I spent 4 days working on my freeform bead embroidery necklace. It was really fun working out the main shape, choosing the main gemstone cabachon and then finding Japanese glass seed beads to bring out the colours. Now I'll wait for a while for Lady inspiration to visit me! This necklace will be part of my private collection.
This week I spent quite a bit of time looking for inspiration for my next line of jewelry but as usual, I got distracted and ended up making this in Swarovski bicones! It'll go well with a simple strapless dress or blouse for evening wear. I'll try the same design using pearls.
For those who asked, I will repeat most designs but never in the exact same colours. So you can be assured no one else has the exact same necklace, bracelet or pair of ear-rings as you!
I went shopping yesterday with my friend, Melissa Chor, an image consultant who runs her own business called Image Harmony. Check out her website at http://www.image-harmony.com/ and blog at http://www.melissastyleguide.blogspot.com/. We had lots of fun trying on clothes and looking for treasures in all the unexpected places.
One treasure I found was this ethnic necklace from India. I love the shape, design and colours. However, it was not in very good condition with the some metal parts rusted, fallen off and gemstones chipping.
One of my favourite necklaces got sold this week! Cleopatra (her new owner named her!) is a free-form collar. This means I have an idea what shape I want to create but I let my fingers do the walking! I used thousands of bronze coloured Japanese glass seed beads and incorporated different colours and shapes of freshwater pearls. It's asymmetrical (which is also why it's appealing to those more artistic) and will look absolutely stunning with a simple dress.
This week I'm working very hard at completing the many custom orders for Christmas. Due to my present work commitment, I won't have time to rush a showcase for Christmas. My apologies to those who've been waiting to see my jewelry. I will upload photos on this blog from time to time so you can still have a look at new pieces and decide if you'd like to purchase any pieces.
Thank you to all of you who have been supporting me since I embarked on this journey. Please keep the support coming!
Thank you for your patience during the past three weeks while I was getting my two bathrooms renovated. I'm now in the process of cleaning up the layers of dust off my furniture and painting some rooms. I should be back in the full swing of things by next week when I move my studio to my boutique so customers can see my works in progress and choose their gemstones and beads for their jewelry pieces straight from my boxes.
I'm planning for my Christmas collection to be shown the first week of December. Remember, if you have any special orders now's the time to let me know! Order now and I'll complete them by middle of December.
Here's a pair of geometric ear-rings in a new colour!
This week I've been able to settle down to work a bit on experimenting with new designs. After sketching out my ideas and designs, I try to sit down for at least 6-8 hours at my studio table to try out new colour combinations and textures. Often, it takes 4-5 tries before I settle on something I like. Then it gets made into a whole piece! On occasions, I've been known to unpick the whole piece and start all over again because I'm not completely satisfied!
I've been really thankful that I can work from home, being close to my family and cats (I've two, Sniffles and Lion-O). Here's Sniffles who loves to sit in her box the whole day sleeping, cleaning herself or watching me work!
Last week I spent 4 days attending two courses that taught me how to save lives in medical emergencies. It was an eye opening experience for me. This week I'll be back at my studio table working on the numerous custom orders and new items for my Christmas show. Do keep the orders coming. I simply love making jewelry pieces for each of you to match your personality, face and body shape as well as wardrobe! Please do send in photos you want to share with me and others. I'll try to post photos of my new items later in the week when my resident photographer is available to work. Below are some ear-rings I made a while back.
On Tuesday, while hanging out the laundry I twisted my back and found it difficult to walk, sit or even lie down. In spite of the misery I was in, I managed to sit down for short periods of time to work on these new designs. I saw my physiotherapist on Thursday and with his skillful hands I was able to walk out of the clinic almost pain-free!
This week I managed to complete a few necklaces and bracelets which I will complete posting in the next few days. Do check out the necklace and bracelet pages of the blog to see them. I still have a few custom orders to complete and hope to do so this long weekend.
Many of my customers have asked me how they can select ear-rings to complement their face shapes. Here are some suggestions:
If you have a rounder face, you may want to try elongated, drop-style and narrow chandelier ear-rings which would add length and an overall slimming effect for your face.
Being an early riser, I woke up at 5am today to the sound of thunder rumbling in the far distance. I don't know about you, but I simply love a cloudy, overcast and rainy day. In fact rain inspires me to work! Before the light of the day shone through I'd cleaned up the kitchen and packed a fair bit. Now I'll settle down to a day of making a Mona Lisa necklace (hope to show it off soon!), sewing sequins on some dance costumes for church and working on my talk (The Velveteen Rabbit: A Guide to Becoming Real) for next Saturday. It'll be another busy week with physiotherapy appointments, exercise, dance rehearsals, dance classes, Alethea's RAD Intermediate examination and the talk.
Meanwhile, here's two necklaces for you to look at. I embellished 6 Swarovski rivolis individually then sewed them together into a cube, leaving 2 holes in the cube to string the 49-strand stainless steel necklace through. Very unique and you'll definitely get second looks! Stainless steel necklaces are available in light green, dark green, red and gray. Cubes available in purple, garnet, light green, blue, dark green, brown, lilac and white. Let me know if you'd love to have one.
