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! 

A Wonderful Weekend

Last Friday and over the weekend, my husband and I went to a Marriage Enrichment Weekend.  It was great fun getting to know the 20 or so couples, play games together, laugh and cry together and work on enriching our marriages.  We had time to talk uninterrupted with our spouse without distractions like work and family. 

We rushed back on Sunday afternoon and took the children out for a special dinner to celebrate our son's 18th birthday.

A lovely portrait, don't you think?  I suspect I'm the shortest person in the family now!

A happy pair of siblings!

Happy and goofy at the same time...

My little gal is growing up...

Sister trying to braid brother's hair. 

The view from our table.  Lovely, isn't it?

I'm back now in my studio working hard on my jewelry.  Hope to update the blog with new items and reorganize a bit.  See you back here soon!

Return to the studio

After a week of baking, I'm back in my studio full-time (meaning to say I'm working from 5am to 10pm with  breaks in between for meals and running errands).  Lots of work piling up so I must REALLY focus this week!  Thank you for your continued support and orders.  I really enjoy making the jewelry pieces for you.

I'm also trying my best to get my jewelry boutique ready for you to visit (sorry, only for those living in Singapore!).  Please give me at least 10 more days!

Today I want to show you how different sized beads can affect the outcome of a piece of jewelry using the exact same support beads and technique.

Here are two sizes of freshwater pearls. 

The necklace on the left is made using the larger freshwater pearls and the one on the right uses the smaller pearls.  For both pieces I used 8.0 Japanese glass beads for the centre and 11.0 Japanese glass beads to support to the pearls.  Spiral technique was used to make the design.  As you can see, the larger pearls makes a more defined spiral while the smaller pearls makes a more dainty necklace. 

By the way, don't forget to sign up for the Be a Woman of Today seminars!  There have been quite a few enquiries but unless you sign up (and pay, of course) the seat may go to someone else...

Meanwhile, have a great week!

Another baking spree!

Thanks so much for your feedback on my recent baking spree.  It has been really encouraging for me to know you like my bakes.  I'll be starting a baking blog in about 2 weeks' time so stay tuned!  Meanwhile here are some photos of my kitchen adventures...

Here's the basic triple chocolate cupcake.

Yesterday I had the privilege of baking 36 triple chocolate cupcakes and decorating them for Ethan's friend's farewell party. 

Happy Lunar New Year!  Here's a cupcake for Chinese New Year!  The figurine is made from sugar and totally edible.

My favourite... snowman!  This reminds me of my 8 years in Chicago and Dallas.  I really miss the snow...

How about a Christmas tree?

I finally made the cupcakes for Sabrina's 8th birthday!  Here they are with their Princess crowns.

The whole 8 cupcakes ordered by Sabrina's dad.

Here they are boxed up and kept in the fridge since it is another hot day.  I hope she likes it!  Happy birthday, Sabrina!

Photos by Rebecca and Alethea Yam

Change in Seminar Dates

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Melissa and I have to change the seminar dates to 10th and 24th April.  Thank you to those who have expressed interest in our seminars.  I know we'll have lots of fun (who won't with an image consultant and jewelry designer to inspire and entertain you!) so do remember to sign up early to avoid disappointment.

Be a Woman of Style Seminar

Good news! In April, Melissa Chor and I will be bringing you two seminars.  Do take advantage of this especially since the price is VERY special for my blog friends in Singapore.

A nice tea will be provided for all participants, time to browse in my jewelry boutique (closing time will be 7pm), chat with Melissa and me, plus you get to bring home goodies as well!  Since we can only accommodate up to 10 people at each seminar, please sign up with me early to avoid disappointment. 

Flower ring

This weekend has been quite productive for me in the designing and jewelry crafting department.  I managed to complete 3 beadwork necklaces!   I'll post photos in the days to come when I can get nice shots.  My resident photographer is having final exams so I don't want to distract him!  

