Walking down the Aisle...

We are now preparing for a bridal fair. Of all the projects I get commissioned to do, working for a bridal collection is one of my favorites. There is something deeply magical and emotional about weddings and it is such a privilege to be part of one of the most important events in somebody’s life. Unless you are tying the knot under duress of no less than a high caliber shotgun, most marriages, as a lot of people say, is still made in heaven. I believe this because mine is. Ten years of marriage and I still believe I married a prince although there had been times when my prince charming has been a scrawny little frog himself. There is a lot of metamorphic process that a person goes through in marriage. You can turn a frog into a prince or from a frog, well, to a bull. And as for the brides, one starts out as a princess that will eventually turn into a queen or to that of an evil witch. What makes one instead of the other is an entire alchemy subject whose formula I don’t have. Sorry, but I am neither a self help guru nor do I pretend to be one.

While wedding ceremonies seemed celestial in nature, the whole preparation itself is more earth-bound than one starry-eyed bride might think. Often this involves a long, looong process. In fact, I have known of girl friends who dream of their wedding day since 5 years old. Others even keep clippings of wedding pictures to guide them through their final choices. While the entire ceremony in itself takes less than a day, the preparation in a lot of instances, takes more than a decade.

It is no surprise that one would go through all the lengths in order to make this one momentous event as perfect as it can possibly be. The details involved in the preparation starting with the theme, to the flowers, decors, gowns and what have you is just so dizzying. We rejoice with the many options available to the most discerning and even quirky, peculiar couples, yet at the same time, the endless choices can be too confusing.

How one finally decides getting a mint green motif instead of say, sage green is a long well thought of scientific or in large part “just because I want” process which sometimes entails a lot of heartaches, arguments, and disappointments.

And so, with this in mind, you can imagine how extra challenging designing for a wedding collection both for bridal accessories and keepsakes can be. Pleasing the couple as well as the extended families in tow is a major, major task. And that’s just the quest I and the rest of my team are currently engaged in. Talk about self-imposed stress.

A few weeks ago, we’ve met with no less than the force behind Mandarin Oriental’s “Our Wedding Proposals” bridal fair. It was a serendipitous engagement because we initially contacted them for our corporate giveaways and it just so happened that they were cooking up a bridal fair at that same time. After seeing some of our samples and understanding our capabilities, they gave our team the exclusive privilege to showcase the bridal accessories and giveaways.

Our task was to come up with bridal accessories and giveaways grouped into 4 themes. The themes are: Oriental, Filipiniana, Traditional and Modern. If I was asked to define what these were, 20 years ago, I would be dumbfounded. But now, I’m simply glad that my training and designing backgrounds are sufficient to give these themes a decent interpretation and distinction. I have attached here photos of some of our works.

One good feature we offer brides and grooms is our customized design capability. With a vertically integrated full manufacturing company backing us up, I must say that there is very little that we cannot possibly do. One has just to imagine it and we would most likely be able to execute it. One interesting project we did many years back was to replicate the exact same tiara worn by Ms. Victoria Beckham during her wedding. Of course, it was a one piece deal and we had to mobilize our most skilled artisans. Likewise, the cost of in-laid Swarovski crystals alone was astounding. But hey, one gets to marry only once (for most cases) right?

All in all, it was one of our grandest and most interesting projects we’ve ever had, likewise, we definitely had one happy bride walking down the aisle. I am not sure though if I can say the same for the groom who paid for the bill. Hopefully his little tiara investment is a good start to turn his princess into a queen.

If you are in the look out for wedding accessories and giveaways, you might want to check us out during the “Our Wedding Proposal” Bridal Fair at Mandarin Oriental Manila on March 20 to 21, 2010. Or call or email us to set an appointment with our ARTIZANS Bridal team at mobile no. 0922-8699911 or email info@artizans.bz

Little Loves

The holidays are not officially over till the Chinese says “Kung Hei Fat Choi!”. That’s Chinese for Happy New Year!

This year, we are celebrating Chinese New Year on the same day as Valentines Day—February 14, 2010!

With 2 special affairs happening on one single day, I can’t help but wonder what this day holds for us. You see, with 2 very active boys living under the same roof, every day is simply a day for new adventures for us. There is no such thing as a routine or boring moment in our household except, of course, when the boys are in school or if they are sound asleep.

As long as both are present and wide awake, we are all in high gears as if preparing for a siege about to happen anytime soon. I mean this in a good way of course :) I am always reminded of the energizer bunny commercial every time I see my little tikes doing what they do best… jumping, running and kicking around. If you have boys below the age of 10, I think you know exactly what I mean.

