Handmade Beaded Jewelry
My WinZip has expired! But IZArc Is Doing The Same Job Free For Me.
Apr 2nd
My WinZip has expired!
The headache turned out to be a blessing. It helped me to unearth a treasure, IZArc!
I thought WinZip is the ultimate until I started a desperate search for an alternative. The point is that I hardly use WinZip. Is it not worth buying a copy when I seldom make use of it? Both evaluation copy of WinZip on my desktop and laptop expired and failed me at the most critical moment. It was frustrating. It was holding up a simple step like trying to unzip a plugin for my blog.
I googled for similar problems faced by many people and the opinions on program features that they liked most about their archive software. It identified popular archive software 7zip, Winrar, Power Achcive, Tugzip, Universal Extractor, Win Ace, WinZip and IZArc.
For the first time, I discovered that IZArc is a favorite choice from popular reviews and there is no need to look further. I tried IZArc and find it extremely user friendly. I’m so excited to share with you.
Wikipedia search defines IZArc (pronounced like “easy-arc”) as a file archiver developed by Bulgarian programmer Ivan Zahariev. The program is freeware which is computer software that is available for use at no cost or for an optional fee.
Some Features extracted from IZArc :
IZArc is integrated in Windows so you can perform all archiving operations by using right-click menus in Windows Explorer.
If you have broken archives IZArc can help you to repair them with ease.
IZArc is 100% virus free and it doesn’t contain any spyware or adware.
IZArc is the most complete archive utility available today.
IZArc has also built-in multilanguage support.
It is a long list of features at IZArc .
Check it out. You will love this!
Nature at Condominium
Apr 2nd
It is Show Time!
Mar 7th
It is Show Time!
Actually it is high time to show a few more pictures of my handmade beaded jewelry.
Here are a few presentable photographs I have taken recently, three sets of long dangling earrings are made with simple wire-work method. Nothing elaborate but simple and sweet.
If you have seen the designs at “Create Your Style” Community, you know what it means being “a class of their own”. They are awesome! “Create Your Style” Community was launched by Swarovski in October 2007. I was very excited to be among the privileged 300 members, the first batch for Beta Closed Pilot Program. For the past 6 months, we have been actively engaged in the private forum and contest organised exclusively for the Community.
Beading Design Artists and Jewelry Designers come together from all the world. The representation is amazing. There are award winners from Jewelry Shows in Europe, America and etc. There are also people like me who are there because we all share the same passion and attraction to Swarovski Crystals and handmade jewelry designing.
The second phase of registration is now open. Membership to this community is by invitation only. If you are a beading enthusiast and keen to join, I could help send you an invitation in the capacity as an existing member. Just leave me a note in comment.
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Chinatown, Singapore
Feb 8th
Lunar New Year Celebrations in Chinatown, Singapore, is a regular annual affair.
On our calendar, 2 days are marked as public holidays for the celebrations.
6th Feb 2008 was the Eve of the First Day of celebrations, a day when all Chinese try to get home for a reunion dinner with their families. Unofficially, the festivities would continue for another 2 weeks with a lot of visiting and feasting.
Firecrackers were banned in Singapore since 1972. Last night was a special occasion. Fireworks and firecrackers were lighted to make a boisterous welcome for the year of the Rat. Confetti canons were fired onto the thousands that gathered to watch the special event and performance by local TV artistes. Those who stayed home watched the event and countdown together live on TV.
Here’s wishing you a Happy and Properous Chinese New Year! Gong Xi Fa Cai.
More pictures on Travel Page.
Bead It Forward
Jan 27th
Bead It Forward was a project started by Jeanette Shanigan, Design Artist. “The 2007 theme was ‘Butterflies’, symbolizing being metamorphosed through the battle with breast cancer.” She invited others to join her in donating small beaded squares that she put together into 10 x 10 inch quilts and framed them in shadow boxes. They were donated to the Bead Artists Against Breast Cancer (BAABC) Auction which raised over US$20,000 at the Bead and Button show 2007.
Extract from a section of a 2007 Butterfly Theme Beaded Quilt.
Jeanette, also a teacher and author of many beading books, was moved by the encouraging response from beading enthusiasts all over the world. Fire Mountain Gems and Beads is also supporting the cause. This project was featured recently in their weekly online newsletter, making a call to all interested in submitting a square for the beaded quilts.
