Tredding Beyond Fashion

" In the same way that an owner and her jewelry become merged in the process of wearing a piece, there is a coalescing of the artist and her work in the process of creating it." - Suzanne Ramljak (United in Beauty: The Jewelry and Collectors of Linda Macniel) 

Stitching is one of my favorite forms of crafting. I grew up watching my Aunt Fely with her needle and thread, and was amazed on what she could come up with in such a short period of time. My mother was another influence. On her free time I see her doing embroidery; decorating handkerchiefs and pillow cases. She would always harp an account of  how, as a child, I would gather DISCARDED fabrics to make dresses and  accessories for my dolls.  It came as no surprise to her when I started exploring sewing beads on felt cloth and incorporating fabrics to my designs.

The challenge however was not only about the design and its execution but convincing women that these pieces are more than replacement for precious jewelry or disposable accessories relying on trends but in itself works of art. We would be often asked regarding the  price, which is a bit more expensive compared to costume jewelries sold at bazaars and retail stores and we would patiently explain the process a piece went through.  I am proud to say that our embellished necklaces are a reflection of craftsmanship, patience and dedication. Accessories, believe it or not , have a deeper value than simply regarding them as mere possessions. - PJV

"As a form of art, a costume jewelry piece should not be judged on the merits of the materials used to make it. But it should be judged based on its beauty, artistic design, and most importantly of all: it should make you feel happy."

There's More to Costume Jewelry

As a rule costume jewelry, strictly speaking, was meant to be a cost-effective alternative to the real thing. Losing or damaging pieces made with real gems and precious metals over synthetic byproducts is almost never preferable. But what if the costume jewelry you possessed was a one-of-a-kind creation; exclusively designed to fit your tastes, and by a master artisan no less? Wouldn’t you feel just as miserable? 

The genesis of costume jewelry is a subject that can be debated at great length. However, one thing is for certain; technology, techniques, and the materials available have advanced in such ways that, it can also be argued that capturing the essence of beauty is where the true value of a costume jewelry piece lies.  

With the coming of progress, there also come certain cautions. The earth, man, or nature, in one way or another, may provide the clay from which we shape our statues and sculptures. But it is the artisans' hand that guides its form, shape, and most importantly: message. The same goes for costume jewelry. 

When it comes to choosing the correct costume jewelry piece to compliment your ensemble or to add to your collection, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Firstly, inspect the quality of your chosen trinket. Items of exceptional quality tend to stand out almost immediately. However, some products with inferior are slightly more difficult to discern.  Does the piece seem to have certain rough edges like it was churned out of a factory line? Or was it constructed masterfully, with an artisan’s eye, and a craftsman’s touch?  

  As a form of art, a costume jewelry piece should not be judged on the merits of the materials used to make it. But it should be judged based on its beauty, artistic design, and most importantly of all: it should make you feel happy. 

Traveling with Your Fashion Accessories

Though costume jewelries are not in the same league as “real” jewelry when it comes to price and monetary value, this fact should not give you an excuse to handle it as though it were indeed disposable.  With proper care and handling; superbly made trinkets, with their timeless designs and quality, can even be handed down to the next generation.

Here are some tips to help you preserve your baubles; especially when it comes to storage, handling, and transport.

1) Use bubble wrap as opposed to a zip-top plastic bag:  The main purpose of the bubble wrap is to absorb shock and contact for delicate cargo. Costume jewelry of any form, no matter how brilliantly constructed, does not fare well when it comes under duress. Plastic bags maybe durable, but they won’t be as good as bubble wrap when preventing damage such as scratches.

2) Do not stow costume jewelry as though it were a piece of luggage, when it comes to traveling. If possible, avoid putting weight or pressure on them. For example, when traveling by plane, it would be best if you put them in with your hand luggage instead of bunging them in the plane’s cargo hold. 

 

3) You can always purchase travel kits which are specifically made for accessories, in a similar fashion as to laptop bags. Find those with padded cushions to secure your trinkets. These precautions will prevent your items from being greatly affected by external conditions such as temperature, humidity, and almost inevitable physical contact.

