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! ☺