Monday, September 17, 2012






17th Sept 2012 ~ I was very excited last week and you know why ? last Friday was the very 1st time I started beading again .Ever since I moved out of Singapore 2 yrs ago and live here in erth Western Australia, I never had the time to teach again. I was so pre occuppied by errands and housechores after losing my ever wnderful helper who was always there to assist me when we were still in Singapore. So being in Perth doing everything had taken so much of my time that my beading had slowed down.

I had people asking me since last year to teach them how to bead and I keep promising them that soon i will start again once I have the time. Time had gone better these days since kids had grown up and able to manage a few things here and there. So now I'm happy i can sneak in some beading lessons in between during the weekdays when they are off to school.

Last Friday ,9th of Sept was the very 1st day of my beading lesson in Perth held inside my home. I was so excited I even had the beads set up the night before just to make sure all is well prepared for the following day. I had improvised the venue by converting our dining area as the beading area where I had placed 2 extra tables covered nicely with a woolen cloth. I had arranged the pearls, crystals and metal findings in bead boxes for easy selection on the projects they would make for the 1st time.

Assorted Glass Pearls
 
Metal Findings
 
Selection of Seed Beads
 

 It's been over 2 years since I moved here in Perth and been so long time since I last had any beading student.  So to be able to share my knowledge of beading to some people once again is for me another new beginning and a new hope , a new door opening to greater opportunity  here in Australia.




My first 3 Perth Students came from 3 different nationalities.  Karen an American and Wanne from Holland & Fiona also another European. They never had any beading lesson prior to our lesson so they were very excited to bead for the 1st time too. They are familiar faces to me because I knew them from the international school where all our kids go.

It was funny on how we started the morning by going up to my beadroom to look at some raw materials on the 2nd floor of our house.The main purpose of going up there was to simply have a quick look of what I have stored in there.  Karen & Wanne were so amazed upon seeing my range of beads as well as the finished projects I'm about to put on display in my upcoming Gifts Fair event in October 28th, 2012. Their eyes were in circles like kids in a candy store. Well, that happens all the time when I have visitors in my beadroom ha ha .


Beading Books Shelving beside a Beads Rack
 
The Beadroom
 

But anyways, I can say that wandering and looking at beads in my beadroom took a much longer time than the beading session itself. Oh well , but we all had fun giggling in there all the time.
 
So, the beads were finally handpicked & sorted out. They had chosen their preferred style and design and the beading started with some coffee and a bit of pastries on the side.  They were able to learn the use and importance of having a beadboard at 1st and a little introduction to the tools and the metal findings needed to start a project with stringing.
 
Beads arranged by Karen on her beadboard.
The ladies being beginners without any beading experience  at all were conscious and a bit tensed . Afraid to make a mistake but I assured them that there's no time pressure and they can work on their projects at their own pace and not to worry about being too fast or too slow compared to one another. Each person is different and has their own way of doing things. So no need to hurry themselves or to stress about not being able to catch up with everyone. I had encouraged them to do it slowly and  make enough room if changes are needed. As soon as they got hold of their beads and started  stringing, Wanne noticed that they became more relaxed after.
 

Fiona's Dragonfly earrrings
Wanne is ready to string for the very 1st time with her selection of beads. 
Wanne wearing her beaded necklace made with red coral, glass pearls & seed beads .
 
Beading in fact is a good form of relaxation where a person's concentration flows freely within their minds gradually replacing any negative emotions or bad moods building up within themselves. It draws the mind out of those negative energies and replaces it with positive thinking and personal suppot whether mentally or physically.
 

Talkin about beading as a form of  personal support, this applies to the case of one of my beaders in Singapore ~ Bheng. She's a lady suffering from kidney falure thus having dialysis at home. She spent at least 10 hrs of dialysis in a day in her own bed . Laying down there looking at the TV all day long didn't make her happy at all. Until she met me and asked if I can teach her to bead so she can do something while her dialysis is on going. I immediately said yes to her request. She's one beader with great hopes and full of life despite of the fact that her physical condition didn't allow her tolive much longer. It was heartbreaking to see someone suffering the way she did but she had tried her very best to be positive and be an inspiration for everyone around her. 
Bheng on her 1st ever beading lesson with me in May 2010
Wearing her very 1st creation ~ Pearl Necklace
 

 
She created several pieces she had given to friends, sold some of the pieces as well and earned a bit for herself. Bheng , sad to say had succumbed to her illness  recently. She's now resting in peace.
 
