Fleur de Lis Collection

We recently made several handmade accessories inspired by the "Fleur de Lis", a stylised design of medieval French origin. Its meant to represent the different classes in medieval society. The working class, the clergy, and the military are depicted by the three petals of the Lily, or Iris, flower. This symbol was traditionally used as adornment for coats of arms and flags of French monarchs. Its popularity became widespread as other European nations began to adapt the "Fleur de Lis" for their own purposes. To this very day, this iconic emblem is still used in many different variations.

Due to the "Fleur de Lis'" vertical orientation, we decided on medallion design to better capture the petals curved profile and sharp edges. All in all, we were able to come up with a total of three necklaces in different colors representing Fall & Winter. We used the following materials: acrylic gemstone and crystals, seed beads, gold plated chain with faux leather back finishing with this opera styled necklace. The bead embroidered medallion part of the necklace measures six inches, while the chain's length is twelve inches. The total neckline measurement is twenty-four inches.

These necklaces are part of our upcoming Fall/Winter collection, which we will be unveiling in conjunction with the relaunch of our website and online store. With improved skills and newly learned techniques, we are hoping that we were able to elevate the texture and depth of our handcrafted accessories. The subtle tones we were going for on the "Fleur de Lis" design give it an understated appearance for a statement necklace, yet we're very pleased with the elegant outcome of the final product.

In the coming days, we will be blogging our Fall and Winter designs,  leading up to our website's launch date. If you wish to preorder any of these new handmade accessories before we finally list them, please send us a message on Facebook, Twitter, or through email. 

Keeping it real. -PJV

Statement Concept Piece: Requiron Necklace

"As a mother, I was never able to develop my artistic side because I had to take care of my family first. As a Palamuti artisan , I am now able to do both; designing and creating while earning income to support my family."- Tes

This necklace was made by Tes Dulce, a native of Bicol, Philippines. She is one of our trained mother- artisans who has been with us for four years.   

Our core technique, bead embroidery, is our greatest strength when it comes to handmade designs. It's best expressed in making concept pieces. As a designer translating concepts to reality is a challenge to creativity and knowledge of techniques and materials. My philosophy in crafting is being able to manage the client's expectations, and at the same time, making the final piece a reflection aesthetics for the client and myself. 

Throughout the years we have made quite a number of concept pieces. As a philosophy, we only make one of each design. This is primarily due to the difficult task of beading and hand stitching. Once these products are sold, we mark them for customization, and new clients can purchase these statement pieces on a made-to-order basis. 

The decision of making only a singular piece for each design concerns both the business aspect, and more importantly, the creative process for every artisan. Every handmade artisan should be bound into making quality pieces, rather than prioritizing quantity. We want our clients to respect and appreciate the process of making these wearable art pieces, so that every stitching of cut or seed beads into the felt cloth truly is a soulful experience both for the designer and the beader. 

The "Requiron" necklace was designed in 2012. We made two versions of this necklace, each time improving the techniques and use of materials. Thus no two pieces are ever the same. The core design of the original piece is there to influence, but fusing elements of techniques and material knowledge, changes the look of the design. 

After a year, we decided to make another one. By using new materials, we were able to improve the beauty of this necklace, whose story will continue to be passed on to the wearer of our ever-evolving handcrafted designs. 

Filipino Style Advocate: Cayetano Legacy Collection

Palamuti  is a proud supplier for Cayetano Legacy Collection. We hold similar views, in which the Filipino artist can proudly display their creations globally. We recently provided them with several handmade statement necklaces, designed and crafted by Filipino women artisans trained by Palamuti.

Cayetano Legacy Collection was founded by three first generation Filipino American sisters. After recognizing a need for women’s jewelry and handbags, showcasing beautifully sourced materials from the Philippines, they wanted to bring worldwide attention to the beautiful handcrafted creations coming from their native country, while also giving back to the nation that has given them their heritage.

As a bi-coastal fashion lifestyle company, providing classic designs of women's accessories in a modern setting, they actively support Filipino programs that train its citizens to source and manufacture these products.  They are very active in promoting and selling these products through their website, cayetanolegacy.com, and in trunk shows in various parts of the United States.

