My Way of Giving Back

Since its Christmas season and gift giving time, I wondered what I could possibly give back to this business venture I went into. Though I started late, business has been very good to me, I did not encounter any problems or delays in everything that I set my mind into.

I made sure that I put a small part of who I am in every design that I make. Most of which is seen in the colors I choose to combine. Bright and cheerful colors makes a lot of difference in my world.

Also, I did not forget the people who helped me start the business and the people I met along the way. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Happy Christmas to all!

Thank You Friends

Since I started my own business officially latter part of September, I have been busy most days. I buried myself with creating beautiful pieces for my clients at the same time engaging with making the business very visible over the net. Overtime I have discovered a lot in my jewelry making skills and have been very excited to carry out new design ideas. I felt like an overhauled engine - with ideas swimming in my mind and an enthusiasm to go for the gold so to speak.

But my dream of getting better at my craft would not be realized without the help of friends.

Thank you so much Alby for believing in my talent. You have been a great source of inspiration and a boost when I have doubts and feel insecure. Looking forward to joining your dream team soon!

Thank you so much dear cousin Meg for inviting me to join you at the IRRI bazaar. I had so much fun and never dreamed of meeting other jewelry artists. My work was so much appreciated and generated a lot of orders. Till our next gig!

I do believe that God gave each and everyone of us special talents, talents we have to tap into and harness. Yet no matter how we utilize our talents, we have to recognize that we cannot do it alone. We need people to help us draw out those gifts. I am so glad to be in the company of people who understands and helps me grow.

IRRI Bazaar - Update

The bazaar at IRRI hosted by SINop (Society of IRRI Non-Research Professionals) was always well attended. This year's beneficiary is an orphanage also in Los Banos Laguna.

This is my first official solo bazaar for the year. I was invited by a cousin who used to work at IRRI. I had a great time chatting with buyers and mingling with other concessionaires. I met a lot of artist sellers. One seller was showcasing her handmade paper beads, another showed different swarovski crystal jewelry creations, one was selling all pearl accessories, a group of expat wives exhibited their glass bead jewelries, another seller featured her all seed bead jewelry collection. There were a lot of jewelry artist in the show but surprisingly all of us have our own medium to exhibit. I believe there was no air of competition among jewelry artists present. Everyone had their share of ohhs and ahhs. A first among the many shows I have participated in the past. I hope to be in the company of different artists who try to excel in their chosen craft as I am more inspired to do good and improve my own.

The day ended with a bang still, my cousin and I have finished loading our stuff in her car when a few women approached us and requested to see our goods. We gladly opened our boxes again and made sales in the car. How cool was that!

IRRI Bazaar

My collection will be showcased at IRRI on November 17, 2010 for their annual bazaar. Lots of amazing stuff awaits you. I would also like to invite you to be the first to take a peek at what is in store for 2011.

See you there!

2010 Collection: Copper Bracelets

As I have shared with you with my previous posts, I love working with both aluminum and copper wires. Maybe you have observed that they come in pairs. And since I have released my aluminum bracelets about a month ago, you can now enjoy my copper bracelet collection here.

With this collection, I dubbed my hand with a bit of chainmaille, specifically the byzantine chain. Making the byzantine chain took a lot of time and perseverance. It was not an easy task, that is why I was so happy when I was able to finish not only one but two. With the byzantine chains in hand, I also tried my luck with making charms out of beads. I would like to label them as beads with a twist. They brought color, cheerfulness, and gaga to an all copper colored chain. I also played with different crazy designs I could create with copper wire to complete my first ever Copper Bracelet Collection.

Come and visit me at flickr. Enjoy!

2010 Collection: Aluminum Earrings

The first project I made using large wire gauges are earrings. They are fun and easy to make. I also do not consume a lot if and when I encounter difficulties that warrant me to just disregard that particular piece. Yup, I made a lot of mistakes in the past, most of which was marring the wire and eventually throwing it away.

Now, every time I make earrings, I compare them with having a vacation. I do not tire myself too much with one piece and can move on to another in just a few minutes. Gratification is instant! That's one reason I love making them. Also, I consider them as one of my best sellers in bazaars and commissioned work. They make good one of a kind souvenirs during debuts and all girl parties. I just did that when I turned a year older about two months ago. My friends loved them and wore them the minute they opened their gifts of appreciation.

