A Wedding MTO

It was my first time to make a wedding lasso (cord) for a couple getting married. 

It scared me at first cos I'm clueless on how to make one -- count, beads to use, design, etc.

But it was one of my kumares who asked me to make one for her, which she'll be giving to a close friend as a gift for her wedding day. So even with the lack of experience, I accepted the order.

She has no specific design in mind that she'd like me to do, that actually made this project a little more challenging for me, but she provided me with the following details I needed to start with: 

• Theme: Peach colored wedding. (I love the color!)
• Special request: A heart pendant with the couple's photo.
• Dainty yet vintage inspired so that it may also serve as an heirloom.

And provided me an encouragement that she trusts my taste and knows it'll turn out great. 

So together with my husband, I went and got the materials needed to make this project (thank God for supportive and caring husbands!).

Out of the info provided, this is what I've come up for my kumare and the couple...

Details:

My kumare wanted a heart pendant where she can place the couple's photo, unfortunately, I couldn't find a heart locket that would look good with the wedding lasso. I wanted to make something more appealing so I got this big heart charm instead. 

Now this love birds I think was really meant for this lasso! This was the last one available that time and I was able to get it while I was about to pay for my items! I used it for the middle part to hold the two cords together. Perfect, right? 

It took me quite an amount of time choosing the right beads, spacers and metal findings to use for this -- but boy am I so happy with everything I have chosen. 

The beads, spacers and metal findings all gave it the dainty yet vintage-y feel that I needed for the project, at the same time.

Since I wasn't able to find a nice locket to hold the couple's photo, I decided to use a setting. 

I asked my kumare if she could send me a photo of the couple and did a transfer of the couple's photo on my Nendo clay... tada! the finished project with the couple's photo!

...attached it just right below the lovebirds.

I used paints to add a vintage finish at the back part of the setting. Too bad I forgot to engrave the couple's names there, it would have been perfect... ☹

I hope my kumare, as well as the couple using it, loved it as much as I enjoyed creating it. 

Another project showered with love.

Trick or Treat!

I'm a proud member of a local artist group called Art Nouveau Ph. 

I'm happy that something like this was put up and being moderated by Ms. Jein of Hush Potato House. 

It aims to build a stronger community of like minded artists of the Philippines, providing resources by sharing their works, craft experiences and at the same time help each member develop their talents and creativity by providing monthly challenges. 

Since it was just launched recently, we had our first run of monthly challenge just this month -- 

the Trick or Treat challenge! 

This was what I came up with...

My hubby said it looks like Snape in Harry Potter. 

What do you think, does it? 

And the following are the entries of my guild mates...

by Hush Potato

by Louise Clayation

by Just Claying Around

Aren't they all ultra-mega-talented?

I really think they are! 

If you love what we did and would like to see what we're cooking monthly, head on to our page! 

You can support local artists like us by: 

• Clicking "LIKE" on our Facebook page
• Following us on Twitter
• And most of all -- buy handmade! ☺

Thank you very much! ♥
'til my next post... TJCPh

Things Around

I don't have much nice view to take practice shots using my big cam... 

But I believe that one awesome ability of a really great photographer is being able to capture and turn ordinary things to something extra ordinary, right?

And since I'm still in the process of learning, I challenged myself to come up with pretty good shots from the ordinary things around.

All these were taken while we're in the car stuck in traffic.
Due to boredom, I opened my window and started cliking!

Seemed to be going along well with my big cam, don't you think? TJCPh.

Recycled Project: My Tools Container

I'm back!

I wanted to show you a recycled project I made last night to hold some of my crafting tools.
This project was inspired by a very talented and good friend of mine, Jein, of Hush Potato. 

Here take a look:

Materials used: 2L bottle, cutter + scissors, ribbons and some glue.

As instructed, I cut the bottle using my cutter (be extra careful in doing this cos there's a risk of getting your fingers cut either by the bottle or cutter) and attached some ribbons on top to add some design and to cover the sharp portion of the bottle. 

Due to lack of some materials, I decided to do something made of clay for it's main decor.

I didn't know what to do at first cos of my missing mojo but I'm glad I still ended up with this...

I made this using Nendo polymer clays, Nendo liquid clay and applied a dash of mica powder.
I love using Nendo polymer clays especially when I'm making flowers cos the petals are super flexible and the project much more durable.

For the liquid clay I used it this time as highlighter... This is also the first time I tried using it to attach one clay to another -- and mind you, it works so well! I can't wait for my blank pen tips to arrive from Purplenook... I've lots of projects in mind that I wanna try using the liquid clays! 