 

All these precautions greatly increase the longevity of your beloved accessories.

Body Harness Reworked

Accessories have always had a place in my wardrobe. I have a penchant for scouring trinkets that are not produced in bulk. Following fads were never my thing, since I prefer wearing pieces that mirror my style and personality. I prefer pieces that I will treasure and wear with pride, even if they are simple costume jewelries, and not the real thing. Drawing from this desire, I decided to make Palamuti a podium for where women have the choice to dictate the style and design specific to their tastes.

Nothing makes me more excited when clients ask me to execute an idea. I am lucky that they also trust us to improve on the design if it need be, and of course, incorporate our signature techniques in making the actual piece.

Our latest project is a body harness.  Body harness, better known as armor jewelry, is nothing new. But knowing this made making one more challenging. A popular design for a body harness is to be fashioned together using chains, while the emerging trend sees some made of leather.

We were sent two pegs to help us visualize AJ's preferences. I elected to incorporate embellishment into the design as its main accent and  used rosary chain for the body frame. The output is this simple body harness in which AJ can pair easily with her outfits whether for work or play. - PJV

Preparing for the Big Day

The engagement marks the beginning of months long of preparation for your big day.Initially, you are jumping for joy feeling elated and on top of the world. But mind you, there's a long list of things that need to be done prior to your wedding. Without a doubt after the excitement subsides you'll be asking yourselves, "Where do we start?".

Here are some simple tips to get you onset.

1. KNOW WHAT YOU WANT 

Sit down and discuss among yourselves what you want for your wedding. Keep in mind that your wedding is about the two of you being united as husband and wife. To start the ball rolling, brainstorm and list everything down. If your husband-to-be finds it difficult to enumerate his own expectations for your wedding, here's a practical tip from Bridal Book PH: list down what you don't want; the elimination process should filter your ideas down to the most ideal and feasible option.

2.  SET YOUR BUDGET 

It may be your big day, but that doesn't give you an excuse to splurge away your savings. Be practical.  Determine the amount that you can afford, and set a realistic budget and be sure to set aside a contingency fund. After all, you don't want to go bankrupt after the wedding day do you?

Here's another tip in ascertaining your budget:  

"Assign certain parts of the budget to specific wedding categories (ceremony, reception, bride & groom's wardrobe, rings, etc.). Agree on which part of the wedding is more important to both of you. This will greatly help to determine what part of the budget to allot where. For example, if you believe that the marriage ceremony is more important than the celebration (the Philippines ascribes greater importance on the church wedding rites than the after-party), allot a bigger amount of the budget for the church expenses (decors, music, rings) and opt for a simpler reception." Read more: How to Plan a Dream Wedding on a Budget in the Philippines | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_6362250_plan-dream-wedding-budget-philippines.html#ixzz1uZDri2GP

 

You can also read more creative ways on how you can save from Practical Wedding Guides.

3. MAKE A CHECKLIST

The long list of what do do prior to your wedding can be alarming and at times certain items might get overlooked as the big day approaches. Avoid unnecessary stress and the risk of  forgetting something important by making a checklist and setting a time table for each task and item. This will serve as your guide in eliminating  last minute miscues and major disasters on your big day. If you are hiring a wedding planner, it is recommended that you have your own "wedding countdown sheet" to monitor the progress of your wedding plans.

4. CHOOSE YOUR THEME 

 A theme will set the tone and mood of your wedding. Knowing your theme can help you narrow down the correct choices, especially when it comes to choosing suppliers. Another tip from Bridal Book PH, create a mood board in which you can show your suppliers, to better convene exactly what you are expecting from them.

5. CANVASS FOR SUPPLIERS 

Take your time in looking for suppliers. Attend bridal fairs if possible, as these events are a hotbed for wedding suppliers. Suppliers present at these events range from; photographers, venue, make-up, etc. Do not just compare prices, compare the quality as well. Dedicate an ample amount of time to choose the correct supplier that can cater to your needs. Do your research, but don't forget to have fun in the process!

