Step-by-Step for BIANCA

I was planning to go shopping for supplies for my embroidery collars but decided to settle down and work on my new bracelet.  I am naming her BIANCA because she is fair and white.  A hint of pale peach, beige and yellow complete her colour scheme.  The photography isn't great because it's raining once again and my lighting is all messed up!  But I am sure you get the idea what I've been doing.

I started off by making 3 flowers, one large and two medium.  Then I drew the outline of the bracelet on extra hard stiffener (the ones they use to make men's shirt collars).

I centred the large flower and just went from there, not knowing what I would be doing.  I had all my beads placed in front of me and just let my fingers do the walking!

Here's half of the bracelet completed.  I used Swarovski pearls, freshwater pearls, aluminium beads, and different kinds of Japanese glass seed beads (some gold plated, silver lined, opaque, transparent etc).  I kept the bigger and more protruding beads on top so that it won't hinder the wearer.   Now to work on the second half of the piece.

How Toys Become Real

Last year I had the privilege of taking a session with some young adults on the topic of how to be real in our lives and relationships.  I discovered this wonderful book called The Velveteen Rabbit or How Toys Become Real.  It is a children's novel written by Margery Williams and illustrated by William Nicholson. It chronicles the story of a stuffed rabbit and his quest to become real through the love of his owner. The book was first published in 1922 and has been republished many times since.

Since I've been beading at full steam ahead the past 2 days, I've also have been listening to stories on my iphone.  I thought I'd share this litte abstract with you and maybe together we can be a bit more reflective today!


"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"



"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with, but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."


"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.


"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."


"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?"


"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time. That's why it doesn't happen often to people who break easily, or have sharp edges, or who have to be carefully kept. Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."


"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. But the Skin Horse only smiled.


"The Boy's Uncle made me Real," he said. "That was a great many years ago; but once you are Real you can't become unreal again. It lasts for always."

Appreciation

Thanks so much to those of you who contacted me the past two days and told me how much you love ALIZA!  I really appreciate your positive feedback especially since I worked really hard on it and know that others besides myself appreciate it.  Making a beaded embroidery collar is like drawing or painting a piece.  I may have a general idea where I want to go, but in between it's really up to Lady Inspiration and where my hands take me.  When the piece is completed, it may be totally different from what I envisioned it to be at the beginning!

Last night I started making some small beadwork pieces to make up the whole for my next embroidery collar but somehow the colours are not coming together as I would like.  I think I'll have to go to my suppliers tomorrow since I've customers visiting today.

In the meantime, have a great rest of the week!

Beadwork Embroidery Collar completed!

This morning I was trying SO, SO hard to complete Aliza (yes, I named her!) which means "joyful or cheerful" but was constantly interrupted by phone calls, household chores and cat throwing up a hairball.  So it took longer than expected but I'm done!

Here she is, folks, introducing ALIZA!

In total I spent 55 hours of actually embroidery time.  I think it took so long because I kept breaking the needles until I switched to a slightly thicker and shorter needle.  Hopefully my next collar will take under 40 hours to complete! 

I had a lot of fun selecting the beads and colours.  I wanted something cheerful but not too loud.  The necklace itself was made from Delica beads and beaded with a plastic tube inside for support since the collar part is quite substantial and heavier than normal.

This is the back of the necklace.  I used my new camel ultrasuede from the US.  It was soft and easy to manage.  I glued the collar to the ultrasuede and sewed an overlay of beads to secure it even further and give it a nicer finish.

Here is the collar on my model.  It looks much better on a person since this model is a little smaller than a human. 

Now I'm off to design another embroidery collar but this time the theme and colours will be totally different.  Check back often to see what I'm doing!

Progress report on Beadwork Embroidery Collar

After another hectic weekend, I managed to sit down yesterday afternoon and the whole of today to work on my beadwork embroidery collar.  The ultrasuede backing I ordered from the US came on Saturday night by UPS so I'm really excited about completing the necklace, hopefully by tomorrow.  Here's a photo of my embroidery after about 50 hours of work.

The brown fabric on which the collar is on is the ultrasuede I will use to back the necklace.  I couldn't find a large enough piece sold in Singapore (they all come in 6x8 inches only!) so I had to order from the US which cost about S$100 for one yard!!  It is akin to suede leather but much softer.

With my new project assignment, I will be making quite a few beadwork embroidery collars and cuffs the next few months.  It will be interesting to see how this works out.  Come back for visits to catch my projects in progress!

Beadwork Embroidery Collar

This week I'm working on a new project.  In fact, I'll be working on several new projects the next few weeks so if I'm rather quiet, be assured I am actually working to bring you new items.  It's been a rather busy week for various reasons but here are a few photos of my new project...

