Occasions of Joy

Joy wears Tanya Cordero, El Nido Likha, Rose Necklace over a black top. 

Joining bazaars has given us the opportunity to meet new people- from new customers, fellow artist-entreprenuers and bloggers. Joy Mendiola is the woman behind the blog "Occasions ofJoy". It was in 2012 when we joined the Global Pinoy Bazaar, a yearly bazaar organized by Yabang Pinoy, that promotes and cultivates a "community of entrepreneurs and consumers that value Filipino craftsmanship and culture." 

I shared the booth then with a fellow handmade brand, PiTaka , which was the brainchild of Ana Janer Locsin. It was our second time to join the yearly bazaar and I remember having the best moments and memories when I first joined. We met new friends and this second round was not a disappointment as well for it was when we met Joy. 

 

Joy is wearing our Willow Necklace when she covered the Property Brother's Event. 

Mother's Day Outfit by Joy. She's wearing Steph Lopez's Teardrop Necklace .

Joy featured us in 2012 on her blog,Occasions of Joy. It was not until recently, during the first quarter of this year, that we have reconnected over a cup of coffee at one of my favorite places in the Metro, Coffee Bean in Shangri-La. I asked her to help us to promote our revamped website, which features not only our works, but the creations of other Filipino women artisans.  Our meeting was like catching up among two old friends who haven't seen each other for a while, and Joy has been very supportive of Palamuti and our other artists ever since. Last February, Novie and I with Stephanie Lopez gave a workshop along with others on Occasions of Joys 5th anniversary. Paola Germar provided gift cards for the kids while Kim Basa sponsored giveaways for the volunteers, teachers and principals. 

She's definitely a fan of Steph Lopez's wire art necklace and this mom is rockin' it! 

Joy has be wearing our handmade pieces and continue to do so. Today is her 42nd birthday and this super woman deserves a shout out from us for bringing joy not only to her family but as well as to those people around her. 

Photos by Occasions of Joy

Keeping it real. -PJV

Bead Jewelry Party Workshop

GET CRAFTY! A great addition to your daughter's birthday party is a mini workshop on making handmade bead jewelry! Amaya Accents, together with our Palamuti beaders, had a fun time teaching moms and daughters on how to make simple one-strand faux pearl necklaces. This mini-workshop is a great activity for hyperactive kids, since it challenges their creativity and sense of accomplishment, while being fun and interactive at the same time.

Mothers and daughters tap into their creative side

Surprisingly, we attracted guests from different age groups, and even some dads and big brothers too! Participants took home their faux pearl necklaces as a souvenir of bead jewelry mini-workshop.

Book a Bead Jewelry Party with Amaya Accents by emailing amayaaccents@gmail.com.

Here's a similar story on the benefits of crafting:

Creation Story: 10 Reasons to Craft with Kids by Jackie Ashton
http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-reasons-to-craft-with-children-diy-project-with-kids-holiday-diy-projects-happier-at-home 
For inquiries please email amayaaccents@gmail.com.

Meet our Artisans

With mommy and the birthday girl

Make your own birthday souvenir!

Mini-workshop buzzing with moms and daughters

Goodie Bags!

Setting up before the big event

Big sisters and little sisters concentrating on their necklaces

Judy Ann teaching guests fun techniques on making accessories

Everyone had a great time at the party!

March Celebrant

March Birthstone poem - the Aquamarine
"A March born shall always be
Soothed by Aqua, gem of sea
This mermaid's treasured stone you wear
Will bring happiness, love, affection and care."

Photo Credit: http://www.list-of-birthstones.com/March%20Birthstone.html

"Aquamarine, meaning "water of the sea" is a birthstones for the month of March

 (along with bloodstone and jasper). "

 March Celebrants are associated with the Aquamarine gemstone; which comes from the the latin word "aqua marina". When translated,  means "water of the sea ". For female loved ones celebrating their birthday on March, giving them accessories based on their birthstones can be done with style! One can simply walk into any retail market for accessories and choose from a vast selection. However, if you want to give something unique for a very special person, you can have their accessories customized, with or without incorporating the gem stone. 