After dinner with the family today, I sat down and starting playing with my beads (as usual) and came up with this flower ring.  I really like it because it's simple and very attractive so plan to make a few in different colours!  Yellow, pink, orange, white,  red....

Photograph by Rebecca Yam

Have a great week ahead and remember to have a grateful heart!

Back to Work!

Thank you my dear friends for your support of my baking during Christmas and Chinese New Year.  I really enjoyed baking for you!  I am now back in my studio working hard for several events coming up.  Here's a little teaser for you...

I absolutely love these crackled crystals gemstones in such light spring colours

I decided to make something with it.

So I got together size 11 Japanese seed beads in silver and white.

I then made a netted base for the necklace.  Actually as you can see, the base can be the necklace, it's already so elegant and lacy looking!

Anyway, I started adding the crackled crystal gem chips and here's a sampling of what one part looks like.  You'll have to come back to visit in a few days' time to catch the completed piece!

During the Chinese New Year holidays I managed to complete a few necklaces.  Here they are:

This is a freshwater pearl necklace with magatama glass beads (which look like drops) and Japanese glass seed beads.

This necklace is made up of Swarovski pearls in three different sizes and Japanese glass seed beads. 

Here's my favourite for this week!  A bold necklace using a variety of gemstones, organic beads and Swarovski pearls.  Rather dense and will be a stunner with that plain evening dress.

Until I post again, have a great rest-of-the-week and remember to exercise to stay fit!

Chinese New Year

As you will already have noticed, this year started quite hectic for me with the new blog design, disappearance of my resident photographer (has tons of projects, presentations and has to study for exams!), baking for Chinese New Year and now the family will be travelling to Malaysia to visit relatives and friends. We'll be back next Wednesday.

I can assure you I'm working hard in my studio and will pack my beads in a bag to bring to Malaysia!  Right now I'm working on freeform necklaces and bracelets for an event in March.  I'm also working on two seminars in April to be held at my place with my friend Melissa Chor, an image consultant, so do check back regularly for more updates. 

In the meantime to all my Chinese friends, have a wonderful Chinese New Year break with your family and friends!

New blog look

Thanks to Michelle of Shabby Creations, I now have a beautiful new blog design!  The ivory and gold matches my jewelry room at home.  I still haven't had time to decorate my room with all the Christmas and Chinese New Year baking but I'm determined to complete it once the holidays are over! 

I've added a new section to my blog called "Rings and Brooches."  Check back in a week or two and I'll have a few pieces up to show you. 

Again, thank you for your continued support and encouragement.  I have appreciated your comments and feedback. 

Chinese New Year is in the air!

This week, in the midst of working on a large sized necklace, I spent a day baking pineapple tarts for my friends to sample.  It was quite therapeutic for me to grate the fresh pineapples, cook them into jam, make the pastry dough and finally fashion them into little hearts.

My unique little heart-shaped pineapple tart.

Here's 28 pineapple tarts packed in a plastic tub complete with Chinese New Year ribbons filled with auspicious greetings

  A friend asked me to make up some gift packs of 4 pineapple tarts for her clients.  I used these small plastic containers so the tarts wouldn't get crushed.

The rest of this week will be spent on baking more cookies for friends and relatives as we prepare to celebrate Chinese New Year on 14th February (celebrations go on for 15 days).  I will continue working on my necklace as well as prepare my jewelry room for visitors during the first week of February.  Also look out for my new blog design coming soon!  In the meantime, have a great week ahead.

Photography by Rebecca Yam

Still working...

It's been a good week for me in terms of work.  I managed to complete more jewelry pieces than expected.  Will post photos early next week.  If you're planning on having jewelry made to match your new Chinese New Year outfits, do let me know as soon as possible.  I will be busy baking and preparing to go to Malaysia to visit my husband's relatives and friends.

In the meantime, here's what I made yesterday.  Heart-shaped pineapple tarts!

Photography by Alethea-Faith Yam