To share with you my inspiration/s with making earrings....well everything I see around my room is an inspiration. I do my earring work in front of the television, on a Crime and Investigation channel. Don't ask me why but I had fun doing them =) You can view them here.

2010 Collection: Copper wire Earrings

Feel free to browse some of my 2010 Collection: Copper Wire Earrings at my flickr account. These earrings are made with non tarnish copper wire and is very lightweight. Many of my clients attest that they do not notice they are wearing earrings when they wore these.

My inspiration with making these are circles. From my wigjig tool to anything round found in my room inspired me with these collection. Even the triangle earring has rounded edges!

These designs are one of a kind and they make such a good conversation piece. Some are made with plain copper wire, some are wrapped and one was made with seed beads. Its a good piece to give as gifts or souvenirs or an addition to your growing earring collection. So grab a pair now and see for yourselves. Enjoy!

2010 Collection: Aluminum Bracelets

Finally my 2010 Collection: Aluminum Bracelets are now showcased at flickr. I had a lot of fun working with aluminum wire since it is the second wire medium I fell in love with. Of course the first one being copper wire. Heehee

Since I started beading and joining bazaars I have always been fascinated with charms. And since I love wearing bracelets, I figure, why not include bracelets with charms in my product line. At first, I used to gravitate with metal clay charms and assemble different designs in one bracelet, this style appealed to mostly teenage gals as they themselves choose the charms under the "make your own charm bracelet" scheme I had. Now that I want to concentrate with wire, I discovered that I will be able to awake more of my creative self if I will make my own charm bracelet from scratch. Hence the wonderful journey towards charm bracelet nirvana.

There were a lot of inspirations making the bracelets, but most often than not I get them when I'm watching anything that involves crime and investigation. I do not how and why, but I do. Good thing with this project, as often as I can, I do not and will not replicate anything that I do but with the lovely and lightweight charm bracelets, I could easily do the whole thing in just over 30mins. As I have said earlier, they are lightweight, handmade, made of aluminum wire, easily cleaned (after using clean it with a soft cloth) and very affordable. Didn't I tell you it sells like hotcakes!

2010 Collection

I have been quite busy the last few days. I have all this ideas swimming in my head waiting to be carried out. At the top of my long list is to be able to make a lot of wire + bead bobby pins. Now, if you'll gonna ask me, why make something with bobby pins? Well, its because of these bobby pins that I first fell in love with wire.

I think it was the year 2004 or 2005 if I'm not mistaken. A good friend, Mabel Santiago-Rubia sent an invite for a beading class. Outcome of which is to be used as charms for scrapbook pages. There were 8 women who signed up and were all eager to make butterflies and dragonflies. The materials that were handed out contained wire (in different colors),beads (seed beads) and bobby pins. It took about 4 hours for the whole class to make a bobby pin butterfly, a hanging dragonfly, and a butterfly decorated card. I was never a wire lover but after the class I went on hunting for wires in all colors and in all sizes to use as charms for my scrapbook pages. But I never made anything with the wires that I had, so much so that I never made a scrapbook page with a wire + bead charm on it. Now, who would have thought that I would turn out to love wire and beads? And who would have thought that I would be excited as to embark on a new business venture out of wire + beads?

In appreciation to the tutorial of my good friend, I have posted my 2010 collection at flickr highlighted by my bobby pins.

Enjoy!

Welcome!

Let me welcome you to my new creative home! In this new home, I will start by sharing with you my love story with handcrafted jewelry and the things that inspire me and the people who encourage me to design. As I share with you my story, I would like to hear your stories too. I would also let you in the process of my creative progress. As I explore my artistic self, your feed backs and reactions to my designs will be most welcome and much appreciated. These will help me discover more of myself and of what I am capable of innovating. I will not promise you anything for now, but one thing is for sure, both of us will be in a busy ride full of surprises.

Its Official!

Yes, its approved! My business name Carrie Cordero Handcrafted Jewelry Designs is now recognized by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI). Woohoo!

A blessed day indeed!