B-eads+B-azaars=B-FREAK

A "B"-freak, that's what I am!  Lol.  B-eads...a given. And, B-azaar. Yay!!! I'm back!!! I'm so excited about this. Can you feel it? It's been more than a year since I last joined a bazaar.  Christmas last year was off since I had other matters on the list.   But this year, top of my list is to celebrate the season in a Bazaar, Bazaar, Bazaar!!! In the South.  Specifically, Alabang :)

My first bazaar ever.  St. James the Great 2006 at Cuenca, Ayala Alabang Village.  Shared the booth with a friend who sold "sexy" shoes.  See my Mom-in-law's yellow sleeve.  She and her friends are my oh-so-loyal customers.

Me amidst the St. James the Great 2007 crowd.   There's no doubt that this bazaar is very popular.  Shoppers from all parts of Metro Manila come over to the south to shop for great finds.  

The only photo I have of my Tahanan Village Bazaar in 2007.  It was too hot to take photos.  Stay still was what I only thought about. 

Casa Y Jardin 2008.  My first time to venture out of Alabang.  This bazaar was held in Pasig.  Tiring!!!  Too far!!!  After this bazaar, I made a promise never to step out of Alabang anymore.  Lol. Oh, hello cousin in yellow :)

Got Gifts Christmas Bazaar 2008.  An invitational bazaar which my friends (vendors too) and I organized at the roofdeck of my former pad in Makati :)  Relaxing because of the homey ambience and chika-friends.

Alabang Hills Village Christmas Bazaar 2008.  A 3-day bazaar which I fell in love with and promised to return in 2009.  As I've earlier said, I was  busy with other matters and by some twist of fate, Alabang Hills skipped on last year's bazaar too!

  

ATC Sunday Market in April 2009 (parking lot beside St. Jerome Church in Alabang Town Center).  When I'm on a break, 6-footer J. Bond takes over and sells n-o-t-h-i-n-g! 

Note to self:  Must brief J. Bond on the beads and stones for this year's bazaars. Otherwise, adios customers.  Lol!

My other 6-footer lil helper, B=RAVE dude friend. 

My last bazaar at Nuvali, Sta. Rosa, Laguna in April and May 2009 before I took a break.  Here I am with Alvin, my bazaar/pharmacy assistant :) 

So there.  After having gone through the photos, I realized that I haven't missed a year after all.  Good thing I was able to break that bead-block and I'm so looking forward to joining these 2010 bazaars:  Woodrose Family Bazaar on October 16-17, 2010 at Cuenca, Ayala Alabang Village and Christmas Treats Bazaar on December 10-12, 2010 at the basketball court of Alabang Hills Village. I'm thinking of joining one more, preferably in November.  But let's see where the flow will bring me.

Yes and just like me, Alabang Hills is back on the bazaar-groove this year too :)  To vendors who posted a message on my previous blog  inquiring on the contact details of the Alabang Hills Village organizer, Jing of the village association is waiting for your call.  Contact numbers:  (632)8508254 or (632)8509631.

Carpal Tunnel

Too much beading has been going on.  For two months now, at an average of 8 bead necklaces per day (including Saturdays and Sundays).  But lately, I think more.   The other day, I made 12!!!  I had other things lined up (Pharmacy related), so I just made one today.

Here's the thing.  With all the knotting, disentangling, stretching and pulling, the right hand hurts.  Badly.  The middle finger refuses to cooperate.  In fact, it's solid as a rock and just stands still.  This morning, it tingled.  Ayayay!  I read somewhere that this may be a symptom of carpal tunnel.  I hope not. 

Promise.  It's rest day tomorrow.

Style Tips

Attention Accessories-tas!!!  Here are style tips I bumped into and took a stolen shot of while "strolling" along SM Makati weeks ago. 

Haha!  Sorry guard!  I knew you were just right behind me and that this act is a no-no! But I have my ultra-sneaky ways. So, here's what the fuss is all about.  Hope this helps ...

