Choosing the Right Bridal Accessories

Photos provided by the couple

Some brides prefer to wear traditional jewelry for their wedding. However, we sometimes encounter brides-to-be who prefer customized costume jewelry instead. Jem and Teng tied the knot last December, kindly Melai Creations, their wedding coordinator asked us to be their supplier for the bride's accessories. 

Initially we were only supposed to make Jem's hairpiece, but eventually she decided to have her earrings and bracelet customized as well, when she couldn't find designs that she fancied at retail stores. To tailor costume jewelry to be more appropriate for a formal wedding, we diversified the materials by including Swarovski Crystals and rhinestones.  

In designing her accessories, we made sure that it fit her style, preferences, and most importantly, for them to be in sync with her gown design and hairstyle. 

Here are some tips in choosing your bridal accessories: 
1. Make sure that the design is consistent with your bridal gown design and hairstyle.
2. Choose comfort. In Jem's case, knowing that it will be an all day event, she wanted her earrings and bracelets to be light and not cumbersome. 
3. Base the design on your preferences. There are so many bridal accessories offered in the market, but the key is to choose a style that reflects who you are and what makes you feel beautiful on your special day. 

We have a new blog focused solely on weddings and debuts.  

Visit http://www.weddingsanddebutsbypjv.blogspot.com 

Customized Bird Necklace

Last year Bea, a client based in the Singapore, approached us with a request to make her a necklace for a photo shoot with her band. Her inspiration comes from nature and the vibes of Woodstock back in '69.  Bea planned to pair it with her Frida-painted skirt, and black top, making the necklace accentuate her wardrobe. 

Bea described her vision for the necklace and she sent us a detailed sketch for her necklace. After receiving her instructions, we retreated to our workshop and began working on the project.

"From concept to reality. Thank you for making this possible. It feels like my personal story is beaded, tied and locked together in this piece. "- BEA

Recently, Bea traveled to Cambodia, wore her necklace and used the historical relics and monuments as  a backdrop for these soulful photos.

 

What Women Want: Personalizing Gifts

Last night I was reading an old issue of Reader’s Digest. I was intrigued by the story of Waris Dirie, a supermodel turned advocate and activist against female genital mutilation (FGM). After reading her story, I flipped through the pages and saw an article by Beth Levine.

Here’s an excerpt: 

Secrets About Women Husbands Should Know by Beth Levine (Reader's Digest, October 1999)

"SHE DOESN'T WANT SEXY LINGERIE OR KITCHEN APPLIANCES AS GIFTS." 

Why do gifts, which seem so trivial, sometimes cause such major problems for couples? " Women consider a gift's meaning, " says Albert Watson, associate professor of counseling at the University of Cincinnati. "When a husband gets his wife the latest book by her favourite author, the message is, "When you talk, I listen. I want to please you." But a toaster, or lingerie that makes her feel like a cow, says, " I don't know or care what you would like, so I'm going to please myself."

According to Cathleen Gray, "Men complain, If she wants me to get something in particular for her birthday, why doesn't she tell me? Meanwhile, she's thinking, If I have to tell you, I feel diminished as a woman because it means you haven't thought about me at all."

Christine Schrodt suffered for years while her husband, David, gave her gifts such as steak knives. But he's learned the hard way how important gifts are to her. "Now if he sees me admiring something, he makes a mental note," says Christine. "Six months later, on my birthday, he'll surprise me with it. It makes me feel loved."

I found myself grinning and immediately showed the article to my beau. Women put a lot of value and meaning to gifts. Whenever I think of gifts to give female friends and family, I want to make sure it’s something they want to have. I want my gifts to reflect them. For me they are not mere gifts but gifts that are well thought of, something that they will keep not one that’ll soon find its way to a garage sale.  

Before  Palamuti, making accessories was a hobby. I made accessories for myself and as gifts to female friends who like me are into wearing trinkets. I customize the pieces based on their personality and style. It’s not giving a gift convenient to give; the gift was about them not about me.Here’s a tip for men and women alike:  showing appreciation with the gift of sharing your time is a gift that will never go out of style. - PJV

Snowflakes in Summer

Our strength is customization. We understand the psychology of women's desire to wear one-of-a-kind pieces, and we are at their command.

