My latest project, beaded rug hanging wall decor. I've just finished the first one with various garden flowers design. All the plant parts were made of colorful seedbeads , hand-shaped into assorted flowers, stems and leaves. The soil and stone at the bottom part was made of beads also, crazy cut Jasper precious stones. Perfect to look like a real stone. The butterflies are ready-made beads in its shape. It took me three days to finished the project.
Now, I'm working on my second beaded rug. Bouquet of flowers with big ribbon design. This time the flowers were made of big flower beads, seedbeads stems and beaded ribbon. Still thinking of design for the bottom part. Not yet through with present project, but a new idea came immediately for my next rug design which is a bouquet in basket.
Most of my designs are that of garden flowers, which show my love for flowers and feminity. I dreamed before that my living room decor will all be flowers in different crafts and uniquely made by me. Each time I'm through with a project, as if I don't want to offer it for sale. I wanted to display them all in my home. But need to share them to others through my business. In that way, my works of art in my fashion and home accessories can add beauty to every person and home.
Beaded rug wall hanging decors...my new hot items for the next trade fair!
I missed my beadworks, especially my current project - beaded rug hanging wall decor.
I was gone for an out of town business trip for four days and could not bring my beadworks due to many materials and tools needed. Instead, I brought along with me my paper quilling craft. I was able to finished two projects - "Health is Wealth" with fruits and vegetables paper quilling designs and "Faith, Hope, Love" with various flowers design. So comfortable with paper quilling, you can do paper rolling while car is travelling and when not on the go, I put on the glue to fix the design and shape. All I need are my book, corrugated sheets, small paper quilling organizer...and of course my eyeglasses. I do this craft on my trip during work breaks at day and at night while watching my favorite TV show.
Now back to beadworks....the beaded rug hanging wall decor with a garden of flowers design. Before my trip, just finished designing beaded wallets and body bags. I will never run out of ideas regarding beadworks!
Paper quilling craft is very enjoyable and easy to do . You can have many creations out of it. My very first paper quilling project was done during one stormy day. It was a garden design with different flowers and insects. I have it framed and hanged in our living room together with my other handcrafted wall decors.These paper quilling instructions will help you get started on the amazing art or paper quilling.
Take a strip of quilling paper and tear it in half, or even quarters. Do not cut it with scissors as the sharp edge will be more noticeable in the finished shape. The soft, torn edge is less visible.I would advise you to begin with the slotted quilling tool that is normally provided in a quilling starter kit. Later you may want to move on to using a needle tool or toothpick. A good tip to keep in mind is that when using the slotted tool you turn the tool, whereas with the needle tool you roll the paper around the tool, keeping the tool still.
Paper quilling instructions:
A. Rolling your first coil - take your piece of paper and gently put the end into the slot in the tool. Make sure that only the tiniest bit of paper protrudes through to the other side of the slot.Then, holding the tool in your dominant hand and the paper between your other thumb and index finger, slowly turn the quilling tool so that the paper winds evenly around the tip.
- Try to keep the edges of the paper lined up. Keep some tension on the paper as you are turning the tool, but don't tug too hard or you may tear it!
- When your quarter length strip is all wound around the tool hold it in place for a moment so that the paper can "remember" its position. Then let go and turn the tool upside down, allowing the quilled coil to fall off onto the table. The paper will begin to uncoil a little, don't panic, it is supposed to do that. Leave it to "relax" a little and then when it stops uncoiling use a toothpick with a tiny dot of tacky glue on the end to stick the end of the paper in place. Hold the paper together for a moment or two until the glue dries.
- As we are practicing, pick another color of paper and make another coil. Make perhaps a dozen before we move onto the next stage.
B. Shaping your coils
- Sometimes you will want to leave your coils as circles, but often you will squeeze and manipulate them into different shapes to build up your picture.
The teardrop
Pick up your coil and with the thumb and index finger pinch it together forming a shape with a point at one end and leaving the other end rounded. This is a useful shape for flower petals.
The petal
Taking your teardrop shape, gently press your pointed end to one side to curve it over.
The marquise or eye shape
Take another coil and this time hold it between the thumb and index fingers of both hands. Pinch tightly with both hands to form points at each end. The marquise is one of the most useful shapes in quilling.
The leaf
Make another marquise but this time after pinching the ends move them in opposite directions creating a twist in the shape.
The half moon or crescent
You will need your quilling tool again for this shape. Take one of your coils and push the handle of the tool into the circle, squeezing the two ends to form points.
