A Fresher Look

I just finished taking new photos of my bangle bracelets. This reminded me about the Alchemist Book by Paulo Coelho especially the part when Santiago was cleaning all the crystals in the shop and people started noticing all the beautiful crystals in the merchant's shop. It was a painstaking task, but in the end I know it's worth the hard work.

I Heart Manila

I was browsing in my photo files and found some interesting photos back in college. I used to take up classes in Cultural Heritage. It was in this classes that I fell in love with Old Manila. I really hope the upcoming Aquino Administration will revive Manila, the beauty it once was.



Barbara's - One of the Best Restaurants in Intramuros


La Gota de Leche: The one of the first Philanthropic Organization in the Philippines that was built in 1907. The did feeding programs to children of marginalized families.



My friend Emme and I back in the day when we were young, beautiful and innocent...Now, we're only beautiful.


San Sebastian Basilica: One of the first prefabricated structures in the world (translation: The very first Lego). Its a church made up of steel that was imported from Belgium. I love it's Gothic details.

Book List for Success

I want to be a successful entrepreneur in the fashion industry. I did not have any formal training in design and management, but I am determined enough to learn and do what it takes to have my break in this industry...F A I R L Y. With that in mind, I have been reading books such as Go Negosyo's step by step guide on how to start my business. Yes, I know the craft well...but I should also think and treat my craft as my livelihood. Slowly, I'm starting to appreciate the importance of having a structure in my business. I still have a lot to learn, but I'm willing to take it step by step. I am here to fulfill my dream...to be a successful accessories designer and businesswoman.


Here are the books I am currently reading:

101 Things I Learned from Fashion School by Alfredo Cabrera with Matthew Frederick

Craft Inc by Mateo Ilasco

Crafting a Business

Inspirational Quote

"I don't read to learn. I read to become." - from an account of Ralph Bruksos

Good morning, everyone! I just started my Facebook Sabbatical. See you in a month!

Fabric Supplies: Divi Date With Myself

Yesterday, after meeting with my lovely clients, I went to Divisoria in Manila to buy my supplies. I haven't been to Divisoria for months now. When I got there, it was so crowded and hot. It is overwhelming if you're new to the place. I'm quite used to the chaos Manila has. I was able to buy yards and yards of tulle and other fabrics! I was so happy. I also found other supplies that I have been looking for forever.

Here are my loot!


Ribbons, tulle, stamens, feathers, faux petals yay!

Love love love,
Eliza

I'm Finally on ETSY!

After months of taking a sabbatical from designing, I'm finally on Etsy. Today was second attempt to post on Etsy. The first one was from my previous account. I switched my account to Jewelboxballerina since it is more searchable than my personal name. Gimp was really nice to me. Photoshop overwhelms me. At Gimp, I only use the crop, rotate, and the curve to edit my photos. I want to fully utilize Gimp...maybe I'll study the program during my free time... if I ever have one. Lol!

I've been studying Etsy for months...on how to take photos, how to crop them, how to tag, how to set up shop or create descriptions, etc. I'm happy that I finally took the first steps. Honestly, I was intimidated and somewhat overwhelmed.... but all I needed was to just create my first listing...then the rest would be easier. I actually had fun with the process especially with thinking about tags. I'm sure my shop would need a lot of improvements. I'll just improve it along the way. It's better to start now than wait for things to get perfect...otherwise, I won't be able to accomplish things.

Flores de Mayo: Toddlers and Tiaras

It's already the start of the rainy season here in the tropics. Though I'm in love with the sun, I welcomed the coming of the rain. I spent my last days of summer helping our parish's annual Sta. Cruzan. Sta. Cruzan or the Sagala is a parade commemorating Sta. Elena's finding the cross that was used for Jesus at Mt. Calvary.

This year's Reyna Elena came from our village. She's such a sweet and pretty little girl.


To be part of the parade, usually the parish would hold a fundraising through a beauty contest and the candidate with the most number of funds raised would be the Reyna Elena (Queen Ellen). She will be followed by Reyna Emperatriz, then Reyna de las Flores. There other candidates were also given titles...and our parish had 40 candidates!



This year, all the candidates were from ages five to fifteen. It was like watching Toddlers & Tiaras minus the tantrums and crazy stage mothers. During the Sagala, the local beauties would walk with ornate archs together with their escorts

Anticipating a puddle of mud

Toddlers & Tiaras Philippine Edition

It was my first time to help making the arch for our candidate. I made a hundred flowers made up of crepe. I was so happy that I was given this task since I already design fabric flowers for the past months.

One of the flowers we made for our candidate's arch

Reina Elena