Elegantly Simple (necklace) -- SOLD --

The necklace component of the Elegantly Simple set. Made of cloisonne beads in black hues with pink floral embellishments, two toned Czech glass, faux pearls and finished with gold toned toggle clasp.

It sits comfortably around your neck as a centrepiece, complementing whites, pastels and black outfits that you may have. Get it by itself or as a set with the matching earrings.

Elegantly Simple (earrings) -- SOLD --

i tA customer had enquired about sets and I realised that I have not been doing any for some time. Elegantly Simple earrings is part of a necklace, earrings set where I have toned down the contrast but have decided to go for something simple yet feminine.

Get it on its own or as a set.

Cloisonne Valentine -- SOLD --

I have used this same cloisonne bead before in a variety of items... sometimes as earrings and other times as part of a necklace. They make a comeback in this piece... With a swanky pairing together with the Swarovski crystals, gold toned chains and freshwater mauve pearls that is.

Has just that little bit of jazz about it... the question now is whether you are ready for it!

Bleu -- SOLD --

Blue was what I was feeling over the weekend but the mood has since passed! What remains is this pair of tensha earrings that I beaded along the colour theme. Heh.

Tensha roses are paired with Czech flower-facet cut glass beads and Swarovski crystals in a miky white, translucent tone. Nothing very "blue / moody" about it but the colour.

Yulu -- SOLD --

This pair of earrings is dedicated to my mum... I will probably try and bead something classy and elegant just for her later because... it is her birthday today! Yay! Happy Birthday Mum!

Yulu is a green themed pair of earrings that dangles happily from the ears... It reminds me of mum because her name has the chinese character "Jade" in it and I associate it with green. The cloisonne butterflies flitter in delight and just add to the lightness of the situation.

Surely it is good enough to dress up a simple top for a casual day out?

the end of the saga

Dear friends (and customers!) of Bead Haven, thanks for the support and help given during this period. Many have left comments and emails regarding the infringement of copyrights and it has been really heartening to know that there are people who do appreciate the designs over here at Bead Haven.

The current episode / saga / drama (whatever you will want to call it) is closed. The site owner in question has removed the offending post and picture and I will call it a day. I admit, I am not really satisfied with the reply given but I will leave it at that. However, should there be any future occurence, I will definitely take more action than this. I will also not be removing the screenshot because I do not want it to seem like some blatant false accusation.

The facts of the situation are...

• I beaded the original design, posted it for sale here and sold it
• (according to you) someone took the picture off... apparently gave to you who beaded to remake and who in turn posted it online as your own work and at a higher price (?!). I did not make any accusations as to whether the rest of your work are your original designs or not, just focused on MINE which I know as a fact.
• I did accidentally reveal your site but have since amended it. You have also since changed your layout so it is no longer recognisable by the screenshot designs.
• I am carrying on with my beading and am asking for all your eyes to keep a look out for such infringements on other sites.

What is going to change over here?

• a new post on copyright infringement... is going to come up soon (which really should not affect all of you!)
• photographs are going to be watermarked (sorry about the ugliness...!)
• in short, nothing.

I want to continue my beading. It is a hobby of mine and while I am mighty peeved to have such an incident taking place here... I am carrying on.

N / CC, if you are reading this... I won't be replying your email. I think in terms of ethics we are on two different planes so there is no point in trying to find a common ground. Besides, you have already taken all steps you can on your side to make sure you cannot be identified by the screenshot anymore.

CopyCat Alert!

Thanks for the tip off SS. Please claim your store credit from me. Check your email for more details. :)

Ok, back to the issue at hand. A reader / customer of the blog spotted this on another site. I did a screenshot of it, deleting the URL to give said person just the bit of privacy. But as you can clearly see from the picture (click to enlarge if its too small), she used the SAME picture I did. In case you did not recognise, it is a snapshot of Beauty Repose. How likely is this to happen? I mean, beading the same necklace, using the same background and even laying it out with the chain just so?!

For now, I am not revealing the URL. I tried leaving a comment but was not too successful. I have also emailed the site owner to remove the post. I will check back there within these 3 days. If I still find the offending picture and post there, you can be sure I'll release the URL!

For those curious about whether it is possible she bought it herself... well, no. It was bought by a friend who asked for some customisation. And... I am meeting her over lunch or dinner to pass the items she bought to her. So, hmm, the necklace, though sold, is still with me.

