Welcome to the wonderful and sparkly world of Blingalicious!

Happy 2008!

2008-01-01T02:21:00.000+08:00

Here's wishing everyone all the very best for 2008!

THANK YOU for your support in 2007, for your encouragement and good wishes.

I hope to get back into the swing of Blingalicious things in February. Right now, I'm taking a Bling break and focusing on being a new mommy (BEST thing in the world).

I'll continue to post occasional updates on Bling Baby, so come visit once in a while :))

In The Past Six Weeks ...

2007-12-07T22:34:00.000+08:00

... We became parents for the first time when we welcomed a beautiful little darling girl (with a stroooonng set of lungs) into our lives. We didn't have a name for her for quite a while! So we called her "baby," "little rascal" or "tinkerbelle". Her feet were so little, none of the booties or socks we had would fit. Ditto for the rest of her clothes.

But she played, ate ... ... pooped (the pic below shows the face she makes when she makes her diaper dirty!) ...

... WAILED her head off now and again (she still brings the roof down with her cries) ....... slept ... ... made faces ...

... and GREW!!! At birth, she was just 2.57kg. At her one-month checkup, she hit the scales at 3.9kg :-))
Oh, and she finally got a name too. We now call her Kiara, which is the Anglicised version of the Italian "Chiara" which means "Bright". Her Chinese name means "lively, active mind". She's the love of our lives!

So much changes in six short weeks, doesn't it?

Announcing the Arrival of ...

2007-11-01T21:57:00.000+08:00

... Little Bling-Baby (we have not named her yet)!

Our dream come true made a dramatic entrance into the world last Friday, 26th October 2007 in an emergency c-section. She weighed in at a petite 2.57kg in weight and 48cm in length.

Both baby and momma are doing just fine although momma is waging a losing battle with fatigue :))

Sorry for not answering e-mails or posting your comments. Will get down to both once baby and momma get into a rhythm ... we're still figuring each other out :))

PS. Pic above was taken today, after baby had a bath. She's an alert and ACTIVE baby!

Oh, The Fatigue!

2007-09-11T22:13:00.000+08:00

Sorry, everyone. The fatigue is taking over my body and production is slowing to a crawwwwlll.

I'll post when I can so thank you for your patience.

Remembering September 11th

2007-09-11T21:50:00.000+08:00

At the southern tip of Manhatten is Battery Park City, an apartment complex near the twin towers and a hop skip and jump away from Wall Street.

That was where my sweetie lived when he spent a few years working @ 111 Wall Street. Every day, he would pass the World Trade Center and when I visited, we rode up and down the elevators and shopped in the basement stores.

Four years before September 11th 2001, he returned to Singapore for good. I cannot imagine how different life would be if he had stayed; if he had taken the same route to work he normally did.

It was hardly a close shave, but the events of September 11th 2001 reminded us that life is short and unpredictable. We can either focus on the bad and the horrific or on how the human spirit triumphs over adversity.

Still a Work-In-Progress - You're Beautiful

2007-09-06T10:39:00.000+08:00

At last, the fatigue and baby prep is catching up and creation is slowing down .... aaaccckkk! And I've had a number of night-time teleconferences too, which eats into creation time. So, sorry, everyone for the slow pace of updates.

Here is this week's second Geisha Inspiration Pendant.

As you can see, it's a work-in-progress but I thought to share anyway so you can see where this is going :-))

Because the image is so pretty, I did very little with it save add some text at the bottom.

"Beautiful" refers not only to that which is pleasing to the eye on the physical plane, but beauty on the inside as well.

I'm still searching for a suitable quote for the reverse of the pendant, which is currently decorated with real Japanese origami paper.

I would love to put a Maya Angelou poem (Phenomenal Woman) there, but there isn't enough space and there are copyright issues to think about too :-))

For the necklace portion, I'm thinking that pearls should make an appearance somewhere.

Hmmmm ... let's see where this goes!

Set Your Course (SGD$50/USD$30.30)

2007-09-04T11:07:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Freshwater Pearls, Pressed Czech Glass Flowers, Swarovski Crystals
Bling "hardware": Bronzetone metal frame & glass; Bronzetone chain & clasp
Dimensions: Pendant measures 3 inches long; Necklace portion is 18 inches long

Lovely geishas take centrestage for the rest of the week and here is the first of the geisha inspiration pendants.

This demure Japanese beauty holds an adorable pooch in her arms. The message both have for the new pendant owner is: "Set Your Course."

Flip the pendant to the back and you'll see real Japanese Origami paper.

And the inspirational message continues.

It reads: "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams."

Decorating the pendant are dangles of white pressed Czech glass flowers, milky blue Swarovski crystals and a pink opal.

I chose the flowers because they remind me (even though they don't really look like them at all) of cherry blossoms! Hahahaha.

The "cherry blossom" theme continues on to the necklace portion of the creation and I've also added some freshwater pearls because they looked pretty together.

[Send BlingMail]

Dragonfly Love (Exclusive to 3A Gurl)

2007-09-03T14:24:00.000+08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY 3A GURL!!!!!!!

May all your birthday wishes come true and may you always have love in your heart and good food in the tummy ... hahhahahha!

Hope you don't mind me showing off your necklace and bracelet set which was specially made for you, using the some of your stash :-))

I thought the creamy pearls would set off the brass dragonfly and inspiration charm very nicely.

And in keeping with the warm theme, I added bronzite beads and green freshwater pearls.

Enjoy!!!

Fiona's Kitty (Not For Sale)

2007-09-03T14:15:00.000+08:00

Oh what a lovely weekend!

We celebrated my dad's birthday, celebrated another birthday of a good friend and met up with my darling bellydance teacher who's back from London for a short break. Reconnecting with people you love is really good for the soul :-))

Here is something I made for Fiona.

She adores cats, has some of her own and so it made sense to give her an Inspiration Pendant with a kitty on it. I just love the curious expression on the cat's face!

Accenting the pendant is a simple brass charm which says "inspire". I chose it because that is what Fiona does -- she inspires those around her.

She's now *this* close to earning her Masters in a field where she will continue to help and inspire people with difficulties.

I could never do what she does; i don't know where she finds the energy and endless resources of empathy.

At the back of the pendant is this quote: "Shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you'll land among the stars".

Ear-ring Addict's MOD SQUAD!

2007-08-31T14:16:00.000+08:00

Groovy, baby!

When I first set eyes on her, I knew I had to have her and so, I contacted the Ear-ring Addict. Then on Wednesday, a package arrived:Was she here already? Only a day had gone by! And what were the mysterious bumps that could be felt through the padded envelope??? And there she was ... with a sweet note and PREZZIES! OH MY GOSH!!! WHAT A SURPRISE!!! Thank you so much Dawne, for your generosity which made me all misty-eyed. {{{hugs}}}

And here, everyone, is the MOD SQUAD. Do check out Dawne's other groovy, mojo-infused creations at http://www.earringaddict.blogspot.com/

Courage (SGD$45/USD$27.30) - RESERVED

2007-08-31T13:51:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Coral and Freshwater Pearl Beads
Bling "hardware": Bronzetone Metal Frame with Glass; Bronzetone Metal Chain
Dimensions: Pendant measures 1 1/2 inches long; Chain is 18 inches long

And here is "Courage" in its final form :-)

I decided to keep things relatively simple to keep the focus on the image of the gorgeous woman with the slightly pensive expression (it's all in the eyes ... oh, those eyes).

Beads of red coral and warm sunshine gold freshwater pearl are the only accents and the colour scheme continues on in the necklace portion as well.

The inspirational quote by e e cummings at the back of the pendant reads: "it takes courage to grow up and turn out to be who you really are".

I LOVE this quote. I love that it reminds us to be true to oneself and be ourselves instead of trying to be someone else.

It's a life lesson I hope I'm able to pass on to the little one. When I was growing up, I remember wishing I were this person or that person or had these features or that features or had this talent or that talent.

But as life taught its lessons, I became more and more comfortable in my own skin and have learnt to explore what I'm good at or what I like to do. And it has been a really good learning journey so far!

Yeah, there are times I still wish things were different about me, but on the whole, I'm learning that it's best to be just you.

Still a work-in-progress - Courage

2007-08-30T10:12:00.000+08:00

It has been a busy couple of days, with night-time teleconferences and all, so I've not had the time to complete this piece yet, as I promised the Blingalicious Pendant Alert subscribers I would ... sorry!

But this is what the pendant looks like for now. Here is the front:

And here is the back (LOVE the quote):

Frame is bronzetone metal and the image is protected in glass. Pendant measures about 1 1/2 inches square.

PS. I'm a little slow on the e-mail front too, forgive me. I'll reply to your messages today.

Believe, Dare - SOLD

2007-08-29T10:04:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Faceted Rondelles of Iolite, Peridot, Citrine and Garnet
Bling "hardware": Brass (nickel-free) "Believe" Charm, Brasstone metal Chain & Clasp
Dimensions: I need to find my missing ruler! (But estimated length of pendant is about 1 1/2 inches)

Ta-da! Here is another glitzy, glamourous exuberant showgirl from decades ago.

She stretches her arms out boldly and shows off her colourful, dingle-dangly costume of red, gold & green.

While creating this pendant, she glam diva showgirl demanded that extravagance be the order of the day and so flourishes of wirework with complements of semi-precious gemstones in citrine, garnet, peridot and iolite glam up the image.

Wirework is in both brasstone artistic wire as well as 14K gold-filled wire.

Her message: "Believe". And when you turn the pendant around, the supporting theme is "Dare".

So interpret the sentiments whatever way you like -- Dare to Believe in Your Dreams, Belive & Dare & Make It Happen ...

Pendant comes on an 18-inch brasstone chain with toggle clasp (not shown).

[Send BlingMail]

A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes - SOLD

2007-08-28T10:57:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Garnet Beads, Faceted Peridot Rondelles
Bling "hardware": Lead-free Pewter Angel Wings Charm; Nickel-free Brass "Dream" Charm
Dimensions: Pendant measures about 6cm (approx 2 1/2 inches) in length

I woke up with this song in my head -- it's a tune from an old Disney Cinderella (or was it Sleeping Beauty?) cartoon, if I'm not mistaken: "A dream is a wish your heart makes/When you're fast asleep/In dreams you will lose your heartaches/Whatever you wish for, you keep ... "

And so I named this creation after some of the lyrics.

The pendant features a vintage image of a rose in bloom.

At the top, a little brass charm reads "dream" and it has accents of garnet (to represent the heart's deepest desires) and peridot (to represent the fact that dreams can grow into something real).

At the bottom are angel wings, to help your dreams take flight.

They're in the shape of a heart too, to reflect the heart's deepest desires.

Aaaaaaaaahhhh! I'm turning into a hapless, sappy thing :-))

Pendant measures about 6cm or 2 1/2 inches long and instead of a chain, I've used a deep bottle green velvet ribbon.

[Send BlingMail]

Leap! (SGD$37/USD$22.40) RESERVED

2007-08-27T10:50:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Carnelian bead and Swarovski crystal
Bling "hardware": Brass (nickel-free) butterfly charm; Chain is bronzetone metal
Dimensions: Pendant is almost 6 cm long; Necklace is 18 inches long

Look out for more creations with vintage-look showgirls as I managed to get my hands on a bunch of images of the sassy ladies.