Tip 1:  Necklace style for Boat Neck

Tip 2: for Turtle neck

Tip 3:  for Strapless 

Tip 4:  for Low V neck 



Tala 09 returns

Here's a design on one of my Tala arrangements in 2009.

It was featured HERE sometime 1st quarter 2009.

Well, I made more this year!!!

Bead Necklaces at Sonya's Garden

New bead necklaces delivered to Sonya's Garden over the weekend. 

Finally a bit of relaxation.  Then, back to beading.  Later!

By the way, how was your weekend?

The Journal Box

It's that time again when bead necklaces are due for delivery to Sonya's Garden. 

As I was getting ready for the delivery, I couldn't help but be thrilled for the nth time of the recycled packaging handmade by B=RAVE dude friend  for By Beaded Story.  And as if life wasn't complicated enough, I opted once again to to make it a bit more complicated by unpacking a few stuff and just to re-pack everything a few minutes later. All because of my eagerness  to share the thrill with you. 

Let's start with this.

By Beaded Story's signature box.  The idea to come up with a journal-like box came to mind while at the midst of my blogging.  As what I've said, there are so much stories to share behind the so-called beading. Thus, this journal box I believe best fits the concept.  The cover of the box is accentuated with recycled stickers or craft accessories cut-out from old calendars or stationeries.  To give it a very personalized flavor which I absolutely value despite the presence of computers and high tech gadgets, I hand write each cover with By Beaded Story's name.

And I insert short heartwarming notes that were collected over the years.   Behind each note, I write this ..

This Box...

1.  Made from recycled material (pizza box)

2.  Made by By Beaded Story's good friend, Bien :)

All boxes are 100% made of recycled materials.  The journal box, in particular, is made from pizza boxes and pages from old telephone directories.  Marked as well are B=RAVE dude friend's signature and the date when the box was made. 

But of course, I welcome  all other shapes and forms too. Here's a round one, again made from a pizza box.

Another round box.

A hexagon? 

This ain't foil.  Are you familiar with that silver lining found inside cigarette boxes?  Yes, that's exactly the one used by B=RAVE Dude friend to wrap this box.

Not related to the topic.  Lol.  But I've been busy with making bookmarks lately.  This also serves as By Beaded Story's calling card.  Again, the journal concept runs in my mind.

BAZAAR BAZAAR

I am a beading-hermit these days.  And I see myself living in this mode in the days, weeks to come.  Most of my interaction and socialization happens with only either of the following channels:  HBO, Star Movies, Disney Channel, National Geographic, Discovery and ABS-CBN. 

And, it's all because of this...

Rolled into one are stress and excitement!!!

Stress.  Well, I've never learned to delegate.  From the buying, to the production, to the setting-up and selling, it's all me.  But this time, I promise myself to take a more relaxing route...delegate the selling to two of my Pharmacy staff (while I roam around and shop). Yup, they sell beads this time and not "drugs". Speaking of production, the (bed)room is in need of major scrubbing because of all the beads, cords, ribbons,  baskets scattered all around. Maybe, I'll calendar this after.  That is, December -- because I said YES to an invite early this afternoon for a bazaar at Alabang Hills Village on  December 10, 11 and 12, 2010.  Not a popular one, but my most favorite :)

Excited.  It's been a long time since I participated in a bazaar.  Let's just say I somehow grew tired of it and a long rest was what I did.  Now, I am  re-energized and so back in the bazaar groove!

So there. Signing off .... Hermit ....

because of SOPHIA HARLOW

Can't get enough of Baby Shh (her blog)!!!

Have I ever mentioned that the "diva" finally decided to break free from her Mother's (my sister) womb on the 14th of July. That same fateful day my head was knocked hard.  Real hard!  Lol!  Obviously, I lost the bet. 

But a promise is a promise.  So here are the necklaces  I made two months after. Thank you for inspiring your aunt, Baby Sophia H.H..... Hugs and Kisses blown your way :)

Note:  These  necklaces are posted and are for sale in  By Beaded Story's multiply site http://www.bybeadedstory.multiply.com/.   More dolls and bears to come :)