Bheng, Tacha & I at the ACM event in a musem in Singapore in 2009
 
For me , she's an inspiration I will nurture in my heart forever. Her story is the greatest gift I could ever had as her teacher aside from the bronze statue she had given me when I visited her in her home for the last time
 
A Bronze Statue souvenir from Bheng ...
 
 
Teaching doesn't only come from me alone. My students also were also able to teach me certain things in life. It's through them I saw and learned new ways on how to deal with life and its problems as well  ... 
 
 
 
 Now I really found my reason to teach .. & to bead !
 
 
A gift mug I had received from one of my beading students in Singapore when I left for Perth in Aug 2010 .
Thank You !


Hoorraaayyyyyy !!!






 
Hip hip ... Hoorraayyyyyyy!


Sea Princess Necklace


Time to celebrate again my dear readers and followers.  My work ( photo above)  is now again voted  as the most liked " Design of The Week " for September at Fire Mountain Gems facebook page.




This is now the 3rd time that my design had been voted as such. My 2 other previous designs ( pictured below ) were also able to gather the most Liked design before.


#CD250 = CRYSTAL SAPPHIRE Earrings
Price: AUD$45
 

 
 

Pearl Garden Necklace 16"


To all those who had voted and supported... a big big thank you !
 

Saturday, September 01, 2012






Sept. 1, 2012 ~ Oh wow,. a new beginning of the month had just arrived and I'm so busy until these wee hours of the night writing this blog while at the same time finishing an earring by wire wrapping technique.. My fingers are now getting numb after the twisting and bending of the 22 gauge non tarnish Antique Bronze Artistic beading wire for several hours.. I had just discovered I had ran out of the 22 gauge in non tarnish silver so I better stick to the antique color for the meantime.

Anyways, I'm here to welcome the month of September and try to find several things with reagrds to this interesting month.

Do You have any idea what is the Birthstone for September?
 


Giving a piece of jewelry containing a birthstone gem will bring the wearer with good luck and protection. Monthly birthstones symbolize the month of birth according to the Gregorian Calendar. What is the Birth stone for September?
 
 
 
 
An old poem below provides the answer! some information about the meaning of the September gem stone, the color, symbolism and significance of this lovely birth stone can be read even more thru this link  ~ Click here for the link to the said page !

 

 


September Birthstone poem - the Sapphire


 
"A maiden born when autumn leaves
Are rustling in September's breeze,
A Sapphire on her brow should bind;
To bring her joy and peace of mind."


 
 
 
The September birthstone poem reflects some of the properties with which the Sapphire is associated - truth, sincerity and constancy. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the September Birthstone Sapphire are clairvoyance, insight and interpretation.
 
 
The healing properties of the September birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to lowering fevers and inflammation, hearing problems, cancer and burns. The Sapphire is also used to enhance the influences of Venus and and banish evil thoughts.


 
 
The word Sapphire is derived from the Greek word "sappheiros" which means "precious stone". Sapphires are the blue transparent variety of corundum, highly prized as a gem. The Sapphire is a member of the Corundum (aluminum oxide) family. Crystal structure of the Sapphire, the September birthstone, is hexagonal (trigonal), dipyramidal. One of the four precious gemstones. The other three are diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
 
 
The traditional color associated with the Sapphire is the deep blue color and was strongly favored as a popular gem in jewelry. The meaning of colors through the ages represented many aspects of life. Social, religious, biblical and Christian symbolism were all reflected in the color blue. The symbolic meaning of the color blue has a Biblical meaning symbolizing heavenly grace. Sapphires can be found in a variety of colors, not just different shades of blue, these include yellow, pink and white. Sapphires with colors other than blue are generally referred to as fancy sapphires. The distinctive blue of the sapphire is due to minute amounts of oxide of iron and titanium in the stone.



