Octoberfest 2014 Third Annual Autumn Splendor Blog Hop Reveal

I am blessed to be part of this Third Annual Octoberfest event. Big hug thanks to Rita from Toltec Jewelry who organises this amazing sharing event.

There are so many things to celebrate in this season...

My parents wedding anniversary... they got married on 1 October 1956. If my father still alive, we would celebrate their 58 years of marriage. Well... we did, by cooking their favorite meal. These are some of their wedding pictures... I treasure those pictures, which were taken using an old camera, and my father developed the photos himself. Weren't they amazing?

October is also the month to celebrate birthdays in my family... first, my husband b'day on the 5th, then my brother on the 15th and my sister on the 16th. Well... sorry, I didn't take photos for these birthdays.

I also did some pumpkin baking: pumpkin cookies, pumpkin scones, pumpkin yeast bread... and my favorite is the pumpkin bread. The bread was so moist because it uses quite a lot amount of pumpkin puree... my home-made pumpkin puree. You can check the recipes on my foodblog (www.kitchen-notes.blogspot.com).

Then, the most awaited event for our family... the family holiday!!!
Six of us brothers and sisters... me, my older sister, my younger sister and her husband, and my brother and his wife. Yup! no husband for me... unfortunately he had to go back to France for something he has to do. We had holiday on amazingly beautiful island in Borneo... We went to Maratua island and visited several pictureque islands nearby... Derawan, Kakaban, Sangalaki, Nabuko islands... snorkling, swimming, tracking and hiking, or simply relaxing watching beautiful sunset from the water-cottage we stayed... an amazingly great holiday.

I also started a new business together with 2 other friends. We launched a bead online shop, Naniko Manik, in September... selling beads to Indonesian custom jewelry makers. So, this is the second month for us, wish us good luck, will you... :)

And... for these gorgeous blessed month, I created my "Red Leaves Series Necklaces"... one with a polymer clay cross pendant, and the other with a polymer clay sea turtle pendant.

You can see... this was really a blessed season for me... Now, let me wish you blessed months to come also...

And once again, thanks to Rita Toltec Jewels (http://www.jewelschoolfriends.com/) who added other blessing this season by organising this amazing event.

Please visit the other bloggers listed here to find out what amazing things they did for this amazing season... Happy amazing blog-hopping everyone...