The triangle
A slightly tricky one this time. Holding the circle between your index fingers of each hand, push the bottom of the circle up with your thumbs to create a triangle. Pinch the three corners to sharpen them up.
The tulip
Start by making the teardrop shape but before letting go of the pinched end push it back into the main part of the circle to form an indentation. Sharpen up the two outside points if required but they can be left rounded.
Bunny ear or shield
Similar in appearance to the crescent, this shape is made without using the quilling tool as a former. Holding the coil in one hand use the index finger on the other hand to push an indentation into the circle. Then pinch the two resulting points to sharpen up the shape and make the ears.
The arrow
First make a teardrop by pinching one end. Then, holding the pinched end, use your finger to push the other end towards your other hand forming an indentation. Pinch the points to sharpen up the shape.
The star
Make a marquise as before, then turn the shape 90 degrees and repeat, pinching two more points to make a star. Press hard at each point to sharpen up the shape.
The square
This one needs both thumbs and both index fingers! Hold the circle between all four digits and gently press into a square shape. Squeeze each corner to transform your circle into a square.
The holly leaf
A pair of pointed craft tweezers are useful when making this shape which is, of course, great for quilled Christmas cards.
Squeeze your circle together in the center using your tweezers. Using your fingers pinch one end and push it towards the center, repeat at other end to form a holly leaf shape.
I am fond of buying cute yet cheap items in bazaars, fairs or tiangges. I dreamed that one day I’ll be the one selling items out of my creative instincts. I love making my own accessories and that will be the right business for me that will show my personality a lot.
November 2008 I scouted for raw materials for accessories in time for Christmas. I worked on woven seedbeads and charmed chain bracelets. I was the first buyer for my first creations as Christmas gifts instead of buying other items. It inspired me to learn various bead weave in the internet. I registered my business with DTI by June 2009 where I learned of their free training for basic accessory making for CLEEP (Comprehensive Livelihood and Emergency Employment Programs). I joined to learn more and get referrals for trade fairs in Malolos City. On July 2009, I was surprised to be invited as DTI’s trainor for their accessory making class in other towns of Bulacan. At first, I hesitated since I was just new in the business. However, I thought that at least I have the basic knowledge whereas there are many who have zero know-how on accessory making. I accepted the challenge and shared my skills to livelihood participants in Norzagaray, Baliuag, Obando and Calumpit. The experience familiarized me more with different kinds of beads in a short span of time.
DTI And PCEDO paved the way for my first provincial trade fair for Bulacan’s Singkaban Festival last September 2009. It was a very fruitful, satisfying and profitable first fair for me. Customers liked my cute, very feminine and unique accessories. Most of them became my regular customers and contact me even when there is no trade fair. My fair exhibits continue to bloom until now through the support of my family. My husband is in charge of my booth preparations, my eldest for computer works (tags, calling cards, pictures), my youngest in packaging and I do product designing and production. I have trained several friends to help me during big fairs and to help ease their boredome as accessory making is therapeutic.
Presently working on home accessories which will still include beads as their basic design. Continuous learning and training is a must to give my customers new designs every trade fairs. Inspirations will always be there from Him whom I bring back all the praises for the creativity He has given me to make this business-hobby possible.
Paper beads are beautiful and very useful just like other beads in craft shops, yet they are very cheap in materials and so easy to make. You can recycle any kind of papers for this project, most especially those old glossy magazines. You can make a variety of shapes, colors and designs and turn to fashion accessories, home accessories or any other things. Paper beads making will be a nice project for students and a good parents-kids bonding/activity during vacations, weekends and parties. Also, a good livelihood business or a great fun as a hobby.
Procedure:
- Cut out thin triangular strips of paper , 1/2" or less base with about 5" height.
- Have a thin stick to roll the strip from the base up to the tip and seal with a glue, then remove the stick.
- The size and shape of your paper beads will depend on the size of paper strip you will cut. You can vary your strip sizes to have beads variations.
- Brush your beads with paper varnish to make it hard.
Enjoy paper beads making!
Phoenix-Citrine Bracelet
One of the four celestial creatures of feng shui and is the king of all the winged creatures. This magnificent and legendary bird is analogous with good fortune that is associated with opportunity luck. The phoenix symbolizes resilience - rising from the ashes of loss and destitution to soar to great heights of success and prosperity. At its best, the phoenix brings amazing turn around luck. Just when you think that all is lost, it opens new channels & opportunities in your work and career.
