Christmas Decors Part 1

I found it really tough to decorate our Abreeza shop for Christmas. It is Victorian inspired and everything is white (except for the chandelier). I had a few ideas in mind but I knew I needed a professional to interpret and edit what I wanted to happen. It wasn't a surprise therefore when I called my good friend Dyna of Crafter's Haven to help me. I've seen the invites she made in the past so I knew she could pull a trick or two for my Christmas decor dilemma. After discussing what I wanted (tasteful but not expensive, unique and modern but classic, nothing tacky or over the top etc.), Dyna knew exactly what needs to be done. I would like to share with you what Dyna did for our shop. It is probably the least expensive decors we ever had but they are definitely chic. I just love how everything came together.

Paper Wreath

How the wall looks with the wreaths

Lovely Paper Angels with Pearls

More Paper Angels

Thank you Dyna. Job well done. You may get in touch with Dyna at Crafter's Haven, Door 2 Metro Avenue Bldg. De Guzman St. Davao City, Philippines.  Tel. (+63.82.3052058) Email: crafters.haven@yahoo.com

Zee Lifestyle, October 2012

I contributed a short article about colored gems on Zee Lifestyle's October 2012 Luxury Issue.  The Davao section also features our current collection of stingray rings, crosses, animals and colored gem fine jewelry. I just love how the pictures came out with the fruits.  Thank you Marissa T. and Carmina D. for this wonderful opportunity. My appreciation also goes to the great talents of JM S and Aidx P who were absolutely fun to work with.  Thank you Zee Lifestyle. 

Raw, Rough and Natural Love

I must admit I fall easily with anything organic. I find organic materials and  designs as very simple and natural yet very classy and enigmatic. Sometimes I attribute it to the artist in me (classical piano) and sometimes I just think I have weird taste:P  Although our view of beauty is always relative, we may all agree that anything and everything natural is absolutely beautiful.

When my jeweler and designer friend first shared and showed me his new find of rough and natural diamonds in 2009,  I immediately fell in love with them: First, the stones were near their natural state.  Second, they were available in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. Third, they were almost always opaque.

Designing jewelry incorporating these new diamonds can be very tricky too.  One false design would spell tacky and would do a huge disservice to these lovely creations of nature. And so I am sharing with you some of what we've done in the last 3 years with raw, rough and natural diamonds. Truly, these diamonds and designs are just one of a kind.  

Raw Yellow-Orange-Brown Naturals set with Multi Color Natural and Round Brilliant Bursts 

                         

Pretty in Pink: Raw Pink Naturals with Pink Brilliant Cuts in Pink Gold

Organic on Organic:  Square Shaped Golden Naturals set in Organic Matte Finish

Crocifisso Preview

Crocifisso happens in 3 days.  We've been quite busy with the preparations. I've been lacking sleep for a week and, yes, I am stressed out.  But I know it's going to be worth it. Some of the designs have been executed really well and I would like to give you a preview of what we will exhibit on August 8.

A personal favorite is the Maharajah inspired cross.

So if you have time, please drop by the Abreeza shop on August 8 for Crocifisso.

Crocifisso

Giving Back. That's what Crocifisso is all about.  It's our way of saying "Thank You" for the graces and blessings, for family and friends, for happiness and for life.  You are all invited on August 8, 2012 at our shop at the Abreeza Mall. My sister and I will be very happy  to show you our cross collection. Proceeds from this collection will go to the Divine Mercy Philippines Archidiocese of Davao as they host the Mindanao Apostolic Congress of Mercy in Davao City on September.

Let me know if you're my follower. I might just have a surprise for you.

  

She Wears Emilia's

Hijos de Davao is definitely the Reddest Carpet event in the city. It is an occasion where Davao society women don their best ternos and heirloom blings spring out from their vaults. So when I heard good friend Gemma Velez's son Jiolo is this year's escort to the muse,  I asked Gemma, who is probably the busiest and outright the best banker in town, if she was part of the Rigodon de Honor.  When she said yes,  I knew it would be a great opportunity to dress her up in chunky dramatic chandelier earrings set with cascading fancy-yellow-pear-shaped-diamonds and white round diamonds combination.  From the pictures I've seen,  Gemma pulled this off effortlessly and looked absolutely brilliant.

Thank you very much Gemma for trusting us with your jewelry.

picture courtesy of Meg of Scene It

Thank you Gemma for allowing me to grab a photo from your FB. My big thanks also to Meg of Scene It for sharing Gemma's photo from Hijos with me.

For more 2012 Hijos de Davao moments,  please click here, here and here.  

Happiness Comes in Pairs

Good friend JS came to the shop to have some of her older pieces redesigned and reset.  I knew I was in for a challenge as she is a young businesswoman with impeccable taste. When she showed me her pair of South Sea Pearl earrings which she wanted to combine with her Citrine pairs, I immediately took notice of  the rich color of the Citrine.  After checking, I found out these were in fact original Tiffany and Co. earrings.  

I told JS I wasn't too keen with touching the Citrine as this was a signature piece. I suggested we make jackets for the 2 pairs to give them an entirely new look without destroying the essence of each pair.  JS still wanted Citrine with her Pearls. I then presented her with designs for the jackets.

She gave her go signal.  I immediately sent her pieces to the workshop.  After 2 months of waiting,  the final products came in today.  I am just so proud of how the earrings came out.

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JS can now enjoy 4 different looks for her 2 pairs.  I hope I made her happy.