Quest: Revere Academy

In my quest to become a better jewelry designer and fabricator, I've signed myself up for a professional training at the Revere Academy. I was told by Harold O'Connor that this is one of the best jewelry schools to learn from inside the United States. All good schools he recommended is in Europe that is a bit hard for me to go to with a full time job and limited funds.

Going to Revere Academy, I signed myself up to several classes for which I am pleased to have learned more technique. In the first few hours, i struggled to work an oxy-propane torch as I am so used to using acetylene in my studio but ones I've got it down I was to complete the first phase assignment of chain bracelet fabrication. This repetitive motion from the chain project taught me better soldering skills. The second phase was pain and pleasure. We had tight time constraints but was given freedom to fabricate our own designs after a technique taught.I also learned pave setting, flush setting and more within my stay.

Here's the my ring design:

Its not all business now, my husband followed me in San Francisco and together we went to Alcatraz and had a private tour at the Science Center. I even managed to get a haircut thanks to Uncle Frank Sunga.   

For the not so fun part, my husband had to go home before me. He had prior commitment with some patients that he couldn't stay for valentines day. I couldn't go home with him either since I've got to finish what I signed up to do. My husband did send flowers on the day though =)

I will end this blog here... but the quest continues. 

Belle Armoire Jewelry: Rings of Fire

They say, there's always a rainbow after it rains. I say AMEN! the rain has passed and this is my rainbow!

A few months ago, I was told by the editors of Belle Armoire Jewelry Magazine that my piece was selected to be on front cover of their magazine. I almost fell off my chair when i saw this email! I couldn't believe what I was reading. I submitted this necklace called Rings of Fire to be considered inside the magazine. I did not consider in my wildest dreams that I would be selected for a front cover! I know there are too many exclamation marks in this blog.. but this is how i truly feel, a bunch of mixed jolted emotions. Proud of the original design from paper to fabrication, honored for having been chosen, humbled since I am probably the most unheard of designer on a front cover and most of all thankful to God who I owe everything to.

Special thanks to my husband who has never left my side even in the late hours of day, Christen Olivarez, Cynthia Levens and Beth Livesay for giving me the opportunity.

Please get your copy at your local barnes and nobles or website below:
http://www.stampington.com/bellearmoirejewelry/2012/ba_jewelry_winter12.html

    

Michaels Managers Meeting

What is a Michaels Managers Meeting? In the most simple answer, it is an event where michaels vendors gather in one location and the michaels "managers" go around getting to know vendors and the products they offer that is currently offered in stores. Is it a selling event? not so much i think but it is essential.

For this year, bow made the booth from scratch wood. I then made the jewelries and chandeliers for the show. I was asked to do a demo of "dapping" at the show. Bow did all the work for the set up. I was originally planning to fly in earlier so I could do the last minute fixes on the chandeliers from the displacement that could have occurred with shipping but the storm kept me in New Jersey for the opening day. None the less, I was able to follow for the second and third days. 

It's an interesting experience, its always great hearing many other people's point of view with products and designs. 

Pictures from the meeting:

    

Peters Valley with Harold O'Connor

What to say about Peters Valley? well, let me start by saying that the experience was overall wonderful! Here's what I've encountered.

The campus in itself was a bit of a shock. I booked a room through the school months before the actual workshop. I arrived a few hours before the workshop. I was told to head on to the house down the hill and it will be open. I did as I was told, to my surprise the house is directly in front of a cemetery and he rooms do not have a lock. I am not the type to complain as I am used in tight spaces having grown in a third world country, the Philippines. My superstitious self however prevailed and I decided to find a hotel close by. The nearest decent hotel I could find was about half an hour away. 

Finding the workshop studio was not very easy either as it is located further in where one will have to pass a long one way dirt road to get to the studio. Bears and deers were not at all strangers to this place and proper caution must be taken.

The workshop 5 day intensive class with Harold O'Connor was such a pleasure! I was told that he has a reputation of being grumpy but he was so nice to me and the small group we had. This master goldsmith is a knowledge full in arts and jewelry! The class was innovative stone setting, we were taught how to make antlers and cables, he also showed us the lost wax casting process and reticulation. Mr. O'Connor even made me a tool for stone setting cabs! I treasure the tool dearly in a safe place in my studio. Another great thing about this class is that the techniques are taught but you get to create your own designs using the techniques demonstrated. In this class I met another artist who is extremely talented and down to earth, his name is Bifei Cao. You can check his work at www.bifeicao.com.

In conclusion, If I were to go back in time, I will sign up for this class all over again without changing anything at all! I always believe in taking the good with the bad.

Here is Harolds' website as well: http://www.haroldoconnor.com/

Below are some photos from the class.

This is the ring I've made in class. Thank you Harold O'Connor for the many shared knowledge!

     

Our Wedding

June 2010

As many of you know, its been a hectic time for us with this wedding that we have been planning for a bit over a year now! Well.. it finally happened and I am happy to say that it was worth the wait... the planning and the everything. Here's a short video from our friends, MPW Media Group. This video was showed the night of our wedding =) I've also attached some photos here.

Enjoy

Pre-Wedding

About 3 more months to go before our wedding! We are truly almost done with the details... We have close to 50 person entourage! The more the merrier they say..and I agree.

Here I unfold some of the details:

Our engagement shots done twice... we did switch photographers since our friends came in the picture. The first shots were done by stephen taylor's photographer: Arthur and the second is done by MPW's owner, Glenn. Wendy Baker also made my bracelet for the second engagement shots! Love love love her floral designs and I've asked her if she could make me a blue one for this event. 

As for the whole entourage, I made all their jewelries! below are just quick shots of the pendant for our bridesmaids and second sponsors. Our color theme is Blue- somewhere between Royal and Cobalt. Our flowers will be blue and pink... now now.. those who know me, would know that pink is not my absolute favorite but i am not closed to colors.. and the color pink does pop the color blue well!

In the luck of events, the necklace I will be wearing at the wedding, is also selected for the Bead and Button Magazine! I've been getting requests for the pattern but I quite honestly do not have one. My deep thanks also to Mrs. Beverly Gilbert Ash for helping me select the colors for my necklace and mom's and for teaching me beading. I am forever indebted. 

This all for now.. but I'll keep you posted!