My First Necklace: Red Murano Glass Beads and Rustic Metals

My first attempt. I don't enjoy making necklaces, there's this fuss over balance and symmetry that gets in the way of my quick fix. I guess I'm not that patient with necklaces, except for this one I really enjoyed the process.

I had my eye on the red murano glass bead bundle since Day 1 at Wellmansons, Quiapo. It cost me P80 ($1.80) for 6-8 pieces of glass. The earth stone came from Kuya Tim's store (the DIY Beads Shop) at P300 for 4 strings (8-10 pieces in each string)  from their earth and stone collection. The metals I got from deconstructing an old Cindy Carol bracelet I got for P50 ($1.10) at Glorietta.

I'm thinking of making the necklace longer instead of a choker. It would make a great multi-layer or 3-tier necklace that reaches the chest area.

I still have no idea where I would wear this though :)

Growing Jewelry: Take your Little Garden Everywhere

Going Green is the new black. So how about some trendy eco-friendly jewelry from Icelandic product designer, Hafsteinn Juliusson. I am sooo lovin' Growing jewelry, its a definite conversation piece at fashionista parties. My BFF thinks its an ideal engagement ring for vegans haha.

Like any garden variety plant, the little moss on the ring must not be overwatered, and for the best results, you can water it every 5 weeks. If you wear it all the time, I don't think you'll ever forget to water your portable bush.



I am so wishin' it came in this variety... a little organic hemp won't hurt.



A little spritz and voila! you got a garden growing without even using your green thumb.

My Orange & Lime Memory Wire Bracelet

The longest memory wire bracelet I ever made! and yes, my fingers do hurt.



Handcrafted with acrylic seed beads. I used about 4 packs (P10 per pack) I bought from Butingting's in Quiapo.



Made with love while watching season marathons of BattleStar Galactica. Beading and Sci-fi are my frakkin' pick 'em uppers!

Contemporary Chic with Traditional Wood Jewelry

There is a great sense of beauty in wearing something handcrafted. Perhaps the idea that it was laboured on for hours or crafted for its rare material or molded by a dying breed of artisans, make it more valuable than its selling price.

Such the same can be said for the beautiful handcrafted wood work pieces from Austolia, a Cebu-based Jewelry company.

Austolia's designs showcases a deep love for Filipino materials, and the hands that create these pieces shows the creative spirit of the culture. Colorful, diverse and exquisite.


An elegant, contemporary folk bangle with ornate metal work.


Philippine Bib Necklace with Geometric tri-tone ethnic pendants


Geometric design wrist bangle with wooden finish

Visit their gallery for more set pieces.

Taking the HandMade Pledge

Today I took a pledge, an oath to my passion to everything crafty made by warm and busy fingers!

And here's what our other Crafty sister and brothers had to say on the website about supporting handmade products:

Breda Redfern | Ireland
"The idea of becoming a producer of culture rather than simply a consumer is really something!"

Amanda | Laconia NH
"Handmade is made with love."

MoiraCoon | Kenosha, WI
"Renew! Repurpose! Reimagine!"

Retroeighties
"Handmade items make you a trendsetter, not a follower. :-) "

On The Inside Lingerie |Asheville, NC
"love your local artist"

No Fuss Wooden Hair Pins

Again, back to all things crafty. I'm soo missing Ligaya & my beading BFF group.

One of the things I made for her, a Kamagong Wooden Hair Pin encrusted with Red Pagoda beads and glass Chili Pepper charms at the end. Besides the regular head clamp that can almost claw through one's scalp, you may try using needle hair pins for a new upstyle 'do.

You can buy fine Kamagong or Narra Needle Sticks at Wellmansons in Quiapo (Priced under P50). The sticks have the standard size drill bit holes in the end where you can start your loop. For this project, only use small hollow beads to keep things lightweight.

Using a hair stick is easy, just twist your hair into a bun or spiral at the back of your head then slowly stick the needle-like hairpin in. Make sure everything's neat and tight for the perfect hold :)

A Menagerie of Hair Accessories

Nagi Noda has now gone mainstream. Or into mainstream consciousness almost a year after her death.

The celebrated artist at 35

I don't think her distinct hair creations will be on every one's heads next season. Such avant-garde fare should be left for the runways or one of our secret finds when it comes to outlandish hair accessories.



Well, NO thanks to Lady Gaga, she just had to put one of Noda's creations on her head for a performance on Japanese TV. Now every tabloid on the blogosphere is trashing on the headpieces as one of her ridiculous bids for attention. It would have been a great nod to Nagi Noda, if someone with more talent and music cred (like Bjork or Stina Nordenstam) wore it as a tribute piece.


Elegant hair topiary by Nagi Noda