Just a glimpse of a section of a 2008 Rose Theme Beaded Quilt.
The theme for 2008 is ‘Roses’. The full article can be found at Fire Mountain Gems and Beads website. Any kind of beadwork or technique can be used but the motif must be a Rose of any kind. The specified size and ground rules and instructions can be obtained in a PDF file from Jean’s website at shanigansbeadshenanigans.com. All completed squares must be submitted by 1 April, 2008.
I see this as a great opportunity for beginners to make a contribution for a good cause. Some free rose patterns and tutorials on how to get started are already available on the site. The entries received to date are displayed online and I think they are really awesome! Very inspiring and beautiful works from budding artists and beading artists around the world. Indeed it is a very innovative way of raising awareness and raising funds to fight against cancer.
Another way of looking at it, it is a program to help cancer patients learn a new hobby to ease some pain in their struggle to their recovery. It is a very rewarding past time, making little gifts for your loved ones. An excellent form of therapy and literally takes stress away from your mind and fill it with a little cheer. And for the impatient, you see what you can accomplish in the shortest time. It’s delightful!
In a concerted effort, the legacy lives on, and each year a different theme will be chosen to celebrate each woman’s struggle with breast cancer. Cheers!
View display of Rose squares already submitted for the 2008 Beaded Quilt at
Jeanette Shanigan’s website at shanigansbeadshenanigans.com
Pink Briolette Earrings
Jan 18th
The video in the previous post shows you how to make a pair of Pink Rose Quartz Briolette Earrings.
Here is a similar set of earrings found on the net.
Pretty work!
Make A Pair of Earrings With Wire Wrapping Video
Jan 10th
Make a pair of Earrings with Wire Wrapping Video. This is a free online Beading Video Program, Karla Kam that I found on Youtube and would love to share it with you.
In this video, the lead designer from Auntie’s Beads, Karla Schafer demonstrates how to make a set of earrings. Using the wire wrapping technique, she makes a petty pair of pink rose quartz briolette earrings. I recommend this excellent video to beginners because she explains in a very clear tone and her step by step demonstration is very easy to follow. Have a go!
Beading Your Favorite Car Logo?
Jan 5th
Beading your favorite car logo? How about that? I am an Aries, the Ram. Not surprising to find myself fascinated with anything associated with the ram. I am a proud owner of a glass ram that I bought from bargain store. 
Collectibles associated with the ram are few. Maybe I should make a beaded accessory of the Dodge Logo. But then, if I have a million dollars to invest in collectibles, or a choice car, I would like choose a Dodge. The Dodge emblem is a Ram! Even found the embroidered emblem of the ram among the Dodge Charger accessories.
Yeah, I would like to bead that Dodge Logo.
We don’t have any Dodge cars in Singapore. Strange, I don’t think we have Dodge imports here. The Dodger Charger is reputed to be the American muscle car and the latest design is something you must see. Even the US State Police has a fleet of these coveted autos. In Singapore, we have BMW Police cars, how about a Dodger Charger on the highway?
Anyway, if you are still interested in car logos, search this site for your favorite logo: www.cartype.com/page.cfm?id=799&alph=ALL . There is rich database of all car logos and company history behind those famous logos too.
Car Logo credit : www. cartype.com
When Do I Need To Change My Router?
Jan 2nd
When do I need to change my Router? Which router works best for me? My router is still in good working condition. It is good to stick to the principle of “don’t change if it ain’t broken”. But I don’t think my wireless equipment is running efficiently. Whenever I run into problems with the connection, my last resort is to reinstall the software. Now, I end up with Connection 7. Just wished that there is a compatible, more up-to-date piece of equipment with user friendly features to tell me what is wrong and show me how clean up the mess.
Unnecessary upgrade is really a waste of good money. But I do get enticed by “trade-in” offers for used cisco equipment. Perhaps I should invest in a better model and get my home networking system revamped once and for all.
The Pen Guy
Dec 29th
Have you read about the pen guy who has a Mercedes Pens Art Car? He glued over 6,000 pens on his car. Incredible feat! Among things that he had created are his hard hat and mailbox decorated with pens. Google for the pen guy from California, Costas Schuler and his projects and you will find his amazing hobby of sticking pens all over. He gets a lot of support and pen donations for his hobby and held talks and event appearances for gluing pens on car.
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