Mine are aged 5 and 8, and for me, this is just the perfect age for some top notch raucous! I guarantee you, between my 2 boys; they can start a riot just with their sheer combined energies.

At home, there’s simply no way of telling what might happen on any given hour of the day. It can be as consternating as our adopted feral cats scampering for dear life with my spunky little Karlo hot on its tail OR seemingly docile as mommy’s little trinkets re-born with a twist as our boys take their hands in designing, taking things apart and putting them back on in a totally different way. I must say, each time they’d do this, somehow, there seems to be extra parts that get left behind ready for a new project to be made. I don’t even know where these parts come from. If there is such a thing as multiplication of “bread and fishes” in this time and age, this is our home version.

Innocent, harmless pens get converted to rocket ships; cookie cans becomes valued treasure chests, clothes hangers to swords of knights and kings of York. Karlo would say he is the king and sometimes, the knight or even both and his older brother—Khalil gets to be the jester…Oh boy, and that’s the start of the real fight! And since I have time and time again refused to buy them toy guns, somehow they found a way to make it on their own, using papers and card boards. Origami takes a totally different meaning in our house.

Well, I’d like to think that being raised in a Christian family, Karlo is not really vent on mangling the cats. In fact, when asked why he’d chased them, he’d give you his sweet innocent look and say “I just want to play with them but they won’t have me!” Poor cats, they just can’t see past the danger of getting mobbed and run over by my 5-year old to realize his good intentions. And for my trinkets, well, I can rejoice that somehow my creative genes have wormed its way to my children. What a blessing!

With the 2 boys now able to tinker with their hands and their creative abilities starting to get apparent, no special event pass us by without getting something special from either one of them. Our recent treats were the ones they gave us last December.



Aren’t these just adorable? Whose hearts would not melt when given such symbols of love? The hours of hard work and careful attention is evident by the details they labored into each piece. My husband and I are just overwhelmed and humbled for the care and love shown through these master pieces.

And talking about love, I have included here the list of my 10 little loves which I’d like to remind myself over and over again.

They say, one can count sheep to get to sleep, I’d say, its better to count our blessings. This is in random order as I cannot quite decide which one I love the most.

1.)I love the smell of coffee that my husband brews for me almost all of my mornings.

2.)I love the feel of warm breaths as I wake up to a little jumbled mass of humanity, limbs entwined of our family of 4. The kids have their own rooms but somehow during dawn, they’d find their way into our room and into our bed.

3.)I love to tinker with my hands, creating things big and small. There is a feeling of exhilaration that I cannot quite explain seeing an object transform according to how I envision it to be.

4.)I love spending quiet time with GOD, with myself, with my family, with my closest friends, with my books and with my garden. I find it extremely important to find a place of refuge, my sanctuary when the cares and concerns weigh me down.

5.)I love getting together with friends and family specially those I have not seen for years. It’s nice to recall good old memories and then creating new ones for the future.

6.)I love getting presents specially the ones that clearly shows and represents the giver. I specially love the little gifts that my husband and children prepares for me. My husband is a genius in giving me well thought of surprises.


7.)I love challenging myself to learn new things. I remembered entering the working world not knowing how to type, much more use a computer. But then one month into a typing computer program and guess what? I learned! Sure it was hard as “old dogs are harder to teach new tricks” but this “old dog” is not beyond learning. No grand ceremonies, but I sure felt good inside.

8.)I love anything and everything beautiful and that includes music, art and fashion. I’m not really on the quest of acquiring more but I relish the opportunity to understand how society is transformed through these media. I like the idea that I have something to contribute no matter how seemingly little it may be.

9.)I love anything healthy and worthwhile, may it be in the food I eat, the products I use or the entertainment I indulged myself in. I like feeding my body and my soul with things that gives it life. I am not about to waste the gift of life and salvation that Christ, my Lord and King suffered on the cross for me.

10.)I love supporting a good cause and of standing up for issues and principles that I truly, passionately believe in.

There, I have more to include but these are on top of my list right now. And I am pretty sure that right after the Valentines Day, I have more to add. I am very much looking forward to it right now : )

Kung Hei Fat Choi and Happy Love Day everyone!!!

IMPERFECT HOLIDAY

It's the 3rd week of January and yet I am still reeling from how quickly my holiday break went. I must say, it just passed me by in a blink of an eye and before I knew it, it has left me far behind.

