Finally, the promised photos!

It's been really hectic the past two weeks trying to catch up with the family (the children are having school holidays till tomorrow), help the hubby with some of his work, getting in our family's healthcare appointments, exercise classes and some baking orders.  Quite challenging to work in my jewelry studio and having to keep up with the rest of the schedules!  I've also moved my 18 feet of tables to another corner of the living room (where I now take up one quarter!) and get all my equipment and beads together in one place.  My hubby's side of the room (the other quarter...) is still in a mess but that is one problem he has to clear himself.

Anyways, I'm here now and managed to take some photos for you.

This is the biggest bead embroidery neckpiece I've done by far.  I'm naming her "Jesus Loves the Little Children."  Made with turquoise, howlite and coral beads.  Will really make a statement and start a conversation going!

Another view of "Jesus Loves the Little Children."  Some folks are asking how much I sell these neckpieces.  Well, it's OOAK (one-of-a-kind), specially thought through and designed, walking for days through supply shops to look for the "perfect" beads, then painstakingly made sewing on one bead at a time.  Some of these neckpieces take up to 100 hours to make.  My neckpieces so far are selling between S$180-600 depending on the size, materials used and time taken to make them.  I don't do repeats at all so you can be assured you'll be the only one wearing it.

This is a new lariat design I made which can be worn in three different ways.  This is the first way, with the loops coming out from under the geometric centrepiece.

The second way is to wear it with the loops going down into the geometric piece.

And finally, it can be worn like a scarf.

This is the same lariat made in black and red.  Of course this can be made in any colour you desire and with any gemstones or beads for the coralling part.  Custom orders for this lariat are welcome.

If you'd like to order your jewelry in time for Christmas, I suggest you start planning ahead!  I'm working on quite a few projects now and will probably close order taking after September.

Gardening, Family and Friends

The past two weeks have been exciting and busy for me.  I had to complete 2 custom orders for necklaces, help my husband out at a conference he was organizing and also spend time with my daughter who was on school break for a short two weeks.  After 2 all-nighters trying to get things together for the conference, I am still trying to get back my lost sleep. Things are getting better now though with the house cleaned, baking orders delivered, two custom order necklaces completed and Alethea going back to school tomorrow.

Once I clean out my desk, I'll be able to get back to my studio and complete the 11 show necklaces and 29 bracelets by end of July!  I promise I'll post photos of my necklaces by Friday.  Meanwhile, enjoy a couple of photos below... 

Here's a lovely looking pineapple outside my new neighbour's apartment, grown in a pot! 

Alethea and I went shopping at Orchard Road a couple of weeks back.  The place was packed even though it was about eleven in the morning!  Where did all the people come from? 

I've been baking the past few days to fulfill some orders.  Yesterday, our cat, Lion-O, waited patiently for me to pay attention to him.  He sat under the dining table for more than 4 hours...

A Kitten's Visit

Last night after our family dinner, we found a kitten outside our door sitting on the bench as if waiting for us to come home.  He was hungry and asked for food (we understand cat language because we have two Ragdolls of our own!).  As he tried to jump off the bench, we noticed he seemed to be injured.  We found an infected toe on his right foot.  Anyways, he's really beautiful and we took a few photos on my iPhone.  Thought I'd share them with you today!

Isn't he absolutely gorgeous?  Can you see his swollen front right little toe?

Wanting some love and affection from Alethea!

Ethan gave him lots of cat food.  He ate every single morsel and asked for seconds!

Lion-O, our Ragdoll, wanted to know who was eating all his food! 

I don't think he was too happy to share!

After the feeding session, Alethea gave the Kitten some water and sat with him for a while.  He stayed about an hour or so before moving on.  Hope we'll see him today.

Till I post photos of my new completed projects, do have a great weekend!

School Holidays

It has been a real treat for me to spend some time with Alethea the past week, going shopping and doing "girl" things with her.  With a school schedule of 8am to 8pm (that doesn't include travel time) it has been challenging to find time to chill and talk.  I only have her for two weeks before she's back to School of the Arts for her dance camp the last two weeks of the school vacation.

A couple of months ago, we had a new neighbour who moved in to the ground floor apartment at the bottom of our block.  It seems they are real gardeners and before long the front of their apartment was filled with plants, fishes, and birds!  For the plants, I've seen melons, beans, pineapples, cherry tomatoes, ladies' fingers, sunflowers, AND corn!  What makes it more amazing is that all the plants are in pots!!  I managed to take a few pictures:

The ladies' fingers grew to almost 10 inches!  Quite pretty with the yellow flowers.

Here are the cherry tomatoes.  Since I took this photo, the tomatoes have ripened.

Sweet corn!

I'm inspired to plant my own vegetables but unfortunately I live on the 3rd floor with partial morning sun. 

Anyways, I'm still working hard on my bead embroidery neckpieces.  Will take photos in the next few days.  I wore ALAMEA to a dinner party at the weekend and garnered very good feedback from many friends. Thanks for your support!  Till I post again, have a great week ahead, everyone!