Angels,
Are you the creations of God?
Angels,
Are you the messengers of Heaven?

Angels,
Are you the bringers of good news?
Angels,
Are you the desirers of great peace?

Who made you with such beauty?
Who gave such charm?
To whom do you offer your praise?
To the Maker of the heavens and the earth!

I know that God has surrounded me with angels
To protect, guide and grant me peace
Though unseen, unheard and unfathomable
They are there as gifts from Him

How do I know this?
How can I be sure that God cares?
Where is the evidence of God's gift of love?
I turn to my mom!

This poem is written to remember God's love and also for my mum who is still in Singapore on Mothers' Day' 2010.
It was also to celebrate the end of the first year for My Angel Now! which was started as a tribute to my mum.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

I've been featured!

Ever had the feeling you need somebody to tell you you've done a good job! That's how I felt when I received notification of my first feature! That's not withstanding the fact that the notification went into junk mail box and I only realized it 3 days later - when I decided to look at my junk mail box for the first time ever!!! I take it as God-given encouragement for this depressing exam weekend!

Enjoy the collection. I think it is beautiful : )



Tuesday, September 14, 2010

My first experience on TARC

Wow... Time flies by when it gets busy. It's been a week since my last entry.

Well, except for the one angel that I made for a friend to bring home to India, I haven't had time to make anything new. Beadalon had cleared my doubt about my flush cutter though. So hopefully, I can get down to playing with the new sterling silver and gold filled wires soon.

What I really wanted to talk about today was my first experience on TARC. Before today, when I mentioned taking TARC, friends would warn me that it is not safe because it is the cheapest way to get around this city where crime is rampant. Being the brave girl I always have been, I took the opportunity of free rides between campus to explore this rare public transport system available in Kentucky.

First of all, I was impressed that all the buses were wheelchair-accessible and bicycle-rack equipped. I had my bike with me but since it was my first time, I had no clue how to mount the bike on the rack. The lady driver came out from her seat to teach me how to do it. Nobody was unhappy that I had to delay everyone by a minute or two because of my ignorance. I thought I was lucky.

Secondly, I was surprised that bus stops can be found at every road junction, between 20-50 m apart. No wonder my friends were upset when I asked where I should get off. (Duh! At the nearest road junction where you want to go!) All bus stops were also designated as no parking zones. You will get a citation (parking tickets) for intruding that space.

What really touched me, was what happened on my trip back after class. There were two wheelchair bound passengers. After all other passengers got on the bus (without any kind of pushing or jostling), the driver released the ramp for the wheelchairs to come on board. I took a seat near the front, but other passengers tapped on my shoulder and told me and some other passengers near me that we will need to move so that the wheelchair passengers can be placed in that spot.

In all, about 6 passengers gladly got out of our seats or some others moved to give up their seats for those who had to move. So about 12 passengers had to make adjustments to their seats to accommodate the new passengers. For 5 whole min, the wheelchair passengers got themselves up into the bus and the bus driver, helped them to be strapped safely to the "seat", one after the other. After all that fuss, others who had "caught" the bus continued to come on board. Nobody, I say again, nobody, showed any sign of irritation, or impatience (like making "tsk" sounds...). Everyone was in fact, helping to make sure the two ladies in wheelchair were comfortable and safe.

In this amazing country, where I learnt that being on time was everything to Americans, were willing to spare a few moments to showing kindness and grace to those who need them. Compared to my comrade Singaporeans, whose time is something that has been rubberized and meant to be broken, are rarely patient in showing graciousness for one another. That is most unfortunate, yet I am grateful for this chance to witness and reflect on this.

Tuesday, September 7, 2010

Millefiori Beads?

Have you ever walked into electronic stores and start staring at TV on display with a "show" that catches your eyes? I will always, without fail, fix my eyes on this particular one that shows the making of Millefiori glass. I think it is an art of its own.

Wanna guess what Millefiori means? It is not too difficult. It is Italian for "Thousand Flowers". World famous Murano glassmakers probably marks the origin of this beautiful art. Victorian Charm was made using these beautiful lampwork beads. 

Like "Charming Bali", this was one of those first pairs of earrings I made. I remember it was my first attempt to make wrapped loops using the headpin, and definitely the first pair that enjoyed the gunmetal colored findings. 



I have taken it off the shelf too but it is definitely available for order since I still have more of these beads. However, as unique as each bead is, a new pair will not look the same as Victorian Charm. For now, Victorian Charm belongs to me : ) I am basking in the joy of wearing earrings again!

Friday, September 3, 2010

John 3:16

For God so loved the world, He sent His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.

John 3:16


Need I say more to explain the charms? I guess not. I decided that a present for myself is long overdue. The new supplies that just arrived were perfect. I have happily replaced my bracelet now : )


Wednesday, September 1, 2010

Shower of Blessings

I have been so excited about this necklace for weeks. I finally got the photos taken to have it posted!

The project started with 2 things that I bought from Jo-Ann: Square silver spacer which I fell in love with immediately and Silver tube bead with dangle loop. This is exactly what I have been looking for!

 


Whenever I pick up pearls to work on, it reminds me of a bride. I love the look of white pearls on the bride, studded with little shimmering crystals. The dangle must be simple, yet elegant, sophisticated but not overwhelming. I was pretty happy with how it turned out.


Check out the listing on Artfire for more details and pictures : )