Whew!!! I didn't really have the time to catch my breath or to fill in the Christmas stockings. I have gifts still undelivered 'neath my Christmas tree and worse, my yearly scrapbook project is still unaccomplished. I have to admit that I just had the busiest and considerably the shortest holiday I ever had.

Before the days, weeks, and months add up, let me just greet every one a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Despite the holiday season passing me by in a breeze, I am proud to say that we had quite a remarkable and truly special Christmas and New Year celebration.

First off, my children Khalil and Karlo participated in their school's first ever musical play entitled Psalty's Christmas Calamity. The musical play portrays an endearing story of trusting GOD at all times and not depending on one's own might.

It was a rare opportunity for my children to perform alongside the Mandaue Childrens' Choir and be trained by no less than Maestro Dennis Gregory Sugarol. Yup, the very same maestro who has trained several award winning singing groups which includes the Mandaue Childrens' Choir and Cebu Chamber Singers. Mandaue Childrens' Choir won 3 gold medals in the 1st Asian Choir Games for childrens' choir, folklore and music of religious categories held in Jakarta, Indonesia in 2007. Later on, also winning the Grand Prix of International Children's Choral Music in Gyeongnam Province, South Korea.


Khalil was one of the 6 soloists and while he remains to be a reluctant singer post-musical, he did quite a charming rendition of Away in Manger and Silent Night during their school play.
Khalil, who has displayed quite an ear for music at a young age, prefers to tinker on musical instruments rather than work on his vocals. He loves to re-work keys and notes of songs on his piano or xylophone even without having the song books to guide him. Like most mothers who are extremely proud of their children, I am no exception.

My 5 year old, Karlo, on the other hand is quite the actor, putting to heart his role, memorizing even the other performers' lines. He truly is quite a darling to watch on stage. Karlo had a slight fever during the play itself, but it didn't stop him from giving it his best.

Secondly, we have finally found a home for our WE LOVE ORGANICS store. Early in 2009, our family had taken the resolve to live a much healthier lifestyle. This includes the use of organic, natural products in our daily choices. This in turn led us to discover several products that are not only organic and natural but have excellent health benefits as well. In our desire to share our discoveries with family and friends, we have decided to open a new business unit under the organic product line. For months, my friends and I had searched for the perfect place for a store for our new concept.

Finding the right place that fills a good balance of accessibility, safety and our meager budget was quite a feat but GOD whom we cannot out give, had led us to the perfect place---- The Orchard Cebu Hotel and Suites.

Hence, the usual Christmas merry-making was alternated with frequent trips to our new outlet watching over the carpentry work. Not my general idea of a holiday, but I must say, I found satisfaction in seeing my dreams come to reality literally piece by piece.

We finally moved in to our new store last January 4, the first working day of January 2010. If you have not been to our We Love Organics store, I invite to come and visit us. With lots of Philippine made healthy organic goodies to choose from, you sure can be on your way to wellness in no time. And with our products supporting a good cause, you can be at peace that you have done your share in building a better Philippines.

Thirdly, we have participated in a 45-day Christmas bazaar under the Christmas Village concept of Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa. We offered quite a nice do-it-yourself concept where one can buy the components from our booth and get the training from our sales girls/designers so that one can assemble the pieces themselves. To some, there's nothing that can quite compare to creating something with one's own hand. I know 'coz I do.

For those who simply enjoy watching how the components transform into master pieces right before their eyes, they may also opt to have their selected components assembled for them. I had a chance to man our booth on a particularly busy evening and while the bazaar was suppose to close at 10PM, we ended up being the only booth opened till midnight. It was hard work and I went home with an achy back and a few sore fingers (from all the looping and twisting) but it was a joy to see how much our design and craftsmanship were appreciated by a group of discerning guests of the hotel.

It was truly a worthy endeavor not just in bringing the Christmas magic to children and adults alike but also, because a portion of the sales of the Christmas bazaar goes to the Batang Opon outreach project of Shangri-la Mactan Resort and Spa. Batang Opon is the foundation that takes care of homeless, indigent group of children in Lapu Lapu City

Aside from the DIY items, we also displayed a few finished fashion accessories and bags. One simple yet charming lady was seen coming back to our booth day after day. Later, she introduced herself and requested to see our factory. We later learned that this lady happened to be the wife of one of the most successful heart surgeons and owner of a medical equipment company in the US. Their family is very well privileged and listed in the Forbes worlds richest. Mrs. Cheney liked our design, and while she had chosen to become a full time mom and wife for years, she got so interested with our product that she found herself taking on a new business, distributing our fashion jewelry in various countries.

