The Art in Painting Nails with Lei Ramos

Lei at work.

The artist behind Tips N’ Hues is Lei Ramos. Lei was one of our clients in Palamuti. I remember her first custom-made request was a snowflake-inspired bracelet and earring set.  I didn’t know she herself was an artist, until I kept seeing nail art photos on her Facebook Timeline. When I finally met her to deliver another custom-made order, I saw her nails and learned that she was the one who made it. It turns out that nail art is one of her passions. The truth is, she only offers her nail art services to those who are interested. And she’s been doing this for quite sometime in fact.

Nail art by Lei on one of our models.
Photo by Stephanie Lopez 

My cherry blossom inspired nails. Check out the wire art ring by Stephanie Lopez. 

A more intricate nail art design by Lei on Palamuti Apprentice, Novie. 

I’ve never been into nail art plainly because I thought that it doesn’t fit my personality, but Lei proved me wrong. You see, like any other artist, Lei’s passion for her craft feeds her creativity and gives her the freedom to adjust to the personality of the one receiving the nail art. The best thing she does hers in freeform as the skill that is required to draw on a space so tiny is truly immense.

Anyway, last February, I held a very intimate Nail Art Party with selected friends so all of us can experience together what the possibilities of having our nails done, artistically! It was such a fun experience, a day of girl bonding.

Beautiful nail art for Kim of Amaya Accents by Lei!  

For inquiries, please contact Lei Ramos on the ff number / email.

 Viber / SMS: 09178300633

 E-mail: tipsnhuesnailart@yahoo.com

 Instagram: tipsnhuesnailart 

Keeping it real.- PJV

Prism Pains by Nikki Ocean

Nikki is a teacher, make up artist, writer, fashion stylist, an environmental advocate and a fashionista; but mainly she’s a visual artist whose goal is to inspire others with her love for the arts. She’s a graduate of Fine Arts from the University of the Philippines and is currently with Finale Art File Gallery. She paints with her heart, treating every canvass as a way for her to share her gift to others. In each of her paintings, she gives a piece of herself to her audience. 

The story that up-and-coming oil painting artist and Palamuti Style Advocate, Nikki Ocean wants to tell through her second solo art show pertains to internal storms that occur in each and every persons’ life. Though we perceive these times to be negative occurrences, they are critical moments that provide us with meaningful insight and opportunities towards self-discovery.

PRISM PAINS 

An Art Exhibit by Nikki Ocean at the Finale Art File

Warehouse 17, Chino Roces Avenue, La Fuerza Compound, Makati City, 2241, Metro Manila

“The idea I want to put out there is not so much as the thought of overcoming adversity, but first, opening ourselves to it. Embrace, grapple, and dance with the darkest, fiercest storm; then perhaps we can come to see life in a different perspective. Adversity is natural, consistent, and useful; we are no less burdened by its crippling presence, as the illusion that everything will somehow turn out all right.

Sneak Peak of Nikki Ocean's Arwork for Finale Art File

Until we’ve been truly tested, we won't know what we're made of. Transformation and adaptation is our greatest human skill; and perhaps, that's what adversity gives us: a sense of self, a sense of our own power---an impetus for change.

Sneak Peak of Nikki Ocean's Arwork for Finale Art File

The greatest disability is a crushed spirit; where hope, beauty, our childlike curiosity, our innate ability to imagine becomes anathema to our very souls.

Sneak Peak of Nikki Ocean's Arwork for Finale Art File

If instead, we can bolster a human spirit to keep hope, to see beauty in themselves and others, to be curious and imaginative, then we are truly using our powers well. When our spirit becomes imbued with these qualities, only then are we able to step into new realities and new ways of being."

-Nikki Ocean 

Keeping it real- PJV

Healing and Hope with East Avenue Medical Center

In celebration of women’s month last March 2015, Palamuti and our partner artisans held a three-day fashion/art workshop at the EAST AVENUE MEDICAL CENTER. Located in the very heart of Quezon City, Philippines, this general hospital is mandated by the Philippine Department of Health with a primary goal of providing quality medical care and treatment to patients in need, irrespective of their socio-economic status and religious creed.

EAMC provides training programs complete with materials and facilities aimed at providing medical and non-medical staff with opportunities for development, competency, and capacity building. With this credo, the hospital has continued to achieve its primary goal of delivering quality health care services for its patients.

In line with the hospital’s incentive of becoming a primary training and teaching center, the first day of the workshop was a benchmark for Palamuti. Two Palamuti artisans from low-income rural communities handled the session on basic handmade accessory making. Novie Katimpo from Ilocos Norte and Lyn-Lyn Rotamola from Eastern Samar were once beginners, and being able to teach a group showed just how much their skills have progressed. Their “students” were comprised of medical fellows, patients, and others who signed for the workshop upon finding out about it during their hospital visit. The first day session lasted for three hours, in which the participants expressed their creativity with their hands by making necklaces, earrings, and bracelets with basic wire looping.

For the following days, we had basic fashion illustration, conducted by painter Nikki Ocean, and basic wire-art, by Flow designer and sculptor,Steph Lopez. We’ll be discussing them on another blog post. All in all, the event was a success, and we’d like to be participate in more of the hospitals incentive of using creative outlets as a form of healing and hope.

Keeping it real. - PJV 

Art of Expression: Schets Bazaar

A weekend of arts, music, food and crafts at Schets Bazaar

Musicians and artisans will be coming together this weekend at Taas Café (Masunurin St. Anonas Extension Sikatuna, Quezon City). Bands such as Pie, Blazing Bulalakaw, The Charmes, Lamb Street, Rusty Machines, and many more, will be performing from 4 in the afternoon to 12 midnight.