Octoberfest ARTISTS

Toltec Jewels                            Jewel School Friends (hostess)
Dini Bruinsma                           http://www.angazabychanges.blogspot.nl/
Marybeth Rich                          http:/forestofjewels.blogspot.com/
Mary Govaars                           http://www.mlhjewelrydesigns.com/
Mischelle Andrade-Fanucchi     http://micheladasmusings.blogspot.com
Karin Grosset Grange               http://ginkgoetcoquelicot.blogspot.fr
Andrea Zenith Glick                  http://zenithjade.blogspot.com/
Nan Smith                                http://wirednan.blogspot.com
Linda Anderson                        http://CherryOnTopDesign.Co
Becky Pancake                        http://beckypancakebeaddesigns.blogspot.com
Melissa Trudinger                     http://beadrecipes.wordpress.com/
Lennis Carrier                          http://windbent.wordpress.com/
Sue Kennedy                           http://suebeads.blogspot.com/
Kim Dworak                            http://www.cianciblue.blogspot.com/
Jo-Ann Woolverton                  http://itsabeadifulcreation.blogspot.ca
Jennifer Reno                           http://jenrenjewelry.blogspot.com/
Veralynne Malone                    http://veradesigns.blogspot.com
Lori Schneider                          http://beadaddicted.blogspot.com/
Shaiha Williams                        http://shaihasramblings.blogspot.com/
Alisa Siceloff                            http://armoredmermaid.blogspot.com
Pam Traub                               http://www.klassyjoolz.blogspot.com/
Cryss Thain                              http://beaddragons.blogspot.com/
Maria Lourdes Rios                 http://mlourdes24.blogspot.com
Kathy Lindemer                       http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Carolyn Lawson                      http://Carolynscreationswa.blogspot.com
Blanca Medina                        http://www.peru-medesigns.com/
Debbie Rasmussen                  www.Kepirasmussen.blogspot.ca
Heather Richter                       http://desertjewelrydesigns.blogspot.com/
Kathleen Breeding                   http://99bobotw.blogspot.com/
Carol Dillman                          http://dillmansdallies.blogspot.com/
Chris Eisenberg                       www.wanderware.blogspot.com
Rebecca Sirevaag                    www.godsartistinresidence.blogspot.com
Sam Waghorn                          http://palemooncreation.blogspot.co.uk
Sherri Stokey                           www.KnotJustMacrame.com
Gina Hockett                           www.freestyleelements.blogspot.com
Michelle McCarthy                  http://fireflydesignstudio.blogspot.com
Michelle Buettner                     http://www.MiShelDesigns.blogspot.com
Dana Hickey                            http://magpieapproved.blogspot.com
Claire Fabian                            http://saraccino.blogspot.com
Cynthia Abner                          http://createdtreasures.blogspot.com
Renetha Stanziano                    http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com
Jami Shipp                               http://CelebratingLifewithDaMamaShipp.blogspot.com
Charlie                                     http://505indiechic.blogspot.com
Gloria Allen                             http://www.wingsandbeads.blogspot.com/
Lisa Johnson                             http://spudandmrsbutters.blogspot.com
Marde Lowe                            http://fancimardesigns.blogspot.com
Jill Bradley                                http://chat2jill.blogspot.com
Toni Gifford                              https://plus.google.com/+ToniG28
Shawnda D'Arcy                      https://www.facebook.com/JewelryByShawnda
RaMona Woolson                    http://jerseygirlsbeadwork.blogspot.com
Esterina Jagiella                        http://ekleijar.blogspot.com
Sandra McGriff                        http://skyescreativechaos.blogspot.com
Mary McGraw                         http://mkaymac.blogspot.com
Alenka Obid                            http://pepita-handmade.blogspot.com
Marianne Baxter                      http://simplyseablimejewelry.blogspot.com
Ann Schroeder                        www.beadlove.wordpress.com
Inge von Roos                          http://ingetraud.wordpress.com
Robin Reed                              http://willowdragon.blogspot.com
Suzanne Berk                           https://www.facebook.com/IRescueJewelryDesign
Mowse Doyle                          http://mowsemadethis.blogspot.com
Diana Miglionico Shiraishi         http://jasmineteadesigns.blogspot.com
RanaLea                                  http://ranaleadesigns.blogspot.com
Andrea Rivers                          http://turtlesoupcreative.blogspot.com
Janine Lucas                            http://esfera.me/travel/blog/travel-stories
Tanya McGuire                        http://tanyamcguire.blogspot.com
Anindita Basu                          http://alankarshilpa.blogspot.com
Mitzie Crider                           http://needfulluxuries.blogspot.com
Deb Fortin                               http://studiok24.blogspot.ca
Cynthia Kent Machata             http://antiquitytravelers.blogspot.com
Cheri Reed                              http://creativedesignsbycheri.blogspot.com
Laurel Hanson                         http://stonewingdesigns.com/blogs/stonewingdesignsblog
Ingrid Anderson                      http://lilisgems.wordpress.com/
Karla Morgan                          http://Texaspepperjams.blogspot.com
Lori Anderson                         www.PrettyThings.com
Louise Mccormick-Glazier       http://lilyandjasmine.blogspot.com/
Jasvanti Patel                          http://jewelrybyjasvanti.blogspot.com
Susan Kelly                            http://midlifegreaterexpectations.blogspot.com/
Lee Koopman                        http://stregajewellry.wordpress.com/
Carol Briody                          http://cbriody.blogspot.com/
Kathy Lindemer                    http://bay-moon-design.blogspot.com/
Renetha Stanziano                http://lamplightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Divya N                               http://www.jewelsofsayuri.com/

Bead Soup Blogger Party Reveal Day!!

(I had problem with internet connection at home yesterday when I wanted to post this on... tried using my smart phone, but couldn't figure out how to add pictures and links.. so here it is, one day late...)

Yeehaaa...!! Finally the time is come. We, around 500 bloggers from all over the world, can reveal what goodies we make from the bead soups we received from our partners. Yes.. as you might have read from my last blog post, this is my first Bead Soup Blog Party. So pardon me if I am too excited! Hehehe...

