINE S$35 SOLD
I'm not having chocs this afternoon to brighten my day but I am truly enjoying the beauty of some of my beads. I've picked these lovely roses out of my box - peach aventurine - and matched it off with a pale peach faceted brio and together they make a stunning creation. Simple, clean lines yet stunning.
Just one pair available
I'm taking a little time out to have a cup of hot tea before carrying on with my creating. I was just updating my blog and just re-read my post on my take on life - or a part of my take on life - when it dawned on me that there is something else that makes me real happy. CHOCS!!! I just have to have choclates although I really am not slim and willowy and should not indulge so much but something about choclates that perks up my day or helps me wind down.
I have come across a real cool local choclate site. They have a blog and they do all sorts of stuff with chocs and if I wasn't creating jewellery I'd probably find something to do involving choclates. Check out http://www.thefivefingers.blogspot.com
So now we all know, beads and choclates keep me going ;D
OK, gotta get back to my wonderland of beads.
I have come across a real cool local choclate site. They have a blog and they do all sorts of stuff with chocs and if I wasn't creating jewellery I'd probably find something to do involving choclates. Check out http://www.thefivefingers.blogspot.com
So now we all know, beads and choclates keep me going ;D
OK, gotta get back to my wonderland of beads.
HOW I STAY HAPPY ;D
As I've mentioned earlier, I've received tonnes of email. Whilst reading one of them yesterday, from one of my loyal supporters, I couldn't help but smile and then I realised why, inspite of my increased work load (which isn't work actually because I revel in the challenge and bask in the beauty of the beads I work with)I am still able to maintain my sense of humor and equilibrium.
I was reading an email from one of my regulars who is around my daughter's age, she made a statement which to me was the ultimate compliment. How one perceives remarks by others determines how happy or unhappy a person we turn out to be.
Here is an excerpt of her email:
Hi Belinda!
Just read your blog, and I'm not surprised that you're overwhelmed by all your new readers (and buyers)! Read the article in ST yesterday, and wow, a room converted for your beading! Cool! Nice to hear that you have the support of your husband and family, and have to add that his comments were really funny, hehe. Btw, the bf who was beside me while I was reading the article, was surprised that the person I have been buying jewellery from was not another one of those younger babes selling their stuff online, guess he must be surprised that you were able create such fashionable and lovely pieces... that's why I say your daughter is one lucky babe!
Is'nt that just about the nicest things someone could say! Thank you April.
I was reading an email from one of my regulars who is around my daughter's age, she made a statement which to me was the ultimate compliment. How one perceives remarks by others determines how happy or unhappy a person we turn out to be.
Here is an excerpt of her email:
Hi Belinda!
Just read your blog, and I'm not surprised that you're overwhelmed by all your new readers (and buyers)! Read the article in ST yesterday, and wow, a room converted for your beading! Cool! Nice to hear that you have the support of your husband and family, and have to add that his comments were really funny, hehe. Btw, the bf who was beside me while I was reading the article, was surprised that the person I have been buying jewellery from was not another one of those younger babes selling their stuff online, guess he must be surprised that you were able create such fashionable and lovely pieces... that's why I say your daughter is one lucky babe!
Is'nt that just about the nicest things someone could say! Thank you April.
PINK FLUSH S$65 SOLD
My very limited stock of polymer clay beads which I've carefully teamed off with czech glass beads in 2 different shapes - round and cube. In between the amazing lentils are gold swarovski pearls. The creme de la creme would have to be the pink heart bursting with love. The beautiful lentils are the work of my craft partner Karin of Kamoe Clay Germany.
This is a one off creation and I will not be able to re-create once its sold.
11.27.2006
TAPESTRY S$35 SOLD
This creation reminds me of the rose motiffs on a piece of tapestry.
Deep red carnellian roses with swarovski crystals in autumn tones. A long faceted black brio completes this creation which hangs from a chain.
REBECCA S$68 sold
This is another creation using JASPER beads with 4 smooth round carnellian beads to match the red jasper bi
Large, medium and small autumn jasper beads are the main ingredients in this creation. Tiny red jasper beads act as separators . Colours are lovelier in reality.