Needless to say, I am kind of peeved by this. First technology woes, now copycat woes.

By the way, if you ever chance upon duplicates of the designs here, please email me at littlemissbeadalot@gmail.com. I will be setting up a reward system for those who do spot such blatant copycats!

Technology Woes

There's something wrong with my internet connection, cable between the camera and the computer and the rechargeable batteries that power the camera... Grrr.

So what this means is that I am having sporadic times of accessing the internet and checking my mail so if you have not heard from me regarding your requests and other stuff (and why I have not had the opportunity to upload more photos), please know that the mails are not in the trash but more rather that I am stuck somewhere.

Hoping that regular ease of use of technology returns by Monday. Meanwhile, its time to return the computer to the rightful owner. I'll be back! Promise... with the results of the lil competition and possibly upcoming December Christmas promos...

Now, that's something to be cheerful about!

Lady of Emerald Hill -- SOLD --

The Lady of Emerald Hill sits by the bay window, watching the world pass her by. She dreams of returning to Kansas but she never makes any move to get out on her own. So day by day, she watches as the world passes her by...

This necklace is an enduring mix of a square cloisonne piece, Swarovski crystals, Czech glass beads... all held together by gold toned chains. Wear it with something oriental or even basic, and you are ready to go.

(Click on picture for enlarged image.)

Floral Blue -- SOLD --

This pair of earrings originated as a remake of Floral Decadence. However, under poor lighting, I got the wrong cloisonne teardrop. Instead of black, it turned dark blue!

So... the original design was reworked and Floral Blue has been sent off to its owner today. :) Cloisonne teardrop beads, Swarovski crystals and faux frosted pearls... Yay!

Flitter Flutter -- SOLD --

*Butterflies again!*
I never get very far from butterflies...! Flitter Flutter is a necklace, half made up of faux frosted and plain pearls and the other half a double strand chain. The cloisonne butterfly dangles from just off centre and has a light mix of Swarovski crystals and Czech glass on its tail.

Decide to wear the butterfly drop just off centre or right smack in the centre. You choose. The ends of the chains are "hidden" behind your hair most of the time! Closed with silver toned toggle.

Classic Black -- SOLD --

It is a holiday!!! Such a great reprieve from the work overload in office. Heh. Don't want to think about tomorrow... Meanwhile, I had fun beading last night. :) Yes, already! Classic Black uses the same big, flat round tensha as Black Tensha and the smaller round ones.

Overall, it has a healthy mix of tensha beads to create this elegant look. I imagine it will turn heads with the classic, old English look it exudes. Black will never be out of fashion.

Heart of Gold -- gifted --

Set in gold tones, this necklace uses teardrop faux pearls to create the look. A simple chain with a focal point at centre of a heart charm and faux pearls.

The look created? One of Elegance... Can also be made in silver tones.
ps: the colour of the faux teardrop pearls is closer to that found in Karine. The gold chains resulted in the colour captured on camera being a tad richer.

Karine -- SOLD --

Pearlised splendour. Whatever you think of pearls, I personally feel that they still have a charm about them that is not easily replaceable. They just lend an air of elegance that is timeless. And ageless.

Karine is a pair of earrings featuring faux teardrop pearls, clusters of round pearls dangling from a single pearl. She sways with your movement and captures the flow... with finesse.

Its Amour $14 ++ reserved ++

Its Amour! A simple bracelet that speaks volumes. The cluster of Swarovski crystals, faux pearls and gold toned heart sit freely on the chain.

The cluster slides all around your wrist in carefree abandonment. Perhaps love?

Closed with gold toned toggle clasp.

First Love ** unavailable **

Long dangly necklace..! A kissing couple dangles from within the gold hoop with accents of a freshwater shell shaped heart, Swarovski crystals and faux pearls. Good for plain tops that need that little bit of jazz.

Blue Hues -- SOLD --

Blue roses featured on the tensha beads are the main embellishments on this pair of earrings. Finished with blue czech glass and off white faux pearls, Blue Hues is good to go... either to dress up for a glitzy affair or down for work 9 to 5.

Matches fantastically well with a white summery dress or oriental cheongsam. And more as you will discover.

BeadHaven Mailing List

I know that updates to Bead Haven can get sporadic at times... it is largely because of the many heavy commitments I have all over the place. So... take some time to comment and get yourself on the mailing list. All comments are screened so you can be assured that your email is not being released to the whole wide world.