And here are the photos of the finished recycled project:

I experimented by stringing some beads to it too... better?

Tada! A new and bigger container!

What I love about this container? Not only is it able to hold all of my sculpting tools, I also find it more convenient to use every time I am working with my clays!

Plus it's much more cost effective and Earth friendly too! ☺

Thank you so much Jein for the tutorial.
For more Hush Potato projects, check out her blog HERE.


Have a crafty week everyone!
xoxo

Bridal Shower MTO

Due to busy schedule (work, small business, home responsibilities) I rarely get to accept MTO requests... 

But when the request is from someone really close to me I always make it a point to make time,

no matter how scarce time or resources may seem.

On July 27 I accepted an MTO request from one of my cousins, Jacq.

The project was for her friend's bridal shower party last August 18. 

This task didn't require the use of clays; it was purely beads, metal findings and wires.

Geared with everything I've learned from the best beading mentor I know, Mr Em Mariano of Fun Dynamics, I head on with the project.

My cousin, Jacq, specifically requested for a bracelet.

The charms were carefully chosen to signifying love, key to the heart and prosperity.

And because it was a beach themed party, blue of course was the perfect color for the beads!

Choosing the right packaging for the bracelets came as a challenge too!

She initially wanted a box but not the plain brown one... 

I on the other hand didn't think the colorful-shiny type boxes fit the event's theme so I kept thinking;

and that's when I came up with this packaging idea...

Pails! 

Don't you think they're perfect for the theme?

Oh! and I'd like to say thank you to my wonderful IG friends who helped me finally decide how to go about the final look of the pail with the bracelet in it. You guys are the best!

And since I've had the chance to be introduced to the soon-to-be bride several times --

first was during our wedding, then several other gatherings after, I thought of making her a special handmade gift too! 

Tejae Floyd inspired ♥ coupled with techniques I learned from my mentor Ghie of Trinket Tales

All in all, I had fun making this project for Jacq.

I'm also happy cos she chose to have me make this project for her -- for her friend's party.
I hope they liked it...

It was indeed a project sprinkled with so much love.

And to the soon-to-be-bride, Alicia, I wish you happiness and lots of wonderful years full of love.

Best wishes from The Joyful Crafter ♥

xoxo

Purpleluggage goes on SALE!

I rarely buy myself accessories. 

I guess that's one down side to being an artist who can bead and clay because instead of buying you end up telling yourself you'll just save some money and make yourself your own.

But once in a while I still do and I never regret buying them cos most of the time I buy them from really great artists -- who also happens to be my craft mentors. What happens to the purchases you ask?
I use them once or twice then save them in my collection box.

And a couple of months ago, when I heard that one of my mentors, Jen of Purpleluggage,
is having a big sale, I took the chance to get myself a couple of her really cute hand works.

Here take a lookie...

The picture above was priced at P430.00.
It's a vintage inspired locket pendant covered in clay using caning and antiquing techniques. 

And here's a blue ball chain necklace with cupcake dog pendant at P200.00. 

See just how adorable it is? 

Plus here's a Christmas gift she sent me together with the purchase. 

A heart bag charm with my name on it!

Isn't she the sweetest?

Jen is known for being a great clay sculptor and master at canning too! 

And if you're interested in owning one of her items or would like to request for something personalized that is made of clay, head on to her shop at PURPLELUGGAGE. 

I'm really grateful for having the chance of meeting home grown great artists like Jen. 

All of them, my mentors, are really kind at heart and genuinely sweet. 

If you're considering about learning the craft, feel free to follow my blog and allow me to introduce to you some of the best artists I know... plus where to shop for hard to find tools/materials! ☺

I still have one blog entry to post. It's been long overdue and the reason being is

the projects I'm doing myself here at home for the said blog post is not yet finish. Projects using the techniques I learned from the workshop. I'm seriously thinking of just leaving the projects and just post about them after 'cos it's really taking so long.

But really you have to watch out for that post 'cos I will be introducing another amazingly talented yet one of the kindest and sweetest clay artist I've ever met. I'm lucky to have her as one of my mentors.

Watch out for it okay? 

xoxo 

Inchies

This is another super late post. 

But like I always say, better late than never, haha (palusot!)

I know I still have a lot to learn when it comes to clay. 

And this is the reason why whenever I have the chance, 

I make it a point to join our guild's challenges.

This way I will be forced to work with a particular challenge in mind.

Somehow the pressure helps in squeezing out my creative juice, haha!

Last March, the challenge introduced to us by Jein was about "Inchies".

What is an inchie, you ask? 

