Handcrafted Miniature Flower Arrangements

I now begin my miniature flower arrangements using air-dry clay (my own homemade clay) with gusto. The pleasure I get from this hobby brings me amusement and the feeling is beyond compare. As a kick-off, it excites me to create with a tweak these freestanding sculptures for display. Making sure that every detail captured its authenticity, it was packed full of patience and love for handmade creations to make them appeared as real as possible.

birds of paradise, tiger cactus

tropical flowers in a bowl

anthurium and dried bamboo

tulips

lavander orchids

I can not wait to come up with more ideas and designs in the future. Feel free to make comments, suggestions and critic my work.

ClayTeddy Bear

Tomorrow is the birthday of one of my very best friends, Mher Daet. I was thinking of what to give her - I want something that would challenge my ingenuity to sculpt realistic homemade clay figures that would replicate them to the nearest. This time, I have come up with this cutie-fur-y brown teddy bear seated on stargazer lily flowers and I loved how it came out.

This homemade clay is not really a typical "CLAY". I just call it clay because its texture and properties resembling those of mineral clay. Because it is biodegradable, ingredients are mostly found right in our own kitchen. It is pliable enough and can easily be manipulated to create limitless images such as cake toppers, ornaments, jewelries, key chain pieces, and charms among others.

I am thrilled with this new craft as one of the amazing mediums for sculpture. One can create a figurine of people or animal. It is easy to work with and inexpensive - it does not require sophisticated kiln and heating as it gets dry easily to air exposure.

My Wish List - My Craft Space

Today is first day of the "ber" month. When the ber month begins, it's the start of the Christmas count down. Early this morning, I heard Christmas' songs being played over the radio. It's the time of sharing and gift-giving. I can't help but to prepare gifts for my loved ones and friends. I like presents which I have a personal touch on them, gifts that are not just I personally created using my bare hands but have stamped from my heart. Earlier, when I set in motion to start a project, I noticed that my crafts' materials were some kind of chaos. I searched the web to look for a special container where in I can keep and store them, until I stumbled upon this perfect and stylish storage container furniture. I am pretty sure this will keep my sanity from all the clutter. Here, there's no need for me to pack and unpack all the materials I need everytime I am in a creative mode. I will just pull off the zippered Velcro pouch with me whenever I'm on the go and at the same time start to work with my nifty hands. With this space saver storage organizer, this will be of great help to enhance my work space, create my masterpiece and get my supplies organized.

Isn't that wonderful? Not just for the price of $1,495 but the furniture itself. :)

Clay Made - Bouquet of Flowers Necklace

By just mere looking around our environment, one can’t seems to just run out of ideas but to allow the gift of creativity to freely flow in us. During our house hold meeting in one of our sisters in the Couple for Christ Community, there was this bouquet of flowers in a bamboo-inspired vase placed on a table and I can’t resist to duplicate that object as an inspiration. So, in my never-ending effort to develop my thinking about the possibilities of clay, I performed a quick brainstorming to come up with this unique miniature creation.

Instead of a conventional way just being a plain decoration, it was fun and exciting to bring into play a new design and transformed it into a pendant. With my new eye-catching project, one can be sure to draw lots of attention on this bizarre not-your-ordinary-kind of necklace or choker.

Please feel free to drop me a line. Your comments are very much appreciated. Thank you. :)

Wristwatch Makeover

I have just spruced up the appearance of this watch by applying a crafty clay touch from its old rusty and dull look to transform it into an exciting style.

But I am so sorry to tell that I forgot to have it (original watch) picture taken to reveal the “before” and “after” development.

Hope you enjoy viewing my new creation. Your comments are very much appreciated. Thank you.

April Fool's Day Miniature Cake

This April Fool’s Day, I’m not into throwing hoax but it is a chance for me to get creative. Again, I loosened-up my nifty hands so I have delicately handcrafted a delightful mouth-watering and lip-smacking sponge cake topped with peach and covered with dark chocolate using cold porcelain medium. But, be careful not to get fooled by this cake because it’s not real. I should say, that it was a success that I was able to make it appear as life size and authentic.

This tiny cutie ref magnet cake measures approximately 1.5” in diameter and the slice of cake can be used as charm for cellphone to add chic to electronic gadget, also, perfect for bracelet charm, pendant and key chain.


I intend to give the miniature cake to my very dear friend, Mher Daet as she celebrates her birthday on the 4th of April.

Let me know your comment on how would you like my creation. Thank you for viewing.

Trinkets for Summer 2010

The heat of the sun is already scorching because summer is officially here and school year has formally ended. There is something about summer. It is not only graduation time, long vacation from school, lesser school-related expenses, but it is a perfect time of the year to take advantage of the water and fruits in season.

In time for Ella Roman’s graduation (my friend’s daughter) on March 26, I found delight to create a watch bracelet covered with apple-inspired cold porcelain/air dry clay to go together with dangling summer fruits as a summery gift to her.

