My-SECRET-Corner

May 14, 2015 ~ I had been tidying up parts and corners of my beadroom these days. Really ? Oh yeahhh... really ! I know I don't know where to start but I'm telling you, a 4 cornered room full of beads and finished materials is so much time consuming to clean up. No joke ... I just realized I had hoarded so much stuffs over the years , beads , art materials, organizers , etc,... OOooopppssssss !

These are the  things I had found so far just for Bead Organizers alone in my bead room :


1). Bead Storage Drawers



These 4 layered multi storage Drawer box containers stacked up on top of each other creating a multi level tower of drawers are to die for. They are my most prized organizers in my beadroom. Why ? with its multi compartments in every level, I was able to put so much stuffs inside and each compartment even got dividers or removable partitions that can help separate same type of beads accdg to color or size. So I can easily tell which part of the room is holding all my glass beads, Swarovski Crystals or Semi precious stones.

( Model 121-5 )  http://www.toyogogroup.com/cabinet---drawer.html

( Model 701-10 ) http://www.toyogogroup.com/cabinet---drawer.html

This drawer houses some of my almost finished colors of 6/0 & 8/0  Glass Seed beads .
As you can see, all seed beads are in screw top tube containers. Why is that ? Here's my story why ... About 4 years ago while in Perth Australia, we hired a local mover to move all our stuffs and furnitures from one house to another. During those days, my seed beads are directly inside the drawer compartments. So when the movers carried the boxes upside down with my bead organizers inside, all my seed beads got mixed. They were like put in a mixer and moved all over the compartments. Lucky I got each multi drawer box rolled up individually with cling-wrap before being placed inside the mover's boxes so no beads fell out on the floor as they opened all the carton boxes during unpacking in our new home.  But of course, all the beads got mixed inside the compartments. Took me almost 6 months separating and sorting all the beads according to color and size. OMG! Lesson learned. So from now on, I always separate each type of seed beads in a tube with screw top secured cover so no matter how they carry or shake the boxes, no beads would mix with the others at all. So, my big problem everytime we move out was solved !

Wondering where these boxes come from ? I had bought all these boxes here in Singapore.
 They were all from http://www.toyogogroup.com/.


2). Portable Plastic Organizer Craft Box :

a).  18 Compartments Box

Plastic Organizer with 18 Compartments

These are the typical craft boxes you can easily find in Spotlight stores or any , Home Improvement, DIY / hardware stores in your area. You can  also easily get something similar or even exactly same as this box from bead suppliers in Amazon stores by clicking here . Need any more tip where to find this type of box in very cheap price ? If you are from the Unite States and residing there, find the nearest A.C. Moore Arts & Crafts Store for a great bargain . I heard they had been selling this item for an amazing price ... only if the item is not out of stock ! So good luck ...

Acrylic Box with 36 slots

This is a crystal clear acrylic box with 36 compartments where I store my Swarovski Crystal Beads. I love the way I just slide the cover lock to the side to open the Box. Advantage of this Clear Acrylic material is that I can clearly see thru the top the neatly placed sparkling crystals. Makes it easy for me to see the colors and type of shape I need immediately for my beading project .

I Love You Mom ... Crystal Necklace created May 2015

Simply Wow !



Excellent for my metal findings too ! The best thing about this box aside from its slide lock feature, you can toss and turn it any way you want once it's closed and the beads inside won't mix at all. I bought these boxes in a beadshop in Chinatown here in Singapore few years ago.
Unfortunately, this type of storage with 36 compartments was so hard to find in bead stores nowadays. I dunno why but no matter how hard I try to find it again the result is always fruitless . The most popular substitute for it was the smaller version with 18 slots instead ( pictured below ).