Here are some of our suggestions: 

1. Make use of gemstone's color, if not the gemstone itself.

"Mermaid Out of Water" Wire Art

Set using aquamarine crystals

"Mermaid Out of Water"

2. Use materials that are evocative of the sea

Painted Capiz by Nikki Valenzuela

Daily Palamuti

Remind yourself of the beach and sun.

3. Commission concept pieces based on your ideas

Child of the Sea by PJ Valenciano

"For those who were born in the month of March the Aquamarine is the traditional birthstone. The March birthstone poem reflects some of the properties with which the Aquamarine is associated - faithfulness, courage and friendship. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the March Birthstone Aquamarine are  awareness, quick response and easing communication problems. The healing properties of the March birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to throat problems and stress-related illness."

http://www.birthdaygems.org/march-birthstone.htm 

Birth Stones and Their Meanings

To date, some people still believe in birth stones. Their meaning, meditative and healing powers originate from the beliefs of early civilization. They are said to ascribe magical properties in relation to their respective signs of the zodiac spectrum. It is believed by astrologers that to wear your birth stone can help a person influence the planets to grant them favor and good fortune.  

The stones are assigned based on the Gregorian Calendar, and they are incorporated in one’s article of jewelry. Below is a chart of birthday stones per month. 

Month	Birthstone	Zodiac Sign	Dates of Zodiac Signs	Meanings
April	Diamond	Aries	March 21 - April 20	action, passion, and energy
May	Emerald	Taurus	April 21 - May 20	loyalty, faithfulness and friendship together with memory, clairvoyance and faith
June	Pearl	Gemini	May 21 - June 21	loyalty, faithfulness and friendship together with modesty, chastity and purity, also used to enhance personal integrity
July	Ruby	Cancer	June 22 - July 22	devotion, integrity, courage and happiness together with vitality, confidence and strength, also used to enhance energy, generosity and to bring success
August	Peridot	Leo	July 23 - August 23	love, truth, faithfulness and loyalty together with fame, dignity, and protection, also used to enhance prosperity, growth, and openness
September	Sapphire	Virgo	August 24 - September 23	truth, sincerity and constancy together with clairvoyance, insight and interpretation
October	Opal	Libra	September 24 - October 23	hope, innocence and purity together with happiness, faithfulness, loyalty and confidence
November	Topaz	Scorpio	October 24 - November 22	constancy, loyalty, faithfulness and friendship together with strength, releasing tension and balancing emotions
December	Turquoise	Sagittarius	November 23 - December 21	prosperity, success, happiness and good fortune together with open communication, protection against all diseases, regeneration, and strengthening
January	Garnet	Capricorn	December 22 - January 20	awareness, commitment, regeneration, insight and removing negativity
February	Amethyst	Aquarius	January 21 - February 19	stability, peace, balance, courage, inner strength together with sincerity and a calm disposition
March	Aquamarine	Pisces	February 20 - March 20	faithfulness, courage and friendship together with awareness, quick response and easing communication problems

 Resource: http://www.birthdaygems.org/birthstone-list/index.htm 

Recently, we received requests to make accessories based on birth stones. As such, we started incorporating different stones to our collections; from simple long necklaces to elaborate statement pieces. 

Gift Suggestions

You can incorporate your birth stone into any article of jewelry; bracelets, brooches, necklaces and anklets customized, wherein you can incorporate your respective birth stone. Here are our favorites:

1. Bracelets

Palamuti by PJ Valenciano

2. Embellished fabric necklaces 

Palamuti by PJ Valenciano

3. Multi-way accessory: Necklace with a detachable pendant/ brooch

Palamuti by PJ Valenciano

4. Scarf Necklace 

Palamuti by PJ Valenciano

These pieces can be unique birthday gifts for your loved ones this 2013. Make their birthdays memorable with pieces that are personalized, well thought of, and most importantly, made with love.