Passing It On

Recently, some people have been asking us if we conduct workshops on accessory making. Truth is we don't then we realized why not for a change.  As such, we are now offering one-on-one classes. We can teach you basic bead linking, wiring, and embellishment. We believe in hands on training so expect to get your hands dirty.

Why one-on-one? The things you will learn from our workshop will be based on what you want to know. This means that we will be customizing the hands on training based on your preferences. For example, if you already know how to do the basic bead linking and would want to focus on wiring, we can do so. At the end of the workshop, we hope to have shared our love affair with accessory making. 

Learn by doing. For more information, you may email our designer PJ Valenciano at pjvalenciano@palamutishop.com.

Wear It Proud, Wear Imelda

A girl must have one of our Imelda pieces! These handmade necklaces are made of seed beads stitched on a black felt cloth formed into a cylindrical strand. It's a wearable simple statement neck piece with topnotch workmanship by our craftswomen. You can wear it anywhere and anytime of the day.  

 Outfit #1: Still sporting your white Keds sneakers? For a casual fresh and dainty look  pair your Imelda necklace with a fun and vibrant skirt lined with tribal prints together with a raw edged tank with racer back detail. Wear your whites and off you go frolicking with an aura of sunshine.

Outfit # 2: Preppy-licious. Bring out your classic v-neck collar blouse then wear a cropped  peg trouser in light brown. Pull off the look with a charming oxford menswear inspired pairs. Wear your Imelda for an ambiance of opulence.

Outfit # 3: Feeling mysterious, sultry and hot? Be not the damsel in distress but coveted.  Bring out your high heel suede booties, black stretched denim and a chiffon top. Break black by wearing this royal blue Imelda necklace.

Outfit # 4: Still living in a summer state-of-mind? Pick a maxi dress, your favorite sandals then wear it with Imelda during one of your visits to your tropical paradise.

One-strand Imelda necklace (short): PhP450.00

Convert Philippine Peso into other currency here: http://www.xe.com/ucc

Sources:

http://www.zappos.com/keds-champion-leather-cvo-white-leather?zlfid=2

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/tako-skirt/invt/11303172/?siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-WOo74gu.rL5OLizdOFL82A&cm_mmc=linkshare-_-linkbuilder-_-linkbuilder-_-linkbuilder

http://www.lespommettes.com/product_info.php?products_id=4975&name=Black%20Crane%20Raw%20Edge%20White%20Tank

http://www.zappos.com/keds-champion-leather-cvo-white-leather?zlfid=2

http://www.mexx.eu/women/blouses/blouse-tailored-uni-v-neck-blouse-in-supple-stretch/p-n1me4475/?ColourCode=623

http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/item10078554.aspx

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/177474?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-Custom-_-Link-_-Builder&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-hBWhN5Jy.L5tTGILsqCLxg

http://www.romwe.com/sleeveless-black-longline-tshirt-p-33603.html

http://www.sirenshoes.com.au/damsel.html

http://www.calypsostbarth.com/Bloussant-Full-Maxi-Dress-p-19954.html

Memory Lane

I decided to combine embellishment and linked chains in the design structure for our Holiday Collection 2012.  It's a journey of finding "PJ, the young, minimalist, and adventurous lass".

I have to admit, chains haven't had the spotlight in our recent collections. I was so engrossed in making embellished pieces that I have forgotten my love for chains, and the simple pleasure of wearing a long necklace chain with a single pendant over a white tank top. Close friends of Palamuti have been asking and wondering when I'll release a collection of chains that I used to be so fond of. This forced me to review my past chain collection which I sold at bazaars.

I always had the notion that my chain collection was nothing out of the ordinary, but in retrospect, they were "different" in their own rite. These pieces, together with my first wire art collection, landed me my first TV feature on TFC's ORIG. Chains reflected  my personal style, while our embellished necklaces were, for me, paintings on a felt cloth canvass.   

 rhodium chain necklace with fabric applique as pendant

pairing my favorite top with  an antique brass chain necklace with  charms and  semi-precious stones

wore  layered long antique brass chains with wood and agate stones with my 

leopard sleeveless top to last year's PFW

Every day for me is a new day to discover new things.