As reminder, this was the soup I received from my partner Karen Mitchell of "Over the Moon Studio", who lives in South Australia. Aren't they gorgeous?

On my side, I had so much fun (almost carried out crazy in fact :D hahaha..), digging my boxes of beads and choosing different beads for her. I also had much excitement making polymer clay beads and focal for her... Ah ya, I have to tell that I have my digital scale (the one I use for cooking) beside me, to weight the package I would send to her. I wanted to maximise the weight for the same shipping cost. So, this was my soup for her..

What a fun event! Definitely will join again next year!!

Now.. we reach the reveal date. I can say this reveal day has the most fun and excitement of all!!!

Taadaaaa.... "Hummingbird in an Ethnicochic Forest Garden"

I make one necklace. I tried using all her soup... oh how I love the color combo she chose! all my favorit color is there! Hahaha... yes! she must have been a psychic in her past life... :)

And this is how it looks hung on my neck... love it sooooo much!! Thanks a lot Karen...

The challenge is indeed fun! There are some beads I haven't used... but I determine to make it into something. Isn't the essence of joining the fun BSBP so we can think out of the box? to challenge and better improve our creativity. So just pay a visit again in several days, will you? You will find other goodies I make from the rest of the bead soup.

Now, let's see what Karen made from the bead soup I sent to her... here.
For a complete list of blogs participating in this big event, please visit Lori's page, and do blog-hop to those web-blogs... it's so much fun to see lots of pretty creations made from the soups.

8th Bead Soup Blog Party ... My Partner and Her Soup

This is my first Bead Soup Blog Party, an annual international event organises by Lori Anderson, who perfectly paired me with Karen Mitchel from Australia. This year, about 490 people from around the globe are excitedly participating in this big event. Lots of people ya?

Meet My Partner
Karen lives in South Australia (I bet it's pretty there), a mother of two teenage daughters, married her highschool sweetheart... so romatic isn't it? She has an online store where she sells her beauties. She makes mixed media jewelry, and makes gorgeous crochet items from cute small accessories to blankets.. oh, how I love the color combination she made..

That is one crochet project she is working on right now.. her daily crochetmoodblanket2014.

Isn't this cute?

And these are my favorite jewelry she made...

And now....  

The Soup I received from her....

Yay!!! the package arrived on Friday morning... a full week travelled from her door to my door. I was so excited.. well, I think you know how I felt... I am still having the same excitement while writing this.. smiling wide from ear to ear... *LOL*

Now, join my excitement to see what goodies she sent me !!

 Yup! she made it even more exciting by putting everything inside this nice tin box.. thank you, you are great Karen..

And these are what were inside... Oh how much I love those beads... you all have to agree that those are deliciously tasty and pretty!!! Now you understand why I still have the same excitement after two days!! Hey.. it's not counting the fun I am going to have later, these would make amazing jewelry.. 

And there is one particular item... this changing-color beads. Some call it "mood bead'. It's a bead that changing color with the changing of temperature surrounds it. Last week, I had a small chat with my friend LiliKrist from Surabaya.. she purchased moodbeads from etsy and they were just arrived. She shared the picture in her facebook and I was interested to purchase some too... and see... I got one from Karen!!!

Lovely hummingbird heart cloisonne focal

I also love the focal and S-clasp she sent me... my first cloisonne bead.


See... how gorgeous and delicious her soup ingredients are... and I absolutely love all those color and LOVE every single bead!!!

I hope she would be as excited as me when she receives the soup I sent to her. I am not sure if she has received it by now.. so, I would just post this sneak peak of the soup I sent her last week.

Thank you Karen... you really made my days! 

Beads for Papua 4 : Good Memory in Wamena and Biak

The 4th part of 4 (the last one) of series of articles "Beads for Papua", continuation from "Beads for Papua 3 : Mama-mama..., Let Us Make Necklaces Together"

After sharing fun, happiness, and joy with Mama-mama in Ilu, we had to return back to Wamena... through that bumpy road.

The morning when we left Ilu... oh, if only I could bring with me that fresh cold air and the people's warmth. I think I left part of my heart there...

This time, the road condition was worst since it was raining everyday during our stay in Ilu... the road was wet! One of our rented car was stuck on the mud, but thank God it didn't take too much difficulties to free it. Then the journey could be continued without any problem.

