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.
 

Back at Bag of Beans

Not only have I mastered the skill of breaking shoes on special occasions (read: weddings), I have mastered the skill on accidentally stepping on ant-hills as well. So when the unforeseen happened three years ago while on a yummy porkchop treat at Bag of Beans Tagaytay (I drool for their porkchop),  the red ants were enough reason for me to never return.  Have you ever experienced being bitten by an ant?  I'm sure you have.  But how about being invaded and attacked by a colony whose abode you have accidentally stepped on?  Minimal chance I bet.  On my end and for the nth time, things like these just happen to me!  Well, it felt like I was electrocuted.

Last weekend, I was in Bag of Beans.  I was amazed and inspired by the change in color over my three years of Bag of Beans abstinence.  Thank God, no ants around.

Brown coffee cup

Purple Flowers

 

 

Yellow Flowers

 

Dining amidst Greens

 

 More dining amidst Greens

 

 

Colorful treetop accent

 

 Strings in Red

 

"Water" Color

 

 Beads on White

 

More info on Bag of Beans HERE.
 

Little Thrills

A cousin had recently joined the bandwagon of wedded bliss.  This was where they had exchanged sweet I Dos, and where that neverending curse of simultaneously breaking two pairs of shoes expectedly happened. 

Nuestra Senora de Gracia Parish Church, Makati City

My two Mothers celebrated their birthdays a few weeks back.  First, my real Mother.  Of course, I was once again M.I.A.  Read:  Philippines.  The celebration happened at Little Italy, NYC, with two other August celebrants, my sister Rica (with a cone) and my SIL Jenn (in purple). 

Photo c/o Mother

Then, here I am with the "original" Marketing girls of the Ayala Malls celebrating the birthday of our "boss/mentor/friend" whom we call Mother.  It was two years ago when I wrote about how we had enjoyed her golden celebration.  Time flies fast.

Bugsy had finally gotten his long overdue grooming.  My intent was to have him groomed a week prior to my trip in October.  But with all his mattes, tangles and ape-like aura, I could no longer wait. I was beginning to call him chi-chi (dirty). Bathing and combing are now easy and breezy.  Alleluia!

That necklace I had worn above...Well, I've finally made myself my own beaded necklace for the first time.  Really!  I never had a creation in the past that I could claim and hold on to forever. Not even for a long time.  My favorite creations are usually the first to be sold.  This time around, I am not selling. My apologies to clients who had inquired.  This piece was made with an extra dose of love and care as the cross was an heirloom from Lola Liling (my paternal grandmother), while the medals were blessed and given as gifts by Tita Cyn (my father's sister) from her Lourdes Pilgrimage last year.

I have officially begun my Christmas shopping.  It is a must that I scrap this off from my task list before the busy Christmas Bazaars begin. 

Unfortunately, I failed on my early attempt to kick off my Christmas shopping.  But I am thrilled over my packaging tapes.  I went overboard and I want more.  Lol!

By Beaded Story has finally reached its 100th like mark in Facebook.  Yay!  To celebrate, a Mother's Heart arrangement was given for free to two lucky likers.  Both winners chose a Mother's Heart bracelet, one of which is bound for Vietnam then Singapore this weekend.  Bugsy took care of randomly picking the winners through a sniff and a lick.  I swear, I love my packaging tape!

Since I'm doing things in advance these days, I have recently announced By Beaded Story's next raffle gimik that will be drawn on Christmas day.  All you have to do is to send a photo of you wearing any By Beaded Story necklace or bracelet in order to get a chance to win a Tala (murano) necklace.  You may post your photo via private message in By Beaded Story's facebook account.  Detailed mechanics will be shared soon, but in the meantime, here's an entry submitted this week.

Photo c/o client.  Necklace:  Mother's Heart (Our Lady of Fatima).

And lastly, I'm thrilled over this photo shared by my brother on Facebook.  I would love to meet this vendor and drool over his beaded crafts.

 

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! 
 

Can't wait!

While in a sewing shop (yup! I am trying my luck on sewing due to my addiction on making T-shirt necklaces), an unknown yet pretty lady (read: mestiza) had blocked my way and said "Your dress is pretty, and I adore the embroidery.  Where did you get that?".  A long talk followed after.  

 

I had worn my Kaftan dress while shopping for thread, needles and strands of gold beads a week ago.  T-shirt necklaces aside, my dress had sparked my interest to pursue (and practice) sewing.  As a child, I sucked big time in sewing class and I still do.  A simple running stitch would turn into a crisscross stitch, then end all tangled up.  I remember having zero patience on sewing.

But I agree with pretty lady.  The embroidery is impeccable. Despite the internal dilemma of whether to identify the "mastermind" behind the dress or not, I gave in and shared details in the end.  Sorry Pinks, I broke my word.  But you and your dresses deserve recognition.

