Inspirations...

In 2007, I was insanely addicted to jelly-colored shoes.  My fetish gave birth to chalk necklaces and multi-colored bangles.

In 2008, I ended my corporate life and looked forward to spending my days  happily.  A thousand happy-lucKEY charms happened next and were all sold insantly in a bazaar.  LucKEY!!!

My clients know me by heart.  I bead only when I am inspired.  If not, expect nothing.  In 2009, it took me a year to step out of the rut and it was a few plays in Mohegun Sun that helped bring my creative senses back. *Haha.  It took long, but  in some way, I drove myself  back into the beading groove. 

Obviously, I get inspired by both normal and peculiar stuff.

This year, Pinky's flower arrangement served as inspiration for my bead cloth necklaces. My favorite so far. These are now available at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden. 

Recently,  photos of my latest Flora necklaces were posted in this blog.  But what actually served as inspirations for this year's Flora design were these ...



The butterfly from Sonya's Garden. Taken in December 2010.

Tita Lally's Garden Decor.

The pattern and most especially the yellow core of these orchids.

 And, Tita Lally's golden ball.

*This year's Flora pendants were handpainted by a talented artist from Baguio.

Sights along the way

Remember when I blogged a few days back about the plan to deliver new bead necklaces to Sonya's Garden?  Well, I'm finally over and done with this long pending task.  Truth is, the necklaces have long been ready, waiting to be delivered since March.  But with the many interruptions and side trips that came along, I sort of forgot.  *Haha. 

Anyway, and just another bit of  persistent reminder, By Beaded Story's 2011 bead necklaces (Lace Bead Cloth, Dainty Lace Chalk and Flora Chunky Beads) are now available at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden. 

Bead necklaces aside, here are a few interesting sights along the way.

To jumpstart the whole day Southern journey, Mcdo coffee!

First stop, the Pharmacy to check-out the final art entries of our Children's Summer Drawing Contest. 

Voting of the top 3 entries has begun.  Here's a close-up of my top 3.

A side trip to Kawit, Cavite before Sonya's Garden. 

Emilio Aguinaldo's Shrine. 

Dropped by Kawit to visit a 3rd option for the Pharmacy's team building, Water Camp Resort.  Apparently, no one from the team would dare swim in Liliw's cold water springs nor soak in the deep waters of  Lake Pandin. Same goes for me.

Snack along the way.  Lives to its taste, SWEET corn. 

Me right after the delivery and inventory of bead necklaces in Sonya's Garden. Browsed around a quaint specialty stall  found underneath a lush of bougainvilleas. 

Lovely dinnerware I would love to bring home.  

 The woven slipper that promotes longevity of life.

Sonya's Garden's packed and ready-to-eat salad, with rose petals.

Tis' the season of Mangoes. 

After Sonya's Garden, off we went to Batulao.

Where J. Bond's next bike race will take place. Yes, he is back in action. Wounds from this accident healed and forgotten.

Must be a goat's way of courtship.  First, the head. 

Then, behind. *Haha. 

And, lounging and texting along the hi-way. 

How about you?  Any interesting sights discovered over the weekend?



When feeling crumbly...

A.  Paint the sky with stars...A thought I must keep most especially when the spirit afloats.


B.  Draft 3 wishes.  So here goes:

1. I wish the world would stand still. And, smile.  Even for a moment.

2. My ex-boss replied to a concern I once raised about a disliked task, Customer Service....."The more you hate, the longer it stays. There's a purpose."  True!  I learned.

Now, I wish for appreciation instead of frustration. The pharmacy has a purpose.  Keep this in mind =)

3.  I wish Sister # 4 a blessed marriage to R. I wish I could be there.  But lesson faced and accepted with a heavy heart, Sickness is a glutton for wealth.

And, C. Do what you love most.  I BEAD!  En route to Sonya's Garden this weekend ...

Chunky Bead necklaces.  Click HERE to view all designs.

2011 Bead Lace Necklaces.  

 Available colors:  White, Baby Pink, Grey, Navy Blue, Tan. 

Click HERE to view all designs.

Dainty Chalk long necklaces

Available in green, white, brown.
 

Chunky Bracelets.



5 Beading Facts

1.  It was this bead necklace from Magnet (a magazine stall) that got me started with beading.  That was five years ago.

2.  Originally, a hundred pieces of my own version of Magnet's bead necklace was what I thought of giving to female guests on my wedding day.  Time obviously was a major challenge especially for a handcrafted type of souvenir. Instead, red, pink, white and yellow potted mums were given away. Less labor. Less toxic.  

3.  I used to bead at night (after work) and ended at 3am, on a mat covered with a white sheet.  Then wake-up at 5:30am to prep things up for another long day at work. I was five years younger then. High energy ruled. Fastforward to present times, I am OVER with night beading and so is my corporate life.  Now, I find mornings the best. Colors come out vivid.  I still do bead on the same mat covered with a white sheet but with an aching back this time.  I refuse to do bead works on a table.  More time is spent running after fallen beads than the work itself.  Lol~!

4.  Trends are great. But I am not an avid follower. My 6 collections -- Beaded Cloth, Laso, Tala, Flora, Chalk and Butones -- are all based on my highs-- Vintage dresses.  Ribbons. Stars.  Nature.  Color (think M&M). and, Buttons.  The design process only happens when I see beads. I suddenly light up, just as quick as it shuts off!  And yes, I am more inspired to bead when watching Kapamilya's Pinoy Teleseryes.

 

5.  And last, By Beaded Story is now FIVE (same age as my marriage).  Time does fly fast.  Yet, I am still amazed with the wonderful surprises that come my way. Lately, I was asked once again if I hold beading sessions.  At this point, I don't.  I am yet quite unsure of my capability to teach for these reasons:

• I have had no formal beading lessons.  My beading just happened one day. On my own.
• I attribute my knack for beading on creativity.  I look at each piece as art.  In fact, I have pieces exclusively meant for appreciation purposes only.  Not for wearing nor selling.  I deviate. I tweak. I alter.  I gravitate towards the opposite, the out of norm. In other words, I  heavily rely on creativity rather than technical beading ability.
• Lastly, my mood for the moment  dictates my beading.  There are days (even months), like this very moment, when beading is elusive.  I let it be. Until I panic.  Haha!

Nevertheless, I am not closing my door on this wonderful  "how to bead"-teaching opportunity which I actually consider another unsolicited sign. The first sign I talked about in this blog.  Lately, I have been told to stop limit the beading and to find someone to help  with the works since it has unfortunately brought about TWO hard and painful lumps on my right hand. Gosh!  But I remain positive that nature will soon take its course. Maybe one of these days, I can already give you an answer. 

For now, HAPPY 5 to me and my favorite story of all .... BY BEADED STORY!