La Primera Colección

Here are the first few pieces that I made when I was just starting out with Rhapsody.

As you might have noticed, I'm quite fond of Tibetan silver charms. I love them for their intricate detail.

I also had a thing for glass pearls. The first colors I got were lavender, green and orange, my top 3 favorite colors. But as the collection grew, I got pinks, blues, champagnes and even blacks!

As the months went by, my skill in making bracelets also developed. No longer am I confined to making charm bracelets with glass pearls. I taught myself how to make twisted loops and other things. 

Bead Haul I

After weeks and weeks of waiting, my first bead haul finally arrived! Yey! I ordered packets of 6mm cloisonné, ceramic and 4mm bi cone beads. 

I've bought 6mm and 4mm Majorca beads before so I thought they'd pretty much have the same size. And oh was I wrong! They were tiny! At first I thought, "uh-oh" but then I realized they'd make great earrings and bracelets. So I was happy with them.

I also got some Tibetan silver dolphin bookmarks. It was just so cute I had to get them.

Here's a two-strand bracelet I made using the cloisonné and ceramic beads with champagne-colored glass pearls. They were just so adorable.

Episode 1: Pilot

Episode 1: Pilot from Flash Forward

I'm quite fond of watching tv series such as House, Prison Break, Heroes, Gossip Girl, How I met your mother, and more recently, The Vampire Diaries. I can't always catch them on their regular time slots due to work so I usually download the episodes or watch online. What I have noticed in common with these shows is that the first episode is usually titled, "Pilot". I don't know why this is so but I think it means that it's the beginning of a new era -- or series, for that matter. Hence, I've decided to title the first blog to Rhapsody trinkets as Pilot as well.

I can't recall exactly when I had beaded my first necklace or bracelet. Memories of the yesteryears are quite foggy in mind but what I do recall clearly was last year 2009. It was around August when I started thinking of what to give my friends for Christmas. I know what you're thinking, "Ain't it too early to think about that?". It was but if I have enough time, I like to make presents rather than pick up something at the store. 

So there I was looking for ideas when I stumbled upon an online shop selling vintage necklaces. It was love at first sight. The prices were also temptingly low and I found myself placing an order for an antique gold vintage locket with an Eiffel tower charm.

I found that it was a rather simple design and very easy to make. An idea popped up. Why not make these for my friends? It was perfect! I immediately messaged the seller and asked her how I can start making my own accessories. The darling was so kind enough to point me to online shops selling raw materials as well as a jewelry shop located downtown. She did warn me though. Making trinkets can be very addicting. And how true she was.

the first bracelet that I made.

It wasn't long before I placed an order of headpins, jump rings, lobster locks, charms and findings. I also traveled downtown to locate the shop and when I found it, I felt like I was in a beading haven. It had rows and rows of beads, pearls, crystals, and everything needed to make trinkets. From my first visit until now, I always go into a shopping frenzy and come out carrying a heavy bag of loot with a satisfied grin on my face.

The first trinket I made was a silver tone orange pearl bracelet with heart charms. I was so happy and excited with my work that I made more. I kept making them even after Christmas had passed and I had given them as presents for my friends as planned. 

I didn't realize then that it was already the start of a long and beautiful love affair with beading.