Tree Frog #1

Tree Frog #2

The Tulips….

Let’s help the recent victims of earthquake and tsunami in Japan.  Dear friends, Joy and Melody are spearheading a bake sale- “Bake for the Quake” a fund-raising event to help this cause. Come join us on April 20, 6-8:30 pm at Roundhouse Community Arts & Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews, Yaletown, Vancouver. (Near Yaletown Skytrain Stn)

check the event website @http://bakeforthequake.com/ See you all there!

Note:

NeonAmber Jewels’ Thess Castro supports the project “Bake for the Quake 2011″ – an event to raise fund in support of “Doctors without Boarders”, a goup of medical practitioners who are currently helping the earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. The inspiration for this piece is to showcase “coral”, a semi-precious stone mostly found in the Pacific Ocean and off the costs of Japan. Coral is one of the most important stones in the Buddhist scriptures. It’s healing properties include protection against negative energy while preventing loss of energy. It is also believed that Coral beads can stop bleeding, protect one from evil spirits, and ward off hurricanes and calamities. NO MORE DISASTERS in Japan.

This piece will be included in the silent auction at the event… Inspiration: Coral beads, big round carnelian, chunky faceted smokey quartz, chunky round faceted rubilite, labradorite, rough cut clear quartz, rough cut smokey quartz, pearls, shell, round onyx, and Italian non-tarnish bead.

Situated in the southern part of the Philippines, Boracay Island is just an hour away by plane to Caticlan from Manila. It boasts it’s crystal clear waters and powder-like, white sandy beach. Ohh… for me it’s paradise! Once you’ve experience its beauty, you  know you’re in one of nature’s finest creations. The island stretches less than 10 kilometers long and features an array of hotels, restaurants, shopping mall, shops of various interests and hobbies, bars and activity centers that will make your stay more enjoyable and meaningful. Sure, I’d trade a quite get-away for anything, a commune with the waves and nature- but nightlife in Boracay is so colorful and fun that you won’t say no to the alluring crowd. For this one, I’ll set an exemption.

Experiencing your day in a magical place like Boracay is like no other. It’d take you to a journey of exploring your senses. And I’d say full senses. Your eyes will feast on a scenery that’s beautiful! Your palate satisfied with the offerings of the native land- from the sumptuous local Filipino cuisine to seafood to Asian or even mediterranean. Your choices are unlimited to satiate that cravings! The underwater eperience is breath-taking too! From scuba diving, helmet or walk diving, snorkling, or just simply enjoying a dip in the water-all of these and more are for you to try and experience! Parasailing, island hopping, banana boat ride or buggy car – a long list of activities for every member of the family to enjoy!

“Time flies when you’re having fun!” This fits exactly how our 4 days went- very quickly. But I’ve savoured every minute of it. I have never been more conscious of my surroundings, than in our days in this island.  In tuned with nature, enjoying it as the earth turned. I had some remarkable moments in different space and time. I vividly recall the moonrise I’ve experienced in one of the mountains of Laguna. That was mind-boggling! And one of the amazing sunrises I’ve seen when I traveled to Masada, Israel. The highland was overlooking the Dead Sea. I’ve always thought that  particular sunrise was glorious. It’s like the scene from the bible- “the Descent of the Holy Spirit”. The glorious sun, the glorious rays of the mighty heaven! That is indeed breathtaking. But nothing compares to the glorious sunset in Boracay. It has a different offering of it’s own and it’s nothing but spectacular! We were lucky to witness the sunset this way on a rainy day in January. I find it amazing!

I would definitely go for my third- in a heartbeat! I guess it’s more than enough for some people. But for me, there’ll always be reasons to come back and  experience the place- the islands, the beach, the white sand, the people, the food, the music, the color, the gigs, the waters, the shopping,  oh and yes, the sunset! As what the saying goes, too cliche but true… there’s no place like home. Mabuhay!

One of my favorites are glass beads. They have evolved overtime- they are probably the most ancient forms of art. From murano glass beads originated and perfected in the island of Murano in Venice, Italy (thus the name) dating back to 1200th  to the torches of the very creative and talented local glass artists of today’s day and age- they have presented beauty and pure craftmanship that  made their way to the hearts of glass art jewellery enthusiasts. In the fashion today, we have seen the revival of this art form, as people rediscover their beauty and vibrance. Artists have honed their crafts and perfected the technique and art of glass jewellery making. While my dream is to able to make my own lampwork glass beads, I’d be happy and content for now casting my magic and spell in turning these beads into something beautiful…  

Here are some of my prettiest collection to preview what’s cooking at my bead shop! 