Here is the first of the images and I just could not resist playing around with sandpaper and ink to give it an even more weathered look.

I then preserved the image with multiple layers of matt glaze which took a lot of patience (not my strong suit) because you have to wait for each coat to dry before applying the next.

The spunky lady is clad in a two-piece turquoise and yellow outfit (tame by today's standards) and sports an interesting headpiece.

In keeping with the showgirl theme of being bold and daring, I chose a quote I hope captures that can-do spirit.

The back reads: "Leap and the net will appear".

It's a Japanese proverb about taking chances.

Accents are kept relatively simple -- just a brass (nickel-free) butterfly charm with little danglies of carnelian and Swarovski crystal.

[Send BlingMail]

A Will Finds A Way - SOLD

2007-08-27T10:32:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Garnet Beads
Bling "hardware": 14K Gold-filled Leaf Charms & little bead; High-quality Enamel Ladybird charm from the US; Bronzetone chain and clasp
Dimensions: Chain is 18 inches long; pendant is about 6.5cm long (a little longer than 2 1/2 inches)

I've begun experimenting with different materials for pendants and here is one example. It looks substantial, but in reality, it's very light.

In the front is a pretty image of cheerful crimson and russet blooms set amidst lush greenery.

I don't know my flowers, but these look like what I imagine poppies to look like :)

At the back, the inspirational message reads: "A Will Finds A Way."

This message resonates with me personally too because it reminds me to MAKE things happen instead of sitting back and waiting for things to happen.

I fnd that too often, some of us become passive participants in this journey of life that we forget that we have to power to change things, to make things happen.

So really, i should stop about how messy the house is and get to cleaning already! Oh boy ... complaining is sooo much easier than wielding the vaccum cleaner and mop .... Hahahhahahhaha!

[Send BlingMail]

Laugh Often, Love Much - SOLD

2007-08-27T10:15:00.000+08:00

Bling "hardware": Wirework in 14K gold-fill and artistic wire, Bronze-tone frame with glass, bronze-tone chain with clasp
Dimensions: Necklace is 18 inches; Pendant is 1 1/2 inches long

The little saying on the front of this pendant kind of reflects my attitude towards life right now -- Laugh Often, Love Much.

After all, life is just way too short to spend time feeling bitter, unhappy or just plain fretful about the past and worried about the future.

Anyyyyyways, I decided to continue playing with the retro divas and this is one of my fave images.

She sports a sunny yellow flower in her hair and has the most glam dark red lips!

At the back, the inspirational message reads: Nothing Good Was Ever Achieved Without Enthusiasm". Nice reminder!

A subtle flourish of wirework in 14K gold-fill and artistic wire is the only embellishment dressing up this pendant which comes with a matching bronzetone chain.

[Send BlingMail]

Sweet Geisha - SOLD

2007-08-25T19:29:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Pink Opal, Pressed Czech Glass Flower, Swarovski Pearls
Bling "hardware": Chain is 14K gold-plated
Dimensions: Pendant measures a little over 5.5cm; Necklace is 18 inches long

Here is the first of the geisha pendants available for sale. This one is clad in a pink kimono with an orange and blue obi.

She looks demurely to the side and avoids a direct gaze at the camera which may be considered rude.

Carrying on the Japanese theme are white pressed Czech glass flowers which are supposed to represent sakura (cherry-blossoms).

A Pink Opal bead and Swarovski pearls gently pick up the theme.

The text behind the geisha is an image from a Japanese dictionary :))

This pendant comes with an 18-inch gold-plated (14K) chain.

[Send BlingMail]

Mei Li (SGD$37/USD22.40)

2007-08-25T19:18:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Garnets Beads, Citrine Rondelles and Carved Rose made of Mystery Stone (possibly dyed agate)
Bling "hardware": Chain (not shown) is 14K gold-plated
Dimensions: Chain is 18 inches; Pendant is about 5.5cm long

Mei Li means "Beautiful" in Chinese (or so I've been told, because Mandarin is not a strong suit ... I'm more familiar with Hokkien swear words -- HAHAHA!).

This lady with the demure smile reminds me so much of old Shanghainese movies, where the heroines sported fine eyebrows and crimson lips.

The image is protected by multiple layers of glaze.

To keep the focus on her face, I kept the embellishments simple -- just a scattering of garnet beads and faceted citrine rondelles atop a carved crimson rose.

This pendant comes with a 14K gold-plated chain (not shown).

[Send BlingMail]

Oh Divas! (SGD$33/USD$20) RESERVED

2007-08-25T19:09:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Black Onyx and Swarovski Pearls
Bling "hardware": Ear hook are 925 silver
Dimensions: Ear-rings are a little over 3cm long

Sorry, no repeats.

I just could not resist putting these two divas together in a creation!

They remind me so much of the glamour queens of yester-year, with flowers in their hair and slightly haughty expressions on their faces.

To tie the two different images together, I used the same accents for both.

Beads of faceted black onyx and cream Swarovski pearls also call to mind the old-fashioned black-and-white movies.

Ear hooks are 925 silver.

So who's ready to dress up their ears with some old-fashioned glamour?

[Send BlingMail]

Retro Rose Ear-Rings - SOLD

2007-08-25T18:59:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Garnet and Peridot beads
Bling "hardware": Ear hooks and flower are 925 silver
Dimensions: Shorter side is about 3cm; longer side is about 4cm

Sorry, no repeats. This is the one and only piece.

The retro vibe continues with this pair of asymmetrical ear-rings.

One side features a glam diva with a deep crimson bloom in her flowing locks; the other side picks up the flower theme and features a bunch of sweet pink and deep red roses.

Accents are beads of deep pinky-red garnet and fresh green peridot. On the side with the diva, an ornate 925 silver flower adds more visual interest.

Ear hooks are 925 silver and thus should not irritate sensitive skin.

[Send BlingMail]

Retro Divas Bracelet (SGD$47/USD$28.50) RESERVED

2007-08-25T18:47:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Matt Black Onyx Carved Roses, Freshwater Pearls
Bling "hardware": Chain is rhodium-plated
Dimensions: Bracelet is 7 inches

Sorry, no repeats. This is the one and only piece.

Go retro with this funky charm bracelet which features images of glam women from a bygone age.

Five lovely ladies dress up the bracelet in classic shades of black and white.

Accents are carved roses made of black onyx and square freshwater pearls.

Chain and clasp are rhodium-plated.

Bracelet measures 7 inches.

[Send BlingMail]

Meow! (Not for sale)

2007-08-23T17:49:00.000+08:00

Here is the first of the pendants from the new batch of supplies which arrived yesterday. Those on the Pendant Alert list would've already caught a tiny sneak preview.

So if you want a glimpse of what's coming and when they will become available, remember to sign up for the e-mail alert! Two alerts have already been sent, and if you've signed up but not received your alert, check your bulk mail folder.

This pendant is not for sale, though. It's going to a good friend for her birthday. She's a cat lover and so I hope she likes this!

The front of the square pendant features a bespectacled kitty. Check out the serious expression on its face ... cracks me up every time I see it :D

At the back is a heartwarming vintage image of a little girl and her sleeping kitty. The caption reads "SNUGGLES". This is the sort of pic which makes me go "awwwwww" :))

Swirls of wirework dress up the pendant a little. I'm thinking of changing it from gold-filled to bronze, though, to match the frame.

Blingalicious Pendant Update

2007-08-21T14:00:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone!

Thanks to your wonderful support and feedback, the Pendant Experiment has proven to be tons of fun.

There still is lots to be created and to be fair to everyone who is interested in them, I've decided to start the Blingalicious Pendant Alert.

The Blingalicious Pendant Alert is an e-mail update I'll send to Pendant fans, giving you at least 24 hours notice before a new pendant or group of pendants is posted.

You'll also get some sneak peeks on possible images/shapes/sizes and other types of pendant jewellery, including charm bracelets , charm necklaces and even ear-rings.

I have other ideas too, such as My My Loving Memories Pendants -- these are self-customised pendants which you can open up and write your own message to a special someone or include a small souvenir from a special occasion (eg. baby's first haircut).

But let me experiment with those first cos I'd like to keep them easy to use and affordable.

So if you're keen to be in the loop, just drop me BlingMail. In the subject line, put "Pendant Alert". Nothing else is needed in the body of the e-mail.

Thanks so much again for your love and support. You're my inspiration :-))

Inspiration Pendant - Make Your Dreams Come True (SOLD)

2007-08-21T13:29:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: High-quality enamel ladybird charm from the US, pressed Czech glass flower and 14K gold-filled butterfly
Bling "hardware": Wirework in 14K gold-fill; Bronzetone Metal Frame with Glass (double-sided)
Dimensions: Pendant measures about 7.5cm/3 inches long

Dreams can come true! At least, that's the uplifting message of this Inspiration Pendant.

"Make your dreams come true," reminds the little girl with the sweet smile and butterfly wings.

To underscore that message are a high-quality enamel ladybird charm and 14K gold-filled butterfly -- they tell us to let our dreams take flight. The Czech pressed glass flower and lush foliage in the image tell us to let our dreams then blossom and grow.

Swirls worked in 14K gold-filled wire add visual interest and also serve as a reminder that the path we take to our dreams fulfilled need not always be straight.

Sometimes, the twists and turns help us learn more about what we must learn.

The back of the pendant reads: "You are pure potential." So encouraging!

[Send BlingMail]

Inspiration Pendant - Live the Life You've Imagined (SOLD)

2007-08-20T12:29:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Crown Charm with accents of Swarovski Pearl & Garnet
Bling "hardware": Pedant Frame (with glass) is brass-tone metal
Dimensions: Pendant is about 7.5cm (3 inches) long

Many thanks for your feedback that you like the idea of these Inspiration Pendants :-)) Your kind words are so encouraging and I'm eternally grateful for your support.

Here is the latest, which features a crowned cutie, standing proudly atop a chair, reminding us to "Live the life you've imagined". (It's actually a quote by Henry David Thoreau, American writer, philosopher, transcendentalist and overall over-achiever).

A crown charm decorates the pendant, whilst little Swarovski pearls and a garnet bead help tie the colours together.

The back of the pendant reads: "Fortune Favors the Bold".

Purchase With Purchase
You can also get a matching pair of ear-rings with this pendant.

The ear-rings feature the same gilded crown charm, with Swarovski pearl accents.

Ear hooks are nickel-free (and hence should be kind to sensitive ears) brass.

Just add SGD$10 if you want the ear-rings (not sold separately) as well.

[Send BlingMail]

Angel Pendant - GIFT

2007-08-20T10:45:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: High-quality Enamel Heart charm from the US
Bling "hardware": Frame is light brass
Dimensions: Pendant is a little wider than an inch in diameter

Isn't this little cherub a cutie-pie!!!!

The obsession with pendants continues and this time, I'm experimenting with round ones.

Since the frame is ornate, I thought to keep the focus on the cherub and the heart. So no words or extra embellishments were added.

Image is sealed and protected by multiple layers of glossy glaze.

I think this pendant would look really cute and retro worn on a ribbon -- perhaps organza or even velvet.

I'm posting another Inspiration Pendant later today, around lunch time, so look out for it!

