Handcrafted Gifts

Last week, I received an envelope packed with many lovely gifts from my Californian friend, Jennifer (of JeynReyn & LoveMeDo). She has made Marcus a bunny teether and two butt wipes, and included a pair of booties and an infant toy.

At first glance, I didn't realise the bunny teether was handmade by Jenn because it looks like it came from a novelty boutique item. She has used a very sweet pastel blue material to make the bunny and an organic wood ring for the teether. It is very thoughtful of her to have everything stitched with thread so as not to cause any hazard (e.g. buttons) to the young infant.

I love the cloth butt wipes as well. They are great for keeping the delicate skin dry.

Not forgetting the other two gifts; the booties are a cutie pair and the infant toy will be a great companion during Marcus's car ride.

Jenn, thank you very much for these gifts made with great love!

Get Organised!

I found this A5 clear file folder at Popular Bookstore (Bukit Timah Plaza branch) which is a perfect solution to store Beady Girl's instruction manuals. Each file contains 30 sleeves and refills can also be purchased at the bookshop.

New Product - DesignaSeal

In my April post on 'Extending the Life of Your Seed Beads', I blog about the DesignaSeal that is recommended to protect the colour coating on the seed beads. These 3 fl oz (89 ml) bottles are now available for sale by Beady Girl!

I have tried it for the first time on my 'Tiles of Sapphire' cuff. I find the application mess-free and dries to touch in a short period of time. The water base clear gloss varnish does make the surface look brighter and fresher. Clean up is also easy with just using water. Although I can't guarantee the efficacy of this product, but the fact that there is an extra layer of coating is enough to convince me that the seed beads are "protected".

Each bottle is retailing at S$13 and only 5 bottles available at the moment. You will have to purchase a soft brush (a small paint brush) for the application on your own.

Project - Tiles of Sapphire

The making of this cuff was very much inspired by a bracelet (see picture on right) which I bought from Target 3 years ago. The original bracelet is wire-worked with different green tones of acrylic tiles and enclosed with a toggle clasp. The richness of the green tones is what attracted me to buy it then and till today it remains as one of my favourites amongst my collection.

For the 'Tiles of Sapphire' cuff, I have used glass cabochons as the "tiles" and bead embroidered the whole piece. The uniqueness of this cuff is that the clasp is actually hidden so that when it is clasped, the cuff looks like a complete piece.

The 6 glass cabochons (turquoise, powder blue and blue) have been specially fused by Ms Arden from Creative Escape. The cabochons are then stitched with sapphire blue and metallic silver seed beads. The juxtaposition of the deep blue sapphire seed beads and metallic silver seed beads makes this cuff a truly unique piece.

This project will be introduced as part of our 'The Art of Bead Embroidery' series when class commences again.

New Products - Swarovski Crystal Rivolis (SOLD OUT)

Beady Girl has recently brought in some new Swarovski Crystal Rivolis in Teardrop. These rivolis are sized 18mm by 13mm and currently available in Emerald and Topaz (both unfoiled), and Montana (silver-foiled).

If you plan to create the Lorraine Schwartz Emerald Teardrop Earrings lookalike, this rivoli size would be perfect. The picture on the right shows the scale of the earring when created with a 12mm round rivoli and 18x13mm teardrop rivoli.

Our stocks for the Emerald and Topaz 10mm round rivoli will be arriving in a week's time. With the Emerald 10mm round and 18x13mm teardrop rivolis, it will definitely look quite like Angelina Jolie's earrings!

You may also create a simple pendant with the teardrop rivoli. The picture on the left shows one that is bezeled with Delica Galvanised Metallic Silver seed beads. String the pendant onto a sterling silver chain and voila you have made yourself a simple and elegant necklace!

As our online beads shop is currently under maintenance, you may place an order with us via email if you are interested in these rivolis. While stocks last!

Emerald 18x13mm Teardrop - S$4 per unit (SOLD OUT)
Topaz 18x13mm Teardrop - S$4 per unit (SOLD OUT)
Montana 18x13mm Teardrop - S$8 per unit (SOLD OUT)
Montana 12mm Round - S$2.50 per unit (SOLD OUT)

Website & Email Account Down

Our beadygirl.com website and email account (info@beadygirl.com) are currently under maintenance. We hope to get both up and running at the soonest possible time. We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

If you need to reach us, please email to our alternative email account at pohcynthia@hotmail.com. In the meantime, stay tuned to our blog for Beady Girl's updates.

Thank you for your kind understanding.

Happy Family

Last week, I received a very lovely surprise gift from my dear friend, Lis of Simple Arts Planet. She has painstakingly crocheted a set of 'Happy Family' figurines to welcome my newborn baby. As with her other dolls, she has a "story" behind the making of these dolls. The dolls were very well-crocheted and anyone who has seen the set would be delighted by the happy smiles on them. The gift package also includes 2 pairs of baby booties and a bib, in matching earth-tone brown and white.

Thank you very much, Lis!

June Crafter - JeynReyn

I am delighted to introduce our June Crafter - JeynReyn from San Francisco Bay Area, owned by Jennifer Reynolds. JeynReyn currently carries eyewear cases and pocket holders which are made out of high quality felt and fleece materials. They are available for sale at her Etsy shop.

I first knew Jennifer at the Redwood City Farmers Market in the Bay Area when she bought a pair of earrings from me. We exchanged contacts then and subsequently, we met up often for meals, coffees, craft shopping and even did a few fairs together in San Francisco.

Jenn & I at Vestiti Roupa, The Canvas Gallery, San Francisco

Jennifer is a very creative and intelligent crafter, and always willing to share her ideas. She is also a true believer of recycling and incorporates any recyclable materials into her designs whenever possible, without compromising on its quality. Besides the cases and pocket holders, Jennifer's other signature work is her pocket scarfs which were very popular during the winter period. She has also made cutie barrettes which I have the honour of owning some of them.

In short, I would say any fabric that touches her hand turn into beautiful piece of work. She also owns another Etsy shop, selling inventive moms and babies stuff. To view more of JeynReyn's creations, check out her Etsy shops (JeynReyn, Lovemedo) and creative blog.

This pair of "Heads Up" Awake/Asleep plushies is one of the 40 finalists in the Etsy Handmade Kids Challenge.

Photos are courtesy of JeynReyn.

Website Down

Beady Girl's homepage is currently down. Please visit our site again later.

Thank you for your patience.