Acrylic Box with 18 slots

Oh well, no choice but to avail of this typeso I grabbed about 50 pcs of it. But  next time I see this 36 compartments type of box again, I will surely grab at least 20 pieces of it !


c). Mini Boxes

Plastic Bead Containers with Lid, 15 Compartments, Pink, 150x92x25mm

This mini box is small but very handy to take in travels especially if I just need a few items to take with me. I normally carry it mainly to hold my metal parts / findings. when I'm in bazaars so I can easily alter the metal parts of my finished jewelries to meet the preferences of my buyers. But I need to be careful that this box doesn't open during travel to avoid accidental spill of my metal parts. I wrap a rubber band around it before I slid it into a Ziploc bag for greater security.
You can find this item on wholesale at PandaHall.com for US$20 / per 16 boxes.



d).  Mini Box with Tubes

Plastic Bead Containers, 19cm long, 8.5cm wide, 3.5cm high

I enjoy using this box due to its versatility eventhough it's too small for large beads as compared to the bigger version supplied by Matsuno of Japan . I can opt to remove the stackable tubes and replace them with beads / findings.The tubes can be used as is or separately from the box and can be carried around without the box too. Good stuff !
Also easily available at PandaHall.com for US$37 / per 10 sets


e). Acrylic Mini Box with Screw Top Vials

Plastic Beads Containers, 12 Compartments, Rectangle, Clear, 16x12x2.8cm

Photo above is the Crystal Clear Acrylic Box with 12 compartments measuring16cmx12cmx2.8cm. I had been using theses containers for my size 15/0 Seed Beads. The vials can easily accomodate 20gms of Size 15/0 Seed Beads. while the other version with smaller vials pictured below has smaller mini vials I had been using for my size 8/0 and 11/0 Seed Beads. This containers are so practical and easy to use when keeping all your tiny seed beads into one place.

Plastic Beads Storage Containers, 13.5cmx16cmx3.5cm, bottle: 26x29mm

There are still some more variations with regards to vial size in this type of beads container that can all be found here . You can also visit PandaHall where they sell  the small box with 30 vials for US$13 for 3 Sets ( 30pcs/Set ) and US$26++ for 8 Sets (12pcs/Set )


3). Bead Rack

A2-4-a Square Netting Stand

Long strands of beads aren't nice to put in drawers due to the fact that they would occupy so much space, get mixed and would surely tangle once you take them out . So I came up with an idea to get a display rack in a local metal shelving store somewhere in Serangoon , Singapore to solve the problem. Thanks to Wah Yew Shelving & Racks ... Voila! My bead strands had all been hanging nicely and professional just like in a beadshop showroom eversince . Nice.. nice.. nice


4).  Vials / Tubes 

a). Vials

Plastic Bead Containers, Round, 5 Vials, about 3.9cm in diameter, 10.2cm high

Each vial is crystal clear so I can see inside and find what I need right away. It's stackable so i can interchange the position of the containers to fit my preferrences for colors and type of beads to group together. Ideal continer for beads of smaller amounts like Superduos ( a relatively new line of two-hole beads made in the Czech Republic ). Each vial can fit about 250 pcs Superduos beads.

My own designed " Inner Circles Earrings" created with Superduos , Swarovski Pearls & Crystal beads ...

b). Tubes ( Screw Top Lid )

This type of Tubes comes in 3 sizes . S, M, L

This type of tube container with a well secured screw top lid always give me a worry free feeling when I carry my beads from table to table or when I travel with my beads. They are so pretty practical to keep coz I can place them upside down in the drawers knowing the contents won't spill and they're also stackable when empty giving more space for my other stuffs in the drawers.




b) Tube Hangers



Some seed beads come packed in this type of tubes which are available in several different sizes. I enjoy buying beads in this type of packaging coz I can nicely hang them on hooks installed on wire mesh I had placed behind doors or inside wardrobe cabinets. It's my way of maximizing the space I could find in and out of cabinets ! I can also recycle the tubes once empty by filling it up again with other beads . Smart right ?

One good advice I would share with you regarding tube containers is never to buy those with this type of lid. See this photo below :




Why ? Aside from you cannot hang them up and being way too small to put your beads in, they don't even last long and the plastic lid cracks leaving your materials prone to spilling all over the place. So avoid using them . Always consider to use the screw type lids coz they would keep your beads secured at all times. Trust me... you don't want to spend your precious day or night kneeling on the floor picking up thousands of beads one by one ! Never torture yourself  like I did to myself before... please avoid this stuff as much as possible !