[Send BlingMail]

Inspiration Pendant ~ Imagine (SOLD)

2007-08-18T19:11:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Brass butterfly charm & little gold-filled butterfly charm
Bling "hardware": Brass-coloured metal pendant frame with glass
Dimensions: Pendant is 7.5cm long

Here is another creation from the Inspiration Pendant series.

LOVE the look on the retro diva's face ... she seems to challenge you to imagine whatever is possible if you put your mind to it.

Accents are one large brass butterfly charm and a baby gold-filled butterfly charm. The winged creatures remind us to let our imagination soar and take flight.

The message on the back of the pendant reads: "Be strong, Go with your heart & believe in miracles because anything, anything can happen."

This would be a lovely, uplifting prezzie for a friend or yourself even :-)

Special Request ~ Simply Positive

2007-08-18T12:46:00.000+08:00

Here is another piece which was a special request from a sweet, kind and patient person who has waited months and months.

These ear-rings feature rich, dark smokey quartz brios which dangle off curvy 14K gold-filled connectors.

I named this creation Simply Positive because the design is clean and simple and Smokey Quartz is said to dispel negativity :-)

A word to everyone on special requests ~ Your support means a lot, so where possible, I will try to meet your special requests.

Please understand though that the creativity bug is a temperamental one ... hahahahaha ... for me at least. And so sometimes, it can take forever, unfortunately. I *never* know what is going to be created beforehand. That's why you can see wildly diverse creations being posted here. Your patience is much, much appreciated.

Also, baby is due in early November -- woo hoo! So more and more of my time now is being taken up with baby prep :-))

In any case, do drop me an e-mail. If I can help, I definitely will. If not, for whatever reason, I'll let you know. Your understanding and support mean so much. THANK YOU.

Special Request ~ Mum's Warmth

2007-08-17T21:04:00.000+08:00

This pair of ear-rings was specially created for the mom of a lovely person. The sweet and thoughtful daughter wanted something special for her mom who likes citrine.

Beautiful citrine drops get accents of 14K gold-filled spacers and citrine rondelles.

Ear posts are 14K gold-filled too.

This creation reminds me of warm, happy sunshine!

Inspiration Pendant - Happiness (SOLD)

2007-08-17T15:24:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Garnet bead accent, Enamel Heart charm from the U.S
Bling "hardware": Wirework is 14K gold-filled; Metal pendant frame with glass
Dimensions: Pendant is 7.5cm long

The pendant experiments continue, and this time I'm playing with new frames with glass for a slightly more polished look.

This time, I also thought to incorporate some inspirational messages in each pendant. So the front is an image and the back has a little saying.

For example, the front of this pendant says "Happiness" and features a retro winged beauty.

The back says: "I have found that if you Love Life, it will love you right back." I like that message!

Wirework in 14K gold-fill also decorates the front. Other embellishments include a garnet bead and deep red enamel heart charm from the US.

[Send BlingMail]

Art ... As You Like It 3-in-1 Necklace (S$60/US$36.40)

2007-08-16T00:20:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: 3 Lead-free Pewter Charms & accents of Black Onyx
Bling "hardware": All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Charms measure about 4 - 5cm in length

Get arty with this necklace which features three famous icons.

This necklace is perfect also for people who like to change things around a bit as you can wear all three art charms at the same time or wear each charm solo on different days, depending on your mood :)

Your three charms are:

1. Vitruvian Man
If you've read the Da Vinci Code or watched the movie, you'll know that this charm is based on one of Leonardo Da Vinci's most famous drawings from the early 1400's. It depicts the perfect proportions of the human body.

Vitruvian was an Ancient Roman architect who said that buildings should be designed based on the proportions of man because the human body is the perfect model. (Read more here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/leonardo/gallery/vitruvian.shtml)

2. Winged Nike of Samothrace
I remember seeing this beauty on a visit to the Louvre many years ago! The statue of the Greek goddess of victory (Nike) dates back to between 220 and 190 BC.

Even though it's missing its head and arms, the statue still commands attention. It is so finely crafted, Nike seems to be on the verge of taking flight.

Read more here: http://www.loggia.com/art/ancient/hellenistic03.html

3. Michaelangelo's David
By some estimates, this is the most recognizable statue in the world. This marble statue stands more than 5 metres tall! It depicts King David of the Bible, just before his epic battle with Goliath.

In person, even the replica (at the Piazza della Signora in Florence, Italy) is impressive. I think i may still have a photo somewhere from our trip there years ago. Read more about this statue here: http://www.squidoo.com/michelangelosdavid

This necklace set comes with all three charms (which are lead-free pewter). All other silver bits are 925 silver and you choose the length of the necklace (also 925 silver - it's a fine chain).

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Special Request - C's Ladybirds

2007-08-15T22:59:00.001+08:00

This was specially done for a person who fell in love with the lucky ladybird charms.

She was looking for a simple pair of ear-rings for everyday wear ... and voila!

Hope you like and enjoy them, C!

First Crush Silver - SOLD

2007-08-14T21:15:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Dangles of Moonstone and Labradorite Rondelles
Bling "hardware": 925 silver heart, pendant holder & clasp; Leather necklace
Dimensions: Pendant is about 5cm long; you choose the necklace length

Here is the silver version of "First Crush" (cue music to the Donny & Marie show ... hahaha! Purple socks, anyone?)

Instead of a pink opal heart, this necklace features a 925 brushed silver beauty.

Dangling off the heart are little rainbow moonstones and labradorite rondelles.

Depending on the light, you can sometimes see tiny flashes of blue running through the labradorite.

Other than the dangles, the rest of the piece is neat and simple.

Instead of the usual chain, the pendant comes with a navy blue leather cord (you choose the ultimate length), finished with 925 silver ends and clasp.

Pendant measures about 5cm long. All silver bits are 925 silver.

Now everybody sing along ... "And they call it puppy looove ..." :)

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Catching Up With Backlog

2007-08-14T14:24:00.000+08:00

Just a short note to say that I'm catching up with some backlog and will be back with more designs shortly.

Tonight, I'll post a silver version of "First Crush," so look out for it!

Friends, Food & Forgetfulness!

2007-08-12T15:20:00.000+08:00

Friendship is such a lovely, precious thing, and I was reminded of this yesterday.

At last, after maaannnny months, we finally met up and spent a glorious afternoon stuffing our faces (OK, I stuffed my face and they were MUCH more civilized), chatting and catching up.

What's lovely about friendship is that you can be apart for the longest time, but when you get back together again, you pick up right where you left off.

Yesterday, I also discovered that I have swiss cheese instead of brains. Hahahhaha! Gosh, this preggo brain is NOT FUNNY at all. First, I left the house without my wallet and thank goodness the sweet taxi uncle was understanding.

Then, I didn't realise that I was given the wrong change (the sweetie drove by to pass me some $) after tea. And then, when I returned home (called the nice taxi uncle and paid him at last), I left my handphone cover in the cab. Luckily, the taxi uncle noticed and called me right away.

Oh, and later that night, I made myself a drink and IMMEDIATELY forgot all about it until the mug tumbled over (another preggo symptom -- I'm now super clumsy) and made a lovely mess.

I want my brain back!!!! :D

Sneak Peeks

2007-08-11T11:17:00.001+08:00

Here is a sneak peek at some other pendants I'm working on. Enjoy .... !

Count Your Blessings (No longer available)
Another winged cutie features prominently in this creation. She grasps a bunch of roses and reminds us all to count our blessings.

Accenting the pendant is a white/gold flower (pressed Czech glass) and little dangles of amethyst, rose quartz, turquoise and a 14K gold-filled butterfly.

Precious (Reserved)
I just love the expression on this cutie's face! A goldtone pewter pair of fairy wings accents the pendant and I'm still pondering what else (if anything) to do with it.

I *may* use one of Karin's gorgeous black/white beads -- the one with flowers and butterflies -- to pick up on the winged theme.

Think Big (RESERVED)
This one is my personal favourite of the lot. An adorable little "royal" peers out of an ornate brass frame and serves as a reminder for us to THINK BIG.

I think I may include a quote at the back too, as added motivation to follow one's dreams.

I'll post the finished pieces as they are completed.

Listen To Your Heart - SOLD

2007-08-11T10:55:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Amazonite, Peridot, Black Onyx accent beads
Bling "hardware": Frame is brass, Large heart is gold-plated over 925 silver, Small heart is 14K gold-filled, Necklace (not shown) is gold-plated
Dimensions: Pendant is 3cm by 3.5cm

A touch of nostalgia infuses Blingalicious.

Here is the first of the old-fashioned pendants/necklaces for sale. Only one of each is made and there will be no repeats so each piece is extra-special :)

This creation features a cutie pie with rosy cheeks. She sprouts wild butterfly wings and reminds us that sometimes, it's good to "Listen To Your Heart".

To underscore that message is a large, ornate heart (gold-plated over 925 silver) and smaller, finer heart charm (14K gold-filled).

Other accents are Amazonite, Peridot and Black Onyx beads.

This pendant measures 3cm by 3.5cm and comes with a gold-plated chain (not shown).

I've photographed it with a light blue organza ribbon to show you another way to wear it. A velvet ribbon would look good too.

Or, you could also hang it off your own gold-filled chain (the jump rings in this pendant are 14K gold-filled).

PS. Multiple coats of glaze are applied to the pendant to preserve the images.

[Send BlingMail]

ZOOM! - SOLD

2007-08-10T14:05:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Lead-free Pewter Dragonfly Charms (with some enamelling)
Bling "hardware": Flower and Ear Hooks are 925 silver
Dimensions: Ear-rings are a little over 4 cm long

I named this ZOOM! because dragonflies are amongst the fastest insects in the world.

They can zip around at speeds which are higher than the speed limit on our expressways!

Don't worry, this pair isn't going to stray far from your ears :)

These dragonfly charms are from that same fave little bead shop in NYC and they dangle off simple flowers of 925 silver.

Ear hooks are 925 silver.

Have a look at previous dragonfly creations here:
All A-Flutter ~ Mixed
All A-Flutter ~ Blue
Dragonfly & Rose Dangle

[Send BlingMail]

Wish & Dream (Not for Sale)

2007-08-10T13:51:00.000+08:00

First off ... Happy 42nd Birthday, Singapore!

I rather enjoyed the Parade on the Bay and though elements reminded me of the Opening Ceremony of the Asian Games in Doha, I thought the organisers put on a pretty good show. At the very least, it was an inspiring reminder of how blessed we are to live in a safe, culturally diverse, peaceful place we can truly call "home".

Another message I took away from the celebrations revolved around the possibility of dreams coming true.

And so this creation was born.

It's a pendant I put together and it features a vintage-ish image of a woman with a rose. "Wish" and "dream" highlight the theme and then I glazed the whole thing to seal the words and images and protect them from normal wear and tear.

Little accents of flowers and beads were then added. I think I'll wear this one on a ribbon to carry on the vintage feel.

This particular piece is not for sale (need to refine the technique), but do look out for more pendants/brooches in this style which will be coming up in the next couple of weeks.

I have oriental beauties, geishas, flowers, animals .... Ahhhh so many ideas, so little time!!

Just FYI, the pendant frame measures about 3cm long and 3.5cm wide.

