ROSA CRUZ (Pink Cross) COLLECTION

Last Christmas, Tita Olive had given me a huge bag of beads mostly arranged this way.

Not knowing what it was nor what it had meant, I re-used the beads for other arrangements.  On the last piece, I had then thought of checking  in google what this arrangement was  about.
 

courtesy of www.culturetaste.com

As described in wikipedia, Worry beads or Komboloi is a string of beads used   for relaxation or simply to pass time.  It serves as an amulet from bad luck as well.    Read more HERE. The thought of it since then would pop once in awhile.  So, I had made a mental note that I will refer to it or perhaps be inspired by it one day.  But not just yet.

 

I then went on a quick trip to Baguio with my parents and J. Bond. We enjoyed the cool weather and had photos taken with the participating floral floats of the Panagbenga Festival. 
 

 

Liliw and Paete with an aunt happened next. On top of shopping, my main purpose was to see color combination and patterns in the form of shoes, wood works or simply un-manicured nature.
 

 

While on these trips, I had carried along the thought of Komboloi Worry beads. Nothing transpired until the news of a Pink Party this Saturday came along.
 

 

 

A celebration in Pink is bound to happen this Saturday. I have never been fond of pink. Too girly, too sweet. In fact, it is one color I rarely use on my bead pieces unless a request comes along.  But this time, I accept pink for what it means. 

 

Over the weekend, I had finally worked on untouched pendants from long ago while deep in thought about  my PINK SCARE years ago and how it had recently entered and affected my dear friend's life.  I won't get into details for  now.  After the celebration, I will share and elaborate. 

 

The first batch is done but not for selling yet.  I am still in the mode of reflection, accepting and understanding what Pink is all about.  But today, I officially call this collection the ROSA CRUZ Collection... or rather the "Pink Cross".

 

     

Nothing is literally pink in this collection.  With Komboloi Worry Beads used finally as my inspiration, Rosa Cruz depicts what pink is all about.  Compassion, Nurturing, and Love.

 

   

Intuitive. Insightful.

 

     

Calming.

 

A sign of HOPE.

 



The Assumption Bazaar 2012

Before moving on to the next Bazaar, Zonta Club of Alabang Christmas Carnivale Bazaar 2012, here are some photos of last Sunday's The Assumption Bazaar.

This photo shared by Craftan served as our invite to family, friends, patrons, and everyone else.  I shared a stall with Craftan.  Craftan promotes locally made embroidered Kaftan dresses and blouses.  I spoke about it here.

Set-up began at 5:00AM.  It's been years since I joined a bazaar in Makati.  I gave up on city life due to stress. So joining bazaars in the city ceased as well. Instead, I pursued joining bazaars that were geographically convenient (read:  near my residence).  But in this case, I said yes upon  Craftan's invite to share a stall.  Assumption is my high school alma mater.  Explains why I wore red. 

Our set-up (and pull-out) crew.  Read:  Husband.  Like in previous bazaars, Craftan and I chose to man the stall ourselves.  This way, we are able to interact with patrons and hear both their good and constructive feedback.

Ribbon-cutting with Assumption nuns and members of the alumnae  to formally open the bazaar.  My life revolved around these nuns for four years.

Mother's Heart necklaces.    While packing for the Assumption bazaar, it took days to finish my packing for this collection. The cycle went something like...I packed, unpacked, packed, then unpacked. J. Bond eventually took over to speed things up.  I was too attached to each and every piece and packing surely meant letting go.  Crazy, I know!

Cloth necklaces for kids.  I call them "Little Miss Cloth Necklace".

 My Little Miss Cloth Necklace model.

My faded Teddy (since a baby) model.

 

                  

And my blue and white model.

 

Pretty embroidered Kaftan and a Mother's Heart necklace (Immaculate Heart of Mary).

 

By Beaded Story and Craftan together.  'Til the next Assumption Bazaar.

 

In a RUSH

I haven't had the time to update my posts as much as I'd want to.  I don't even have the energy  to pick-up calls anymore...a nagging complaint recently raised by my Mom, relatives, friends and J. BOND!  But I am online most of the time because of queries and orders.  Now my Mom knows how to get hold of me.  Lol!  Since next month is my scheduled trip *Travel for Beads Project* and upon return the Christmas rush begins, I am in in a RUSH as well to work on stocks for the busy season.  

 

Monday last week,  I took a couple of photos of  my production line and posted these on Facebook.

 

MOTHER'S HEART NECKLACES

TALA (Murano)

 

BEAD CLOTH NECKLACE

 

STONE

As of today, 3/4 of my finished pieces  are SOLD.  So there, I am now in a major RUSH to build more stocks :)  But should you wish to hear from me, key word:  FACEBOOK.
 

And the two lucky FACEBOOK likers are...