HELLO
Hi Everyone, especially my 'new visitors'. I am overwhelmed by the response I've received to yesterday's article. I am most appreciative of all the enquiries I have received. I multi task and in the process sometimes I might be tardy in responding to your emails. Please bear with me. My passion is in creating jewellery that can be appreciated by everyone who visits my blog. Responding to my mail is incidental but it does take up a lot of my time and cuts back on my creations. I also have an obligation to my loyal supporters and have tonnes of their work to complete before Christmas. Bottom line is, I will get back to you but maybe not as efficiently as I would have done 2 days ago. Your understanding is most appreciated.
I would also like to thank all the other crafters who have written to me requesting a link. I've said this before and I will have to repeat it - I have only 2 local blog links and they're there for a special reason. I cannot please everyone so I refrain from linking any other local site. Please accept my apologies for not being able to do so.
Bottom line is, my passion is in creating jewellery. Bear with me till I finish off all my current orders and hopefully I have enough creative energy left to do new work to post online. I will then be able to sit and answer each and every email enquiry.
Thank you everybody, especially my long time supporters. *Deep bow* to all of you. I am here on account of all of you and I am indebted to your support ;D
I would also like to thank all the other crafters who have written to me requesting a link. I've said this before and I will have to repeat it - I have only 2 local blog links and they're there for a special reason. I cannot please everyone so I refrain from linking any other local site. Please accept my apologies for not being able to do so.
Bottom line is, my passion is in creating jewellery. Bear with me till I finish off all my current orders and hopefully I have enough creative energy left to do new work to post online. I will then be able to sit and answer each and every email enquiry.
Thank you everybody, especially my long time supporters. *Deep bow* to all of you. I am here on account of all of you and I am indebted to your support ;D
LOVINIA S$70 sold
This was taken under natural light and gives a more realistic impression of the colour of the beads used.
LOVINIA
Lovely faceted carnellian nuggets with a single 'new jade' carved barrel bead. The combination of colours remind me of tangerines/kumquat/mandarin oranges. The carnellian nuggets are not symmetrical but an interesting mix of shapes and I love that. I've brought some symmetrey to this design by adding regular shaped silver spacers and the lovely fresh green, jade barrel. Approx 20" in length.
KEISHA S$68
Trying to get a better picture of the bi which in reality is a livelier tone than shown on the photo.
KEISHA S$68 sold
Flower jasper nuggets mixed with smaller red jasper nuggets for a stunning end result. A complementary jasper 'bi' with slightly darker tones completes this exotic piece. Length approx 20"
11.26.2006
PAM S$35 SOLD
These are really pretty earrings. Rose quartz roses with 2 shy beads - a pink aventurine and a swarovski crystal dangle behind the roses. Below the roses are milky green czech glass beads. Goldfilled earwires.
JOY S$25 SOLD
A simple pair of earrings but a joy when worn. Beautiful howlite turquoise torpedo shaped beads top south pacific shell beads. All metal embellishments are silver. Sweet and simple yet stunning when seen in reality.
LEONIE S$33 SOLD
Bad picture. Will redo in the day. These are beautiful rectangle lapis beads with natural inclusions of gold veins and specks, a goldfilled bead at the base and swarovski pearls and crystal on top. Goldfilled ear wires.
CLOUDS S$28 sold
Faceted deep blue quartz topped by freshwater pearls. Silver earwires, pins, bead caps. Stunning colour contrast Think CLOUDS suits this better - soft clouds against a dark blue sky ;p
11.25.2006
CASSIE.....S$22 SOLD
Lovely turquoise oval glass beads topped by cherry and pearl white glass beads. The turuoise bead is more blue green in reality than the green blue thats whon in the photo.
Silver earwires
GERI S$35 SOLD
Only one piece available. Red resin ovals and black roses.
The red beads look quite delectable, like juicy jelly babies
11.24.2006
CARINE S$33
A carved carnellian flower sits atop a faceted onyx rectangle.
Silver earwires compete this pair
NECTARINE S$33 sold
These lovely faceted brios are more ochre than orange in reality. Topped by peridot swarovski crystals and white swarovski pearls they hang off goldfilled earwires.