Among the designs they have chosen to include in their next collection are our Pangarap ni Esperanza, Bastet in Brown and Aurora. All of these necklaces show our artisans' command of beading, primarily using cut and seed beads.

                   


It is through companies, like Cayetano Legacy Collection Inc. who believe, not only in our products but the stories behind them, that keeps us doing what we love to do: creating stories of beauty and empowerment through handcrafted jewelry.

Here are some of Cayetano Legacy Collection’s upcoming events from July to September 2014:  

July

7/1 - 7/31

7/12

BEAUTIQUE DAY SPA & SALON

Beautique Day Spa & Salon - Rice Village , 

2507 Times Blvd , Houston, TX

August

8/1 - 8/30

MAGPIE NYC

Magpie NYC, 

488 Amsterdam Ave, New York, NY

8/9

EXHALE SPA

Exhale Spa - Bridgehampton , 

2415 Main Street, Bridgehampton, NY

8/24

WILD RUFFLE POP-UP

Wild Ruffle Pop Up Market, 

Main Ave, Prior Lake, MN

September

9/13 - 9/14

BLOOMINGDALE’S

Bloomingdale's - SoHo, 

504 Broadway, New York, NY

9/13 - 9/14

BLOOMINGDALE’S

Bloomingdale's - Glendale Galleria, 

103 South Brand Blvd. , Glendale

Accessorizing Ideas For Collared Tops

We've listed the basic types of necklaces suitable for collared tops and blouses. When you are ready, you can experiment further using the following accessories: 

STYLE A COLLAR # 1: Wear a scarf by positioning it under your collar
STYLE A COLLAR # 2: Open your collar lower, then wear a matinee length necklace 

STYLE A COLLAR # 3: Wear a long necklace, to give an illusion of length 
STYLE A COLLAR # 4: Wear your princess necklace under your collar  

STYLE A COLLAR # 3: Wear an embellished necklace to add a bit of statement to your blouse

Koi Visions

Love for accessories has inspired me to take up designing as a new career. Creating beautiful things from scratch, with my own hands, has always been a passion and accessory making has become the main outlet for my creativity. Nothing makes my soul feel right than waking up, knowing that its a new day to make new designs. Last year, I promised myself to make my very own embellished necklace. I came out with Koi Visions using bead embroidery. I then added rough cut stones, since I'm attracted to asymmetrical pieces.

Koi Visions by PJ Valenciano

The process of making this piece is pretty much the same as our other embellished pieces. I started by sketching the Koi, or the main design, on black felt cloth. The key to every piece is a combination of choosing the right colors with the proper usage of materials. The most important facet of all though; knowing how to maximize these elements can make all the difference. 

I based piece's color on what goes with my wardrobe, from casual to formal. I wanted a piece that stands out, but at the same time, I tried to avoid committing the mistake of making something which I wouldn't be able to pair with basic casual outfits. Choosing the rough edged stones gave the piece balance making it easy for me to pair it with my general outfits. It has always been my vision to create accessories that, not only makes a statement wearable art piece, but are pieces worth keeping and collecting, and proactively takes a step in changing the "throw-and-buy" attitude of shoppers.

Starting with a sketch

Bead Embroidery

Koi Visions by PJ Valenciano

The Lotus Necklace

No Mud, No Lotus

"The lotus flower represents one symbol of fortune in Buddhism. It grows in muddy water, and it is this environment that gives forth the flower’s first and most literal meaning: rising and blooming above the murk to achieve enlightenment."

http://buddhists.org/buddhist-symbols/the-meaning-of-the-lotus-flower-in-buddhism/

Palamuti specializes in customization, and one of our latest custom made pieces was commissioned by Dr. Barza. Upon seeing our Bella rose necklace she asked us to make her one, but instead of a rose, she wanted a lotus inspired neck piece wherein we used our core technique: bead embroidery. Every time we make a customized piece, we think of the wearer; for every piece has a story to tell intertwined with her own.  In addition, our clients get to name their custom made pieces.

Lotus

Close up of the Lotus

Preview of our Black Lotus which is part of the UTOPIA Collection