Handmade Beaded Jewelry
Archive for December, 2007
Moving Out Of Our Comfort Zone
Dec 9th
We gave up our apartment in the South Western part of Singapore where we got very comfortable with the sights and familiar faces in the neighborhood. The facilities were almost at our doorstep. The market, the hawker center, the Community Club, coffee shops and schools. We could see the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit) track beyond the block next to ours. Out of our balcony, a beautiful view of greenery next to the canal beside the MRT. Real estate prices were at rock bottom back then in 2005.
Our apartment block was almost 30 years old when the government slated it for major upgrading, and transformed it into a condominium style apartment. Naturally the value appreciated and the expected demand created an opportunity for us to sell the unit and buy private housing. It was a very difficult decision, especially when we wished for nothing less.
It was scary to face all the hassle and uncertainty. My husband and daughter were reluctant to give in. Our budget was very tight, but we were lucky to get an experienced and caring real estate agent to handle the selling smoothly and another agent to process the purchase at the same time. We held our breath.
Today, we are living further West, enjoying additional facilities, in a 10 year old condominium. There is a swimming pool, the gym and a lush garden. I can still see the MRT in the horizon. We moved out of our comfort zone, and found another.
Beads and Crystals DIY Dealers in Singapore
Dec 8th
Hi, here is a list of Beads and Crystals Suppliers in Singapore. This is a free listing to help all Beaded Jewelry Making enthusiasts get started on their new hobby. Just buy what you really need, otherwise, you will end up with heaps in cold storage.
It’s beads galore! There are beads, gemstones, findings (metal parts) and crystals that come in different shapes, sizes and quality. The best crystals are Swarovski Crystals from Austria. Swarovski crystals are precision-cut and have an incredible brilliance that enhances your design. Happy Beading!
My Beads Go Run Wild
Dec 6th
When I first started my Beading Hobby, my beads go run wild all over the place. Quite often when I run into a spill, I had to go on all fours and scan the floor for my precious beads. They ran under the piano, under the furniture but never at my feet. Looking for them gives me a headache, luckily not migraine.
I started to solve the problem by working on a piece of felt cloth, a bead board and even placed a carpet beneath my work area. Just to make sure I can catch them when they fall. I mean the beads of course.
Wicked Musical
Dec 6th
Make it a holiday, to catch Wicked Musical now on the US tour. You can get ticket solutions online to help you to secure Wicked Tickets to the Tony award-winning American Musical. It is a once in a life time, unforgettable entertainment experience.
Stephen Schwartz wrote the music and lyrics for this outstanding theatre epic which has broken box office records around the world. From the “Wicked” script by Winnie Holzman, it tells the untold story of the Witches of Oz (even before Dorothy landed there), loosely based on the best selling novel “Wicked” by Gregory Maguire.
Black Tiles For My Bathroom?
Dec 5th
When I called in a contractor to refurbish one of the toilets in my apartment, he gave us the wildest suggestion to use black tiles for the walls and flooring. If I had agreed to that, I would have a “dark room” in the house. In the end, we made a “daring” change. Not all black though. Just black tiles for the floor. And white tiles for the walls to give a more spacious effect. Of course bathroom vanities in white to match.
Famous Branding – Pens and Accessories
Dec 5th
I was just curious to find out about the origin of these famous brands:
Caran d’Ache (Switzerland), Cross (US), Parker (US), Sheaffer (US). Waterman (US),
Faber Castell (Germany), Lamy (Germany), Pelikan (Germany), Dunhill (UK),
Namiki (Japan), Cartier (France), S.T.Dupont (France), Mont Blanc (France).
Searched and found this Mont Blanc Starwalker on e-Bay.
Accessories For Men – The Mighty Pen
Dec 3rd
I used to carry a very personalized pen when I first wrote in ink. That was donkey years ago before we moved to the age of disposables. The use and throw type which I cannot remember how many I have used. That was the time when I had to scribble a lot.
Now I don’t write much but carry one as an accessory so that I can use it to pen my signature. Personally, I don’t think women treat personalized pens as important dress accessories as much as men treasure them to display their style.
PayPal and Secure Online Transactions
Dec 2nd
For the specific purpose of operating my Paypal account, I opened a checking account at the local bank, so that I can keep my business transactions separate from my personal transactions. At the same time, I applied for a Debit Card. I thought it would make good sense to use a debit card instead of my credit card for online shopping.
My banker’s service was good. Within two weeks, I got my debit card linked to this account. Also thanks to Alvin who gave me this blogging tip.
Beaded Watch Strap Project
Dec 1st
Stretchy Bracelet Project
Dec 1st
I am really new to blogging and that is why it took me so long to publish my first beading project here. This posting will be my Christmas present to you. Thank you so much for your patience and support.
Turquoise Blue Stretchy Bracelet
Turqoise Blue Frost Round Faceted Beads 6 x 8mm
Turqoise Blue Glass Round Beads 12 x 5mm
Metal Star Bead Caps 12 x 5mm
Metal Rondelle Beads 6 x 5mm
Stretchy Thread size 06 Transparent, 40 cm or roughly half an arm’s length.
You can DIY this bracelet in less than 15mins. A single strand, stretchy bracelet can be done in a jiffy. Just choose your favorite beads, string them up with transparent elastic thread, and tie them together.
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Beading Tip #1
A Bead Board is an excellent tool for design layout. Working with a piece of felt cloth and measuring tape is also fine, as it will prevent your beads from running all over the place. The standard length of the finished bracelet is roughly 15cm. However, it is best to customize it to the size of your wrist and that may require more or lesser beads to the length.
Beading Tip #2
Tying knots can be very tricky. There are many different ways of making knots. The easiest way is to tie 3 simple knots. After stringing the beads together, hold one end of the thread in each hand. Tie the first knot with a right over left pass, then left over right pass and tighten. Return right over left pass again and make it tighter.
Its tight, tighter, tightest. Too much strength applied will break the thread; too little and the knots will slip. To play safe, you can use two threads (knotted separately) instead of one. That is, if the size of the bead holes are big enough.
Beading Tip #3
During the stringing process, the beads tend to slip off the other end. To prevent the beads from running off your thread, you can tie a knot at one end before you start threading the beads.
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