More MAAD Shopping

2007-08-08T13:19:00.000+08:00

So much for promising myself that the house is cluttered enough and the shopping should STOP (unless it's for baby stuff). On Sunday, I found myself at the MAAD (Market for Artists and Designers) monthly event.

And the wallet got a good workout. Hahahhahahha! This is what came home with me (in the order they were purchased, to be fair to everyone mentioned):

1. More beautiful pendants by Jewel Parlour
I could not stop at one; or even two; or even three. They are so cute! Look at the little kitty in the lower left hand corner -- LOVE the expression on its face.

Goodness knows when I'll use them in creations ... maybe I'll just put them on a riboon and wear them as-is. Thanks for setting aside the ones I had previously asked about, Michelle!!

2. Hand-painted t-shirt by Penny
Penny is a talented woman who paints the most adorable images on t-shirts. She does not have a web site but will be at the next MAAD in Sep (1 - 2 Sep).

I bought a bright teal t-shirt painted on one side with a sweet spray of flowers and would've bought others too if she had them in my size. I really like her ballerina series (shown on her name card) and bears.

3. Izel's marvellous wirework
At last I've met Izel Ang of Chain of Beads! The tall, friendly lady loves working with wire and we both have a shared admiration for the work of Eni Oken. Izel teaches too.

I bought this necklace as it matched perfectly with what I was wearing that day... and I love anything with red :)

4. Tissue case by Pisces Passion

Just could not resist this tissue case. I don't usually have packets of tissue paper on me, but this one was too adorable not to take home. At a wallet-friendly $2, who could say "no".

Other Pisces Passion items (eg. hand-painted Oriental-theme bags) can be found at other locations such as Aliya (Paragon & Raffles City), Chinatown Heritage Centre, Memories Echo (Vivo City), The Esplanade Shop, Rasa Sentosa Resort amd Sentosa Resort & Spa.

5. Abacus ear-rings

The teeny tiny colourful bits within the ear-ring frames are little rolls of paper! I asked Sandra of Unique Accessories about a website, but was told there is none. So I hope she is at the next MAAD because I may want to get more of such cuties.

Toadie & Toadette - SOLD

2007-08-06T18:52:00.001+08:00

[SORRY, ONLY ONE PAIR AVAILABLE]

Bling-mix: Enamel & Pewter (lead-free) Frog Charms

Bling "hardware": Ear hooks and circles are 14K gold-filled

Dimensions: Ear-rings are a little over 3.5cm in total length

Isn't this an adorable pair?

Toadie and Toadette are made of high-quality enamel charms from the US. I got them from my favourite little bead shop in NYC in late 2005.

Some were used in earlier creations but these two are among the last I've been hoarding :))

It's about time Toadie and Toadette found a new home though, so here they are, making an appearance on Blingalicious.

Please forgive the non-existant photography skills. Each side is exactly the same size and length.

But even with the bad photography, you can see the high level of detail these charms have. They look so lively, if I may say so myself :))

The total length of the ear-rings is a little over 3.5cm and all the other accents are 14K gold-filled.

[Send BlingMail]

Hope and Peace - SOLD

2007-08-06T11:17:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Lead-free Pewter Charms; Freshwater Pearls
Bling "hardware": Ear hooks & wirework are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Almost 4cm long

There is a Christian hymn which goes something like this: "Let there be peace on Earth and let it begin with me".

That song and a documentary I watched last night were the inspiration behind this pair of ear-rings.

Two doves (goldtone lead-free pewter from the US) represent peace. The flower (pressed Czech glass) and the growing branch represent hope.

And though there is lots of strife, war, anger and hate polluting the world, we can always hope that peace will ultimately prevail.

At the very least, we can DO SOMETHING to help make our own little personal corner of our world a better place, right? That's what I personally believe anyway.

So from today, I resolve not to sarcastically say "you're welcome" to people who don't thank me for holding the door open to them. (Yeah, I can be a grumpy ole thing! Heh).

Small thing, but it's a start :))

Historical footnote: Today, 6th August, in 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on a city. Hiroshima was obliterated. A few days later, Nagasaki suffered the same fate. Let's hope something similar NEVER ever happens again. Let there be peace on earth. And let it begin with me.

OK, end of pontification. Promise :)

[Send BlingMail]

Circle of Love - SOLD

2007-08-03T22:07:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: High-quality enamel charms
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Total length is about 3.5cm

P, you'll be very pleased with me.

With such high-quality charms, very little embellishments are needed so I'm still practising the "less is more" design philosophy :)))

This creation features deep red, fat hearts which I've paired with twisted 14K gold-filled circles.

Simple, pretty and oh so romantic!

Total length is a little over 3.5cm; all gold bits, including ear hooks, are 14K gold-filled.

See a previous creation with the hearts: Princess and the Frog

[Send BlingMail]

Lucky Beetles - SOLD

2007-08-03T21:52:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: High Quality Enamel Scarab Beetle Charms
Bling "hardware": Ear wires are 14K Gold-Plated over 925 Silver
Dimensions: Total length is 3.5cm

Playing with the ladybug charms reminded me of the other cute charms which were acquired at the same time.

Here is a pair of scarab beetles as finely detailed and beautifully coloured as their ladybird friends.

Because they're so pretty on their own, I decided to heed the advice of a lovely person I recently got to know and kept it simple -- "less is more!"

But to funk things up a bit, each beetle is a different colour.

Each dangles off elegant leaf-shaped ear wires which are 14K gold-plated over 925 silver.

Scarab beetles were a powerful symbol in ancient Egypt. According to ancient lore, a giant scarab beetle rolled the sun into the sky in the morning and rolled it back to its resting place at night!

Today, some people still consider scarab beetles to be extremely lucky, and I hope that this pair of ear-rings will bring their new owner SUPER GOOD LUCK!!!!

See some previous creations using these beetles:
Eternity ~ Green
Eternity ~ Red

[Send BlingMail]

Il Giardino (S$38/US$23) RESERVED

2007-08-03T12:07:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Polymer Clay bead, faceted Peridot rondelles, Jade
Bling hardware: All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Necklace measures 16 inches. Pendant is 5cm long

"Il Giardino" or "The Garden" in Italian (I don't know how to say "garden" in German) is what I named this piece because Karin's gorgeous bead/pendant (this is one of the precious few from last year's stash) reminds me of roses in brilliant bloom.

A simple jade circle dangles off the bead/pendant, accented by a tiny garnet which echoes the red tones.

At the top of the bead/pendant, a cluster of fresh green faceted peridot rondelles dance around a deeper green freshwater pearl.

Necklace measures 16 inches and is 925 silver. total pendant length is 5 cm. Bead diameter is 3cm. All silver accents are 925 silver.

[Send BlingMail]

All Wired Up - Mine :)

2007-08-03T11:17:00.000+08:00

It has been a long time since I've made any rings! The first time I tried making wired rings was at a BeadHub workshop. Read all about it here.

And if you know me, you'd know that I like my rings BIG and CHUNKY and LOUD. Hahahaha!

Less is certainly not more when it comes to me and rings ... and shoes and handbags and beads and chicken rice ....

Anyways, here is my first ring-making attempt after more than a year.

This black and white creation features moonstone and onyx and craft wire. Oh, and please pretend you don't notice that I've chunky, wrinkley and hairy fingers :))

Maybe I'll try another one in 925 silver and see how it goes.

You like?

Ladybug in the Garden - SOLD

2007-08-02T12:37:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Garnet, Peridot, Rose Quartz
Bling "hardware": Enamel Ladybug Charm, all other accents are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant length is almost 5.5cm; necklace is 16 inches

I've been holding on to a couple of these really high quality enamel ladybug charms I bought on one of my trips to NYC (I believe it was 2005!) because I was afraid of never finding them again.

But a whole bunch just flew in, so the lucky ladybugs are free to be included in Blingalicious creations once more :))

This necklace features a ladybug on a leaf.

The leaf is actually a real one which has been colour enhanced and dipped in resin for preservation. So you can see the fine veins and all -- very pretty.

Accents of garnet, peridot, rose quartz and yellow topaz are supposed to represent the "flowers" in the garden.

A gold-filled leaf and butterfly add to the garden theme.

Pendant measures about 5.5cm. Necklace (14K gold-filled chain) is 16 inches and has accents of garnet all round.

PS. Follow these links to see previous creations with these ladybirds:
1. ear-rings -
http://blingalicious.blogspot.com/2006/01/lucky-ladybird-now-3a-gurls.html

2. necklace -
http://blingalicious.blogspot.com/2006/05/lucky-ladybird-necklace-sold.html

[Send BlingMail]

Beads, Beads, Beads!

2007-08-01T14:30:00.000+08:00

OK, today is flood-the-blog-with-photos day :))

A little over a year ago, I acquired my first collection of polymer clay beads from the wonderfully talented (and humble) Karin. I still have that stash because they're just too lovely to use up.

Not many people in Singapore made or used these beads then, but they're all over the place now, thanks to the blossoming creative scene.

So after hesitating forever, I FINALLY acquired some more beads from Karin some time ago and they arrived yesterday!!!! Feast your eyes ..... Aren't they GORGEOUS! I just love their detailing and quality. I know Karin spends days just refining them, grinding (using multiple grits), buffing (not just by hand but by machine as well) and lacquering. And I also know that she uses quality raw materials which are not commonly available in art shops here.

I know 'cos I had experimented with the medium, did tons of research and then decided that I'd just acquire these works of art from the true experts instead of doing something half-baked (pun fully intended) myself! Hahahhahaha!

Now the problem is, I will probably spend hours and hours just admiring and looking at these beads instead of using them in creations! Hahahahhaha!

I *heart* you, Karin!

Beer Belly

2007-08-01T14:24:00.001+08:00

Thought it was time for another belly update! Here is me at 26 weeks.

The belly sure is growing, isn't it? So it struck me as a little odd that there still are some people in the office who are only just starting to realise that there is a little one (whom we've nicknamed "Karate Kid") in there :))

Just the other day, someone asked if I was expecting. And feeling cheeky, I said: "No. This is my beer belly." Hahahahhahaha! Poor chappie. He was just being polite, I am sure. Naughty mouth!!

Only three more months to go!

Harmony Bracelet - SOLD

2007-08-01T14:17:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Freshwater Pearl squares, Labradorite rondelles and briolette
Bling "hardware": All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Bracelet measures about 7 inches

Much fun was had creating the Harmony ear-rings and so i decided to have a go at making a bracelet version too. Here are the results!

The same smooth, Freshwater Pearl squares and textured 925 silver links are featured here too.

A central cluster of dangles in cool gray Labradorite adds a little dash of pizzazz.

Bracelet measures about 7 inches and has a toggle clasp (not shown). All silver bits (wirework, spacers, links, everything) are 925 silver.

[Send BlingMail]

Dusky Beauty - SOLD

2007-07-31T17:43:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Faceted Smokey Quartz Briolettes (7 carats)
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Approx 4.5cm long

I really need a new camera :-)

Does anyone have a recommendation for an idiot-proof digicam that magically takes beautiful pics despite being put in the hands of a photographically-challenged dimwit?

As promised, at long last, is a creation. This is a pair of ear-rings which features pretty, gemstone-quality dusky faceted Smokey Quartz brios. Their total weight is about 7 carats and they're actually a deep espresso colour and not the murky mess as depicted in this pic.