That cutie in the background is our Buddy
WANDA S$75 sold
A cross between a jasper and a tree agate these faceted puffed ovals are quite amazing. I've just used small yellow jade nuggets and antique gold finish spacers to showcase this piece. Goldfilled toggle.
GWEN S$58 sold
Ocean Jasper nuggets and round beads sandwiched by copper tone spacers are all thats needed for these minerals to showcase themselves. Jasper stones are a fascinating set of minerals. Every bead has a different set of natural inclusions. Minerals remain 'classics' because you can't 'date' them so keeping designs simple just add to the enchantment of the beads
GWEN S$58
Ocean Jasper nuggets and round beads sandwiched by copper tone spacers are all thats needed for these minerals to showcase themselves. Jasper stones are a fascinating set of minerals. Every bead has a different set of natural inclusions. Minerals remain 'classics' because you can't 'date' them so keeping designs simple just add to the enchantment of the beads.
GARNET S$33 SOLD
Faceted teardrop shaped garnet stones hang from 2 differing lengths of chain. Simple, classic design that won't go 'out of style' The garnet stones are a beautiful deep burgundy and they are faceted. Good quality stones that have not been dyed
AMBER S$25 SOLD
Slim, long honey or deep amber toned faceted briolettes with a single beige rose. Sweet!
11.23.2006
MIN S$35 SOLD
Faceted aventurine rectangles crowned by swarovski crystals in complementary tones. Goldpalted chain and goldfilled earwires
LORNA S$65 SOLD
Jet onyx puffed coins with little onyx rondelles as spacers, a larger turquoise (not dyed howlite) coin shape bead which I've accentuated at the side of the neck and 2 black oxide spacers flanking the turquoise are the components for this elegant piece. The onyx beads are beautifully smooth without any nicks or kinks.
FLORA S$35 SOLD
These lovely donut flower jaspers are another set of amazing minerals with their natural inclusions. Smooth and almost flawless they hang from a goldplated chain with other jasper beads and a single pink aventurine. Elegant goldfilled earwires
CARRON S$68 SOLD
I'm currently doing a series of 'beads with shape' or character. These fossil jasper pillars are stunning. I've tried to have a balance of equal size pillars on either side but the beauty of this piece lies in the bead itself. Each bead has its own 'picture'. Beautiful swirls, swishes and splashes of colour and design. Ranging from a smokey pink to black, I've used these colours in the spacers - brass tone metal spacers and onyx cubes. Towards the back I've used coin shape sandstone beads in a smokey pink. Sandstone beads are also beautiful in their own way because of the quartz bits which pick up light.
FROST S$55 SOLD
Elongated mixed jasper and agate stones separated by antique gold finish spacers and lilac shell beads. The jaspers have to be seen up close and personal to be fully appreciated. I've used lilac spacers because most of the beads have a lilac undertone which is not visible in this photo. Simple and elegant. For days when you just don't feel like accessorising but need something to 'dress' your outfit without going over the top.
BLUE HAWAII S$70 sold
Beautiful lapis irregular shaped nuggets, separated by sterling spacers. The name has absolutely nothing to do with the origin of the beads except that my placing of the flowers at the end of the necklace kind of reminds me of something polynesian. This is a precious little piece which would add pizzaz to any outfit. Equally at home with a corporate looking suit or if you're sporting a tan and wearing a decollete top
ONLY ONE PIECE AVAILABLE
11.22.2006
ORANGE BLOSSOM S$28 SOLD
A crisp, clean cut creation. Faceted rectangle czech glass beads with white czech glass flowers. Earwires and pins are goldfilled.
EDITH S$70 SOLD
Beautiful coin shaped moss agate and bloodstone beads with small moss agate nuggets in between showcase a lovely carnellian flower. Colour of beads range from sage, deep maroon, brown, light green
FAERIE
Faeries do exist! I received a parcel yesterday from a lovely young lady in Singapore. She sent me this handmade pouch..........just because! My faerie godchild!
I rarely visit or read other people's blogs but this is one of the few blogs that I do read. Faeries are little folk that are here there and everywhere but you never actually see them. She is exactly like that. Here, there and everywhere but still a very private person. I shall maintain her privacy by not identifying her ;p
DESERT FLOWER S$58 SOLD
Wavy jasper pillows, antique finish gold spacers, yellow jade cubes - this looks rather exotic in reality because of the natural inclusions on the jasper beads. Spicy with jeans and a tube or dressy over a LBD or inside a white linen shirt
24k goldplated toggle secures this little number.