Ok, I had become a big bead addict but my experiences with my beads , tools and materials led me more to a self taught beading knowledge and ideas that had progressed in a span of say... 10 years ? So on the good side, give me some credit on this part LOL! Although I had invested much on beading stuffs , at least I could share some of my ideas and beading experiences free of charge as a good samaritan to my fellow beaders. So sweet of me ...

I hope you enjoyed reading this article and got enough tips on how to store and keep your beads & art supplies tidy at all times.
I hope to share more ideas with you so ,
Please Come and visit my blog  again soon !

Time to sleep for me .. it's now 48 mins past midnite . Uh oh ...
Goodnight everyone !

Just a Friendly Reminder ...

Don't forget to buy gifts for your mom !

Click on photo to enlarge

Here are some of the items available Now !

Simply click on any of the photos below to go to our ebay store ...














Postage is Free !!!

Take your hobby to a new level by exploring more ways on how to sell your handmade crafts. As an expatriate full time mom, I happened to realize that my beading passion is not just a way of getting my woes at bay. Living overseas away from relatives and friends I used to have , having a hobby handy inorder to achieve positive energies was my biggest discovery in life. Beading took me out of my depression and healed the loneliness I had felt over the years.

As a fulltime mom, I solely cared for my 2 small children several years ago. Being at home didn't stop me to pursue my hobby of creating jewelries in my free time . Beading was and even until now very therapeutic to my constantly troubled mind. As a self taught artist , creation of my jewelries done with great patience and self confidence yielded a good source of income and dragged me out of my hiding shell . I had built my self confidence to the extent that I started teaching people how to do the craft . In so doing, I also gained more knowledge from people I had met and  further exposed my designs to a broader audience .



I didn't realize at first that by wearing my beaded creations in company & welcome parties here in Singapore , such would be the start of my product display to a small community of people . Unknown clients immediately noticed my creations that they convinced me to make more so they could buy from me. I had given the idea no second  thoughts thinking I can create and sell at my own pace and time with a small start up capital . In fact,  I have nothing to loose. Given the time and patience to create in between house chores and babysitting. So I gave it a go despite of all the odds.

 My new found friends started to grow in number due to word of mouth regarding my designs spreading like wildfire . They offered to host parties in their homes where I can sell my stuffs during the day while my kids are in nursery school. It was a small venture I had stepped into - selling my stuffs which eventually led me to selling them in fairs, bazaars and later online thru ebay at http://stores.ebay.com.sg/mysecretcorner




 In 2003 a year after I started selling my creations in Singapore, I expanded  online by getting a domain and created my own website ~ WWW.MY-SECRET-CORNER.COM . A Facebook page where I link the blogs about my work , projects I did , design competitions I had won and up coming charity events involving the sale of my own designed handmade beaded jewelries.



Looking back to my once simple house bound full time mom life , I 'm now far more than happy to see for myself what I had become .. I was able to create a name for myself and my work . Not only here in Singapore but internationally as well.

 My final words I share to all of you ...

Never be afraid to pursue your passion ...
through thick and thin ...
 it would be your stepping stone ,
to the point where you can live your dream !



This Article Was Written By :



Florewela Dela Cruz Cornelis
Designer - Owner
https://www.facebook.com/MySECRETCorner
 Blog : http://taszel14.blogspot.com/
Shop : http://stores.ebay.com.sg/mysecretcorner

April 8, 2015 ~  It's now been a year since I last touched my paints and canvas . I miss painting but my arm gets stiff after a while and triggers the pain on my back. I just don't wanna force my damn back pain to appear suddenly again coz it's also had been quite a while since I had a major pain and how I am so relieved about it. Since last year, I had lessened the use of my computer as well to give more rest to my hand  all the way to my right arm suffering from the pins and needles from time to time. It's been a year since I had been away from my upper right back , right shoulder, right arm and neck pain and how I wish to stay this way from now on. How it feels so good to be Pain Free !