Well basically, they are teeny tiny little pieces of art. They are one inch square in size, which is where they get their adorable name. - C. Clouse of Label Tulip

 This was the first time I heard of it actually.

And after several research with the help of the ever reliable Google, 

I saw just how challenging and interesting the challenge was. 

Immediately I decided to join the swap!

And here's what I came up with...

If you noticed most of what I made were antiqued. 

That's because I played around with my Swellegants and antiquing mediums. 

I also tried doing the technique I learned from one of my mentors, Ghie of Trinket Tales, 

unfortunately I wasn't very successful. 

Here are some of my favorite inchies entries from my guild mates...

by Angie Escalona

by Louise Clayation

by Mavi Arts & Crafts

by Just Claying Around

All lovely, don't you agree?

After seeing their works, 

I honestly felt a little shy of what they are to receive from me.

Nevertheless, I am much more inspired by them to do well on my next projects. ☺

More of the inchies projects here.

Frame It!

I made this for our February challenge - It's Worth Framing!

So what's worth framing for me? Of course, The Joyful Crafter with Nendo!!!

I love how this project turned out... reminds me just how much The Joyful Crafter and Nendo works hand in hand ☺ Such cuties!

More of my guild mates' works HERE.

Dragons

I made these for our Clay Friends' Society Philippines' February swap challenge
where we are to sculpt our own version of Dragons.

I don't think they ended up looking how a dragon is supposed to look like
but I am actually okay with how they turned out ☺

I made them into pendants so that the receiver may opt to to attach it as pendant for a necklace or charm for keychain. Hope they end up happy with them as much as I was making them. 

If you also want to check out the cool works of my guild mates, you may click HERE. ☺

Product Shots

photo c/o DigitalRev

Amazing shot don't you agree?

I've always wanted to take really great photos -- especially when taking pictures of food and products.

That's basically what I use my camera for, other than capturing family moments 

which since my husband forbids, I rarely share online.

Here's one more awesome shot from DigitalRev...

photo c/o DigitalRev

Super stunning and really inspiring...

There are times when I find myself quite frustrated whenever I'm reading photography books or watching how-to videos. I find the jargons being used a bit complicated. 

However, I'm not sure if its really because of the jargons or I'm just being plain impatient and lazy to learn on my own.

Do you think its about time that I get myself into photography workshops? 

I saw one being conducted all year round somewhere near me... So there goes the temptation, ha!

photo c/o Hyde-End Studios

 I still hear the back part of my brain tell me no, you can't give up on yourself yet. 

I've got quite a number of photography how-to books plus one specific book that concentrates and further explains the buttons and functions of my DSLR camera.  I probably should try to read and concentrate on learning through them first and see what happens before I jump on any basic & advanced photography workshop...  Who knows, I just might nail this alone!

Like all the others, I know that this is a trial and error thing. And I should always remind to ask myself what's there to lose in trying to learn alone first? I wouldn't be wasting any film anyway. 

Since it's all digital, I can just erase the really ugly photos and save the awesome ones, hihi! 

Plus If ever I nail this on my own, I get to save from the workshop fees. I should just take advantage of the books I have on hand. Photography books aren't cheap you know, plus I've got knowledgeable photographer friends too! 

I can just spend the money saved from the workshop and get myself a macro lens.

photo c/o Hyde-End Studios

 Oooohhh... what a really lovely shot!!! 

I'll be able to take pictures like this some day, soon! Now thats the spirit!

So that's my creative goal for the mean time. 

What's yours?

Photo a Day

I am excited...

Excited because for the first time I am joining a group and a special activity which will not only allow me to express creativity in as quick as 2 seconds but will also be a venue to practice more on taking photos!

I am glad I stumbled upon Chantelle's FatMumSlim blog where she hosts the "PHOTOADAY" challenge. So what is photo a day you ask? Well according to Chantelle, the host, it is a fun photo-sharing challenge where you take a photo a day according to what is on the list. There are no rules and no one to say you're worst at taking photos... One need not be super creative or take the most amazing photos but just about sharing! Most of all, everyone is welcome to play!

Now if you want to join me, here's how the challenge works...

1. Take a photo daily based on the prompt on the list.
2. Share it on whichever platform you like: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Flickr, Blog and/or Pinterest.
3. Don't forget to place the tag l hashtag "photoadayJUNE".

The challenge will kick start on the 1st up to the 30th of June 2012.

Pretty simple, right? I am sure it'l be a lot of fun too!!!

So every time you get the chance do drop by my site to check out my photo entry for the day...

Better yet, join with me and let's share photos! ☺