The Schet’s Bazaar group, an artists’ community on Facebook, organized this event.  They are a community comprised of lovers of art, music, tattoos, and random finds. If you’re the type of person who’s into these artistic pursuits, you should definitely drop by the Sikatuna Area this weekend. Admission is free!

The word “Schets” is of Dutch origin, and it means “to sketch”. Many visual artists will also be at this mini art-and-music festival, and they will be featuring some of their most expressive creations.  So come for great music, great food, and great art!

Keeping it real.- PJV 

A “Berry” Happy Birthday

A "Berry" Themed Birthday Party hosted by Tina at Silk Road Thai Restaurant and Wine Bistro at Bonifacio Global City for her friends. She wore the clustered flowers which we customized for her last year.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz 

Tales of Tina’s themed birthday celebrations were regarded in tales as being fun, elaborate shindigs. Last year for example, to celebrate her birthday, she had an all-hat event where all of Tina’s friends wore (and took home) hat fascinators as souvenirs. For this year, Tina surprised her friends yet again by holding a “Berry-inspired" celebration. Guests were asked to wear tops and dresses based on the berry color range, which are: pinks, reds and purples. We at Palamuti had the chance to be a part of this celebration. As souvenirs, she gave her guests a short necklace with stone pendants by partner brand Amaya, and long necklaces with berry pendants from Palamuti. 

Artisan Cake by Sweet Bakes by Rosey! Check out the intricate detail. Decorating a cake is its own unique art. 

Tina has been our client since 2013 through the referral of a friend and business partner, but I wasn't able to meet her personally until the end of 2014.  In our previous article about Tina, I mentioned how every designer would love to have her as a client because her jewelry concepts are challenging projects for any artisan and designer. For myself, I needed to allot a lot of time and effort in designing and executing her fashion-art ideas. More than that, her choice of artistic handmade accessories show not only her love for fashion, but her appreciation for the high level of artistry put into wearable art pieces. We  decided to name a collection after her, as I was honored and thrilled to design for her. To be invited to her birthday celebration was an added bonus, something that I really never expected, since technically I've only met her once. 

Berry Themed Short Necklaces from Amaya were given as souvenirs for the guests. 

The exciting part of her party was showcasing and sharing her Palamuti Collection, which she acquired over the years, to her friends as part of her themed celebration. I was stunned when I realized that she had collected drawers upon drawers of necklaces and scarves, which she let her guests wear during the gathering. Personally, I was touched with the fact that she kept them all these years, with some items lovingly preserved in their original packaging. 

Tina's friends from Ateneo wearing her Palamuti Tina Zitro Collection.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz 

Ladies with roses!
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz 

Memories of all my previous designs came flooding back into my head. In every piece I design and create, I pour my soul into it. It's my form of meditation, prayer and giving thanks to the universe. I firmly believe that through my work, I share my story as an artist through others who appreciate my kind of art. I was in awe, and my heart was singing with respect for this woman who saw our handmade necklaces and scarves not just a commodity, but treasured items worthy of collecting. 

Tina with her colleagues from Globe Telecom.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz

GPS women have a grand time. Look at those smiles. I don't think you can fake those.
*Photo grabbed from Tina Ortiz

As her guests came, I got to see this high-functioning, goal-driven woman in action. She greeted everyone with the same energy, from the first guest that arrived up until the last one. She was all smiles--- going around and connecting with all her guests. It was heartening to witness her close friends, work colleagues and subordinates, with Tina valuing each and everyone's presence, regardless of being a boss or employee, until the crowd trickled down and it was time to call it a day. Surely, everyone had a great time, like I did, leaving a more inspired person. Tina is an empowered woman of taste and style, a storyteller, traveller, and compassionate person who people look up to. For myself, she is more than just a client, but a muse that sheds inspiration to other women like myself. 

"BERRY MOMENTS" 

Paparazzi moment! Tina poses with her fellow executive.
Apart from Palamuti, Tina adores her artisan bag by Rated Paola. 

I truly love this stolen shot! Sherrie's son admires the peacock inspired necklace
she was wearing during the lunch party. 

We love how she paired the bead embroidery statement necklace with a long one.
If her pretty face looks familiar, it's because she's Globe Telecom's in house model as well. 

Another stolen shot with this beauty! I couldn't help myself admiring how
Tina's clustered flowers complemented her berry red top. 

As much as I tried to take a stolen shot, she knows when it's coming! 

Finally, I got to meet you Liezel.
And someone's in love with Rated Paola's artisan bags! 

Kim discuses our Kiss by the Berry Queen Collection with a colleague.

Irah has been coaxing Tina to give the necklace she was wearing at the party
as gift for her. 

Tina's friend from St. Scholastica's College wore her Berry Necklace.

Our mini "gallery" of Tina Zitro Collection. 

I so remember that necklace from last year's Spring Collection! 

Kim adds a scarf necklace to her ensemble. 

Early birds! 

Sharon is not into statement costume jewelry  but Tina's clustered
butterfly necklace fitted her whole ensemble that day. 

The original Mayumi necklace worn by Stephanie, Tina's friend from
St. Scholastica's College. The necklace was given as a gift by Kim years back. 

Bring out your smart phones and click away! 

Spotted! That's our Spring Lady Necklace. 

Stylist for the day? I really had fun with Kim looking for
necklaces that will fit the guest's wardrobe.

P.S. As our way of saying thanks, I have designed a new collection inspired by her birthday celebration theme. As a way of showing our appreciation for her continued support, we have created the "Kiss by the Berry Queen Collection" as part of the Tina Zitro Collection wherein percentage of the sales will go to her chosen charity; the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS). We believe in supporting our client's advocacy and passion as much as they have shown for ours. 

Kiss by the Berry Queen Collection 

Our mini display of Tina Zitro Collection 

Indeed it was a "berry" happy birthday. :) 

Keeping it real. -PJV