But, of course getting something sometimes means ... giving away something in return as well. My health is the one at risk everytime I paint coz I always put a lot of tension on my right hand when I concentrate hard as I move the brush. But I love painting as much as beading . For me, it's not just a hobby but a way of life . My hobby is always one of my life's biggest challenge. It always pushes me to do my best. On the other hand, it's my source of inner strenght that helps to entertain me during my downtimes and a kind of amulet keeping me away from stress and other mental problems by transforming my energies into positive things.

An old rusting kettle being given a new look in a painting class I had attended .  The painting class was conducted by Ms. Orna Shachar in Perth, WA

I had just done the background color  for my project.

I had put some strawberries design on the side of the kettle.

The kettle with its new look after I had painted  it with Acrylic !

Oh well, I better decide what to do with this urge to paint again... I don't want my paints to dry for nothing and kept in the drawers for years. They should be used for what they are for ...

Below is a set of pictures of a painting I had done in Perth, Australia. I was given a picture to paint and being a new painter with no experience in painting at all, it was a big challenge I willingly accepted the challege to push myself more to draw and color. The painting was a success and I was so amazed by my ability to paint from a picture !





I have quite a number of  tubed paints  in stock as well as brushes. I even made sure our move from Perth to Singapore in 2013 was a good opportunity to fill up the boxes not only with my beads but with canvasses and brushes of various sizes as well.






For now, I 'm thinkin of what to paint. I need a theme on my paintings at least and what's going around in my head right now involves a " Masquerade ". I guess I need to push myself again for a bigger challenge. Painting some humans ! I never tried painting a face so far and the only body part I had painted was that of my legs by the beach in Perth .  This was the pic below :

A mask I had painted last Dec 2014 where  I had glued on some cabochon beads to give it a more striking look !

April 1st 2015 ~  Waking up in the morning with a brand new day but not knowing what's there waiting for you as time passes by makes me wonder sometimes and wish as well that I may please be given the chance to have something better than yesterday.

Today is the 1st of April and April Fools day. Oh no ..... time to do pranks on unsuspecting people again. Please spare me LOL!  But today I knew in advance what's waiting for me. A Box from Fedex containing my entry to the Swarovski 2014 Contest hosted by Fire Mountain Gems. I had received several emails from them regarding my entry being returned about a week ago but they never mentioned anything else about the contest , neither the outcome or winners. So I have no idea if I had made it to the list of winners or just ended up as a finalist which is for me already a great honor knowing the so many beautiful intricate designs submitted from all over the world. This is my 2nd entry for 2014 for an international / overseas contest. After winning a bronze medal last year for my " The Red Angel " entry on the Seed Beads 2014 contest, I got more inspired to compete which I never did before after so many years of beading and creating my own designs.

The Red Angel  Fire Mountain Gems and Beads' Jewelry-Making Contest 2014 featuring Seed Beads  Bronze Medal Prize Winner  Category: Bracelet

The Red Angel design above took the Bronze medal for the Bracelet category .
I was so happy !


Now, here I go again with my 2nd entry below I had named " Down The Aisle " that luckily made it to the finals again . I wouldn't know I had won if not for the Gift voucher and the Certificate included in the delivered Fedex Box.


OMG ... I won again ! I just couldn't believe my fate ! I was so excited and rejoicing with my sister who was visiting in Singapore as I browsed the contents of the Fedex box .




 It's true .. it's not a prank .. I really won and again , a Bronze medalist not for just the bracelet alone but for the whole set in the Wedding & Holiday category. Yeeehheeeyyyyyyy ....

~ Down The Aisle ~ Bronze Medalist Winner Wedding and Holiday Category

Now I have to say not just a million thanks but a billion thanks again to all the Fire Mountain Gems judges and staffs for giving me this honor. I am so overwhelmed and again so inspired to bead and create more .

I'm so proud of myself knowing I got included in the list of talented winners. View the works of the grand winners of this contest here :

2014 Swarovski Crystal Contest
View All Winning Designs

I am  also very grateful and blessed with beautiful friends who can model my jewelries in their events.

I can't believe myself  that  I did it again  to the grand winners !

Thank You , 

Thank You, 

Thank You to all !