As I indulge myself to a summer fruits feast, there’s nothing quite like the refreshing, healthy, quench thirsting sweet taste of juicy fruits on a hot summer day. Whether you like the slices of watermelon, kiwi, banana, strawberry, apple and orange, there are plenty of seasonal summer fruits to choose from to add flair to one’s bracelet charms being the apple as the lead role and halves of the summer fruits as the supporting casts.

With this cool and cute one of a kind bracelet to enjoy, it is a best fit to jazz-up one’s get-up to complement with summery outfit.

Reduce Reuse Recycle

I now begin to practice the three R's "reduce, reuse, recycle" to say goodbye to waste and keep discarded materials out of landfills. By putting together arts and crafts into recycling, we can keep down the amount of trash and turn it into treasure. With little creativity from our old stuff, it will not only reduce the impact on the environment, but it will also add life and transform it into a new adorable item.

Instead of throwing away unwanted materials, activate the arty-crafty sense in us. Rescue the reusable objects heading for the garbage bin and make over them into fantastic crafts. I'm putting my green back to environment by having my old denim pants created into functional bag and embellished it with beads and scarf as accents. Truly, one person's trash is another person's treasure - that's the beauty of recycling!


Let us stay green and healthy. You are free to share your greenie crafts' tips. I'd love to hear from you.

Buttons Up

Being inspired to let my hands play and explore what unlimited creations that I can generate out of loose buttons, the flame of creativity gets my candle burning to weave pieces of buttons and mixing them up with beads.

candy

tiny weeny kikay


mauve

As a self-taught crafter, I am captivated by the flexibility and unlimited possibilities buttons will produce. From my collection of buttons (vintage, resin and plastic), my imagination started to run wild and demonstrate some kind of my crafting geek by mixing and matching different colors and sizes and embellishing them with beads to add flair to an ordinary buttons. The seed beads were also weaved to create a toggle clasps.

tie a yellow

victorian

Stringing them was a great joy and fun to connect with my passion to experiment with buttons this time and threaded them into bracelets for a stunning look. These totally unique and adorable bracelets can be paired with any outfit and can be a perfect idea for a last-minute present for your loved ones.

mixco

victoria


alexia

So what are you waiting for, have fun stringing those buttons and get creative. :)

Personalized Crocheted Laptop Skin

To have a feel and touch of uniqueness, I just finished my personalize crocheted laptop skin which I painstakingly worked on for two weeks. Using 5 balls of tri-colored Canon crochet thread, this customized laptop cover will definitely protect my notebook against abrasion and damage. A great idea not only for protecting its internal functions but also an effective way to safeguard the outside casing as well. In so doing, scratches and small nicks can be prevented since it is mobile and often get banged when transferred from one location to another.

A personal stamped of my own personality. It fascinates me to have come-up with this unique hand creation that is enjoyable to use and carry around. A fun way of dressing-up my electronic for it fits securely and stays firmly in place.

As my contribution to my dear mother earth, I take part in using eco-friendly materials. Said cover is washable, can be used several times and can be easily removed and put on.

My Latest Additions to my World of Crafts

I'm into my creative mood and I feel the thrill to create miniature novelty figures. This time using seed beads. :)

poodle doodle (actual size: 1.75 cm x 1.75cm)

One great way to dress up one's cell phone is to accessorize it with beaded charms. These tiny weenie knick-knacks were intricately hand weaved to add some bling to mobile devices in an affordable means. A fun, cool and inexpensive way to give accents to your favorite communication gadgets that will definitely provide an added excitement, style, and sparkle according to your fashion options and unique personality.

casual bag (actual size: 5cm x 5cm)

Depending on your mood, you can change the theme of your cell phone charms as often as you want. The catch phrase is "dolled up your mobile phone" with these dainty trinkets to create a feel of distinctiveness on fashion staple when it comes to cellphone accessory. I am sure that young and old alike will certainly get fascinated even when their lovely gadgets are not in use.

evening bag (actual size: 3cm x 3cm)

witch me luck (actual size: 4cm x 6cm)

Have fun with these delightful and lovely charms!

My Timeless Cross Stitch Collection

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Cross stitch is a popular form of counted thread embroidery in which X-shaped stitches are used to form a picture. It is usually executed on easily countable even weave fabric. The stitcher counts the threads in each direction so that the stitches are of uniform size and appearance.

-->It is one of my hobbies, got hooked-up to it in the early 90’s and was a stitching addict when it was a fad in our country. I found delight and it was some sort of therapy for me the moment my hands touch the fabric. A friend once commented on my works saying "it is like having a painted portrait hung on the wall and a heritage to be treasured and can be passed on to the next generations." mmm... sigh.

Have a glance of some of my needle point designs displayed in chronological order as they were finished.

