2011 Crystal Bead Series

The Crystal Bead Series is a mixture of different kinds and sizes of crystal beads used as centerpiece of a necklace. The series will mainly focus on the small to the smaller bunch of crystal beads. It aims to draw out how beautiful and intricate jewelry pieces could emerge out of a simple, plain and small bead.

Every piece is handcrafted and handwoven. Materials in this series will mostly consists of enameled copper wire and artistic copper wire with the crystal beads. For the series' initial offering - The Pink Crystal Collection!

*** Pink Crystal Collection - Wanda (2 inches long including bail)

*** Pink Crystal Collection - Twisted Frame (1.4 inches long including bail)


*** Pink Crystal Collection - Smiley (1 inch long and 1 inch wide)


*** Pink Crystal Collection - Siren (1.8 inches long including bail)


*** Pink Crystal Collection - Nucleus (1.7 inches long)


*** Pink Crystal Collection - Helix (2 inches long including bail)


*** Pink Crystal Collection - Butterfly (1.2 inches long including bail with 1 inch wing span)

*** Pink Crystal Collection - Basket (1.5 inches long including bail)


Enjoy the collection as there will be more surprises coming.

More to Come Soon

There were a lot of things that went through my plate the past few weeks, some were manageable, some were nerve wracking while some almost made me cry. Though through those moments I never forgot to find a homely environment with my beads and wire. I was able to make a few pieces here and there and I felt so relaxed and ready to gear up for another hitch. One more handicap and soon I will be able to post new materials in the blog.

Stay tuned for new, small, light pink, and flowery pieces!

Inspiration Feature: Jonas Diego

For my first inspiration feature, I am very glad to share with the story of a very good friend and the person who made my very elegant banner, Jonas Diego.

"I’ve been drawing as far as I can remember but not really because I was oozing with talent.

I had a very bad case of asthma when I was very young. The slightest bit of exertion would see me wheezing trying to catch my breath. So, while the rest of the neighborhood kids would run around and do stuff that kids do, I was frequently indoors warned to keep my physical exertions to a minimum lest I induce an attack.

Thus I occupied myself by reading (I actually learned to read and draw before I went to school thank to Sesame Street) and drawing. My mom would bring me a copy of Funny Komix every Wednesday and my grandmother was more than happy to provide me with all the scratch paper and pencils that I wanted. I was copying all the colorful characters to be found between its pages and pretty soon I was making up my own.

I never thought I could make a career out of it however. I was led to believe that art was just a hobby to occupy my down time before I went off to college to become something else that was more stable.

During college, chancing upon a comic book with some pretty amazing art, I was surprised when a classmate pointed out that the artist was a Filipino and said that he knew the guy. Thus I was introduced to now good friend Gerry Alanguilan who was kind enough to meet a guy he didn’t know from Adam.

Through him I learned that making comic books can be a serious job and one can actually make a living out of it.

“People get paid to do this!?”

Up until that time, I thought artists just made comic books for fun like I did.

That chance meeting inspired me to create my first “serious” comics, The Book of John. I sold all of the copies for all three issues, which was pretty amazing now that I think about it because there was no place to sell them back then. There were no conventions and no stores would accept consignment of photocopied comics.

Most people learned about my comic through word of mouth and bought copies directly from me or through a common friend. Those were heady days for me.

That experience galvanized my resolve that, even though I’m not sure if I had talent and imagination enough to make it in the comic book field, I would at least give it a try so as not to regret not even attempting the adventure later.

Artists I look up to:
Adam Hughes, Tom Grummet, and Kelley Jones.

Person with the most impact on me, art-wise:
Gerry Alanguilan for turning me to the Dark Side.

Tips for improving:
Practice. It's a cliche but practice does make perfect.

Inspiring others:
I try to maintain a low profile so if ever I do serve as inspiration to others I'd have to say that I probably do it more by example than anything else.

Latest and upcoming projects:
Two upcoming graphic novels: School of Hard Knocks and Stories from Barangay Eternity.
The KOMIKSTRIP 2011: UPLB's very own Comic Book Convention"

Now you see why I had him make my banner!

Thank you Jon for sharing your story, you ROCK!

What's in store for 2011?

Its a day late but....Happy New Year Everyone!

The holidays are over and its time to get back on my creative chair and wear my creative hat.

There are a lot of things on my mind that I would like to carry out this year. First on the list is to share a monthly "Inspiration Feature" on my artist friends. I am so blessed to have a couple of friends who engage in different art mediums and I would like you to know them. See how they express themselves through their art, where they get inspiration, who influences them and how they stimulate others to fire up their artistic self.

Second is to devote more time to learn and harness my skills with handling wire. There are a lot of things that can be made with wire, I would probably be concentration on making pendants for now. I am now dipping my luck with wire wrapping and wire weaving. As of this time I have created quite a few pieces, one of which I have just shared in my last entry.

Third is to join shows/bazaars that require formal application and screening. That way I would know where my craft stands. I think it is good practice to know how my craft will fair with others...not for competition but to know if I still need to learn and practice more. Having a bad day is normal but having a bad creation is awful.

Lastly, I hope to share my story and few knowledge with other budding jewelry artist. Honing our craft is not at all easy especially when we do not have other people to inspire us. I was very blessed to have mentors like Mabelle Rubia (traditional scrapbooking and seed beading), my cousin Lia Arellano (basic beading). Like them I hope to influence one artist in my lifetime.

Lets see how my 2011 be like.

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!