Mongoose Charm Bracelet
The mongoose resembles the domestic rat sitting on a bed of inggots and coins - a principal wealth creator that brings awasome luck to the wearer - it is a great wealth energizer and overcomes bad luck.
Piyao-Fish Charm Bracelet
A charm for happiness, abundance and protection. Fish a symbol of relationship bliss and bountiful blessings, combined with the Pi Yao that protects us from bad luck.
Monkey on Horse Charm Bracelet
A great promotion charm bracelet for those who are looking upward mobility in career and business.
Ruyi Charm Bracelet
Great for career luck! It gives total power and authority to the wearer. Wearing Ruyi charm is great wealth and stability enhancer.
Monkey-Elephant Charm Bracelet
The monkey-elephant pair bracelet symbolizes a stable and unshakable career helping you get to the position and helps to keep you there.
Lettuce Charm Bracelet
Lettuce symbolizes the rising fortune. Wear one now and be instant wealthy person mixed together with the gourd which symbolizes good health and longevity, carved in jade, an over all wealth and health stone, make this charm perfect for anyone.
Deer Charm Bracelet
The deer is a very popular symbol associated with speed, endurance and long life. The deer in Chinese sounds like the word "lu", which means good income and prosperity. As such, the deer also signifies wealth. Together with its other meaning, the deer means a long life filled with wealth and prosperity.
PIYAO - ushers good luck and fortune
- generates good feng shui or earth luck
- elevates wealth and riches
- protects individuals and home
- drives away evil, obstacles and hardship
- brings windfall luck
DEER - speed, endurance and long life
- signifies wealth
BAT - emblem of happiness and longevity
LAUGHING BUDDHA - wealth, life-fulfillment and happiness
NUMBER 8 - represents 8 magical realms in heaven
- pacifies 8 types of harm to gain entry to the right path
- brings turnaround luck from bad to good
- blesses the wearer with monetary gains, wealth, good
fortune and abundance
CABBAGE OR PAK CHOY - prosperity luck
TECHIE - Training Enhancement for Competitiveness Harnessing Innovative
Entrepreneurs
Phase 1 – Basic Computer Literacy and Applications Training
Phase 2 – Promotion and Marketing: Internet-based Marketing (Blogging
and Web Development)
Phase 3 – Electronic Brochures / Bulletin
Phase 4 – E-Commerce Applications
Phase 5 – Market Research and Intelligence thru Technology Applications [MRI]
I was absent for the first phase, but Phases 2-5 were the most important. I appreciate very much the efforts of DTI (Department of Trade & Industry - Region 3 & Bulacan) and Philnits (Philippine National IT Standards - Ma'am Antoinette Marcelo & Sir Pablo Diapana) for us budding MSMEs (Micro, Small and Medium-Scale Entrepreneurs). Free training within 5 months, with nice facilities and food, where else can you find that. You just have to be focused on the training, be patient, and endure backpains. But it's all worth the hardship for your website. I'm slowly but surely introducing my craft & creations to the world. Couldn't believe now that in terms of technology for E-Commerce, I am "techie".
JANUARY - GARNET - love, luck, success, courage
FEBRUARY - AMETHYST - peace, inspiration, protection
MARCH - AQUAMARINE - clear thinking, creative self-expression
APRIL - DIAMOND - innocence, constancy, faithfulness, love, purity
MAY - EMERALD - aids memory, prosperity, patience, abundance
JUNE - PEARL - purity, innocence, self-confidence
JULY - RUBY - love, beauty, stability, loyalty, royalty
AUGUST - PERIDOT - opportunities, reduces stress, stimulates the mind
SEPTEMBER - SAPPHIRE - protection wisdom, faith, joy, hope, peace
OCTOBER - OPAL - good luck, good fortune, true love
NOVEMBER - TOPAZ - relieves tension, love, wealth, happiness, knowledge
DECEMBER - TANZANITE - compassion, meditation, communication
Seedbeads weaving is addictive....once you started or learned certain weave you can't wait to finish one project. One weave can be done for various items.
The very first weave pattern I learned was the square weave. This one will consume lots of beads and thread/nylon as there is no space in between which looks like a mat when done.
My favorite one is the right-angle weave. At first, quite hard to learn, but through practice, I got it right. It can be done with mixed beads and requires minimum quantity only.
For many times I tried practicing peyote stitch, but up to now, still cannot get it. However, it's a challenge to me as you can do various projects with that weave which you cannot do with other weave pattern.
Seedbeads weaving is therapeutic, too. It lessens your stress and a very enjoyable hobby which can be made profitable also like what I'm doing now.
|
RSS Feed