Wednesday, December 18, 2013

MY MARIPOSA PENDANT COLLECTION- PART 1: HOW IT ALL BEGAN

      Years ago, I chanced upon a lady selling attractive insect pendants and brooches at a Christmas bazaar in Manila. I noticed that, although her creations were very pretty and a lot of people were crowding her booth and checking out her pieces, she was not selling much. Most of the time, passers-by would just admire one or two items. Then, after learning about the prices-- which were kinda steep-- even for those beautiful "bugs", I would observe the would-be customers, leaving her booth usually without a purchase..

       It was also around that time when I started making jewelry. Oh, was I super jealous of that lady selling her beautiful insect pendants! I love butterflies, moths and dragonflies-- and have dreamed of one day incorporating them into my jewelry If only I could make something as pretty and as artistic.. Months passed, and I was now getting more comfy with stringing necklaces, bracelets, making earrings-- doing the basic stuff. Then, I stumbled upon one or two jewelry-making books that showed more complicated techniques that I eventually applied in my designs.. A year or two again pass, and I find myself eager to experiment with new wireworking techniques, bead caging, wire wrapping/ twisting and the like.. And before I knew it, I found my hands trying out and creating an insect's wing here, a pair of antennae there, a thorax, and more insect wings.. Well, to cut the long story short, I finally succeeded in wiring my own butterfly and dragonfly designs. After years of dreaming, reading about it, experimenting with beads and applying basic techniques-- I can now smile :) and happily declare that I have, for the last 2 years, been creating and selling ( at very reasonable prices) my own Mariposa Pendants! :) So I'll leave you now with three of my Mariposa pendants.. I hope to show you more pics, but for now, I hope you enjoy these.. Thank You, Lord, for the gift of crafting!♥





Sunday, December 15, 2013

Re-purposed Jewelry Using Paper Beads-- Part 2:                                                                                              ROSARIES
           
I was commissioned to string more paper rosary items this holiday season.. And so here's a peek at the decade rosary pieces I created using those eco-friendly paper beads:




Since these  paper rosaries are also used as inspirational bag charms and car-mirror accessories, I decided to string some FOR MEN, in more subdued shades...








I hope to make more "upcycled" jewelry-- if only I had more hands, more time, more beads... Oh well... till my next post-- God bless our crafting! ♥



Saturday, December 7, 2013

Carved Stone Pendants for Men

Recently, a friend inquired if I could create some jewelry for men,  that she needed to give as gifts for the holidays. So off I went to the bead stores, checking out their collection of stone pendants that would be more appropriate for guys. I found at least 5 stone beads in agate, sodalite, jade and rose quartz, which I simply made into dangles on comfy waxed cord..
 
To get a closer look, here they are: 

1. Sodalite Carved Goldfish Pendant


2.  Carved Agate "Dog" Pendant


3.  Carved Rose Quartz "Frog"


4. Carved Rose Quartz "Horse"


5. Carved Jade Barrels


I was happy to hear that same friend say that she'll purchase ALL these freshly-made pendants.. And now, I suppose I'll be packing them in individual gift pouches to be shipped in time for Christmas. :)