LAVENDER BLUE S$32 sold
Literally lavender and blue - Royal blue faceted brios and a lavender czech glass flower uch like the flowers posing with this pretty pair. Other embellishments are matte and satin finish swarovski crystals and pearls dangling from a chain. Silver ear wires
11.21.2006
MY BEAD SHOPPING
I'm kind of tired of replying to the tonnes of emails requesting information about where I shopped in Bangkok. I did a lot of research on my own before I made my first shopping trip. I think the satisfaction of purchasing something that you have researched and sourced for is so much more fulfilling than just hoping that someone will drop the information into my lap.
Almost every 'popular' shopping destination in Bangkok has bead shops that have sprouted to fuel the current craze. From Silom all the way to Chatuchat market, every place else in between will also have their array of 'bead' shops. You have to be discerning when you visit any bead shop - in Singapore or in Bangkok. So you should know when you buy something blue that looks like turquoise and costs S$15/string you are probably paying for dyed howlite. The good stuff isn't any cheaper than the good stuff in Singapore so be wary. JJ market now has more than 50 bead shops. Each shop offering you more of the same that the neighbor has. Some shops have authentic stuff, others have dyed stones passing off as quartz. I cannot help you here. You have to do your own legwork and learn from trial and error. The good stuff is always sold by weight - from 5 baht/gram up to 30 baht per gram and these are for the stones. Silver is more or less controlled at 25 baht/gram. Wholesale means wholesale - 1kg minimum and that would take away approx S$1200 from your shopping budget. Going with S$2000 will give you enough $$$$ to shop comfortably for a fair amount of beads if you're not buying silver. Add another S$1k to that if you're buying silver too. I think the information I've given here is more that what I was armed with on my first bead shopping trip. Good luck.
Almost every 'popular' shopping destination in Bangkok has bead shops that have sprouted to fuel the current craze. From Silom all the way to Chatuchat market, every place else in between will also have their array of 'bead' shops. You have to be discerning when you visit any bead shop - in Singapore or in Bangkok. So you should know when you buy something blue that looks like turquoise and costs S$15/string you are probably paying for dyed howlite. The good stuff isn't any cheaper than the good stuff in Singapore so be wary. JJ market now has more than 50 bead shops. Each shop offering you more of the same that the neighbor has. Some shops have authentic stuff, others have dyed stones passing off as quartz. I cannot help you here. You have to do your own legwork and learn from trial and error. The good stuff is always sold by weight - from 5 baht/gram up to 30 baht per gram and these are for the stones. Silver is more or less controlled at 25 baht/gram. Wholesale means wholesale - 1kg minimum and that would take away approx S$1200 from your shopping budget. Going with S$2000 will give you enough $$$$ to shop comfortably for a fair amount of beads if you're not buying silver. Add another S$1k to that if you're buying silver too. I think the information I've given here is more that what I was armed with on my first bead shopping trip. Good luck.
BELLA - Special price of $22 sold
I'm clearing and consolidating my beads so that I have space for my new beads. These are some of the items I've come across in my attempt to become more orderly. Black roses hold carved cinnabar coins which are suspended by a short chain.
JUSTINA - Special price of $40 SOLD
Jasper beads - small nuggets, drops and squares. Colours range from deep maroon, grey, black, cream, brown all with natural inclusions. A simple design using natural shapes to give character.
11.20.2006
BEADS GALORE
Beads, cords, wire, silver.................
Believe it or not the big time spenders where silver is concerned, are the Eastern Europeans and those from the Middle East. The buyers are usually men with huge suitcases. I feel like the country cousin trying to maximise my 1 kg minimum by mixing every conceivable bead or fastener that I can find. You won't believe it but if you put in the earwires and spacer beads you can make up more than 600 gms........add in some other round beads/stoppers/jump/split rings and your kilo has been met........About 25baht/gram......so go figure how much has to be sunk!
Oops! Have to quickly add this as I've already received requests. I'm not selling my beads or silver ;p I'm sure I'll use all of it. Thanks for asking though.
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