yesterday, today, and tomorrow

This is a yesterday, today, and tomorrow piece that I put together to remind me that I cannot dwell so much on yesterday since it's already gone. All I can do is reminisce the sweet memories I made and the people I shared it with. . . Today is where I have to focus all my energy...and the tomorrow is as grand as I want it to be.. hence the cascading crystal on this pretty little dangles. They are made of the finest ~ swarovski crystals and sterling silver. Enjoy!

I sold some of these already, they're a hit for stocking stuffers.

tfr!

rose/mauve spiral

This color combination proved to be my most popular for 2008. I've several of these combinations in bracelets, earrings, and lariat!

I enjoy making custom jewelry for my customers delight! Keep it coming... I am here to grant your wish!



tfr!

Colleen's Gifts

I'd like my df to know how I appreciate her business. She did some xmas shopping from my "jewelry box" and I really enjoyed it! it's always nice to know that my creations are worth other people's attention. It's very humbling.

Have a great day!
tfr

I am in the mood for glass pearls

I am making these "babies" for my holiday giveaways. I just want to extend my "thank you's" to people who help my little business running... and most of all for choosing my designs among others. From the bottom of my heart, I am so thankful!

I used gp wires for the links, 2 different glass pearl sizes (they're Japan-made), and assortment of different gp toggles. I know that whoever they find these bracelets to be worthy of using, will appreciate the work that goes with each of them.

Now, now, I have to stop here because I have to make at least twenty five of these....

tfr!

Earring Burst #1

Here's another creation from my "studio". I am happy to share with you Earring Burst #1. It is made using Vintage Swarovski ss47 Saturn. It is an undrilled rivoli covered with delicas, 15/0 miyuki glass beads and 15/0 charlottes. If you have any questions on how to make it or how you could get one, just drop me a line.

tfr!

tubular crochet ~ choker and earring set

Here's my take on the mauve/black diamond/crystal order that Lorraine made last month. I strung a pattern of different colors and kinds of seed beads. I use the miyukis since they look so uniform and perfect for this project. I also used the German made top stitching thread to crochet the beads together to make this elegant piece. I did not want to put all my hard work in vain so I used the sterling silver findings to finish off my set. I am looking forward to make my own findings in the near future...






This necklace will be a Christmas gift for her daughter. I hope that she will love this for I love creating this set of jewelry.







tfr!

Etsy Mini

I did not really know what to do with my etsy shop right now. I was so excited when someone bought from me but then I got nothing after that. Maybe it's the present economy or maybe I have to adjust my prices. Anyway, I started browsing the site and found etsy mini where you can make widget of your creations to show off on your other personal website. Well, I'll try my luck using this service and see what happens after that. Here's what I've got from the etsy mini...



Wish me luck. tfr

Peyote Crazy

I've been making stretchy peyote bracelet every night this week that I think I'm becoming peyote crazy! I like to use Miyuki cubes and triangle glass beads for these projects. I like mixing the different color and texture beads that I have. Sometimes, I use the already mixed beads that I buy from the local bead shop. They're fun and easy to make. Furthermore, they don't need any toggles and usually fit to 6-8 inches wrist depending on the bracelet size you prefer.

Please don't get me wrong, I enjoy every moment that I am beading each bead to make a lovely piece. Each piece is unique even if you use the same color mix. I think that's why I enjoy making them. I love the randomness of each piece! I hope you do the same.

Here are my peyote products for this week:

This bracelet is made with pinks and some browns...

I made this bracelet using blue, bluegreen, and steel color-lined

triangle glass beads made by miyuki. I love it!

This one is made using all the shades of red that I have in my stash.

This is also made with triangle beads. I love red!

This is a Red Hat Society version of my triangle peyote bracelets.
I hope you'll find it a fitting gift for your red hatter friend.

This bracelet is made with square miyuki glass beads.

If you like red, this is for you!

This one is made with blueberry pie mix. I love it!

Moonstone mix of miyuki squares.
I hope you enjoy my new creations! Take care and have a great day!

tfr

Rainbow Peyote

The following pictures are taken when I finished this rainbow mix of 8/0 triangle miyuki. The beads are color-lined and looks like they're in a bubble! This is my first attempt to using triangle glass beads using a special beading thread that is not elastic. I am so used to making peyote band or bracelet using elastoma by bead smith or elasticity by beadalon. I like to use the best materials in the market because I believe that my clientele, or whoever is destined to use my pieces deserves only the best.

I hope you liked this one as much as the previous projects that I made. Have a great day!

tfr

Precious Blood Craft and Christmas Bazaar

My adopted grandmother, Lola Connie, and I rented a table for this year's Christmas Bazaar at the local church. I always look forward to events like these because it's a great way to meet people and to share what I love do.

The bazaar runs for two days from 8 am to 4 pm. My dh, McKale and I went to the church social hall very early to display the jewelry that I made. I thought it would be nice to give myself plenty of time to look around to see what other vendors are selling. I've meet people I know and made new acquaintances.

After meeting people and talking to people who seems to appreciate my creations but not the price, the day became a little bit of a drag. I went there to "count the money" I made at the end of the day... but we just even out with the expenses for going there.

