New beaded and polymer clay creations

To be able make accessories, one must truly enjoy creating it.  You can't just throw in beads together or create polymer clay accessories in a flash.  One look at it and you will be able to see the time and effort that was used to create a particular item.  I've got supplies stacked in transparent boxes, I've got containers in all shapes and sizes as well as those little drawers where you can put the tiniest component in.  It looked like an obsessive compulsive world!    But I'm having so much fun!  Or maybe its how I was wired to be. I enjoy creating accessories in my bedroom.  For some reason, I work best that way.  Sometimes I would go to the garden and make some there as well.  After all I do my baking outdoors. I watch my electric oven like a hawk while at the same time spend some time with my loving pets. Here are some of my new creations.  I need to re-take pictures of my other stuff since I lost some when our computer was upgraded.

Livelihood Beading Training - PWD (Las Pinas)

I got to know Anafe Maravillas of PWD - Las Pinas one fine day.  She was inquiring about our workshops and mentioned how they would love to have us teach their members to create beaded accessories.  I looked at their site and immediately set to work to help get the project started.  Fortunately two of our regular clients had big generous hearts and offered to shoulder all the expenses for the workshop.  (beading kits, food, drinks, materials, tutorials)  There were two batches and when I told Anafe, she was so happy!  She wondered how it came to be done in such a quick and timely manner.  All I said was you know Anafe, when we pray with our hearts and it is for the most noble of intentions, God listens and He helps us faster than we can blink our eyes! 

PWD is the acronym for Persons with Disability.  We call them differently abled.  I will always hold the workshops with the PWD group the closest to my heart.  Because I saw in them the resilience like no other.  Members are from all walks of life.  Some with their parents, wives or husbands who are also their guides. 

In spite of what they are going through I saw in them such optimism and joy.  I am immensely proud of the handmade treasures that they have given me. Brother Jun who creates beautiful works of art with recycled paper gave me two handmade ornaments that can double as a container for my stuff.  Mercy, Anafe's sister gave me a very beautiful rosary bracelet that she made.  Over time, Mercy would go to my house every now and then to chat and browse through my stuff and shop there.  This was our little get together time!

I also value tremendously the time my very dear friend Estee, shared with me and the PWD members.  She was our designated photographer and all throughout the event she was supportive as ever.  Estee has such a brilliant mind and its always a joy to talk to her!  I love having her around and treasure our bonding / talkathon get togethers...

Getting Kids To Start Their Own Business

I taught the children of our dear family friend how to make polymer clay accessories.  I enjoyed it so much because I saw how enterprising they were.  From the first workshop that we had, the kids were able to sell accessories to their classmates in school.  One of the children, Zes was able to create his own multiply site and has also added human nature products to his budding business! 

What I love about teaching kids how to start their own business is when I get to hear their ideas and see their eyes widen or sparkle if they have that "aha" moment for a business idea.  At his age, he's got brochures and has a notebook with his prices and marketing ideas. Aside from that he is a fast learner and quickly absorbs instructions.

Ask Zes about retail and wholesale and its like talking to an adult!  Place an order and he will diligently take down your orders and process everything in a timely and professional manner!  On top of this, he still manages to enjoy life a kid!  This should be always the case.  He's got the genes for business!  After all aside from his enterprising parents he's got a grandmother who is a fabulous crafter!  I'm a big fan of her sewing abilities and her style ideas!

Another idea of his that totally amazed me and won my vote was when he would buy candies and snacks and sell it to his siblings.  Smart kid!

His sister, Isse on the other hand would sell alphabet and number clay charms along with other handmade polymer clay accessories.  Such is their love for things that are handmade!  She was interviewed on her 16th bday no less by ABS-CBN's Kabuhayang Swak Na Swak during her bead party which consisted of beads, clays, and party favors! (She's the one on the right.  Shown here with her friends during her bday) At 16 she's got an amazing video skills!  At her young age, she's already got quite a bevy of clients ranging from students to professionals.  Older people are simply amazed and immediately become loyal clients.  She's also quite a techie who can operate a GPS tracking device.  Give her a gadget and she'll be able to figure it out in a jiffy! Nice!!!

The great thing about teaching your kids early about business is as parents, you get to develop their business acumen, how they interact and how they manage their money too.  All kids, including the youngest (8 years old) know how to manage their "baon" or earnings from their business.

How Did My Business Start?

Long before I started into handmade accessories I got to work for companies that was into clothes, shoes, etc.  The hours were crazy but like one businesswoman said learn from your experience.  I took note of the good, the bad, and the ugly.  Vowed to myself never to make those same pitfalls that others did.  I lost track of the many notebooks I wrote on.  Yes, in this day and age I still relied on my good old pen and paper.   

Turquoise Headband and bracelet se

The idea of starting my own business was always at the back of my head.  I bought business books and read almost every night.  I took notes of what business authors talked about.  I was particular about the amount of money that entailed the process of starting my business. I wanted to minimize my cost as much possible.  Thanks to the e-commerce boom my business took flight.  But that's getting ahead of the story.


I learned about e-commerce through a former officemate who was a big fan of ebay.  I on the other hand, got immersed into the virtual world of online selling because I was, yes "forcibly" made to learn the online trading business.  I was terrified of all the icons and feared that one button could ruin the templates or listings or other scenarios that constantly plagued my mind.  But since it was a job that I had to do I find myself learning all about ebay.  I learned how the Americans were all into ebay and what further revved up the motors of my brain was when I sold items online.  These were not by the dollar, the furnitures were being sold for thousands of dollars.  From ebay.com to ebay.ph and ebay.ca I cruised the virtual world and made a business out of it and I continue to be a believer in it. 

On my own site, I sold my first pair of handmade bracelets.  I remember my husband telling me are you sure??? If you can sell your handmade bracelet then I am hooked.  I will support you.  With those words ringing in my ears I sold my first lapis lazuli bracelet with swarovski spacers and earrings to match for Php 350.  My capital?  Less than a hundred!  I was shocked and in awe of the wonderful world wide web!  Most of all of the fact that these big old hands have what it takes to create handmade accessories!  Then I realized that there is a wide market out there for accessories.  The capital is not that big, but the rewards are certainly something to smile about and put a sparkle in one's eyes!!


Honestly, putting up your own business is by no means an easy task.  You must be VERY prepared for the uphill climb.  You must be prepared for the long hours.  More importantly you must be more than capable of multi tasking and you must be one hell of an organized person since you will be hearing more hats than you can imagine!  On top of that you must have GALLONS of patience. Best of all NEVER, EVER, rest on your laurels. Always find ways to grow without losing your focus.  Never lose touch of your purpose why you started your business.