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.