Bye 2012, hello 2013 and thank you

Another few more hours, we will be welcoming 2013.

Before anything else, I would like to thank you all for following along on my wire jewelry journey here, + other journeys as well :), and for taking the time to leave me feedback and comments. Thank you for your support and friendships over the years.

This year 2012, my posting is not as frequent as I wanted to.
Same goes to wire jewelry projects and tutorials.
I can give lots of excuses but basically it has something to do with time management.

Like previous year, there will be no new year resolution for me.
No point for resolutions if I can't fulfill them.
However, I am looking forward to overall improvement in whatever I will be doing and embark on.
Hahaha... that's more achievable and very general.

For this last post of 2012, I will share random photos taken last month and this month.
First of the batch is about fruits - its the durian, rambutan, mangosteen, langsat season here.

Temporary fruit stalls set up along the roadside, mostly selling durians and seasonal fruits is common sight around the City and its outskirts.

Posted this Mangostene pic on FB. One of my favorite fruits. Yumm!

We drove all the way to Asajaya looking for fruits, fish, prawns, pineapples, etc.

A "new" fruit I discovered (dark brown skin).
Can't remember the name though.

2 weekends ago, we went to Serian (again) and stopped by the Market.
Yeah, it is becoming like an annual trip for us...hahaha.
Though not buying, we were happy just going around and look at the various fruits and vegetables.

Mixture of fruits and vegetables - rambutan, chilly, terung Iban, cucumber, corn, pineapple, nipah fruit (not very sure about this).

 More fruits - Mangostene, rambutan, mango and pumpkin.

 Something different - varieties of local rice

Then there are the boys and school holidays.

Took them "jalan-jalan" (walk around) here and there.

At the Sarawak Museum compound.

They like this better than the Museum. Each with their favorite food.

At Stampark Swimming Pool.

At Kuching Waterfront, the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building at the background.

View of Padang Merdeka from Plaza Merdeka, a newly opened shopping mall.
The same Christmas tree on Christmas Eve 2012, pic below.

These fossils are more interesting :)
They are huge.

The Ammonite (right) is as huge as Henry's head.

Wishing you all a healthy, prosperous, successful and happy new year 2013.

Mayan Apocolypse! No...More Sparklies for Christmas

Today is suppose to be "the end of the world" according to predictions of the Mayan Apocalypse. Some of you may be believers but not me.

In fact I read in the paper this morning that the non believers include today ethnic Maya themselves, who are mostly Christian....hmmmm....

What exactly would happen I don't know but I am looking forward to tonight, tomorrow, Christmas, New Year including Chinese New Year, Valentine Day, etc. etc.

Whatever it is, lets hope it will not end today, tomorrow or forever.

Bring some sparks to Christmas and here are more wire wrap sparkly rings for your viewing pleasure.

These are jade wrapped with 14k gold filled wire and 3mm gold filled beads.

Of Failure, Pearls and Sparklies

Ah...I have been slacking in this posting department for a while now.

Inspiration seems to be taking a back seat for the last few months.

Few days ago I tried something "new", well not really "new" but failed miserably.
It was a request for wire names and I can't seems to get the letters right.
I thought it would be easy but I was wrong. Gave up altogether and feel very disappointed with myself.

Well, Christmas and New Year are just around the corner.
There are still few more pieces to work on and hopefully they all turn out beautiful.

At least these here turn out beautifully :)
Stringed pearl necklace with a wire wrap infinity clasp.

 Close up of the infinity clasp.

Again, I have made lots of this sparkly wire wrap rings, if you have been following my postings. Probably the most popular and you are getting bored seeing the same rings again hahaha...

However, this ring is quite quick and easy to make. As such, it will make great last minute gifts, if you are a very last minute person like me.
Hehe! can't resist doing shameless self promotion here.
I have a step by step pictorial tutorial for this ring at my Etsy shop, click the link here - Sparkly Crystal Ring Tutorial

Year End Christmas SALE

ALL TUTORIALS 20% percent Off the price shown at my Etsy Shop.
Visit my Etsy shop here

The coupon code is TUT20.
At check out, click Apply shop coupon code above "Item total" to enter the coupon code for your order.

If tutorial is marked at $3.00, you will pay just $2.40
If tutorial is marked at $5.00, you will pay just $4.00
If tutorial is marked at $6.00, you will pay just $4.80
If tutorial is marked at $8.00, you will pay just $6.40
If tutorial is marked at $12.00, you will pay just $6.40

Further 20% discount for Tutorial Packages.
If tutorial is marked at $12.00, you will pay just $9.60
If tutorial is marked at $70.00, you will pay just $56.00. That is for 16 tutorials!

Visit my Etsy Shop here.
Sale ends Dec 14

Probably the Easiest, Cheapest and Safest Way to Clean Your Silver

This is a long overdue post.
Some of the pictures were taken about two years ago.
Yeah! That looooooong ago.
Don't ask me why.
But I am finally sharing with you....jeng! jeng! jeng!.....

THE EASIEST, CHEAPEST and SAFEST WAY to CLEAN SILVER.
First thing first, here are the Before and After pictures.
The WHAT and HOW is further down the post.

Finally, the WHAT?
The SAMFONG POWDER.
A traditional pressed powder that's been around for decades (maybe century?).
There are two types shown here, one made in Hong Kong (right) and one made in Indonesia (left, pink).
If you are on this part of the world, you wouldn't have problem finding this powder.
Its everywhere - sundry shops to mini markets to supermarkets. Not sure about the mall though.

I don't use it but mom-in-law does.
Not on her face but for her silver!

Yes, the secret is out! ha! ha!
I learn this method of cleaning silver from MIL and she said her mother did the same.
MIL is in her 70s so that's a long long time ago.

I snapped this picture while she was cleaning her silver cuff thinking at that time I must blog about this....and here it is, two years later...hahaha
Cotton is used here.
Easy peasy!

You can use an old toothbrush too.
Just scratch some powder on and brush your silver ring or silver jewelry.

 

 

The powder and the silver chain after cleaning.

Dirty powder, shiny silver!

Hope you find this post useful.

Just another cheap and easy alternative to clean your silver jewelries.

Have a great weekend.

Happy belated Thanksgiving to readers that are celebrating.

Wire Wrap Donut Pendants

Took me few days to come up with this design.

You see, there are many ways to wrap a donut pendant. The easiest is to coil the wire several times around the donut and you are done. Simple, easy and fast.

But....but....but........
I like my donut to be able to turn freely around the wrap when done.
So, its worth the wait and I am quite happy with this design.

This blue stone is a commissioned piece.

The rutile donut belongs to yours truly.
My constant companion :)

This pendant went through several changes over the years. You can see it here (simple wrap that didn't last very long) and here (also didn't last long...I change my mind rather fast...hehe).

The third and last design lasted several years (the longest) but I can't seems to find any picture of it here.....ish! ish!

The wire wrapping is similar to this one here though (the yellow stone on top).

Enjoy your week.