What is more impressive is her vision to donate the entire sales to a charitable institution in Philippines. I advised her to consider Gawad Kalinga, the charitable institution which our company supports. As she quite put it: “I don't need the money”. Well, I wish more people would be like her. It is stories like this that truly warms my heart and makes me love my job all the more :)

And last but not least, I still managed to meet up and enjoy several intimate Christmas dinners, a few parties and get-togethers with family and friends that are closest and dearest to my heart. One good friend I happen to meet up now resides in Dubai and it has been years since we last saw each other. I truly enjoyed the evening I visited her for a chat the day prior to her trip back to Dubai.

Sure I didn't quite manage to bake my legendary (ahem!) Apple Walnut Cake or the moisty coco macaroons that my boys simply love, and I still was not able to by myself a potted flowering poinsettia plant that I have been pining for years, but hey a little change from the old routine surely doesn't hurt from time to time.

Lessons from Noah's Ark

The recent calamities, typhoons and flooding, that struck our country have really gotten me off track from my writing. Well, at least the type of writing that gets posted here. The emotional seesaw has left me so confused on what to focus on long enough to come up with a coherent article. I did have several start-up articles although in my personal opinion, are better left hidden, chronicled in my own little journal, not intended for public access.

It was in this state of mental and emotional limbo when I came across a rare find. It was one lazy weekend afternoon when with no intended purpose, I flipped through one of my favorite designer books and found several forgotten treasures. Among them is an old newspaper clipping carefully tucked between the pages of the book.

Quite honestly, I could not remember when and why I placed the clipping there. Considering that I arm-wrestled my way to get the one and only copy of this book several years ago, the clipping must be of equal if not greater value than the book itself to earn the honor of being encased in the book’s immaculate pages. While I could not actually remember putting the clipping in the book, I have discounted the possibility of a generous donor as I kept this book under lock and key in my office cabinet. And with no other key duplicate in existence, there is no one else to give credit for this serendipitous find.

The clipping must have been dated some years back as it now looked rather old and worn. Nevertheless, reading through its content gave me a jolt of very timely wisdom appropriate to the present time. I’d like to share this with you…

Everything I need to know about life, I learned from Noah's Ark:

One: Don't miss the boat.
Two: Remember that we are all in the same boat.
Three: Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the Ark.
Four: Stay fit. When you're 600 years old, someone may ask you to do something
really big.
Five: Don't listen to critics; just get on with the job that needs to be done.
Six: Build your future on high ground.
Seven: For safety's sake, travel in pairs.
Eight: Speed isn't always an advantage. The snails were on board with the cheetahs.
Nine: When you are stressed, float awhile.
Ten: Remember, the Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals
Eleven: No matter the storm, when you are with GOD, there's always a rainbow
waiting.

I can't help but smile when reading this. This is truly a treasure, simple yet practical lessons in living a life. And I must say, the timing and circumstance when I came across this is impeccable.

Is it just me or is this my heavenly Father's way of letting me know He is here and in control? And since I know in my heart that it's indeed Him, I just felt renewed and strengthened knowing that Father GOD is indeed a GOD of small and big things. While He can direct solutions to problems as big as the typhoon and flooding during Noah's time, surely our own flooding and typhoon in the Philippines is nothing compared to what HE can do. And as for my own little problems, my little life's typhoons and floodings? Well, that too, is under HIS care.

Today I woke up with a confidence knowing that everything will indeed fall into place according to GOD's plan and purpose. Taking the lessons from the Noah's ark to heart, I think I'd like to exercise lesson number 9 and that is, to float for just a little while…. God bless you!

TV shows, commercials and etcetera…

It's been more than 8 years since we cut off our connection to the cabled world.

To some of you who are religiously following a certain TV series, this might come as a shock. Well, some of my friends still give me that raised eyebrow look and others, the look of disbelief whenever this topic worms into our conversation.

After all, who in their right mind, would willfully let go of one of the greatest inventions of the 21st century and undoubtedly the cheapest form of entertainment? As unusual as it may sound, we did.

As far as I can remember I have ceremoniously said goodbye to the program “Designing For the Sexes” by Michael Payne as well as the “Shabby Chic” by Rachel Ashwell. Somebody told me “Shabby Chic” is still around although its time slot is still not to my convenience.

What made me do such drastic and I must say, life changing act? Well, motherhood becomes me. The moment I gave birth to my eldest son Khalil, I know my life would never be the same. The first to go were my night time rituals.