Before I started, I looked through my stash of gemstone beads and decided on sandstone, agate, seashell, turquoise and Czech glass.  Then I drew out the design and glued the gemstones on my stiff backing.  I then painstakingly selected the tiny glass seed beads to complement the gemstones.  Sometimes the colours don't work the way I envision so I undo the whole lot and start all over again till I'm satisfied with the results.

I still had time to change my beads which I did.  This photo was taken 5 hours after I started the glueing process.

Here's the project 12 hours later!  Yes, it's very time consuming because I have to select the right colour and texture of glass beads to fit my design.  Bead embroidery is mostly free work which means to say there's no pattern to follow, just my hands and heart doing the work. 

Stayed tuned as I continue to work on this project (yet to be named).  I can't wait to complete it but I think the embroidery part will take another week or so.  I just ordered the ultrasuede backing for the necklace (cost me more than S$100 per yard!!) from the US so will have to wait for its arrival before I can complete the whole piece.

Studio Photos!

I thought it'll be nice to show you some photos I took this morning of my jewelry studio.  This is the place you can come to visit and attend workshops and classes.

As you enter you will notice lots of displays and a table in the centre for workshops and classes.

Lots of mirrors in the room so almost everywhere you turn you can see yourself!  At the last count there are 5 mirrors and more table mirrors!

The table from the other end of the room.  When there are classes and workshops for more than 2 participants, I remove the table displays for more space.

More jewelry to look at.

There's even a full length mirror for you to wear your favourite outfits and try on jewelry.

If you'd like to visit, do drop me a line to make an appointment.

Be a Woman of Today Seminar

Last Saturday we had our first Be a Woman of Today seminar.  Since we didn't have a full quota we decided to hold the two weekend seminars in one Saturday.  Participants came at 11am and were supposed to leave at 5pm but all stayed till at least 6pm and some till 8pm!  It was a delightful day of fun, laughter, discovery and food!

Melissa Chor and I

"So... which style do you think I belong to?"

Lots of open discussions.

Laughter is indeed the best medicine.  The ladies laughed a lot that day.  Melissa had to practice classroom management!

The ladies were paired up for thought provoking discussions.  Knowledge and information doesn't bring about changes, rather it's in the application.  So the ladies will have to apply what they've learned when they next shop for clothing and accessories.

Trying to figure out what styles the jewelry belongs to.  Can be quite confusing but Melissa was there to provide guidance.

Listening intently...

Melissa provided opportunity for the ladies to interact and brain storm.

Unfortunately I forgot to take photos of lunch and tea because we had so much fun!  Melissa and I are planning to run more workshops together.  If you're interested, do drop me a line stating your area of interest and I can put you on our keep-in-touch list.

Have a great week ahead!

A Great Week

Last week, amidst my cycling adventure on Pulau Ubin with 5 other couples and many other demands of the family, I managed to complete a few cameo pieces.

Lovely cameo of a lady in neutral colours.  I used Swarovski pearls and bicones for the necklace part and gold-filled chains, wire and lobster clasp.  The necklace measures 16.5 inches.  (S$100)

26.5 inches necklace with a drop of 5 inches.  I made a Galaxy bead using 8 triangular pieces and joining them together.  A spiral rope necklace with lots of Swarovski bicones add a lovely bling.  The drop is coralling with different colours, shades and sizes of Swarovski bicones.  (S$120)

1.5 inches in length.  Delica beads, 15.0 Japanese glass seed beads, Swarovski bicones and gold-filled wires and ear hooks make up these are dainty looking cameo ear-rings.  (S$30)

2 inches in length. I used Delica beads, 15.0 Japanese glass seed beads, Swarovski pearls and bicones and gold-filled wire as well as ear hooks. (S$30)

The Be a Woman of Today seminar will be held this Saturday (10th April) from 11am to 5pm.  We will be covering Colour, Accessories, Body Shape and Style.  You will also have an opportunity to shop in my boutique for your jewelry pieces.  There are still seats available, so if you're interested please contact me by Wednesday, latest.

Time spent with a friend

Yesterday I spent half a day with my friend Pang Li Kin.  She's an Image Consultant running her own company, Potenxia Unlimited.  I'm so proud of her because last month her first book was published!  I started reading it on the bus, on my home, and enjoyed it very much.  This afternoon, I plan to kick off my slippers and sit on my comfy couch with my camomile tea and read as much as I can!

If you'd like to buy a copy of this book, let me know and I'll get it for you (cheaper than from the stores!).  I'm looking forward to more books from you, Li Kin!