According to some, Smokey Quartz helps to remove negativity and helps one achieve goals. I know a few nations which would benefit from getting tons of this stuff .. hahaha!

The gemstones dangle off delicate "flowers" which are gold plated over 925 silver. Total length is almpost 4.5cm.

All other accents are 14K gold-filled.

[Send BlingMail]

Back to Scheduled Programming Soon!

2007-07-30T15:34:00.000+08:00

Sorry, everyone. Work got frantically busy towards the end of last week and Karate Kid insisted that momma take a complete break from anything but sleeping over the weekend :) Then, the tummy bug struck and boom...four days have gone by.

Will be back VERY SOON. I've a lovely pair of smokey quartz ear-rings and a "Harmony" bracelet which are just awaiting some final touches and then they'll be photographed and posted.

What is a Carat?

2007-07-25T22:16:00.000+08:00

You may have noticed that with most gemstone pieces here and on other sites like Belinda's, the "carat" weight of rubies, topaz or other gemstones are given.

So are these gemstone carats different from diamond carats ? And are carats and karats related?

Carats -- It's All About Weight
Simply put, a carat is a unit of weight for diamonds and other gemstones, although in the past, only diamonds were measured in carats. Diamond carats and ruby carats and rose quartz carats and emerald carats and all other gemstone carats are all the same. One carat is equivalent to 0.2 grams and each carat is divided into 100 points: for example, a 40-point diamond is 0.4 carats.

The greater the carat, the heavier the gemstone.

Carats do not refer to the dimensions (ie. how big/small it looks) of a gemstone. The dimensions of a gemstone are determined by a variety of factors, including cut.

Karats -- It's All About Purity
A karat is a unit of purity when used with gold. For example, 24-karat (or 24K) gold = pure gold. 14-karat (or 14K) gold = 14 parts gold, 10 parts some other metal.

For gold to be called gold legally, the lowest purity is 10 karats (10K).

And once again, even though gold-fill is almost as good as gold, it cannot legally be called gold, even if it is 14K gold-fill. (Technically, yes, you can get into trouble for referring to "gold-fill" as "gold", but that's another post for another day).

Useful links to check out (some sites where I got my info!):
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-carat.htm
http://www.diamondring.com/forums/diamondtutorial.php?learn=2
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question64.htm

Hope this helps!

Harmony - SOLD

2007-07-25T14:50:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Freshwater Pearl Squares & Labradorite Rondells
Bling "hardware": All 925 silver
Dimensions: Total length is about 4.5cm

Diversity rocks! I like that we are all different, that each of us has our own talents, quirks, strengths, weaknesses. I like that it's this very diversity that can be the foundation of strength and harmony.

Imagine a world where everyone was a good singer and there were no good actors; or where every hawker cooked up delish chicken rice but nothing else; or a football team where everyone is a star striker but nobody knows how to defend. How boring life would be!

And so I thought to mix things up in this creation too, with circles combining with squares and smooth and textured surfaces working together in perfect harmony.

These ear-rings feature freshwater pearl squares accented by faceted labradorite rondells.

The circles which dangle off sleek ear hooks are richly textured rounds of 925 silver. In fact, all silver bits are 925 silver. Total length is about 4.5cm.
[Send BlingMail]

Days of Wine & Roses - SOLD

2007-07-24T14:49:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Carved Matt Onyx Roses, Freshwater Pearl Coins & Squares
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Bracelet measures about 7 inches

Days of Wine & Roses is an old, old (1962) movie about a couple who sinks into the depths of alcoholism but claw their way back to sobriety. It's ultimately a feel-good tale about overcoming personal adversities.

And since I'm a sucker for happily ever after, I thought to name this piece after that show, which is also considered one of the 1,000 best movies of all time by the New York Times.

This bracelet is a classy combination of carved matt Black Onyx Roses and a Freshwater Pearl "coin" and square.

Textured circle and diamond-shaped links lend an airy feel. This is a bit of a posh bracelet because all links, wirework and toggle clasp are 14K gold-filled.

Absolutely nothing is plated and since only the best materials were used in this bracelet, you can care for it just as you would an actual gold item ... and it should last just as long too.

[Send BlingMail]

Treasured Moments - Citrine (SOLD)

2007-07-23T18:31:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Gem-quality Citrine
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled

Dimensions: Total length is a touch over 3.5cm
Here is the warm, glowing citrine version of Treasured Moments - Amethyst.

Whilst creating this piece, I was thinking of sunshine, laughter and hugs :) [I told you I was turning into a sappy thing!!!!]

The photo doesn't do the gem-quality Citrine squares justice. They are beautifuly cut and when they catch the light, seem to dance on your ears.

Within the textured frames dangle faceted citrine rondells and relatively rare andalusite.

All gold bits, including ear hooks, wirework and textured frame are 14K gold-filled.

[Send BlingMail]

Treasured Moments - Amethyst (S$60/US$36.40)

2007-07-23T17:52:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Gem-quality Lilac Amethyst Briolettes & Accents of Peridot
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Total length is a little over 3.5cm

Yesterday, we celebrated my father-in-law's birthday and it was fun! It was a pot luck lunch -- those of us more culinarily (is there such a word?) gifted, cooked up delish fare and those of us gifted in buying (no hints as to who I am referring to *cough* *cough* *me* *cough*), bought dishes.

And while all of us crowded around the dining table, it struck me that some of the most precious moments in life need not be grand affairs like weddings or births or graduations or other big occasions.

Treasured moments come to us every day. It's in the laughter of family sitting down to a table brimming with food; it's the little hand that touches your belly in greeting to a cousin-to-be; it's in the family jokes and nicknames; it's the phone call from a close friend ...

Yeah, I'm turning into a sappy thing!!!!!

Anyway, yesterday's lunch-which-stretched-to-dinner was the inspiration for the name of this piece.

These ear-rings feature sweet lilac Amethyst briolettes with accents of fresh green peridot. The Amethyst brios are excellent gemstone quality and though the photo does not quite show it, the facets really help this piece sparkle.

Frames, ear-wires and all wirework are 14K gold-filled. Look out for the citrine version which I will be posting soon.

[Send BlingMail]

Busy As A ...

2007-07-19T21:20:00.000+08:00

BEE!! (OK, that was sooooo unoriginal. Wildgoose, I think I had your busy-as-a-bee post lurking in my subconscious too.)

We've announced earnings and I'm up to my eyeballs in the usual post-announcement activities. Good news is, our stock price is going up nicely -- woo hoo! Now if only I could become a big shot with tons of stock options :)))

It will be a busy few days, so please pardon the lack of updates. When my mouth isn't required on night-time conference calls, I'll be sure the fingers are busy so SOMETHING will be posted soon.

Cheers!

ps. image from freenaturepictures.com

Special Request For "I"

2007-07-18T16:59:00.001+08:00

"I" is a lovely lady I got to know recently and coincidentally, we both love purple-green combos :))

So this necklace was created in the style of "Oh Love!" but with dark Aftrican Amethyst brios and little rondells of lilac amethyst and fresh green peridot.

Enjoy this piece, "I"!

First Crush - SOLD

2007-07-17T12:20:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Pink Opal heart & accents of moonstone
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant is about 4.5cm ; necklace is 16 inches

Don't laugh -- my first crush was Donny Osmond. Hahahaha! I so ADORED him when I was little and really thought that when I grew up, I would marry him (what does a kid know?!)

I have vivid recollections of watching the Donny & Marie show and thinking that purple was the best colour EVER. Ah, those sweet first crushes -- so innocent and so removed from reality!

So, Donny, this necklace was actually created in your honour :D It reflects the sweet nature of those childhood crushes.

A light salmon-pink pink opal heart is the centrepiece, whilst tiny, dainty moonstone beads dress it up in a cascade of innocence :))

The moonstone accents carry on in the necklace portion of the pice too.

Pendant measures a little over 4.5 cm long and necklace is 16 inches. All gold bits are 14K gold-filled, including wirework, beads, pendant holder, chain and lobster clasp (not shown).

A silver version is also available, but I'm still working on it.

PS. I realise that by mentioning Donny Osmond, I am showing my age ... hahahhahaha! He was amongst the most hip people to have a crush on back in the day :))))

[Send BlingMail]

Happily Ever After - SOLD

2007-07-16T19:41:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Dingle-dangles are moonstone, iolite, labradorite, one little rhodolite garnet rondell and one little blue sapphire rondell
Bling "hardware": Fairy is silver-plated over lead-free pewter; All other silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Pendant is about 6cm long; Necklace is 16 inches.

Fairy tales are perfect -- they always end on a high note with "...and they lived happily ever after".

And that's the way it should be too! Hahahahhaha! Reality is harsh enough as it is, so thank goodness for feel-good fantasy :D

This is actually the silver version of "Once Upon A Time" but I thought to give it a different name altogether to continue the fairy tale theme.

Here, the love fairy sprinkles a "blessing" of positive vibes and all things good, represented by accents of rainbow moonstone (briolettes and beads), iolite, labradorite, a random little rhodolite garnet rondell and one blue sapphire rondell for luck.

The fairy measures about 6cm and is silver-plated over lead-free pewter.

All other silver bits are 925 silver, including the necklace portion (16 inches) which is also studded all along at intervals with iolite and moonstone.

Lobster clasp (not shown) is 925 silver as well.

[Send BlingMail]

Lookee Here At What Arrived Today ...!

2007-07-16T18:32:00.000+08:00

After a particularly busy day at the office, I returned home, opened the mailbox and found a lovely little envelope. WOO HOO! My order from Starry Designs is here already!!!! I ripped open the package and this is what was waiting inside:

With its beautiful, soft, chocolate brown paper and Tiffany-blue organza ribbon, the package looked almost good enough to EAT :D (Food is constantly on my mind ...hahahah). An even more delicious treat was inside:

And ... voila! I'm now the proud owner of a Starry Designs Bird's Nest pendant!!! (Sorry about the crappy pic, Cindy).Cindy, I LIKE VERY MUCH!!!! Thanks a lot for making this special order. I'm going to show off the pendant tomorrow :D

Cindy has lots of cool things for sale at her Etsy shop: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=14098

Once Upon a Time - SOLD

2007-07-16T11:07:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Dingle-dangles are moonstone, citrine, garnet, peridot & a little sapphire
Bling "hardware": Pendant is gold plated over pewter. All other bits are 14K gold-filled.
Dimensions: Necklace measures about 16 inches; pendant is about 6 cm long

Do you believe in fairies?

I'm not so sure that I do. But then again, when I was about four or five years old, I'm quite certain I saw some little folk one evening in East Malaysia.

They were about 5 inches tall, wore colourful clothes and spoke in high-pitched voices ... and they didn't disappear when I blinked several times, and they didn't seem to mind a curious child looking at them. So who knows!

Maybe that childhood experience explains my lifelong fascination with fairies :)

Here is a Love Fairy (gold-plated over lead-free pewter) who is scattering some love blessings, represented by little gemstones of moonstone, peridot, pink garnet, citrine and one baby sapphire rondell.

The necklace portion (14K gold-fill) is also accented by moonstones and pink garnets. The pendant is a little over 6cm in length and the necklace is currently 16 inches & can be adjusted slightly to suit your needs.

Apart from the fairy which is gold-plated over lead-free pewter, all other gold bits are 14K gold-filled.