Photo c/o Pinky.  Model:  Pinky's co-worker.

My friend, Pinky, is a full-time corporate employee and a dedicated mom to her two "ducklings".   Like what I had said in a previous post, Pinky has been a long time aficionado for arranging floral bouquets and sculptures.  On occasions like Mother's Day or Birthdays, I order floral bouquets from her to give as gifts.  You may visit this post to see the floral arrangement Pinky had made for my Mom.

Photo c/o Pinky

Recently, Pinky had discovered her gift of designing and creating Kaftan dresses and blouses, still with flowers as main theme.  When members of her household are finally settled in for the night, only then she begins the works.

Photo c/o Pinky

Given the time and labor entailed to embroider flowers, her works still remain exclusive within her circle of friends. But the good news is, she plans to accommodate orders online soon. In the meantime, should you wish to inquire, you may send an email to bybeadedstory@gmail.com and I will surely relay your queries to Pinky. 

Photo c/o Pinky

Pretty!!!  Early this week, I had asked Pinky to make another dress for me using the design she had used on the maroon with old rose flowers blouse.  I am excited and can't wait any longer!
 

Chiqui is laughing because of my shoes...again!

"Dear Lord, my shoes are falling apart.  Please please please .... HELP .... I pray that those seated by the front have blurred vision!!!" Hilarious but yes, I must have said this prayer more than a hundred times while in between my church lines.   See those silver shoes?  Nightmare!!!  The straps had snapped off just right before the bridal march, and just a minute away from me saying my first line, "Please all stand".   J. Bond was my shoe and toes lookout.  All  straps were tightly tucked and pressed underneath my toes. I didn't dare move. Otherwise, my shoes would have flown.  I had told Chiqui  of my nightmare only after the ceremony.  I wouldn't dare tell her while in action, otherwise I would have lost my lines.  She only had this to say, "AGAIN!!! Hahaha!!!".  Yes, this ain't the first time, but rather, the nnnnnnnnnnnTH time.  Obviously, this has been my long time curse, while bag and pants zippers come second.

Yesterday, a cousin's wedding took place.  I came prepared with 2 pairs of shoes in tow plus a pair of slip-ons that I regularly use for driving and grocery shopping.  Of course, the expected had happened. Again.

The first, a high-heeled shoe that broke as soon as I had stepped foot on the Church's parking grounds.  I have had this pair for more than 5 years and have never been worn.  Until yesterday. For 10 seconds.

Not to worry.  I had my second pair which were on the flat side. I had brought this in anticipation of the running I was to do while taking photos.  The last time I have worn this pair was four years ago and at work.  Unfortunately, this pair had only reached the church's entrance.  See that nasty smile?  Aaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!

Thank God, my driving and grocery slip-ons remains sturdy and reliable. I wear this almost everyday.

I had asked J. Bond to take this photo of me for Chiqui's sake.  While at Church, Chiqui and I had a quick exchange of text messages regarding my shoe curse.

Me:  I'm in a wedding.  Guess what happened...again!

Chiqui:  OMG.  Your shoes?  Your bag?  (she knows!!!)

Me:  My shoes.  I brought three pairs.  The first two wakwak (broken)!  The first only reached the parking lot.  The second hanggang church entrance.  And the third is my grocery pair. So far so good.  Hahaha!  I swear palpak!!!

Chiqui:  Hahaha!  Trix!  Some things never change!

So Chiqui, I swear I will end this curse.  I will wear my grocery or driving shoes on special occasions from now on.  No more fancy looking heeled or flat shoes for me.  Lol! 

To dear readers, should you have tips on how to store and care for shoes, please feel free to share these with me.  This curse has got to end.

Quiapo and T-shirt necklaces

August is when life seems to slow down, probably a result of the ongoing strong rains and widespread floods.  So on rare  August days when the sun is up, I immediately grab and run to my favorite bead street in Quiapo. I've been running low on cords and tiny accent beads.

 

    

Even with trashy flood remnants scattered around Quiapo, I enjoyed my trip and had bought a lot of pretty finds that were not part of my original list. Nothing new. I am usually this way. I buy whatever catches my eye, and thus, end up overspending.  Ugh!

Raw and undone Floral Ceramic Beads and Mother and Child Medals. 

I had intended to hold another garage sale this month.  However, bad weather can absolutely put life on hold.  Ergo, I cancelled and opted to handover my sale stuff to flood victims instead.  Unfortunately, old shirts were scrapped from the list since these have been previously cut and converted into something like these :)

Courtesy of www.buttonsgaloreandmore.com

Courtesy of www.beadinggem.com

I am addicted to making and wearing T-shirt necklaces these days.  A really cool and creative way of recycling t-shirts which I had thought of as junk.  One of these days, I will share photos of my necklaces with you.  But in the meantime, here's an easy  tutorial video which had gotten me inspired and hyped up. No use of glue nor stitching involved :)