One of our latest custom-made pieces is this enchanting  snowflake-inspired set.  The challenge for us in creating this set were:

- Sewing a pattern on a cut out white felt as large as coin

- Using mainly white and clear beads to create the feel of a snowflake

Though we are used to sewing patterns using seed and cut beads, the smaller space to sew the patterns on proved to be more challenging, and following the snowflake-edged felt was even more difficult. To add using white beads on hand-stitched bead embroidery tends to make patterns look flat.

Thanks, PJ for executing the design I have in mind. I love it! :)- Lei

With a lot of patience and dedication, we came out with this pattern, and upon approval of our client  turned them into a bracelet with snowflake metal charm and fresh water pearls paired with a set of dangling earrings.

Nothing makes us happier than being able to execute our client's preferences! 

Want us to execute a design for you, email us at info@palamutishop.com. Visit our designer's portfolio here. Feel free to browse our other designs on our Facebook Fan Page.

Filipino Debut Your Way

Debut here in the Philippines is celebrated by girls as they turn 18. It is an important event and the family of the debutante try to make their daughter's 18th birthday special. Turning 18 means being legal and it gives you more responsibility in terms of making decisions.

The debutante invites 18 male friends and relatives for the presentation of 18 roses. The guys hand their rose to the debutante and dance with her. The father is included in the 18 roses and is the last one to dance with the debutante.
Another part of the debut is the presentation of candles. It is performed by 18 female friends of the debutante. They say their short speech and light up the candle, which the debutante will eventually blow.
Also, there's the 18 treasures where friends give the debutante gifts and explain why they gave that kind of gift to her.

My celebration of my 18th birthday was just a simple one. It's not a grand debut but it was memorable. My family just had a small gathering. But if I could turn back time, I'd want a, not that luxurious, but still wonderful party.

Oh, and another exciting part of the debut are the souvenirs. Speaking of which, if you are looking for custom -made souvenirs for your debut, then Palamuti by PJ Valenciano is my bet.

We are extending our pre-holiday promo of 20% discount on all bulk purchases made on or before October 31, 2011 to debutants. Choose from our array of accessories, from our simplest to the most elaborate designs. Packaging is included!
We are now accepting orders for customized accessories and
costume jewelry starting this September!
Accessories for the Debutant starts at PhP500.00!
To request for quotes and pricelist, email palamutishop@gmail.com or pjvalenciano@palamutishop.com.
*Terms and Conditions Apply

For FAQ's:
http://palamutibypjvalenciano.blogspot.com/p/faqs.html

Add us on Facebook to view our most recent designs!
http://www.facebook.com/palamutibypjvalenciano

the Vinta: Filipina Heritage

The vinta is a traditional boat found in Mindanao.  To the locals, it is also known as lepa-lepa or sakayan. These boats are made by the Badjaos and Moros living in the Sulu Archipelago.  A typical vinta is characterized by its sail, the design of which comprises of assorted vertical colors which represent the colorful culture and history of the Muslim community who makes and uses them. These boats are used for inter-island transport of people and goods and can be found easiest in Zamboanga City.  

The vinta is also the inspiration behind the latest wearable art piece from local artisan PJ Valenciano.  While browsing through the internet, she came across a photo of a dark man inside a boat, with corals and huge conch shells on the floor of the craft surrounding him.  It was, however the colorful geometric patterns on the sail of the boat, a vinta, that she found most striking.  What sets this piece apart from other bib necklaces that have saturated the market today is the craftsmanship behind it and, most importantly, the distinctly Filipino look and feel that it exudes.  One glance and you can definitely see the resemblance to the Muslim vinta!

Vinta-inspired necklace for any occasion

This work of art was made with the features of the Filipina in mind.  Rich and opulent without overpowering, the Vinta-inspired necklace re-interpets our local heritage and translates it into the new millennium.  The play of colors, from citrusy lemon, mandarin, lime, and apricot, to cooler greens and purples is balanced enough that you can wear it regardless of time of day or season or even the wearer's skin tone.  And the piece itself, though more eye-catching and hefty than the usual chain necklace, is versatile enough to be worn with a white shirt on a simple lunch out with friends, or with a white gown on your special wedding day.