My husband and I apart from watching tv, used to enjoy our evenings playing computer games. No, not the high tech PSPs that put kids on semi-zombie mode or the reality games you play on Wii…just the simple yet equally engaging games of Heroes of Might and Magic, this along with some other games involving knights, and kings and princesses. I have such affinity to royalty, after all, I am not named “Reyna “(a Filipino term for Queen) for nothing. Well, those games give me the little reality escape to the wonderful world of make believe. I used to imagine myself as one of the princesses, not the one that needs rescuing though, but one that's considered a town hero. I am almost sure I have some significant contribution to the rise of different women’s leagues that now abound. I was so good at these games that 5 minutes into it and my opponent (the computer) would surrender! No, I am seriously not kidding at all. You can ask my husband about this… He’d probably say that it's a computer glitz but I’m not just about to let go of my bragging rights!

Anyway, much like my television habit, that too must go. Why? Well, simple. I wouldn't want strangers AKA black box AKA TV to be the one to educate my son. I also certainly don't want to get my son exposed to the seemingly harmless computer games but in reality, reeks of danger and violence. Entertaining as it might look; there is nothing minutely amusing when your house gets attacked with a trebuchet or assaulted by a battering ram. Can you imagine that in real life?

So as I would always answer my friends, NO, I have no regrets that I made this decision.

I must admit though that early on, there had been moments of weakness. Like that one rare occasion when my husband and I got interviewed on ANC Live and we couldn't watch it on its delayed telecast. There had been times too, when I’d miss my favorite HGTV and FTV shows, after all, I can legitimately say that those shows are educational. One that I can use for my line of work with the fashion jewelry and the home accents that I would be inspired to come up with. I used to keep track of the rise of Gemma Ward, who was then, a young doe-eyed, phenomenal teenage girl that simply hugs the camera. I also get amused by this lady with salt and pepper hair that carries a tiny pooch with her while interviewing different style makers and designers. An L.A.designer, who was once interviewed by this same person, told me she has a Jekyll and Hyde personality, sweet and entertaining on camera and completely bitchy off it. Hmmm… I wonder if there’s any truth to that. I am almost sure the brand of wine she promotes at the end of her show has a lot to do with that double personality. Ahhh such form of entertainment… intriguing yet totally useless.

Its amazing that after all these years, there are certain episodes of tv shows I still clearly remember. I actually still don’t mind watching the reruns of Friends even if I can mouth more than half of the entire episode’s conversation. Who would forget the memorable Phoebe Buffay’s (played by Lisa Kudrow), rendition of “Smelly Cat” on acoustics? What a classic!

Apart from these mainstay shows, my husband and I certainly missed some of the commercials too. My husband has this queer habit of memorizing commercials. No, not just the scene by scene feature but line by line as well. Till today, he can still remember the entire line complete with innuendos and hand gestures for the Glade Dry freshener. Creepy isn't it? The same goes for the very down to earth Happy Mart commercial. Huh, my husband knows Teban (Esteban Escudero) and Goliat (sorry, I haven’t gotten past the first name basis with this guy) the heroes of bargain shopping (ukay ukay stores were not plentiful back then), like his very own best friends. He can sing the jingle (oh please no!) without missing a beat!

Such is the power of television, so influential; it invades and pervades our entire being. It is no surprise then that this amusing sometimes annoying but downright entertaining black box, has become a mainstay of almost every home.

Now imagine if we can harness the same influence and patronage as that of these TV programs and commercials. I bet, that would surely be the dream of all marketing gurus around the world. People would pay heaps if they can be guaranteed such religious following.

Nevertheless, do we know that the way we speak, act, and conduct ourselves especially when our guards are down, is like a mini television, a mini broadcast to the world as to who we are as a person on the inside?

Much like the lines and commercials we sometimes unconsciously sing-a-long with, people do take note of what they see in us. Often, without us knowing, people keep a mental tab in the way we conduct ourselves.

I guess this explains why couples or long time friends can finish off each other’s sentences or anticipate each other’s next move.

If such is the reflection we give of ourselves to others and to the world, what do your actions, words and gestures speaks about you today? What sort of commercial ads or TV program can you be likened to? Well, just a thought, perhaps our little baggages of anger, pain and hurt could use a little “Clean House”.

I don’t know about you, but Shabby Chic sounds good for me….that’s more of the chic without robbing the bank and less of the shabbiness! Well, at least that’s what I aspire for…..