It's hard to imagine that 14 years have passed since we welcomed our daughter Alethea-Faith into our family! She's been such a joy to know with her zest for life, her wonderful, sparkling personality and beautiful smile. When I told her we were going to bring her to a "secret" place for dinner on Sunday, she smiled her ever so patient smile and said sweetly, "Mum, you and Pa are SO predictable! Secret places can only mean Ellenborough Market Cafe, Jack's Place or Sizzlers!" I looked at her with wide eyes as if I didn't know what she was talking about. (This year alone: Mothers' Day... Ethan's birthday... my birthday... Fathers' Day... all spent at Ellenborough Market Cafe!) Guess where we went?!
I've been working quietly this week, completing a few pairs of ear-rings, a necklace and a bracelet. My resident photographer (aka Ethan) has duly taken pretty pictures of the pieces. However, I'm having problems posting the photos onto the blog so you'll all have to wait a while!
In the meantime, I'm planning a jewelry exhibition maybe in November, in time for you to pick up Christmas presents for your family, friends and co-workers. (If you want to order custom made jewelry pieces, please make your list, and don't forget to check it twice before sending it to me!)
Oh and I'm sure many of you have lots of suggestions or ideas for the exhibition (like venue, dates, time, etc), so please send them along to me. If I use your suggestions or ideas, I will definitely reward you for your effort and support! So, what are you waiting for?
This week my daughter had the privilege of dancing Pas De Boom Boom Pow, a fusion of classical ballet on pointe and hip hop. Together with 9 other dancers from The Dance Station, they had a grand time rehearsing with choreographers Ros Ong and XYZ and performing. Here are some photos of their experience.
Alethea and Victoria
Fiona, Sandra, Cheryl, Ying Yan, Janice and Alethea
Carissa, Victoria, Sandra, Alethea, Ying Yan
Photos by Rebecca Yam
Photos by Rebecca Yam
Photo by Rebecca Yam
I am still trying to do some work but the days have been filled with all sorts of activities which leave me with little time to sit down and settle in to design. Thank you for the special orders that have been coming in. Photos will come out as soon as I'm done! Have a great week, everyone!
Photos by Ethan-Zuriel Yam
I've been busy with family this week but work instill in progress albeit a little slower than I would like. Here's a blue bracelet I'm working on. It has a sea theme with seashells, coral twigs, coral rondelles, mother of pearl nuggets and amazonite chips. As usually I add Japanese glass seed beads and sew everything with special beading thread.
Here's what I used!
This is the base I sewed using the Ndebele stitch and size 8 Japanese glass seed beads.
If you'd like your own special and unique bracelet or chunky necklace, I can make you one in any colour you like!
This is a 16-inch 49-strand stainless steel necklace embellished with a beautiful Swarovski rivoli cube. I used 6 rivolis, sizes 11 and 5 Japanese glass seed beads, and Swarovski bicones. First I had to capture each rivoli individually then sew them together into a cube. Stunning for evening wear. 
This is a 19-inch four-sided necklace using an African technique. Definitely different looking and a choice of any colour palette to suit any occasion.
I made this 16-inch spiral rope necklace in two cool colours, green and blue with a silver flower pendant incorporated. Suitable for day and evening wear.
I managed to complete three pairs of ear-rings yesterday afternoon! My photographer came home early from school and was able to take the photos. For the weekend, I'll be working on two bracelets and hopefully will be able to show them off early next week.
Have a great weekend!
Since I started this blog in February of this year, many of you have given good feedback and some suggestions for improvements. I've really enjoyed making special jewelry pieces for you and appreciate your trust and confidence in my work.
This week's suggestion is for me to add the dimensions for my ear-rings. I have promptly done so and trust it'll help in you making the right choices. Thanks LH!
I'm working on some new ear-rings and a couple of necklaces this week. It's still slow going since I can't sit for long at my table. Will try to post them by the end of the week.
Take care,
This is a ribbon collar I made for a friend. It's worn like a lariat and at 48 inches she can pretty much do almost anything with it! When I feel better I will attempt one that is wider, maybe 3-4 inches wide.
Thank you to those who asked after me. My calf is doing much better and I can walk well now. Another problem has surfaced and that has to do with my knees, making me unable to sit long enough to do much beading. I hope I can get back to work by next week. Lots of ideas at the tip of my fingers!
Please continue to check back and meanwhile, lots of items still looking for new owners!
Take care,
To all mums out there, have a wonderful day enjoying your family! Here's what my daughter, Alethea-Faith, gave me:
Yesterday at my jazz dance class I tore my calf muscle while doing a perfectly routine step! Now I'm resting comfortably at home. During this time I will attempt to work on a few big projects.
Items on the blog are still for sale. Do let me know if you see something you like.
This is a 16-inch bone-shaped coral necklace I made specially for a customer but I still have a few strings of these special beads. Let me know if you'd like a bracelet or necklace!
Just to let you know I'm working hard at fulfilling custom orders for Mothers' Day as well as anniversaries and birthdays, and still making ear-rings which seem to be very popular as gifts these days. I'll post new items by the weekend so you can make your selections. Do contact me if you need any special jewelry for that special loved one.
Meanwhile, back to my studio, beads and inspiration!
Photo by Rebecca Yam
One of my friends asked me to design a necklace for her in "warm green." Besides choosing the right green tones, I added orange beads to make it look warmer. This is a 25-inch necklace with a beadwork triangular toggle that can also be worn in front as a centrepiece. This necklace was given to it's owner yesterday and she said it was lovely. Here's my creation!