Lampwork Glass Beads

Furnace Cane Glass Beads

Polymer Clay Beads

I remember this day… it was a nice weather one weekend  in July. I was sitting in our front porch, sipping my cappuccino. What more could make my day more relaxing than to bead… For a second, I was toying with the idea of taking my jewellery toolbox and beads out and start making some pieces before the whole afternoon passes me by.

Then a little miracle happened…

My hummingbird popped out of nowhere! I know this little creature by heart. Her light green wings with a slight touch of pink and yellow just below her beak. I know it was her..  what a pleasant delight that she visited me once again… As if trying to impress me, she graciously flapped her little wings back and forth… back and forth and danced around my hanging basket of fuschias. It was a total bliss. I was enjoying this sight immensely…. when seconds passed, (although it seemed like forever in my reverie) … my little hummingbird, already feasted on the flowers`nectar- swiftly flapped its wings to circumnavigate the hanging treasure one more time and then bid farewell! 

What could a 13- second inspiration give you? A whole afternoon of creative mind to work on my Lampwork Glass Beads and Sterling Silver Collection. 

In a total state of euphoria, I decided to unwrap the box which has been the safe vessel to a number of lampwork glass beads that I got from Sue Power. I simply admire her works and creations… And although these pieces are the kind of odd and loose ones (but very special in their own way)… I know that I will find a special place for each one of them in my creations.

I love playing with materials and colors. I just love collecting these little baubles and things and mix them together to create a unique and special look. My first attempt was to make something special for myself… Isn’t that exciting! It’ll be my birthday after all in a month!

Digging into my special jar of green beads (which is the color of August gemstone, peridot), I pulled out a couple of moss green Swarovski crystal bicones, two round glass beads of varying shades of green, two big oval and round glass beads that I bought from Beadworks in Boston, then a cube glass of mint green color. A bagged (clear plastic) floral shape toggle clasp with swarovski elements caught my attention. It was starring at me and was shouting Pick Me, Pick Me!! Without thinking twice, I grabbed it and started beading a few pieces together with sterling silver spacers in between. Halfway through, I was comtemplating what to use as my focal bead… thinking of my hummingbird, I chose the bumpy round bead from Sue. It’s playful mix of yellow and green is perfect for my color pattern and is significant to my little hummingbird’s identity.  It turned out to be a gorgeous piece. The cylindrical brushed sterling silver and the Bali sterling silver flower caps add spice to the cool icy look! I could have named this one Hummingbird but I chose Neon Ice to give tribute to the coolness and icy feel of this piece. Well, both this bracelet and my hummingbird are cool! So, it`s still good.

Moving on, I have created two more pieces that were both sold at the Vancouver Golf Club Event… Those two amazing and gorgeous pieces have stories of their own… So until my next blog and beading… here`s cheering you on for a wonderful and inspiring day! Be inspired…. be creative… be cool… Mabuhay!

Our blueberry tree from the backyard!

I work in the dead of night
When the roads are quiet
No one is around
To track my moves

Race in the end of lights
To find the gate is open
She’s waiting in the room
I just slip on through

You get in
You get done
And then you get gone
You never leave a trace or show your face
You get gone

Should have turned around
And left before the sun came up again
But the sun came up again

Enter the morning light
To find the day is burning the curtains and the wine
In a little white room
No, I’m not alone
Her head is heavy on me
She’s sleeping like a child
What could I do?

You get in
You get done
And then you get gone
You never leave a trace or show your face
You get gone

Should have turned around
And left before the sun came up again
But the sun came up again

I was a killer, was the best they’d ever seen
I’d steal your heart before you ever heard a thing
I’m an assassin and I had a job to do
Little did I know that girl was an assassin too

Suddenly I’m in over my head and I could hardly breathe
Suddenly I’m floating over her bed and I feel everything
Suddenly I know exactly what I did, but I cannot move a thing
Suddenly I know exactly what I’d done and what it’s gonna mean to me, mean to me
I’m gone

I was a killer, was the best they’d ever seen
I’d steal your heart before you ever heard a thing
I’m an assassin and I had a job to do
Little did I know that girl was an assassin too

She’s an assassin
She’s an assassin
She’s an assassin
She’s an assassin and she had a job to do

Strolling along the waters, or should I say, at the boardwalk of Fisherman’s Wharf in Steveston, Richmond with our long-time friends from Calgary made our Canada Day long weekend special. It’s always fun to have great friends around- nothing compares to the laughters they bring. Neverending nostalgia of the younger years (teens to the 20′s) and more stories of the present time to catch up. That’s a bliss. If you can stand still and hold back time, this is one of those occasions you would have opted to do it.  

Never seemed to notice how fast the time flies when you are having fun as what they said. Truly, 3 days went by in a wink but we enjoyed every minute of the get-together. To our dear  friends, the Sarinos and the Compays, thanks for the visit. Come back again anytime soon

The Fisherman’s Wharf, Steveson, Richmond, British Columbia