The Vinta-inspired necklace from Palamuti is truly a must-have this season, and for the years to come.  After all, showing off your heritage is never passe.  Given the intricate details of the piece (which took three days to make) and the artisan's philosophy on creating only one piece per design, I'd get my hands on one as soon as I could if I were you ;)  Contact PJ Valenciano for customized versions of this featured piece or to visit her showroom.

Also, watch out for more wearable art pieces inspired by the colorful and lively patterns unique in Philippine cultural artifacts!

the loveliest bride of all

Magpakatotoo tayo. What girl hasn’t fantasized about her wedding day?  Most of us grew up watching Disney classics such as Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella, and we have all spent an almost exorbitant amount of our girlhood daydreaming time on the moment when our very own Prince Charming will sweep us off our feet.  Some of us may have focused our energies on visualizing the man of our dreams himself (mine has thankfully progressed from Nick Carter to Johnny Depp or Ryan Gosling).  Others have scoured the pages of travel magazines to determine where they would like to get married (white sand beach or a century-old church?).  But I think my guess is right on the money when I say that most of us have scrutinized every magazine and website to perfect one image of our wedding day—that of ourselves.

Maybe celebrities are used to prancing around in fancy ball gowns and 5-inch jeweled stilettos, but most of us regular people don’t have the occasion or pockets deep enough to do that.  If we’re blessed enough, we get our one chance to do that. Oh and yes, we get to marry the Prince too!  Of course, we have to wake up from Lala land and return to the reality of the situation, at some point.

Knight in shining armor? Check. 

Bride-to-be with a million and one things on her mind? Check. 

400-strong family and friends? Check. 

Bank vaults unhinging due to a scandalous amount of wealth hidden behind the doors? Uhmmmm…

Well the good news is that you don’t have to sell your farm and 6 carabaos, or all the items in your closet and library, just to pay for your dream wedding.  There are so many options out there from wedding invitations to party favors to flowers and all that jazz—and your outfit is most definitely not an exemption!

Of course, we usually envisage ourselves in our versions of our dream wedding gowns.  There are various styles to suit each and every unique personality.  But oftentimes, brides have neglected a key item that would have otherwise helped elevate their special look—bridal accessories.  As in daily life, accessories can make or break your outfit, which is why it will be good to take special note of this as you get ready to walk down the aisle.  Over the next few days, I’ll be giving you some tips and ideas on how to channel your inner princess for the big day with the help of some magical bling.  Fairy Godmother and pumpkin optional.

 

Your wish is our command ♥

We just love when people ask us to customize jewelry for them. Here are some of the handmade jewelries we made for this month.

Mary's Doll House

Palamuti Earrings for Mary Anne Viñas
We rarely create earrings nowadays , but since a Palamuti earrings lover requested for a pair, we obliged.

Golden Chloe

Agate Stones and Mother of Pearls with Antique Brass Charms and Chains

Pilar's Love Affair

Customized Necklace for Pilar Babaran

Charmed

Customized bracelet requested by AIM staff for Dean Victoria Licuanan

Juliet

Necklace for Tita Marichi de Sagun

Red Queen

Agate Stones and Mother of Pearl with Antique Brass Charms and Chains

Visit http://kikayism.multiply.com/ . Email palamutishop@gmail.com or kikayism@gmail.com . We are on Facebook. Share in the new art.

♥ Ambrosia in the Garden of Eden ♥

Costume Jewelry can make great gifts for all ages. From its inception on stage to the fashion industry, costume jewelry, today, has made a niche of its own.

This necklace is a customized gift for ACW Distribution's General Manager, Janet C. Yulo. We used brown agate stones and mother of pearls with 18 inches of antique brass chain.

Visit http://kikayism.multiply.com/. Email palamutishop@gmail.com or kikayism@gmail.com  . We are on Facebook. Share in the new art.