Look out for a silver version of this creation which will be posted later.

[Send BlingMail]

Has Anyone Seen My....

2007-07-15T19:47:00.001+08:00

TOES?

When I stand up straight and look down at my feet, I can't find my toes anymore ... HAHAHAHAHHA! They've disappeared!!!

Pictured on the left is what my belly looks like today, at 24 wks and 1 day. Only about 3 1/2 months to go before we meet the little one!

Funny thing is, though the belly is expanding and Little Rascal is growing well, momma has put on only 1kg since the beginning ... probably because I started out "fluffy" anyway :)) Doc is not worried and neither am I. (And yes, I am eating well almost all day long).

Anyways, all is good. Little Rascal is furiously kicking and punching away every day, startling me out of sleep sometimes and people are starting to offer me seats in hawker centres :)))

Oh, and there is always free advice from total strangers and the occasional belly-rub too .. hahahah ... like the bump is public property! :D

Another reason I posted this pic is to celebrate the fact that dreams do come true, even when you have just about given up on them. Ours came true after ten very long years.... and to those of you who are aching for your dream, I wish that it will come true SOON. Babydust!

My Love Is Like A Pink, Pink... - SOLD

2007-07-13T17:11:00.000+08:00

...ROSE!

The title is inspired by the Robert Burns poem which starts

"Oh, my love is like a red, red rose

That's newly sprung in June.

Oh my love is like a melody

That's sweetly played in tune."

I used to loathe poetry in school, but rediscovered a love (ok, a LIKE) for it long after the exams were done :))

I must admit though, that Burns isn't one of my faves (Maya Angelou ROCKS!!!), but the cute roses in this creation so reminded me of that poem.

Annyways, these sweet pink carved roses are a mystery stone :) They are either dyed jade or dyed aventurine or agate or something!

The roses dangle off textured gold-filled frames within which hang little precious ruby faceted rondells.

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled, and the total length of the ear-rings is almost 6cm -- not quiet and subtle at all :))

[Send BlingMail]

Packaging Experiment - Simple Ear-Rings

2007-07-12T00:59:00.000+08:00

I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for pretty packaging :)

So today, I experimented with something new. Pictured on the left is the result!

This is for a simple pair of ear-rings and if I can figure out how to do this efficiently and quickly, it will be the new packaging for all new simple ear-rings.

If the experiment fails (because it takes too much time to pull together), no worries -- you still get your ear-rings in a pretty little pouch and instead of a hand-made card, you still get a hand-written card or note :))

Does packaging matter to you as a customer? What do you look for? I'd love to know what you think. Thanks!

Special Request: "Oh Love!" Ear-Rings

2007-07-11T13:55:00.000+08:00

Just wanted to show a pair of ear-rings (special request) which were made to match the "Oh Love!" necklace.

They mirror the dangles on the necklace and feature the same blue chalcedony brios and little sparkling iolite rondells.

All silver bits are 925 silver.

Thump! Thump! - SOLD

2007-07-10T14:47:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Pink Opal hearts; rhodolite garnet rondells
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Longer heart is 6 cm; shorter heart is 4cm long

One of the most amazing things about finding out you're having a baby is getting to see the heartbeat for the first time.

I count it as one of my personal best moments EVER. At that first ultrasound, even though all you see is a little blob on the screen, what's soooo clear is that flickering little heartbeat, announcing to the world that a new life has begun.

And every day I feel this little rascal kick (and boy can this one KICK), I am thankful all over again for the miracle which is life.

Just think .... we all started out as little miracles :))

So now you know the inspiration behind this piece.

This pair of ear-rings features two milky pink opal hearts with little accents of faceted pink garnet.

They're deliberately asymmetrical, with one side dangling longer than the other. If you prefer, I can make them both long or both short, but I thought the asymmetry added a little more interest.

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled, including ear hooks, wirework and beads.

Topaz & Emeralds - Redone

2007-07-09T14:45:00.000+08:00

Before:

After:
I prefer the newer look with a more substantial inner circle, slightly shorter dangles and of course more emeralds :))

What I must learn to do though is take better pics!!!!

Sorry, I don't have any more of this batch of lemon topaz brios left and so absolutely no remakes are possible.

MAAD Shopping!

2007-07-09T11:51:00.000+08:00

Ohhhhh what fun was had yesterday. I met the uber-talented Cindy (Starry Designs) for the first time, bumped into Belinda and had a fun-filled day supporting local artists. We met at the MAAD market at Red Dot Museum, traipsed through Chinatown and spent way too much time laughing at a bead shop :))))

Here is some of my stash from the MAAD event:

1. Cheeky Onesie & knitted bootees
Aren't these ADORABLE!!! Just could not resist taking a set home.

Betsy Toh of Knotty Bicsie is the creative genius behind these oh so cute onesies and crocheted bootees. The onesies have cheeky slogans such as "I POoD" & "Drama Queen".

What I also love is that Betsy crochets bootees in all sorts of wild colours too, not just the traditional baby blue and baby pink.

2. Necklace from Oriental Rose
I'm wearing this piece right now and for once, feel so "with it" (cos it's usually just pearls in the office). Hahahahhahhahahahaha!

The gorgeous Yiwen of Oriental Rose had almost sold out all her creations by the time I visited her table -- way to go, gal!!!

Sorry about the bad pic. Will try to take another one with better light. This piece has sparkly rhinestones :)))

3. Pendant from Jewel Parlour

I spent quite a bit of time admiring Jewel Parlour's items, especially her pendants like this one which is made from a real stamp. Cute, eh!

This was the only stamp pendant, but she also had lovely Japanese flower prints and angels too.

4. Ear-rings from Wenya Designs

Wenya's was the first table encountered on the way into MAAD and the last one you saw when you went out.

I'm glad I stopped by because Wenya Designs has some really unique creations, such as this pair of tool ear-rings. I would've spent more time admiring, but Little Rascal wanted goreng pisang (banana fritters) and the stall at Maxwell Market was calling :)))

5. Other exhibitors of note

I spent some time at these tables ....

Mad'moiselle Charline - Graphic designer and illustrator who has also appeared on TV before. This sweet french girl has a whimsical sense of humour about her art. Visit her website at http://www.mlle-c.com/

Wahtever! Custom made bags - DARN CUTE BAGS!!!! Check them out at www.iqons.com/shooogar75

Inc. Weddings ... Because Asia needs a Martha Stewart. June takes care of all your wedding, bachelorette party, baby shower needs. Visit http://incweddings.blogspot.com/

ChantiQue Wellness. Newish spa place at Arab Street. They do traditional post-natal massages too ... at your home. http://www.chantiquewellness.com/

Lucky Numbers - ALL SOLD

2007-07-07T10:27:00.000+08:00

Seven is a magical number. To some ancient cultures, it was the number of completion; when you hit the jackpot on the slot machines, it's 777. So it's no wonder that many couples (not just in S'pore, but I just heard on the BBC, in the US & Russia as well) are getting married today, the 7th day of the 7th month of the 7th year of the millennium.

So I decided to take the number 7 and sprinkle in an extra dose of luck with the number 8 as well.

Let me explain ...

In each of these Lucky Numbers creations, there are 7 accent stones. When you add the larger focal gem, you get 8 stones (8 sounds like "luck" in Chinese).

Let's meet each of the three -- 3, to some ancient cultures, was the perfect number! (Gee, there is all this number talk and to think Math was one of my least favourite subjects in school ... hahahha!)

Lucky Numbers - Citrine
The seven accent stones are fresh green peridot (said to be Cleopatra's favourite gem).

The focal semi-precious gem is a lovely faceted Citrine (approx 1.5 carats). Citrine is said to bring abundance :)

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled. Pendant comes with a 16-inch fine gold-filled chain (not shown).

Lucky Numbers - Moonstone
This is my personal favourite because I like the contrast in colours.

The seven accent stones are deep, dark black onyx (said to be a great stress buster).

The larger accent semi-precious gem is a beautifully cut rainbow moonstone briolette. Luckily, the camera captured the little flash of blue this particular brio likes to show off.

The Ancient Romans thought moonstone was created from moonlight and today it is considered a highly protective gemstone especially for women and children.

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled. Pendant comes with a 16-inch fine gold-filled chain (not shown).

Lucky Numbers - Amethyst
Here, the seven accent stones are light lilac Amethyst which help set off the deeper, mysterious purple African Amethyst brio beautifully.

The semi-precious focal gem weighs approximately 2.5 carats.

Amethyst is said to help open the heart chakra so that good things may flow in :)

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled. Pendant comes with a 16-inch fine gold-filled chain (not shown).

[Send BlingMail]

PS. Wire-wrapping technique from Eni Oken's tutorials.

Lucky Seven ~ Precious Ruby (SOLD)

2007-07-06T20:25:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: 3 carats worth of rubies
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant measures about 3cm; Necklace is 16 inches long

Note: Only one piece available at this special price. Absolutely no repeats, sorry!

In honour of tomorrow being lucky seven day, here is a one-off special creation featuring seven precious stones -- six faceted Ruby rondells (total weight approx 1.5 carats) and one flat faceted Ruby briolette (weight approx 1.5 carats).

This piece is similar to "Count Your Blessings" and uses the same wrapping techniques I gleaned from some Eni Oken tutorials.

Pendant is 3cm long and the necklace portion (fine, gold-filled chain) measures 16 inches so that the circle sits just below the neck. The necklace portion will also have some ruby accents.

There will be absolutely no remakes of this piece at this price. And though I am thinking of making similar pieces with other precious and semi-precious gems, this exact configuration is not going to be repeated.

So who will be the lucky owner of this cutie? :)))

What a Cute Curiosity Shoppe!

2007-07-06T20:06:00.000+08:00

A few days ago, I "met" (virtually) a really talented person who runs a quaint online Curiosity Shoppe filled with some unusual treasures.

My favourite items from Mel's Curiosity Shoppe are her Jewellery Trees.

She makes them all by hand and I imagine they take hours and hours and hours of work!

Mel kindly allowed me to post some pics of her beautiful trees here -- thank you!!

In addition to trees, Mel offers "trinkets for the neck, baubles for the ears and bling for the fingers". I like!!

Check out Mel's Curiosity Shoppe at: http://pure-hedonism.livejournal.com/

PS. Click the pics to see larger versions of them

Warm Passion (S$38/US$23)

2007-07-06T12:09:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Andalusite Flat Pears & Faceted Ruby Rondells
Bling "hardware": ALL gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Total length is about 5cm

Read in the paper today that tomorrow is a hot day for weddings because of the lucky 777 -- 7th July 2007.

So that inspired the name for this pair of ear-rings which I was originally going to name, rather unimaginatively, "Andalusite and Ruby".

Hahahhahah! Thank goodness for lucky dates.

The highlight of this piece is relatively rare (according to Wikipedia at least) Andalusite.

Small flat pears of that lovely warm mineral dangle off textured gold-filled frames.

A tiny dose of passionate Ruby adds that little extra zing, as a faceted rondell swings freely within the frame.

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled.

[Send BlingMail]

Find out more about Andalusite; visit these links:

http://24carat.co.uk/andalusiteframe.html

http://www.gemsociety.org/info/gems/Andalusite.htm

What are Precious Gems?