 

Winner # 1:  76

 Winner # 2: 6

...and the 2 lucky FACEBOOK LIKERS are....

ANNE, YANAY, and to the rest, THANK YOU for liking and patronizing By Beaded Story in Facebook. As my little way of giving thanks, Anne and Yanay, you may now choose your Mother's Heart Necklace or Mother's Heart Bracelet from THIS ALBUM.  Details on how and where to pick-up will be sent to you through private message soon.

 

Cheers!  'Til the next raffle.  Maybe Christmas 2012?  Or better yet, my birthday! 
 

All about "B"

Busy yet looking forward would best describe my weekends lately.

First, we finally made the Bold move of ending our "sightseeing" and closing the deal.  I'm sure our property specialist felt ecstatic to have closed his first deal ever.  I thought of him as young and fresh from college.  But how timely he was within my reach  while having dinner in Sentro a couple of weeks ago.  I will share more details of this project in a separate post soon.  This is in relation to investments and building dreams.

And like any other weekend, Bikes and at least three hours of Biking are part and parcel of J. Bond's program.  He's thinking of a 4th bike fit to conquer the slippery trek of the Mountain Province of Sagada soon, while I think of possibly opening a (2nd hand) bike shop someday.  Too much bikes, bike parts and bike-related dvds are lying all around. 

J. Bond's "calming" drink, Tsing Tao Beer.  A bottle a weekend is a must, wherever we are.  Have you tried this?  J. Bond prefers this beer over the usual San Mig Light these days.  I think there's not much of a difference.  Both are called BEER and spelled out B.E.E.R anyway =)

Meanwhile, Beads must be part of our weekend program too.  Here's a typical scene of what happens when I meet with a client.  Client goes over my works.  Bugsy runs around, climbs and jumps on the client.  I reprimand, then carry.  He squirms and escapes.  I run after, then we go through the same process. In a nutshell, I multi-task by controlling Bugsy from being excessively hyper and dealing with the client simultaneously.  I have applied a  variety of discipline techniques.  Unfortunately, not even an inch of progress have manifested yet.  At least, he doesn't bark. 

Bold, vibrant and creative are three words I would describe Happy Starchild's owner.  Her handpainted works on fashion garments (shirts and dresses) is the main reason why I regularly drop by Legazpi Park Sunday Market.  I adore and support crafts that are handmade and handpainted.

A bit of info on who Happy Starchild is.

Really excited over my handpainted Jane Austen top.

Amazed and Inspired.  I'll surely make a purchase this weekend for a dear "happy starchild"  friend who is turning 40.  The 40 roll call has officially begun by the way.  Some are in denial, yet some are looking forward.  I fear it, but I look forward at the same time.  But here's what I think of 40...not young to repeat the same crazy mistakes, yet not old to keep building dreams.  I'm sure my happy starchild friend would make 40 Beautiful.

And Before I cap this post, here is the 4th necklace that fall under By Beaded Story's Flora Collection.  Visit Facebook for more details.

Cheers!

A necklace for Moms on Mother's Day

Times Square, New York, Nov '09.  This photo was taken while we waited for Mom get off from work. Times Square was our designated meeting place. I think of this photo as extra special since it was at this moment when By Beaded Story's Mother's Heart necklace came to mind.

Early 2010, I came out with my very first Mother's Heart necklace as a form of tribute to my Mom on Mother's Day.  With a mix of glass, ceramic and wood beads, the arrangement highlights lovely medals of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Earlier arrangements were long in length, and may be worn long or in double loop. 

The first pieces were sold in a bazaar.  I sold only three, out of ten, and those who purchased were devotees of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  Surprisingly, the weak outcome was no bother at all.  I continued making more even with no sales.

Tita Cyn's Lourdes pilgrimage in 2011.  Around her neck is a Mother's Heart necklace (less the green ribbon which served as I.D. holder).

Tita Cyn wore the Mother's Heart arrangement of the Our Lady of Guadalupe all throughout her pilgrimage.  She returned home with lots of stories regarding great praises for the necklace she wore.  I was fluttered.

Then, my journey with my Mother's Heart collection took a great turn by end-2011.  All my pieces were sold in bazaars and in Sonya's Garden.  I thought a miracle happened :)

This year, I enhanced the arrangement a bit.  It is now composed of eight-layered beaded strands, with charms and crystal beads as new features.  The arrangement highlights one big medal and two same sized medals.

Length is shorter compared to previous years due to painful hands and shoulders.  Sorry about that.  But I can customize the length only if requested.

One thing sure, this journey had evolved into something grander than originally planned. I devote and commit to making more for as long as my hands can.

Visit FACEBOOK to view the collection in detail.  For queries or orders, you may send your email to bybeadedstory@gmail.com.