Customized Pieces: Flowers & Butterflies

A client of ours, who loves to accessorize and collect original handmade jewellery, recently asked us to customize statement necklace for her. The design’s theme revolved around clustered flowers and butterflies. She also specified us to use, predominantly; the colors red, yellow, peach, and pink for the florwers while royal blue, magenta, fuchsia, yellow and apple green for the butterfly.  After several sketches, we were finally able to design two pieces:  

A challenge that we always face in bead embroidery design is how to give the piece texture. It’s an element of design that stops our creations from getting a “flat” look. Along with maintaining a proper balance between color combinations and texture; we always make sure that our pieces “come to life” in accordance with what our client wants.

To give the flower cluster piece texture, I decided to use flower brooches. First, I removed the pins from the original stock of brooches. I then used the flower part of the brooch to embellish the handmade statement necklace. This is a very tedious process, especially if you’re sewing the brooches, individually, by hand. However, we were very pleased with what came out:

For the butterfly-inspired statement pieces, we went back to the basics, in that we used simple craft beads as the main component for the necklace. The challenge in using craft beads meanwhile is how to make the piece glamorous, while using base materials. We achieved by subtly placing a few pieces of crystals to the entire piece. This slight addition greatly enhances the effect of the craft beads:

Lastly, we improved our finishing by using faux leather instead of the usual satin or suede/ felt cloth, to cover the back.

It’s a difficult task to envision and design a piece that’s supposed to adhere to another person’s aesthetics and style. It’s even more difficult to execute. Finding the right material, colors, and blending them together is a painful process in itself. Even with all that effort, at the end of the day, your client might even reject it. However, we view this entire process as a form of collaborating and learning. We believe that experience is life’s best teacher; and it’s always a soulful experience to see beauty through the eyes of another.

Keeping it real. - PJV 

Palamuti's Journey to El Nido, Palawan

El Nido, Palawan is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines in terms of natural beauty. Rated as “the best beach and island destination” in the country, El Nido is home to picturesque limestone cliffs, diverse endemic wildlife, and a rich marine ecosystem. A top tourist destination, most notably during the months of December through May, residents of El Nido have geared towards satisfying the demands of travelers from all over the world, who have come to bask in their tropical paradise.

Sadly, once the massive swell of tourists trickles down during the off-peak monsoon season, so do the opportunities for employment and earning money. With Palamuti’s advocacy for helping women artisans, it was a perfect place to discover and develop new talent. The Philippines is a country which does not lack for artistic talent. However, most of this talent remains untapped, simply because those blessed with the abilities rarely have the chance to nurture them, as they are pressed with more immediate needs, such as a stable and reliable income to care for their families.

We decided to target a small group of women; namely mothers and young women under the poverty alleviation group “Gawad Kalinga”, in Brgy. Masagana, El Nido, Palawan. Dubbed as the “GK” community, families residing there earn their income through working for tourist establishments, run small to medium scale businesses in the form of stores and touring groups, or catch fish in the sea to sell or eat. However, they too are greatly affected during the tourist lean season, and must find other ways to support themselves. Additionally, women in the rural Philippines are tasked with caring for the needs of the home and her children while the men are out working.

" Novie is from Ilocos Norte and was not able to pursue a college degree for her family’s lack of finances. However, this does not stop her from being able to help her family in the province. As a Palamuti artisan and designer, she is supporting her two younger siblings in finishing their studies.
As part of our goal in developing and educating our Palamuti in-house artisans, Novie became the first apprentice to take a vocational course in Fashion Accessory Making. For the past few years we have been invited to conduct small scale workshops, mostly for participants from poor communities, on how to make handmade accessories. As our chief apprentice, she has played a significant role as an instructor for these workshops, most especially during the 3-week training in El Nido, Palawan. Despite her modest education, she has become capable of passing on knowledge to other women. Training to become an artisan has given her a sense of direction, fulfillment, and dignity."

So as not to interfere with their daily routine, we held an informal Palamuti three-week skills development workshop on bead embroidery in their community. Throughout this period of teaching and training, the women who had the skill, patience, and commitment needed for a Palamuti artisan, were thinned out from the herd. This process helps us to find the people we value; those who believe in our vision of beauty and hope, translated into wearable, unique and exquisitely handcrafted art pieces.

It is our hope to give these budding new artisans a helping hand by giving them new avenues to channel and improve their artistic gifts, while helping to support their families in a way that doesn't separate them from home or disrupt their day-to-day lives. A mother can still care for her children and watch over the family store, while working on her latest design. A student can still go to school and complete her studies, while spending her free time creatively instead succumbing to idle pastimes and vice. All they need to devote is a little bit of time, and the willingness to become a little bit better, one step at a time, not just artistically, but as a person as well.

The workshop was also able to generate a buzz among some business owners in El Nido, Palawan. The handmade creations of these artisans will soon be displayed in a hotel souvenir shop, a dive shop, a beach bar, and a few independent souvenirs shops. In line with our vision to give Filipino women artisans a global platform to sell their craft, Palamuti will also be selling their creations on our website.