The second day was even challenging than the first. More people came for the bargain! I don't think I was ready for it. Anyway, there was a lady who really liked the earrings I made, the Earring Burst #1, and kept coming back to my table to admire it... She said that that was the most beautiful earrings she has ever seen hand made... Then she said that she forgot to bring her glasses which means she can't read my tag. She asked for the price, I read it to her, she then proceeded to tell me how ridiculous my price was. Then she left almost disgusted. She probably thought that she's just going to pay a dollar for it. I feel bad. It was not a good feeling for me. I just cannot afford to "donate" my efforts.

I learned a lot today. We decided that bazaars will not really work with us. I think that bazaar-goers look for cheap deals. I am not saying that my prices are too expensive, because they are not. In fact, my colleagues and other people who know how to really appreciate handmade art.

This incident is now in my past and I charge this one to my experience.



tfr!

welcome to my site

Make yourself at home. Let me introduce myself. My name is Vicenta and my nickname is Yen.

Since I was a child, I have always worked on many handmade projects. I taught myself to crochet, counted cross-stitch, sewing, scrapbooking, and now, beading. Jewelry making (beading) is a new passion for me, a way to express my creativity and release the stress of the day. I found it to be a very therapeutic hobby. The various projects I’ve worked on over the years had always fit in between home and work.

With my husband’s support and encouragement, and the inspiration I’ve got from my son and other people, I have found a way to focus my creativity to a new direction and can be proud to share my handmade items with you. I personally design and create each piece of jewelry and have very high standards (it's the perfectionist in me!), so you can rest assured that you are purchasing items of the highest quality. I take pride in using the materials available in the market.

I also would like to give my friend, Mira, a shoutout for creating the initial page of this blog and for inspiring me to blog. I didn't realize you can get paid by blogging - - - for sure!

What else can I say but Wish me Luck!


tfr!

Finally Finished

My colleague asked me to make her a necklace using a certain kind and color beads that I thought would be easy to find but I was mistaken. This fringe miyuki bead mix took me forever to get my hands on! I can't believe it!

I like to go to a "mom and pop" bead shop instead of big giant craft stores. Well, my friend over at the little mom and pop store was patiently waiting for the order to come in, including the beads I want to buy from him. It seems like he kept rescheduling the date the order comes in. I understand how things can be in the mail, therefore, I patiently waited. It took me two Wednesdays after I looked for it somewhere else.

When I finally had my hands on these little darlings, I did not waste time - I made the necklace with care, pride, and such joy as I always do with my other creations. I am happy that it look really nice when I finished the piece.

I used sterling silver for the closure.

The appreciation I've got from my colleague when I gave her her order was just a pleasure to see. The thought of knowing that someone will use what I've made for special or even casual occasion and take care of it - is just encouraging. For my colleague, I thank you for doing business with me.

tfr

Thanks Mira

I just would like to thank my friend Mira for taking time to start a blog page for me. I've made too many beaded jewelry over the summer. They're way too many for me to wear so I started to bring them to work for my colleagues to admire and eventually to buy!

My friend suggested to blog my work for additional exposure. She, not just made a simple suggestion, even made a page for me! I just thought it was so nice of her. To show my gratitude and to challenge myself to write, I made a little promise to myself to cultivate that little writer in me!

I am new to the Blogging World so I am still learning. Any mistakes I make is in this world is allowed and actually encouraged! If one can learn from the mistakes he/she makes, success then is at hand.

Again, thank you Mira.



tfr

burst #2

These bursts can be used as pendant or earrings or anything you want them to be! They made with vintage Swarovski Rivolis, 11/0s miyukis, 4 and 8mm Swarovski bicones stitched together using a fireline thread.

tfr!

Tubular Crochet Beads

This is a fun activity to do! That is, if you don't have anything in your "to do" list. I happen to meet a woman at a bead store this week. She sparked my interest after she showed me her unfinished tubular crochet bead project. I thought it was very nice of her to share what she's doing. During the course of the conversation, though, she stressed several times how it can be challenging/hard to finish a piece. I thought I could share in the challenge. So, what do you think I did the first time I had a chance to have time all for my own? Yes, you guessed it right. I used that all-so-quiet-time to string ten, yes ten, different stringing patterns, colors, and kinds of beads on a button and top stiching thread. I could not wait how they will look like when I will have a chance to crochet them.

Well, wish me luck in this new beading adventure. I hope I won't waver in this kind of challenge. I promise to share with you the pictures of my crochet creations soon.




tfr

A Beading Class with Carolyn

I met Carolyn during the 2 - week workshop that my job offered in exchange for some technology goodies and professional development hours for my classroom. I took that workshop without realizing I would meet some of the nicest people in the "teaching bubble", well, Carolyn's one of them. She asked me if I would like to go to a beading class with her (I brought some of my beaded lanyard creations for them to see).

There's a lot of room for learning, so the last day of July this year was spent with learning how to make stretchy peyote bracelet. This is my first peyote piece. I chose the miyuki cubes - surf and sand mix. It was a very productive night for me. We both went home happy for what we've accomplished. For a first timer like myself, I could not ask for more.

In case you're wondering how much the class is, it's $35 including the materials. That's why we got hooked!

I'm wearing the finished piece - the fruit of my labor!

Our teacher, Debra, owner of Bead & Wire shop in Seekonk, Ma.

The finishing touch - ups. (I am almost done!)

I am finished! I was the first one to finish in our class.


Carolyn is almost done. I love the colorway that she had chosen.


Carolyn's finish piece. Now, we're totally hooked!

Other ladies comparing their pieces with mine. We agreed that each is unique although we have the same mix of colors. It's amazing!

This is all for now. I am a happy camper today!

tfr!