Nine hours going along the mountains sides, crossing rivers, going through fog on a mountain peak more than 3000 meters above sea level... and passing in the middle of an ancient forest that made us feel as if we were in Jurasic Park... an amazing journey indeed.

In Wamena we had to stay over for two days... we had problems finding seat on the plane to Jayapura. Well, it was approaching Christmas and New Year holidays.

So that made us having time to go enjoying Wamena. My favorite place is Jibama traditional market... the biggest market in Wamena. There I found some young men who make and sell necklaces made from beads. 

Apparently, the price was a little bit expensive... well, everything is kind of "imported" from Jayapura and has to be transported by plane. There is no road from Jayapura to Wamena.

Besides Jibama market, we also went to enjoy the unique culinary dish from Wamena... crayfish!

From Wamena going home to Jakarta via Jayapura. Me and one of my friend decided to stop over for several days in Biak, a small city located on a beautiful coral island... Biak Island.

Here we visited several places, and at the same time having back good memories I had when I was living and working in Biak more than 15 years ago.

Bosnik in East Biak was the first to visit. We were lucky it was market day... As usual a market is, there was people selling food also... hahaha... besides a jewelry and bead lovers, I also a food lover... hehehehee.. 

Packed yellow rice with papaya leaves/flowers and fish, casava barapen (shreded cassava root mixed with shreded coconut and spices, wrapped in banana leaves and grilled to cook), and also chilli squid ... ooooh.... delicious! hahahaa..

And, of course... there was jewelry also!!!and it was interesting because all the jewelry was made by the local people and made using whatever easy to find in Biak... shells and other goodies from the sea.

Using simple techniques, but the result was awesome... and the display tables... just like the display tables we found during jewelry bazaar or exhibition in big cities.

Beads from sea-shells, sea urchin spikes, rattan fibers, bamboo, and some seedbeads... Seeing all those, I started day-dreaming... if only I had time and chance, I want to share the joy of the Beads for Papua again here in Biak... I hope someday... in God will.

The ones that look like forks on the picture above are the traditional combs made from bamboo. Interesting and unique, no...? Other than earrings and necklaces, there were hairpins, hairclips, and cute little pot to keep chalk for betel-nut eating (the local people customs). And see... it was made recycling pop soda drink plastic bottle.... Oh, oh, oh... big saluts and respects for mama-mama in Biak!

From Bosnik market, we stopped by at a white-sandy beach not far from the market... to enjoy the pretty view. Here I found something I had not expected before... sea-glass!!

Apparently, this beach is a place for the youngs to gather and they brought some drinks to enjoy on the beach. The broken glasses from the bottles were sand by the sand with the wave movement... slowly sanded by nature... resulting in doff surface and rounder shape... oh oh oh... how happy I was, and started collecting some... an unexpected treasures from Bosnik beach in Biak.

From Bosnik beach, we headed to the Second World War Monument, built by the Japan Government in memories of their soldiers who died in Biak during the Second World War.

Inside the monument, there are 7 ashes of Japanese soldiers. Every year their family still visiting, bringing with them some memorable items and crafts... and I saw several Senbazuru, 1000 origami cranes hung on the sides of the boxes. And they are so beautiful... made me almost cry.

In fact, we visited more places in Biak... Bird Park, some more pretty beaches in West Biak and North Biak... Sebenarnya banyak lagi tempat-tempat di Biak yang kami kunjungi... Taman Burung, Pantai Biak Barat, Pantai dan air terjun di Biak Utara.... Indonesia is really beautiful!! But onlu those three places related to bead and jewelry.

Once again, thank you very much to all kind-hearted friend who generously donated beads for Mama-mama in Ilu, and friends from the Indonesian Red Cross who joined hand in hand making necklaces for the Mama-mama health caders in Ilu... they sent their best wishes and regards and their huge thanks... Lili Krist Manik Jawa, Mikko Wiropati, Febrini A. Risyad, Isworo Larasati, Tanti Saraswati, Tanty Sri Hartati.... God bless you all.



<The End>

A story from my journey, Esterina Jagiella, almost three weks in Papua in December 2013.

Beads for Papua 3 : Mama-mama..., Let Us Make Necklaces Together

This article is the 3rd part of 4, continuation from "Beads for Papua 1 : Here We Gooooo..." and "Beads for Papua 2 : Ilu and Its Bead Culture"... so, for a complete picture, check and read those first ya?

