Travel for Beads Project: a beader from Vietnam

I was drawn to this beaded bag upon first sight.  But I was in awe with its story more.

 

Meet the beader and creator of the bag.

He is Vietnamese and I salute his gift, his skill and his craft despite his physical limitations.  Yes, nothing is impossible.

Bound by one love...beads.  Really special :) 



Finally, I'm getting out more

Two years ago, I fell so ill (read: icu) that it had deterred me from getting out and exploring more.  Anywhere without Mercury Drugstore and far from my endocrinologist was out of the list.  What happened then was something bound to happen.  Thank God, my health is better now.

 

And so, I am ready  and excited to get out and explore once again!  My Travel for Beads project begins in a few days.

 

Upon return, I hope I get the chance to see and chat with you in these 2012 bazaars:

• The Assumption Bazaar at Hotel Intercontinental Manila - November 18, 2012
• Zonta Club of Alabang Christmas Carnivale Bazaar at the Filinvest Tent Alabang - November 24-25, 2012
• Alabang Hills Village Toys ang Gifts Christmas Bazaar - December  7-9, 2012

Cheers!

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.
 

Thank You, KAILA....from your Teta Trixy

At the midst of mapping out my imagined musts for my Travel for Beads Project, I was shaken by a startling realization.  My ticket and hotel voucher have been delivered 5 months prior to departure (yes, I do things in advance when too excited.), but I have in some  way  forgotten the part that says ... "your passport is expired!".  Obviously, I panicked and wondered how I could have forgotten.

While gathering all the necessary documents needed for the renewal, I came across small square dotted sheets of paper tucked within the back flap of my passport holder.   I never bothered taking a closer look in the past thinking that it could have been one of my reminder notes that I habitually tuck everywhere and anywhere.  But written was ... "To Teta Trixy".

My heart melted as I went through the sheets of paper one at a time.  These notes, with  cute pencil drawings, were written by my Hello Kitty fan niece, Kaila, in 2009.  First, she had thanked me for the Hello Kitty goodies I had brought for her from the Philippines.  I remember how her jaw had dropped upon seeing all her goodies. Absolutely a fantastic moment.

How I look from Kaila's eyes.    I love how she had included J. Bond in this note too.

To Teta Trixy...a dragon.  a cat.  a rabbit.   And of course, Teto James is mentioned too.

Kaila's bye-bye note.  Aww!  In this case, school sucks.

I am choked by the fact that time zooms so fast.  Here's 4-year old Kaila as my pretty flower girl on my wedding day in 2006.  She surely felt proud showing off her pink gown and pink sneakers to family and friends. 

Kaila at 6, goofing around with an orange at a Chinese restaurant in New York.

Photo c/o my brother.

Recently, Kaila turned 10. Here she is with brother Jaden at Central Park a few days ago.

Oh dear Kaila, Teta Trixy is sorry for having ignored your loving notes for so long.   I promise with all my heart to safely keep all your notes in my precious treasure box.  These truly mean a lot to me.  I look forward to the day when we can both look back, smile and talk about how special your notes and drawings are.

In the meantime,  I want you to know that you will always be my  pretty little flower girl who will forever hold a spot in my special locket. One day, I will hand this over to you.  Wear it as often as I do, so you will never forget.

Thank you dear Kaila!.... Love you to pieces, Teta Trixy.

Random Father's Day thoughts and other stuff

I thought of dad.  He had passed away  over two decades ago. But he would haunt my thoughts on naughty, guilty and S.O.S. days. 

Then, I thought of Dad2.  He is based in New Jersey, and so my thoughts wandered around a few funny photos taken a few years back.  On the 1st attempt, Dad2 had tolerated my addiction for a photo in a fancy hat. 

On our next attempt, I went solo.  I love "hat" photos.

As I write this post, I remembered Den, my brother, and daddy dearest of my niece and nephew.  He had slipped my mind, but I'm sure his thoughts over Manny Pacquiao's recent fight ain't over yet.  Mom had described him..."in mourning".  Oh my, the effect of Manny's loss.  But like what I've said, a refreshing break from the winning streak.  Looking forward to new excitements.  Lol!!!

Photo c/o Den

Thank God, J. Bond's parents are back from Australia.  We pre-celebrated Father's Day with Mochi ice-cream balls, a little bit of shopping, and sightseeing.

A new collection of Mother's Heart necklaces are coming soon. I am excited to show you my new and awesome medals.  Hopefully soon. But here is the first, Silver Mother and Child.

By Beaded Story's 3-flower glass pendant necklace is the first for this year's Flora collection. I  did some sort of  test run by  displaying two same arrangements over at Sonya's Garden a month ago.  Early on, I was  both hopeful and apprehensive on how ladies would react to such arrangement since the standard and usual norm remains to be a basic one pendant arrangement.  Yet, I went on with the idea of having some semblance of a "flower garden" worn around the neck in a sleek and stylish  way.  I guess it had worked since both arrangements were recently sold.  This arrangement will be available online soon but in limited quantities.

Speaking of Flora, my Aunt Flora enjoyed her intimate birthday celebration at Tito Chef yesterday.   Aunt Flora, who I have briefly talked about in previous posts, is my huge source of inspiration.  She has been my creative mentor and continually pushes me to work hard on my craft with heart and passion. 

A new game I play with Bugsy, picture-picture.  Obviously, I care for the photo while Bugsy would rather pull on my hair as if it were his tug toy. Our photos came out this way due to laughter, tugging and squirming.

That's about it for now.  Hope June brings you lots of happy thoughts and meaningful stuff as well.  I'm set for my Travel for Beads project in November by the way.  My ticket and hotel voucher arrived two days ago, to think departure date is yet four months away.  Really way too intense and excited!!!