2007-07-05T14:23:00.001+08:00

Traditionally, only these were considered precious gems: Diamonds, Rubies, Emeralds & Sapphires.

And everything else, such as amethyst, topaz, citrine, etc were considered semi-precious gems.

But nowadays, these traditional terms don't mean very much anymore although the traditional precious gems are still valued above other gemstones.

Find out more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gemstone

Being a traditional ole fogey, I'll stick to the old-fashioned classification system in Blingalicious. That means, only rubies, emeralds and sapphires will be referred to as precious gems here :))

Generally, the price of precious and semi-precious gems are determined by a variety of factors including cut, clarity, size, colour & rarity.

Some rare gems/minerals include andalusite (look out for upcoming creations with this relatively rare lovely dark golden cognac coloured mineral!), bixbite and cassiterite.

Another very good site to check out is the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). Just Google "GIA" -- it should be the first link. I can't put the link here because the GIA has stipulated copyright conditions concerning links to their site, but a search is simple and fast.

Topaz & Emeralds Work-in-progress - SOLD

2007-07-05T00:09:00.001+08:00

Bling-mix: Lemon Topaz brios (approx 4.5 carats) & Emerald rondells

Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled

Like "Oh Love!" Topaz & Emeralds is a lariat-style necklace.

Happily, she found a new home very quickly after she was mentioned in the "Oh Love!" post, even though she's not quite ready to leave the Bling workshop yet.

And she's not leaving because I'm not quite satisfied with the look and so am tweaking it till it's just right :))

For example, the dangles will be shorter, I may add more emeralds and I may even use a different size inner circle.

Speaking of circles, I just love that shape! It implies fulfillment, abundance and continuity. And it's the shape of my belly now ... hahahha!

This little sweetie features 4.5 carats worth of fabulously cut Lemon Topaz briolettes and little Emerald (REAL emeralds!!) rondells in shades of deep green and light apple green.

I'll be sure to post a pic when this piece is completed and ready to go to her new owner :))

Giving Credit & Copyright Law

2007-07-04T12:52:00.000+08:00

A year ago, Bead & Button Magazine published a copyright-free article on Beaders' Ethics. You can find the link on the right of the screen (under "Frequently Asked Questions") and now, probably on many beaders'/artists' pages too.

In the latest edition of the magazine, there is also a very interesting editorial (pg 8) on giving credit to those who have inspired or taught us, as well as an informative article on copyright law (pg 73). Though the copyright story is US-centric and Singapore law is slightly different, it still makes for an insightful read.

The biggest lesson I learnt from the two pieces was: Give credit where credit is due. Not as an afterthought when the inspiration for our piece finds out we were inspired by him/her and certainly not because it's "fashionable" to proclaim we're an ethical beader/artist (saying something and DOING something are different) ... but because it's the right thing to do and it can only serve to make our craft better :))

UPDATE:
OK, I'm a huge busybody :)) If you're wildly interested about Singapore Copyright Law and the Internet, a good site to check out is the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore: http://www.ipos.gov.sg/Main/indexpage/index.html

Then click "About IP" --> "Copyright" --> "Frequently Asked Questions". Near the bottom of the page, you'll find a section on Copyright and the Internet.

Happy reading!

Silver Surfer - SOLD

2007-07-04T11:24:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Rutilated Quartz briolettes, faceted rondells of black onyx & labradorite
Bling "hardware": All bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Total length is almost 4.5 cm

NOTE: Name change, inspired by Dawne :))

In this cute little pair of ear-rings, little Rutilated Quartz briolettes dangle off a textured 925 silver frame.

I really like the rutilated quartz brios with their little black slivers (or rutile crystals, hence the name) "growing" through the clear quartz.

These are semi-precious minerals and are said to be great energizers. Some claim that it helps delay the ageing process too ... hahahahaha! Order me a whole mine, please!

Interestingly, quartz is the most abundant mineral on earth, making up about 12% of the earth's crust!

Oh, and I've also found out that Rutilated Quartz has, in the past, been called Venus Hair Stone too.

Accenting the silver frame are little faceted rondells of black onyx and labradorite.

All silver bits are 925 silver.

[Send BlingMail]

BBC Journo, Alan Johnston, Released!

2007-07-04T11:08:00.000+08:00

After almost four months in captivity, Alan Johnston has finally been released!!!! WOO HOO!!!!!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6267928.stm

Oh Love! - SOLD

2007-07-03T11:38:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Blue Chalcedony (approx 4.5 carats), Iolite rondells
Bling "hardware": All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Adjustable from about 16-17.5 inches, dangle is approx 8.5cm

The romance continues! Building on last May's "I *Heart* You," here is a more grown-up version of the necklace.

"Oh Love!" features the same 925 silver Tiffany-esque heart through which streams fine silver chains adorned with Blue Chalcedony briolettes (approx 4.5 carats in total) and dainty little Iolite rondells.

This is a lariat-style necklace ... but with a clasp at the back too.

The pic on the right shows how it could look when worn.

You can put it on like you would a conventional necklace or use it almost necktie-style, pulling the dangles through the heart (great if you're in a rush).

The length of the necklace and dangles are slightly adjustable, depending on how you wear it -- ie. heart higher or lower.

All silver bits, including wirework, chains, clasp and heart are 925 silver.

I've made another version in 14K gold-fill, with lemon topaz and emeralds (yes, the real thing), so look out for it. Final adjustments are being made to that piece right now.

[Send BlingMail]

Strawberries & Cream 3 (S$30/US$18.20)

2007-07-02T14:24:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Strawberry Jasper, Freshwater Pearl
Bling "hardware": All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Total length is about 5.3 cm

Here is the third and final version of Strawberries and Cream.

And no, that craving for ice-cream hasn't gone away yet. Guess what I'll be having for dessert tonight? Hahahhahahhha!

Anyways, ice-cream is good for you -- it has calcium, it's fantastic on a warm day and it makes you feel good. True story!

I hope these ice-cream guys stay in business for a long time. They have a good thing going and best of all, the service is warm and friendly: it's like walking into a friend's house almost.

Back to the ear-rings ... the Strawberry Jasper stones were imported from the US; I'm not sure if they're available here yet (probably yes, but I've been too lazy to go on a hunt).

In this version, simple dyed freshwater pearls help bring out the pinky-red speckles in the stone. All silver bits are 925 silver.

[Send BlingMail]

Strawberries & Cream 2 ($32/US$19.40)

2007-07-02T12:38:00.001+08:00

Bling-mix: Strawberry Jasper, Green Tourmaline, Rhodolite Garnet
Bling "hardware": All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Total length is a little over 4.5 cm

Still on the subject of ice cream, I can't for the life of me remember the name of that ice cream place, but I know exactly where it is if you are interested :))

If you're familiar with the east, it's the first shop in the row of little shops next to Ocean Park.

Last night, after dinner, we shared a large cup (about $4+) of Nutella ice-cream with Oreo Cookies mixed in .... YUMMMMMS.

OK, ok, enough ice-cream talk!

This variation of Strawberries and Cream also features Strawberry Jasper (but a square shape this time) with accents of Green Tourmaline and Rhodolite Garnet.

But this time, I added an oval frame in 925 silver. All silver bits are 925 silver.

[Send BlingMail]

Strawberries & Cream 1 (S$32/US$19.40)

2007-07-02T12:19:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Strawberry jasper, rhodolite garnet & green tourmaline
Bling "hardware": All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Ear-rings are almost 5.5 cm long

In case you were wondering, the "Cream" in "Strawberries & Cream" refers to ice cream :))

I have ice cream on my mind and am crrrraving a delish scoop from this dinky little ice cream shop (it's quite new) near St Patrick's school in the eastern part of Singapore.

They make their own ice cream and you can also choose from a variety of mixes (eg. oreo cookies, gummy bears, rice krispies, etc) which they mix in on the spot for you.

I absolutely love the place (and their ice-cream)! It's like Island Creamery in Bt Timah, but with much better service.

But I digress :) This pair of ear-rings features rather unusual Strawberry Jasper with accents of Green Tourmaline and Rhodolite Garnet. All silver bits are 925 silver.

I made three variations altogether, so look out for them!

[Send BlingMail]

Happy Dolphin - SOLD

2007-06-30T21:14:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Hand-carved Amazonite Dolphin, Freshwater Pearls & Moonstone
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant is about 4cm; you choose the necklace length

Please note: This is the absolute only piece available in this stone, sorry! No modified remakes possible. I do have one last dolphin in rose quartz.

Did you know that 2007 is the International Year of the Dolphin?

I didn't till Googling to find out more about these beautiful, gregarious creatures.

Read all about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(International)_Year_of_the_Dolphin

Taking inspiration from Lucky Seahorse, Happy Dolphin also features swirls of wirework and little accents of freshwater pearls and tiny moonstone beads.

I'm thinking of adding a few more starfish charms too ... I'll collaborate with the new owner on the final touches :))

Pendant measures about 4cm and necklace (fine chain of 14K gold-filled) length is up to you.

All gold bits, including charms, chains and wirework are 14K gold-filled.

[Send BlingMail]

Drrrama! - SOLD

2007-06-30T18:04:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Citrine brios (8 carats), citrine rondells (1.5 carats)
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant is about 8.5cm long; you choose necklace length

Though it doesn't quite show up quite so nicely in photos, this piece is oh so dramatic.

It's definitely a special occasion pendant/necklace -- the kind you'd wear with your hair swept up, with your decolletage dusted with shimmer and this bold piece drawing attention to your face.

Little faceted citrine rondells (total of 1.5 carats) accent one curvy "arm" which ends in a brilliant citrine briolette (approx 4 carats).

At the end of the other curvy "arm" its twin (also approx 4 carats) sparkles.

The pendant is about 8.5cm long. You choose the length of the necklace, though I'd recommend that you keep it relatively short (eg. 16 inches or so).

All gold bits (including wirework, curvy frame, fine gold-filled necklace and clasp) are 14K gold-filled.

[Send BlingMail]

Lucky Seahorse - SOLD

2007-06-29T20:46:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Hand-carved Amazonite seahorse & freshwater pearls
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant is about 5.5cm; you choose the length of the gold-filled chain

Note: Only one available, sorry! But I will be checking with the store to see if there are some more seahorses so that variations can be made -- I never make two items exactly alike to keep each piece as unique as humanly possible :))

In some cultures, seahorses are considered to be very lucky. A quick search on Google didn't say why, but I did find out lots about these cute creatures.

For example, the male seahorse becomes "pregnant" (gestation is just two to three weeks, the lucky things). The female deposits her eggs in the male's pouch and he keeps watch over the little ones.

Most seahorses are also monogamous -- ie. they mate for life. They are voracious eaters: each seahorse consumes about 3,000 tiny shrimps a day! The shrimps are eaten whole as seahorses have no teeth.

This little fella is made of amazonite and I thought to add a little flourish of wirework to depict the ocean's waves.

Carrying on the marine theme are accents of little freshwater pearls and 14K gold-filled starfish.

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled, including chain, jump rings, wire and lobster clasp (not shown). Total pendant length is about 5.5 cm.

I've not attached the necklace (fine gold-filled chain) yet because you get to choose the length.