September Birth Flower

The September Birth Flower is the Aster, as shown in the picture below. 
 
 
 
Meaning of the September Birth Flower:

The meaning of the September Birth Flower, the Aster is Love, Faith, Wisdom and symbolizes Valor
 

Friday, August 31, 2012

August comes to an end ...



Oh well, here I go again . Almost to the end of the month and just thinking backwards to the things I had done previously over the last 4 weeks then moving forward to the next date & time.

Hmmmm, where do I start ?  I guess to the time I had my new creations  being designed  and having each and every item labelled , priced accordingly and uploaded to their specific albums. I still got a few pieces unfinished , oh dear ! . But naahhhh... it won't be such a big problem coz I still got almost a little bit over 1- 1/2 months before I have the items put on display and for sale at the "The Subiaco Craft and Community Fair" scheduled for October 28 , 2012. So fingers crossed that I'll have all my latest designs finished , ready &  included in my Jewelry Booth #162 located just right by the1st  main entrance of the said event along Hackett Drive.


 
 
The major thing I do remember is that the designs with seed beads had taken most of my time but I am happy with every outcome morphed out of every bits and pieces. I must say  that i do complement myself for being such a very patient crafter although I'm quite a bit meticulous ... LOL!
 
 
 
 
#GBN103= Sea Princess AUD$140
 
Each and every piece created is absolutely one of a kind and I don't duplicate any of them anymore. So hard to do it all over again ... oh no .. not again ha ha !  I generally prefer for each piece to look more unique and original together with the very person going to wear it. I want the wearer to feel even more special just knowing she owns that certain piece , she's the proud wearer of it and no one else got  exactly the same thing.
 
 
#GBN102= Esmeralda AUD$75
 
Esmeralda Earrings $45
 
#CCUFF38= Sparkling Peridot  AUD$50
 
The month of August has come to a stop but my beading never ends .... my fingers are forever aching to get hold of those beads... oh yes. They are so lovely beads . Saying no to them I'm sure is something and I would never will !
 
 
 
 

Saturday, August 04, 2012

What's Coming Up ?




Saturday 4th of August ~ 9:00 am ,  being awakened up in the morning by daughter asking me to inform my friend Dolores that she's not going to ride with them to the film school in Malaga today . Hubby had decided to take her instead since it is a good sunny day. Fine with me so I dialed Dolores' number and told her about the change of events. So a new task was done as soon as i got out of bed.

I went to sleep around 1am last night coz I was busy making a few sets of necklaces with matching earrings for my Teens / Kids' Collection all reasonably priced @AUD$25 including Gift Box.






 I have a new event to attend to but I'm starting to increase my reserve of new stocks so I can cater from any ages as soon as the fair begins. So, whether young or old, there's something to get for everyone.


The fair is still for October but I better start preparing in advance coz it's again one of the biggest Gift's Fair for Western Australia.
I had attended it last year and it was such a great experience for me being out there as part of the whole event. So i had decided to come again and join them once again. By the way , my stall will be beside the Hackett Drive 1 Entrance . Look for me at Stall #162 "My-SECRET-Corner" with a table banner so visible you'll see me from afar . LOL!
You will easily see me as the first table on your left once you enter .

My Friend Dolores and I having a good time posing for a picture during the event.

These items were a big hit for the locals during the fair so I need to make more of these items again !

 Lots of people , new found vendor friends and being a first timer in an Australian Bazaar, I got new ideas from the locals as well .