At first, we planned to have the "Beads for Papua" on the side terrace of the Ilu Community Health Clinic, but soon we realised that it was too crowded with hundreds of people seeking services from several spesialist doctors who came at the same time... surgeon, obstetric-gynecologist, and of course one from our team the ophthalmologist. Finally, we decided to move the activity on the terrace where we stayed... not far from the clinic. When the Mama-mama (that's how we call women in Papua) heard about the "Beads for Papua", they were thrilled and so happy!

Thursday afternoon, several Mama-mama came to string beads together. Unlike in Oksibil, here in Ilu only simple stringing that could be done. The colors they like the most were the bright colors, metallic shiny colors, blink-blink, sparkling... especially if it's red! that was their favorite color. Green was the least they chose, maybe because they see a lot of greens from the vegetations around them... trees, bushes, grass...

See... every body was happppppyyyy... each made one necklace, one bracelet, and one earrings, plus one necklace and one bracelet for each child they brought with them.

The Mama with the baby seemed used to work fast... finished first and wore it right away. Isn't it pretty.. the necklace she made? Soon after, little Malikha also had her new necklace made by her Mama.

I tried teaching them bead color and shape combination, usig some examples I made before. At the beginning, they tried to follow, but then I saw that they were so asthonished with all those pretty beads in front of them. As if this was what they thought : "Aahh, this one is pretty, I want this (while stringing the pretty beads on the plastic thread in their hands)... and this one too... and this...". Some Mama was able to make a better mix and match, but mostly strung according to what they thought as pretty beads, without able to imagine what combination it would be. However, looking at them and saw how enthusiasted and excited they were, I let them do whatever they like... it's important for them to be happy and love the things they have made.

Posed a little bit with the new self-made bead-jewelry.

And Friday the next day...

Ah yes, this handsome young gentleman is Rudy, a 8th grade student, the son of the house owner where we stayed. He helped us a lot... made all the water storages were full of clean water, switched on the generator when the day is getting dark, hot drinking water always available in the morning and at night, and many more... Since the first day of the "Beads for Papua", he was happilly involved... helping Mama-mama and his friends to make necklaces and bracelets. He is the most creative one.. and has a good taste too... more than all those Mama-mama. The blue green yellow ropes from LiliKrist was made into a small macrame bag. I tought him how to do macrame and the bag, and he quickly caught and continued to finish the bag. Unfortunately I forgot to take picture of it.

And here is the Mama bringing a baby pig inside her noken, the woven light brown bag behind her back. So it was fun and yet funny... Mama-mama came with their children, their dogs, and a pig... hahahaa... but all was calmed.

Cute little Malikha busy playing with my friend's shoe, while Rudy her big brother helping a Mama.

 This little girl is pretty with the black necklace and the new earring her Mama just made for her.

There I learned that apparently good or bad is something that is not fixed. And I also learned to understand their way of thinking, their concept about beauty. Beauty is a concept that depends on how you see it... could changed and moved with time, era, place...
With that kind of understanding, I adjusted myself and learned what kind of beads they loved, and several day later me and my friends from the cataract team made 15 necklaces for Mama-mama the health caders in Ilu.

The Mama-mama health caders is working ironing the linens and surgical clothes, and friends from the Indonesian Red Cross in action making necklaces for Mama-mama caders. Thanks a lot guys...

Mama-mama caders wanted to join the fun stringin beads in "Beads for Papua", but of course they couldn't. They had to work helping the free cataract operation program... cleaning the premises, washing and ironing surgical clothes and linens, as well as taking care of the patients.

These are the necklaces made by friends from the Indonesian Red Cross... The one who learned and enjoyed making necklaces was apparently not only the Mama-mama in Ilu, but also the kind-hearted friends from Red Cross.

Mama-mama caders... finally got necklaces also... they said: 'Thank you so much for the gifts, we are soooo happy... whaah, whaaah...'

Two days making jewelry with Mama-mama in Ilu gave me a special memory I know I will not forget. So touching and so happy to see how thrilled and happy they were with this "Beads for Papua".


(To be continued to part 4 "Beads for Papua 4 : Good Memory in Wamena and Biak")