DESIGNER SYNERGY

Working with seven other designers is both a privilege and a challenge for me. Each designer has his or her own design approach, taste, and aesthetics. To get them to work together or individually on a thematic collection requires a certain type of skill comparable to that of a politician about to run for the presidential post. The question “How do you get an entire nation to vote for you?” in design lingo might as well be said as “How do you get these designers to work for a Jurassic-inspired collection?” The parallelism is so uncanny. The arms twisting are replaced with the more subtle goading and haggling though….and yes, much like in politics, cash rewards do work.

The first time I took my post as Head for Design and Development, I remembered it to be quite a painful, emotional roller coaster for me. Though it helped that most of my designer-colleagues had worked with me with a previous employer, still, the idea that they now report to me for design approval is quite daunting.

As a designer myself, I really believe in my heart that each designer thinks that their design is the best there is. And because art is highly relative, I must agree to this. What looks good with one might not look good with another. One’s trash is another’s treasure.

It is in this realm of so much relativity that I tread with great care. As Head of Design of a commercial fashion jewelry company, I look at designs not just in terms of creative expression but in consideration of more practical parameters—cost, materials, color relevance for the season, time and the capability to be mass produced --- in short, marketability and viability of the product.

Much like giving birth, each new design creation shows the same promise and potential of a newborn child. Hence, it is quite devastating that a design, one labored for several weeks, land in the “not approve for development” section. The bearer of the news and verdict, I, becomes instantly unpopular. I am just glad that except for dagger-looks and a few episodes of cold war, those were just the extent that the embattled designer had gone through.

Now I understand why it is not surprising at all that a lot of politicians are not keen in pointing out the mistakes and failures of their constituents especially when election time is coming. As the famous Beatle’s song goes, “honesty is such a lonely word”. With my post, I deal with honestly more often that it is for my own good.

Seeing the dwindling number of friends at work due to rejections of designs, I came up with the idea of vetting designs. What we basically do is for the designers to lay out on the table the first piece they make in a collection. They must not name who made the collection. This first piece is then presented to every member of the design team where each one would make his or her comments and suggestions.

Prior to the vetting, certain rules are put into place. Comments must not be personal but must only pertain to the design or the piece presented. Comments must be constructive and must be aimed at improving the product. Price will also be determined at this stage and everyone must assess if the product can be sold based on its price. If the price is too high, we then replace some of the expensive materials or tweak the design a bit to bring down the cost. The mathematics involved in computing the price is simple but to analyze how a design positions itself in the market is not.

I used to dread having to reject or alter someone else’s design. My comments, no matter how well crafted, are always viewed as a personal rejection. With group vetting, however, everyone has the chance to say something including the designer himself or herself. Thus, it becomes a much healthier exercise for the group. It definitely fosters cooperation as there had been times when 2 or 3 designers collaborate on a design. This collaborative work has also determined and made use of what each designer is really good at.

One designer for instance is really good at combining colors. I have observed that even prior to the vetting, the other designers would defer to this designer to assess the palette of the newly developed piece. What used to be me, mine, and myself way of doing things has now become all and everyone’s masterpiece.

Indeed this strategy has worked so well that this is now our standard protocol.

A lot of people has approached and asked me what our secret is for our fashion jewelry line to thrive despite the economic crisis. Well, there’s really no single formula but product design definitely contributes much. I am just so blessed to be part of a team of designers who individually possesses innate outstanding creative talents that when put together produces meaningful, relevant, and world-class designs. To me, that’s the Designer synergy at its best!

Photo Credits: Cave Woman; Wired Ring; Hammered Cuff; Copper Disc Earrings

DON’T QUIT

I came across this poem entitled “Don’t Quit” some 20 years or so ago.

Since my initial discovery, this poem has become a personal mantra for me.

Much like a well worn, ever reliable comfort blanket, this is something I read over and over again specially during times of discouragements and disappointments.

As we go through the motions of life, now like any other, is the right time for us, for me, to re-visit the old familiar verses of this poem and draw strength and inspiration it so reliably and unselfishly gives.

Let me share this with you...

Don't Quit
by anonymous

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest! if you must; but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up, though the pace seems slow;
You might succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up
When he might have captured the victor's cup.
And he learned too late, when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out;
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt;
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit;
It's when things seem worst that you mustn't quit.

Indeed I couldn’t agree more!

As the saying goes, "a quitter never wins and a winner never quits".

In whatever battle you may be in right now, I hope that you too will find inspiration from the simple yet life giving message of this poem.

GOD bless everyone!