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Wise as an Owl - SOLD

2007-06-28T10:03:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Tigereye owl, accents of moonstone, black onyx, citrine and andalusite
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant is 7.5cm, you choose necklace length

I wonder why owls are considered to be wise? Could it be because of their huge all-knowing eyes?

Or perhaps can we thank mythology -- the Greek goddess of wisdom, Athena, was always depicted holding an owl.

Whatever the case is, I could not resist bringing this fella home with me when I saw him in the store. Isn't he a cutie?

He sits on a golden "branch" off which dangles accents of moonstone, gold-filled leaves, black onyx, citrine and andalusite.

All gold bits are 14K gold-filled, as are the fine chain and clasp (not shown).

You decide what length you'd like the chain to be; pendant measures about 7.5 cm.

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Chiara - SOLD

2007-06-28T09:53:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Rainbow moonstone (approx 3.5 carats)
Bling "hardware": All silver bits are 925 silver
Dimensions: Total length is about 5cm

"Chiara" (pronounced "kee-ah-rah") means "bright" in Italian and I chose the name because this piece just sparkles. It also describes the mood I'm in :))

Rainbow moonstone brios (approx 3.5 carats) dangle prettily off a highly polished silver frame. In this pic, you can see how the light catches the moonstone and gleams back in a flash of blue.

Look also at the detailing on the frame, with its unending curves which remind me a bit of the Greek eternity waves pattern.

All silver bits -- wirework, frame, jump rings and ear hooks are 925 silver. Ear hooks can be changed to ear posts/studs if you like.

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Simplicity - SOLD

2007-06-26T22:20:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Turquoise teardrops
Bling "hardware": Decorative ear hooks are 925 silver
Dimensions: Total length is a little over 4cm

With the anniversary coming up really soon, I've been reminded of the frenzy of preparations for the celebrations.

Goodness, at that time, I was sooooo taken in with every itty-bitty detail and stressed myself out listening to everybody's aunt's cousin's third uncle's neighbour's comments ... and boy did everyone have an opinion ... hahahhaa!

If I could do it all over again, I'd keep it like this pair of ear-rings -- simple. Just beautiful turquoise drops hanging off fancy 925 silver ear-wires.

After all, the most important thing about a wedding is the commitment two people are making to each other, in the presence of those nearest and dearest.

Now, 10 years on, I wonder how many people really remember what our invitations looked like or whether the flowers were pink or white or what the fifth course was :)

What *I* remember most is the look on my sweetie's face when he saw me enter the church; the love that was reflected on the faces of relatives and friends; the thumping heart while vows were being exchanged .... the mutual respect & love that just grew and grew from that day on ....

If I could do it all over again, my motto would be: Keep it simple, don't sweat the small stuff :))

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Being Hot Ends at 36

2007-06-25T14:00:00.000+08:00

Once you hit 36, say buh-bye to being considerd considered beautiful, hot or appealing. Or at least it *seems* that's what St James Powerhouse (http://www.powerhouse.sg/) would have women who are 36 years and older believe. (Hmmmm, I wonder what they think about men 36 and older).

In The Sunday Times yesterday, there was an article about how St James Powerhouse refused to extend Ladies Night privileges to a woman because she was not a "lady" (ie. she was older than 35).

Whilst any establishment has a right to whatever rules or guidelines they want, I think SJPowerhouse is being terribly myopic, sexist, ageist (is there such a word?) and just plain stupid. And boy does their spokesperson need some serious media training and an urgent infusion of common sense. He had a BAD case of foot-in-mouth disease.

In essence, the way I read the spokesperson's comments, it *sounds* like SJPowerhouse is saying that:

They are a pickup joint (ie. they prefer nubile young things so that the men will come)
Women over 35 damage their profile of being a hip and happening place, especially on Ladies Night. (Out, you old hags!)
They don't mind upsetting women with spending power (the over 35 crowd has arguably more spending power and disposable income) & who probably go there and spend more than *some* younger people who nurse one drink the whole night.
Women over 35 are not ladies (clearly, since Ladies Night does not apply to over-35's. By the way, a quick check of the web site refers to it as GIRLIES NIGHT. HAHAHAHAHAH! How very happening)

I wonder how SJPowerhouse will feel if people over 35 stopped giving them business? After all, the over-35 crowd is not welcome, are they? Oh wait, I keep forgetting ... this is a WOMAN thing.

Oh, in case you are wondering, I ceased being "hot" a few years ago. HAHHAHAHAHH! Yeah, I woke up one February morning and BOOM, that was it.

Stupid goats.

PS. I have a friend who goes clubbing and happily buys 4 - 5 drinks (for herself, and this does not include the people she is with) each time. She knows how to have a good time even though she's above 35. She was going to check out some salsa place at St James, but has decided not to patronize them. She'd rather go where her presence is valued. Clever lady.

Count Your Blessings - SOLD

2007-06-25T11:58:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Moonstone (approx 3 carats) & Freshwater Pearls
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Pendant is approx 4cm long, chain is adjusted to your length

It looks like the designs are taking a slightly romantic tone. (This one is another adaptation of an Eni Oken tutorial). That's because the anniversary is coming up!

Later this week, the sweetie and I celebrate 10 years of togetherness after the "I Do's" .... WOO HOO!!

Gosh, how time has flown. And now, as we mark this milestone, we await the arrival of another milestone into our lives, as we will be "born" into parenthood in early Nov. We are excited and humbled too, at the prospect.

So that is why I named this creation "Count Your Blessings," because all of us have wonderful things to be thankful for.

The moonstones represent two hearts -- it could be husband and wife, parent and child, partner and partner, friend and friend. And they dangle off a golden circle which represents the circle of life.

Accenting the circle are little freshwater pearls which symbolise the ever-continuing round of blessings and good things that we receive.

All wirework and gold components are 14K gold-filled.

Chain can be adjusted to any length you wish, though I would recommend that it looks best a little shorter so that the circle sits just a touch below your neck.

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Fiori - Green Amethyst - SOLD

2007-06-23T18:03:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Green Amethyst (approx 11 carats) faceted briolettes & Tourmaline Rondells
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Ear-rings are almost 6cm long

This is one of my favourites because of the fresh and lively green of the faceted flat amethyst brios, which are a nice size too (approx 11 carats).

The seller said the colour was natural, but I can't verify that. What I do know though is that Green Amethyst is quite popular with collectors :)

Accents are tiny faceted rondells of pink and yellow tourmalines. All gold bits are 14K gold-filled.

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Fiori ~ Amethyst - SOLD

2007-06-23T17:52:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Amethyst Flat Briolettes (approx 9 carats) + Rondells of Amethyst and Tourmaline
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Ear-rings measure a little over 5cm long

I love the deep royal purple of these faceted flat Amethyst brios (approx 9 carats) ... to me, they look so regal and rich.

But then again, I am especially fond of amethyst because it's my birthstone :) I also love that they're supposed to help open the heart chakra to allow good things to flow in.

In this version of Fiori, the amethyst brios get accents of tiny faceted rondells of lilac amethyst and a scattering of pink tourmalines (bringer of friendship & love).

All gold bits (ear hooks, curvy accent & wirework) are 14K gold-filled.

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Fiori ~ Ruby (SOLD)

2007-06-23T17:37:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Faceted Ruby Flat Briolettes, Faceted Tourmaline Rondells
Bling "hardware": all gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: A little over 4cm long

In this version of Fiori, deep pinky-red faceted Rubies (birthstone for July) are the highlight.

The "Queen of Gemstones" wears a crown of tiny faceted pink and yellow Tourmaline rondells.

Rubies are said to impart wisdom, wealth and health to the wearer.

Pink tourmalines are said to bring love and friendship whilst yellow tourmalines is supposed to increase intelligence :)) I could do with a whole lot of yellow tourmaline!!

All gold bits in this piece are 14K gold-filled and the ear posts can be changed to ear hooks if you like.

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Coming Up ~ More Fiori

2007-06-23T11:50:00.000+08:00

I have to dash off to class now, but later this evening, I'll be posting more versions of Fiori -- in green amethyst, ruby and purple amethyst. Here is a sneak preview (happy looking!) ....

For now though, ciao everyone. Buon fine settimana (have a great weekend).

Love Stone - Specially Made for D

2007-06-22T10:51:00.000+08:00

D, I promised you some love stones, so here they are :)

10 carats of smoothly polished pale pink Rose Quartz brios get little accents of pink garnets (Rhodolite Garnet).

Total length is about 3 1/2 cm and you'll notice I used gold (ear hooks and wirework in 14K gold-filled) to go with your other stuff!

I thought many good and positive LOVE THOUGHTS while creating this, so hope it works its mojo :)))

I *heart* you so, dear dear D.

Fiori - SOLD

2007-06-22T00:57:00.001+08:00

Bling-mix: Faceted Yellow Topaz Briolette & Faceted Tourmaline Rondells
Bling "hardware": All gold bits are 14K gold-filled
Dimensions: Total length is a little over 4cm

Like a fresh bouquet of pretty flowers ("Fiori" is Italian for "Flowers"), this pair of ear-rings could well attract attention and compliments for the wearer.

Beautifully faceted Lemon Topaz briolettes are the highlight of this piece. The dainty cuties dance and sparkle in the light.

Accents of multi-coloured faceted Tourmaline rondells help bring out the sunshine yellow of the Topaz.

All the gold parts are 14K gold-filled -- ear posts, curvy accent and wirework.

Interesting Yellow Topaz Info: Though it was a gemstone known to the ancient Greeks (who thought it made the user invisible) and ancient Egyptians (who believed it was a mystical gem associated with the Sun God Ra), Topaz was "officially" discovered in the Middle Ages during a quest to find the "supreme yellow stone".

Today, some believe that Topaz helps with Spiritual Rejuvenation. Yellow Topaz is the birthstone for November.

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Capri (S$32/US$19.40)

2007-06-21T18:41:00.000+08:00

Bling-mix: Dyed Freshwater Pearls
Bling "hardware": All silver bits (ear hooks, flower, wire) are 925 silver
Dimensions: Ear-rings are 5cm long

I've never been to the Isle of Capri, but hear it's a beautiful place.

My grand-aunts visited Capri way back when people took ships instead of planes and they used to tell us the most wonderful stories about all their trips.

In this pair of ear-rings, refreshing turquoise blue blends happily with pistachio green.
Carrying on the vacation feel are the pretty little oxidised silver flower accents at the top.

All silver bits are 925 silver, including ear hooks, spacers, flowers and pins.
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Too Much Is Not Enough

2007-06-21T10:29:00.000+08:00

OK, confession time -- I went cuckoo-mad recently and fell in love with some precious gems. They're now at home with me. Say hello to the new "family" ...

From left to right: Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald. Aren't they ADORABLE?! They're all double- or triple-strand necklaces made up entirely of the precious gems.

Now if only my wallet thought they were cute too, as it's protesting from being overused ... hahahaha!

But like Belinda's friend said, they could become heirlooms.

Seriously, these gemstones are really nice and of good quality (at least to me). They've not been colour or heat treated. Besides, the anniversary is coming up and this is uh .... my prezzie?! Hahahhahahha!

Some other loot came home with these three, so do keep an eye out for them to be included in upcoming creations here and at Belinda's site.

I think our new motto is the same as Beverly Feldman's (LOVE her shoes): Too Much is Not Enough!