The Subiaco Craft and Community Fair presented by the Rotary Club of Matilda Bay will this year be held on

Sunday, 28th October 2012
  • To be held at the Oak Lawn, University of Western Australia, Hackett Drive, Crawley
  • 190 stalls selling original craft
  • Lots of entertainment
  • Food
  • Free parking
  • Raffles
  • Gold coin donation only ($2) for public entry
  • And lots more
The Subiaco Craft and Community Fair is a community project of the Rotary Club of Matilda Bay. All proceeds are allocated to charitable organisations or local Rotary community and international projects. The Rotary Club of Matilda Bay has much pleasure in continuing the tradition of presenting its annual Subiaco Craft and Community Fair on:

Sunday 28th October 2012

The Fair showcases a diverse range of beautiful locally handmade crafts and goods and is arguably the most prestigious event of its kind in Western Australia. This year, the event promises to be fantastic with an estimated 190 stalls, free activities, entertainment and great food, with time to admire the magnificent surroundings of Matilda Bay and the Swan River and explore the tranquil University grounds. It is the ideal way to enjoy a family day out while looking for something special to buy, especially with Christmas approaching fast. Don’t forget that there will also be a range of children’s activities such as a Punch and Judy show, face painting and so on.
Gates are open to the public from 9am. A $2 gold coin entry donation will be made (children under 5 free) and be used entirely to assist local charities and community projects (see the Beneficiaries page). Ample free car parking is available.
Tickets can also be purchased in the giant Stallholders Promotional Raffle, which includes donated items from the stallholders and highlights the quality of the craft available for sale. There will be several draws during the day with hundreds of dollars worth of prizes in each draw, together with a major prize.



Wednesday, August 01, 2012

Back To Normal !


I was sitting infront of my beading table last week while at the same time I was wondering why it took me so long to be back to beading again. I had been away from my favorite place for a few months and I guess some works had piled up .  Opppsssss !

I was just back from my 1 month holidays and I was still taking things in a slow pace . Ugghhhhhh !
But my hands won't stop me from doing things specially knowing I had not created any jewelry over the last 2-3 months. Makes me sad to see my piles of beads untouched for a long period of time.

I grabbed my pliers and sat on my revolving chair with my brains also rolling from side to side while staring at my boxes of beads. Ok ... I found some lampwork beads I had not seen for a while and they gave me an idea to wire wrap for some bracelets and earrings. I was thinking of the month of August as a theme to start with. Peridot is the green stone associated with this month's birthstone and also reffered to as the "Evening Emerald ". So I made a charm bracelet paired with matching set of dangle earrings with Peridot color Glass beads.



I made 2 sets of the same design but with 2 color combinations of Peridot Glass beads for more options.




But of course, I didn't just stick to the August Peridot color although some of my latest creations still have a touch of green color somewhere. I had also ventured into some other  pallete of colors to give my other beads the chance to be brought out into the open for some eye popping ideas. See what I mean ?













Oh well, I ended up getting my nail polish ruined and chipped off during my wire wrapping but it's ok. I am happy to see the end results anyway. So I had a day of rest after my fingers were aching from too much wiring , ouch, ouch , ouch !

But then, an unscheduled trip to the magazine shop the other day jump started my desire to work harder on my beads again after seeing my favorite Beading magazines in the rack.. I was happy to find and buy the June 2012 edition of "Bead & Button"  & latest  copies of Australia's Favorite " Creative Beading " magazine that moment. I was so excited to look inside the pages that I sat down in a cafe opposite the magazine shop to browse immediately while I was waiting for my kidss to get off from school. My Latte had cooled down due to the fact I had been so engrossed looking at the new designs and color themes in each and every page that I had forgotten about my coffee ha-ha .
 Wow... so beautiful and spectacular pieces !
 I do admire them all .


I just couldn't wait to reach home as soon as possible and open my drawers for the beads I would need to start creating something. Ahhhh I have to wait till night time so everyone is asleep and all my housechores are done before i could get my hands on my beads. Oh dear !

I found a nice earring design inside " Bead & Button " and I eagerly tried making it myself since i got all the materials available  in my piles of beads. Woohoo what a relief and yes it didn't require any more sophisticated wiring but more on needle work techniques instead. LOL! .

The Crystal Cap design of Amy Johnson rocks like a diva ! I had replaced some materials into colors I rather prefer. Also I had substituted the Silver findings into vermeil ones to match the color of my beads.
Here's what came out ... Voila !




Aren't they gorgeous ?



I'll be making more jewelries this week so please come back again soon and many many thanks for visiting my blog.

Pssttt !!! Don't forget to add me on facebook too !



~ Thanks ~



Gladiolus

August Birth Flower

 
,