At times, every day becomes a memory of the past.- PJV

My 2010 Chain Collection

Photos courtesy of Virgie Sorita-Flores 

http://www.angkulet.com/

Here's a preview of our Holiday Collection for 2012

 Desidere will be a collection of harness jewelries, anklet-shoe accessories, cuffs for your arms and hands, and eye catching rings to adorn your pretty fingers. 

Up Close and Personal Take 2

Artists come and go in the world of show business. Not all can survive the dog-eat-dog world of the entertainment industry and some could barely sustain their careers as the public shifts their eyes to a younger generation, but for Jean Garcia, her passion for acting has its own rewards. At the age of 42, she is still a familiar face on local television and the big screen,winning  the 2012 9th Golden Screen Awards for Best Performance by an Actress in a leading role, for the film "Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa" for Cinemalaya. 

Jean Garcia has been around local showbiz for more than a decade. You may remember her as one of the young and budding artists gracing That's Entertainment's Tuesday group during the late 80s to early 90s. She bagged her first starring role at age 17 for the movie "Impaktita", but Jean is best remembered for her antagonistic role as "Madame Claudia" in 2000 for the TV Drama "Pangako sa Iyo". You might also remember her being the cover model of FHM's October 2008, making heads turn her way.

 Ms. Jean Garcia (wearing Palamuti's In the Garden of Eden necklace) poses for a shot with co-host Jolina Magdangal.

Source: http://www.facebook.com/PersonalanGMA

Two weeks ago we met Ms. Jean Garcia, beautiful as ever, during her taping for GMA News TV's Personalan.She and Jolina Magdangal are the new hosts for the one-hour real life talk show. The reason for our visit is to deliver her Palamuti pieces which she will be wearing for the show. In the next episodes of Personalan, check out Ms. Jean Garcia wearing our handmade pieces. We are honored to have her wear Palamuti!

Save Up For Mother's Day

It's pay day! Save up and buy your mom something extra special for Mother's Day. We gathered some of the pieces that can make her feel "extra". 

Give her a a classic mother of pearl with crystals and fresh water pearls brooch. You can even opt to give her a set of brooch and necklace if you like. 

Our wire art pieces made of assorted beads and shells are one of our most requested pieces especially by our clients abroad. One of our wire arts was purchased by an American TV and Radio Host, Billy Bush for his wife. 

Our statement necklaces are also a big hit and not just among young adults. You'd think only celebrities or fashion trenders would wear these pieces, you'd be surprise!

You can also buy your mom a pair or more earrings, from simple to loud pieces which she can wear in different occasions. Check out Hazel Gonzales, a proud mom, respected make-up artist and owner of HG Studio wearing one of our feather earrings. 

 Photo by HG Studio 

Hazel with DJ Tracy Abad

Like HG on Facebook

And who says moms can's be hip? They may even enjoy wearing our linked up trinkets! 

Our moms were girls once! Surely they enjoyed playing dress-up when they were young. That little girl is still there amidst being your mom!

 Take a look at our products on Facebook. 

Do you wan to have something customized especially for mom? Email us at info@palamutishop.com. 

Meet Palamuti's head designer by visiting her portfolio website: http://pjvalenciano.com.

Prices are in Philippine Peso 

Convert Philippine Peso into other currency here: http://www.xe.com/ucc

You can refer to the following list for the price range of our regular products:

1. Earrings: PhP65-PhP350.00
2. Bracelets and Cuffs: PhP150-PhP400
3. Rings: PhP150-PhP400
4. Ring Bracelets: PhP300-PhP500
5. Brooches: PhP150-PhP400.00
6. Hairpieces:PhP200-PhP1,000
7. Embellished Necklaces: PhP1,000- PhP3,800
8. Wire Art Necklaces: PhP580-PhP1,000
9. Daily Necklaces: PhP380-PhP600 (For Daily Palamuti visit http://dailypalamuti.multiply.com)