My Lola's Necklace

I adore vintage accessories. When I discovered this necklace in my Lola's (grandmother) closet, I asked for it and I was lucky to have an Aunt (the rightful owner then) who passed it on without a tinge of hesitation.  Apparently, she was glad to handover the necklace to a niece who is sentimental and in love with collecting old stuff.  My Aunt, on the other hand, is more modern with her taste in accessories.  She  prefers wearing my bead works, most especially the big, chunky, glass arrangements.  She has worn a lot of my works in many occasions -- at work, get-togethers, parties, or visits to the doctor -- and gathers a lot of queries. 

The necklace has been under my care for four years now.  I first talked about it in this blog. It is gold-plated, so I have it cleaned and dipped in gold every two years. I wear it on special days, especially during family gatherings.  My way of sharing its sentimental meaning on a joyous occasion. A  few family members would do anything to borrow even just for a day.  I refuse and my overprotective-selfish self  automatically ignites.  *Haha!

Given the interests I have gathered on my Lola's necklace, I have thought of having it replicated for family and for selling.  But my beads has frequently overshadowed the plan.  So, it took a backseat for many years until my recent trips to Baguio came along.  I have met a talented jeweller/artist from the Cordilleras who has helped materialize my long-ago plan.

The replica of my Lola's necklace.  My intent was to sell both necklaces at the Country Store of Sonya's Garden soon.  But, one was recently sold.

A replica with corals.  My gift to self.  It does feel great to reward oneself with a gift once-in-awhile :)

For queries on this necklace (or any of our bead necklaces), please send your email to bybeadedstory@gmail.com.

Wish granted

I've been on the track for a neck for quite some time now.  I do my own modelling, but there is still a need for  necks to display more bead works in bazaars.  So, I've been snooping around and these necks I came across at St. James the Great Bazaar are the best so far ...

Here's the thing. I'd rather not spend for a neck.  Explains why I haven't bought one yet.   But I really did wish for one.

Wishes apparently do come true (haha).  Mine happened on the night of the cookout.  Thanks to B-rave dude friend.  I now have my very own neck made from pages of an old telephone directory.  He wants it painted, but I'd rather have it looking raw.  Extraordinary.

I requested for more. In different sizes.

Create your world full of your favorite things

I love Skycable's TV commercial!!!  You bet,  I STOP whatever I do each time it comes on.

I swear I can so relate to it!  The song.  Its lyrics.  The little girl's room.  Her imaginary world, how it comes alive right before her sparkling eyes, and the thrilling experience she feels. That's just simply me. And that's exactly how I am each time I create my favorite thing.  

By now, I hope you already know by heart that my favorite thing is to create bead necklaces.  And this knack has kept me sane and kickin' for 4 years now.  Yes, its been that long and this month in fact marks the 4th year anniversary of my beading.  Thank God, I haven't had lost the touch yet.  A lot have passed me by, but the beading is still strong as ever.  Cheers to that!

But here's the thing.  Creating favorite things can be a bit messy too.  At least twice a year, the BEDroom (which happens to be that same room which I share with J. Bond) makes its transformation into a workshop.  A no choice situation for the husband since there's no other part in the house, not even in my previous place of residence, I'd rather bead but right at the confines of my bedroom.  Oh, on the floor and in front of the TV!  Explains how I came across  Skycable's TV commercial.  Don't worry, husband's got his little nook while the work is going on.  Although, too much walking around while beading is definitely a no-no.  The safety of the beads is the PRIORITY during work time.  Lol!

Remember this photo?  Towards the end of Summer 2010, it was all about kids and the Pharmacy.  So paper, scrapbook materials, stickers, pens, prizes were scattered all around the room and floor.  I heard no complaint from the husband but I'm pretty sure he was oh-so-happy when the "arts and crafts workshop" ended.

Pardon the mess and to my husband's dismay, this is  how a corner of the room looks right this very minute.  Lol.  Boxes, baskets, bags containing bead works and bazaar paraphernalia are all stacked in that corner. A big green luggage is even buried under those boxes.  To think I haven't officially started yet and we are looking at December 12 as the culmination of my bead/bazaar activities.  I hope "love" continues to stay mum about this for 2.5 months.   Hang in there, dear. Hehe.

But seriously, I thank J. Bond for being so supportive of my imaginary world.   After all, I wouldn't have lasted 4 long years without his help (by carrying all the boxes and doing the set-ups, pull-outs and driving around) and patience (practically hanging around the food area of the bazaar all throughout the day, waiting for me to pack-up).  Now, here we go again in two weeks time.  We're both excited.

How about you? Have you worked on your favorite thing today?