 With a bit of work, hope, and meeting the right people, we were able to plant the seeds of our vision in El Nido. We plan on coming back next year to teach new techniques, and to hopefully find more promising women artisans.

Keeping it real. - PJV

                    

Beading from the Heart

Spring Inspired Bead Embroidery Necklaces

Training these women in the art of bead embroidery is perhaps our most important investment. 

Our artists are also taught other techniques such as bead linking and wire art. However our specialty definitely leans toward bead embroidery. Our brand is known for creating pieces using this main technique. Initially, we produced large statement pieces. However, we have since diversified and produced a line of minimalist bead embroidered necklaces; which gives more options for our clients on when they can wear their special art pieces. Artisans assigned to bead embroidery tasks require 6 months of training intensively.  The art of bead embroidery is taxing, both artistically and mentally, and one artisan can accomplish only 2- 3 designs per week. 

Cherry Blossoms # 1
US Dollars: $35.00

 Dandelion
US Dollars: $31.00

 Orchid
  US Dollars: $35.00

Stargazer # 1
US Dollars: $35.00

Spring Lady
US Dollars: $35.00

 Spring Lady
US Dollars: $33.00

Stargazer # 2
US Dollars: $35.00

 Primrose
US Dollars: $31.00

 Narcissus
US Dollars: $31.00

Lily of the Valley
US Dollars: $28.00

 Sweet Pea
US Dollars: $28.00

 Poppy
US Dollars: $28.00

 Snowdrops
US Dollars: $28.00

Color of the Year 2014: Radiant Orchid

UTOPIA

"Radiant Orchid blooms with confidence and magical warmth that intrigues the eye and sparks the imagination. It is an expressive, creative and embracing purple—one that draws you in with its beguiling charm. A captivating harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid emanates great joy, love and health."- Pantone.Com

We are as ecstatic as the next designer when Pantone announced the "color of the year". Personally, we love the majesty of radiant orchid, and apparently, so do many of our clients.We believe one of the main reasons to like this color is that it's warm to the eyes.Radiant orchid is also said  to symbolize femininity and strength. 

Read more about radiant orchid here.

Here's a rundown of handmade jewelry and accessories inspired by the color of the year. 

You can purchase any of these pieces, on our website. Please note that some items are yet to be posted online, but you can send your inquiries on availabiliy, through our contact form. 

 CATALINA LAYERED NECKLACE 

$40.00 

ALLIGATOR GAR

$50.00

 CARNATION AMONG THE THORNS

$50.00

 DAILY PALAMUTI NECKLACE 

SALE PRICE: $8.00

 HIRAYA SCARF NECKLACE 

$25.00

PANGARAP NI ESPERANZA 

$33.00

 CONSUELO 

$33.00

 HIYAS

$31.00

 

ROSALINA

$20.00

ESTRELLA

$26.00

 BOHEMIAN EARRINGS

Custom Made

ESMERALDA

$36.00

Preview 1: Lily's Garden Bag Collection

     We have always thought of creating and designing bags for Palamuti, as a new line of accessories for women, to include in our product offerings. This year, we were finally able to jump start the project by redesigning a locally made bag, by giving it a new look. These totes are made from pandan fiber, an indigenous material in the Philippines, which are then crafted by Filipino Artisans from Negros.

     We decided to add our signature wire art designs using mother of pearl shells and acrylic crystals. These bags will soon be available on our website, but if you want to get your hands on these pieces now, feel free to send an email at info@palamutishop.com!

Palamuti Artisan: Novi

We are very proud of our women artisans, who we trained in the art of accessory making. Our mission includes sending them to fashion schools to improve their skills and increase their knowledge in designing. Today, it's a dream come true for us, and for one of our in-house beaders, Novi. She just started taking classes on fashion accessories in one of the best fashion schools in the country. She'll also be enrolled in other curricula such, as fashion embellishment and bag making! Prior to taking classes, Novi has been designing for Palamuti, and specializes in making embellished scarves. 

Partnership Opportunity: Host an Intimate Trunkshow

Our Palamuti community is growing! Become a bridge of hope, beauty, and change by introducing Palamuti with your stylish loved ones, in spreading our vision in creating a tradition of craftsmanship and excellence through handmade accessories for every woman. In doing so, we hope to provide employment opportunities for women artisans from all walks of life. Host an intimate gathering for your friends over a simple get together at your home, or favorite coffee shop or restaurant, and we'll bring our Style Advocate, together with your choice of Palamuti Products, to show your guests!

Benefits:
> Send invites through email to your guest list.
> Get special discounts when you host your own trunk show.
> Select your own fashion line-up.
> Receive a special gift from Palamuti.
> Our Palamuti Style Representative will give you tips on accessorizing the Palamuti Way.

FOR INQUIRIES: info@palamutishop.com