Bijoux Cebu: A World Destination for Green Jewelry

Cebu is the jewelry-making capital of the Philippines, it is home to the country's top costume jewelry artisans and manufacturers who are truly gifted when it comes to working with natural and sustainable materials such as capiz, shell, horn, paper and wood. Cebu is also a fave destination of foreign buyers and jewelry merchandisers.


Photo by Bijoux Cebu and Fame Foundation Philippines

According to the FAME Foundation Philippines: Philippine costume jewelry is highly acclaimed for its quality, design and innovative use of natural materials.


Ginormous wooden bangles and a tassle necklace make a huge statement
(antaray! di ko kinaya! ahluvit! :)

Here's Filipino Designer PJ Aranador's jewelry collection at last year's Bijoux Cebu fashion show.

Don't you just love Philippine trade shows? Where the jewelry pieces are fab and the models are HOT!

http://bijouxcebu.com

Amy Winehouse: The Death of an Unconventional Style Icon

Amy Winehouse, the deeply troubled diva known for her jazzy smoky vocals, her retro minis, her messy beehive and heart tats has left the world too soon.



As much as she sang that love was a losing game, so was her struggle with addiction, it seemed to predict the end for her.





I always loved the way she accessorized with enormous red hoop earrings, bandanas, rose clips and hair parasols.



I will miss her voice :( hey Amy, wherever you are, hope your tears dry on their own.

Jewelry Workshop on Advanced Wiring Techniques

If you like working with malleable craft wires creating wraps and nests for cabochons and precious gems, then this Jewelry-making seminar is the right one for you!



Advanced Wiring Seminar : Mastering Wiring Techniques
Location: Manila
Time: 9am to 6:45pm
Workshop Venue: 2nd Floor Ortigas Foundation Library, Ortigas Library, Ortigas Road corner Meralco Avenue. Ortigas Center, Pasig City
Workshop Date: August 3, 2011
15 Slots only

Short Summary of the module: You will learn the secrets the techniques of bead sculpture that will introduce you to countless applications such us brooches, artsy bangles and intricate pendants. You will learn how to transform a simple craft wire into a fancy and elegant art accessories.

Please email createworkshops@yahoo.com or send SMS at our new number 0917-342-5000 or 0917-581-5588 to reserve a slot. You may also visit our website www.craftpinoy.com

The Heavy Elegant Pieces of Melody Ehsani

Melody Ehsani the Persian jewelry designer is known for her powerful and ironclad statement pieces. Her jewelry styles are a bit on the heavy side starting off with her trendy knuckle rings and chains. Often than not, you'd find an Ehsani piece on a strong-willed and controversial celeb, she is a regular fave of the hip-hop elite. Her latest work is less urban and has gone marvelously tribal. Her 2011 spring line has Masai Mara written all over it.

Stage Jewelry: Outlandish Costumes and Performance Pieces

This July, we welcome several Stage Queens and their over-the-top accessories.


Photo from this website

Paloma Faith takes the feather and flower trend a little too far.


Photo from this website

Lady Gaga acccesorizing in cheap and unsustainable plastic. Plus points on the intricate fan though.



Bjork surprisingly tame in a fiery tangerine wig.


Photo from this website

Kylie Minogue rocks it in gold beads and divine earwings.

Stud Earrings: Hikaw at Pakaw

In Filipino, Hikaw at Pakaw refers to the parts of the stud earrings. Hikaw (the main earring part) the attractive side of the earring where you find the gemstone. Pakaw (the plug or earring nut) refers to that little tiny weeny curved screw that clips the stem or post of the earring to the back of your ear.


Ruby Earrings in Yellow Gold

Okay, so the Hikaw at Pakaw come together as the perennial pair and sadly, I have lost so many of these through the years. My very first pair of earrings were a gift from my mom, they were Arabian gold ruby studs, but they fit my 3 year-old ears back then quite nicely. These earrings were the reason my ears were pierced. I remember my mom talking to me, distracting me as she poked a needle into my lobe and before I even realized it- the pain was over. I had earrings and my mom called me pretty- I had stars on my ears. By the time I was eight, I don't remember what exactly happened to them, but I think I lost a stud and my mom kept the rest in her jewelry box until they were completely lost and forgotten.


Button Studs Sterling Silver & White Pearls from Stephen Einhorn

There's this thing I call the Hikaw at Pakaw scenario which is rather amusing, I would often see women in the public loo in frantic search of their Pakaws (studs) which they manage to lose down the sink drain (ah, butter fingers!). Same with the men who sport single or multiple studs on one ear. I don't think it makes them look cooler on the streets once they're bent over searching for lost studs.


CZ Heart Crown Studs by Juicy Couture

But I'm seeing stars lately, maybe its about time I got another pair.

Kawaii Food Rings by Souzou Creations at Etsy

If you love Kawaii quirk and enjoy food, then these amazing moody food rings are for you! A Canadian Jewelry designer named Sofia is based in Japan, she created the fabulous shop called Souzou Creations at Etsy.






Do visit her Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/SouZouCreations