Materials used: weave fabric, DMC threads

Spring Flowers in the Vase

actual size: 48 x 37cm

This was my very first cross stitch creation. I did this while hubby was working overseas in Palau.

Praying Hands

actual size: 33 x 35cm

I have done this one when my mood was into spiritual. Took 1 month to finish. Occasionally loosening up my hands when schedule permits.

Fruits Galore

actual size: 49 x 59cm
 

Thought of something that can be beautifully displayed and hung in the kitchen that I, myself did.

Personalized House Clock

actual size: 30 x 43cm

This was given by my sister-in-law Cory. Just added our names (Ding, Ann, CJ Cucio) for a personalized touched finish.

Villas

actual size: 70 x 47cm

Got enthused when I saw the pattern resembled like a painting. Applied 3 strands thread half cross stitching.

Japanese House and Bridge
actual size: 87 x 54cm

Actually, the portion where the clock is positioned was an extra weave fabric. I was contemplating what to do with that extra space. I reflected the Bible and the message appeared before me was John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." Put a clock for added value and use.

Lady in an Enchanted Garden

actual size: 96 x 68cm

This is my favorite. Used 6 strands of DMC threads double stitches and French knots. Embellished with few pieces of butterflies for accents. Spent 6 months of on and off labor to finish.

Fountain Spring Resort Clock

actual size: 91 x 37cm

This is being hung in our store. Customers especially the teens kept on asking what time is it manay? (Bicol word in addressing female older than you are). Maybe, they are reminded by their parents to go home early after a cool dip in the pool.

You may also would like to check out some of my handcrafted crystal beads' works. Please click here.

A Hobbyist's Mania

As a hobbyist, I am always enthralled working with my hands. I find bliss in cross-stitching, crocheting, quilting, sewing, beading, and anything that flexes my nifty muscles. Even when I was still a little girl, I got thrilled when my Home Economics teacher back in my elementary days would bring in and teach us new arts/crafts project. During those times, I can’t remember submitting any piece of my work that was half-baked and without displaying my keen eye for details attitude. If there was a need to start doing it again, I would painstakingly redo it entirely to come up with the finished products in almost great precision. Since then, the discovery for my fascination, obsession and passion to the world of craft began to burst.

Here are some of my hand crafted creations.



My addiction and crave for crafts learning grew more when my friend sent me a coin-purse made out of crystal beads as a gift. The moment I handed the beaded purse, I whispered to myself, hmmm, this is something I will really enjoy doing from our home and put my unexploited ingenuity into maximum use. For 3 consecutive struggling days, working until wee hours just to study the twists and turns how the coin purse was made, I was able to carry out the finished product well. From the beads making, I got a kick out of all the crazy designs I could come up with and each piece of crystal bead comes out differently producing cellphone case, bowl case-protection, jewelry, bag, flower vase holder, and even fruits/animals miniatures. I regret that I haven’t taken a snapshot of some of my handcrafted creations prior to giving out to friends as my personal-touched gift on a particular occasion. But from now on, I will and I must. Promise!




Although I have no formal education nor did I attend any short course on jewelry making, it surprises me to produce something which I really enjoy and finally uncover my newfound knack. Of course, if my budget and time permit, I would definitely love to enroll in special classes or crash courses on jewelry making or Gemology to acquire techniques and knowledge.

This hobby really gives me enjoyment in accessorizing myself; flaunting my designs and then got noticed by others and eventually accepting made to order jewelry.






You are welcome to drop me a line. Thank you.

Stay-at-Home Ways to Earn Extra Income

In today’s global economic turmoil, we are challenge to find techniques on how to supplement our income especially if we are hit by uncertain corporate shutdown and downsizing. In the midst of this world’s market slump, I am optimistic that we can rise above adversities and turn it into opportunities. There are many accessible, viable income-earning approaches, which will help sustain and make our ends meet.

Here are some helpful tips that you might consider:

• Earn money from your hobbies – Put your craft skills to good use, sell them and make them profitable.

• Have a garage sale or put unused and unwanted items up for sale.

• Allow to run free the chef in you – For special occasions, you may offer cooking services to your friends and neighbors or cook delicacies, bake goodies and sell them.

• Unleash your musical talents and profit from them – Offer to sing at small party or provide music/instruments lessons for a fee per hour.

• Babysit for neighbors
  

• Rent out a room - Think about renting out spare room in your house.

• Gain from your events organizing skills - Let loose your events organizing skills by coordinating or planning events like wedding, christening, baby shower, stag and bridal shower parties, etc.

• Become a tutor - Share your expertise with the kids within the neighborhood by teaching subjects you are good at.

• Explore the power and wonders of internet - If you are a freelancer or stay-at-home moms, here's a legitimate online home-based income opportunity that I found myself. You can do this and earn from the comfort of your home.
  

• Go into direct selling - There are many available legal and lawful direct selling companies that offer sound business opportunity.