Blue Moon November 2012

As I return home in New Jersey from my New York City month adventure, a package awaits for me... Yes, indeed it was from blue moon beads! I am humbled to have been chosen as part of this team for the year 2012-2013. So I say, let the projects start rolling as the beads begin to take shape of each jewelry.

 

 For my first task, I made a necklace and a bracelet pairing which I am calling "Harmony in Chaos." The road of life swerved to a rather rocky direction. Just when i thought it was bumpy in the course, a hurricane came and the chaos has risen from bottom, up! With all the craziness, i somehow found harmony of it all, in knowing that there is a purpose to everything that happens. There is a bigger picture that is sometimes difficult to see when you are looking too closely. So I opted to step back and let it all unfold knowing the dust will settle and tomorrow will be brighter.

As with the two pieces created; I've taken different colors, shapes, sizes of each bead from the yummy mixes I've received in the mail, I've then added components and to make things more chaotic, I've added chains too (why not at this point right?!?)

Slowly but surely each bead, each component and each strand of chain found its rightful place... then harmony soon followed.   

 

Emerging Artist Submission

Hello Everyone,

Sorry for not updating in a long while. There has just been a few rough edges i had to smooth out, file down in the past few months. With all the craze, I did however still manage to finish the pieces below that I've submitted in the Emerging Artist Constest. Wish me luck!!!




ARTIST STATEMENT:
In life, there are memories that we choose to bury in our hearts and minds. Each memory tied to an item, a feeling, a color that can take us back to the forgotten past. This geometric art collection is a window to memories buried deep in the abyss of time but came rushing in to be re-captured in my sketch book. From Lava Lamp pieces, Geo Orbit necklace, Lucky 8 rings and the Abacus pendant, each connected to life events. The materials are thoughtfully chosen, sculpted and colorized on the lava lamp pieces to best represent the image in mind. The movement on Geo Orbit necklace and lucky 8 rings carefully planned to represents the need of flexibility in this ever changing world as “change” is the only constant in life. The shape and movement of the abacus restored from memory. I believed to never look back to move forward but this collection has taught me otherwise. The past should never be forgotten, instead be used as a learning experience.

Property Virgins: Mary and Efi

If you think it is a shot to the moon to be on a show such as Property Virgins. Think again. We thought it would be impossible but I guess nothing is ever impossible.

One year into marriage, Efi and I decided to buy a property as we are paying so much into rent. I contacted property virgins, an HGTV show to inquire about possibly appearing in the show while in process of purchasing a home. The show responded to my surprise, the rest is history.

The show first aired in January 2012 and still airs in reruns to date. The next scheduled date is May 8, 2012 at 6:30pm. Property Virgins: As Luck Would Have It featuring Ms. Egypt Sherrod.

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!