Please comment with the following...

1. Name / Nickname
2. Email Address
3. Items of Interest (eg: earrings, bracelets, necklaces)
4. Any Other Comment, as necessary

And... to have some more fun since its Childhood Dreams and the launch of the mailing list, let's have a mini contest! Remember those times when penpals were the hottest things to have? Let us return to those times, in a more modern way.

Write me a letter featuring either your love story and the "letter of the week" will be posted here on 31st October. All entries to be received by 28th October! The winning entry will receive a $20 store credit.

p/s: I do reserve the right to cancel the contest if response is limited (below 5 entries). No fun judging with such a small pool! I'll be fair and update accurately on the number of entries. Promise!

Heartfelt Regards -- SOLD --

Simple and sweet... Heartfelt Regards was made as I sat before the guest sign in sheet of my wedding 1.5 years ago. Sure, most of the comments were "congratulations!" but somehow, because you know the person(s) behind the congratulatory wishes, it made the simple wish come alive.

Heartfelt Regards is a somewhat "double stranded" bracelet. One strand made of gold chains, the other made of Czech glass beads linked to form a rose pink chain. The centre of attraction has to be the gold heart that dangles from the middle.

Surely, what matters most is the heart's content?

Loyal Friends -- gifted --

Dogs are said to be man's best friend. Loyal Friends pays a small (fashion) tribute to them with the silver toned dog silhouette. This bracelet is made of freshwater pearls, varied Czech glass beads and Swarovski crystals. All finished with silver tones all round.

Beauty Repose -- SOLD --

A singular heart shaped tensha is paired with two other circular tensha beads with a similar theme of red roses. Beauty Repose is a necklace composed of freshwater pearls tinted a light shade of gold and larger faux pearls in an off white tone. Gold toned chains finish up the length of the necklace.

It can be worn with the heart tensha bead higher, or adjusted to have the beads on the same level. Either way the toggle clasp is hidden behind, allowing you the freedom to choose your favourite look. Whatever it is, there is an elegant air about it with the roses exuding some old world charm.

Raindrops -- SOLD --

The haze is not showing any signs of letting up over here in Singapore. The PSI readings keep fluctuating up and down and the NEA website is perpetually down due to the high volume traffic. Grr. I am just hoping for rain!

Rain that will come and wash away the dust particles, rain that will kill the smoke smell in the air. Rain to make the skies clear again and rain to form puddles to jump into. :P

Raindrops is a pair of earrings set in silver toned chains and done up with the softest baby blue shaded Czech glass (colour here is not that accurate!) with a smattering of Swarovski clear crystals to increase the shine.

Light and dainty. Like little raindrops that fall bringing a little bit of the "sky" down.

Little Ballerina -- SOLD --

I remember seeing my cousins at play when they were about 3-5 years of age. I remember this particular cousin was very taken by the arts. She would perform for us all, twirling around on her shoes and dancing in the car porch. Nevermind that she was not wearing ballet shoes, nevermind that she was not trained, nevermind that she looked a tad weird dancing in that get up... because to her, the world was indeed her stage.

Its a little sad she never pursued that dream.
Little Ballerina pays tribute to the dreams in us that are unfulfilled and hidden over time. Its focal point is the gold toned hoop with a pair of children's shoes in the middle. Other ingredients include Swarovski crystals and a mixture of faux bronze pearls paired with light gold freshwater pearls.

Have you got a dream you have yet to fulfil?

(more pictures available upon request).

Purple Rain -- SOLD --

Deceptively simple but takes a lot of time to do... grr. Anyway, Purple Rain is made of glass beads and Swarovski crystals in two different colours. Simple enough yet with enough shine to attract attention.

Don't you wish for rain to come and clear the HAZE in Singapore? I know I do.

Black Tensha -- SOLD --

Tensha beads again! :) This time a black tensha bead takes centrestage alongside Swarovski crystals and Czech glass of pinkish hues and cool black. Quite a dramatic combination. Bold, striking and demanding attention.

See below for more pictures. Click on images for enlarged photos.

for eternity -- SOLD --

Something for eternity...

White denotes purity and in my mind, some level of eternity and timelessness. This pair of earrings is made of cloisonne beads, freshwater pearls and Swarovski pearls. Suits casual dress down weekends perfectly.

Magenta -- SOLD --

Remember when back in school and the never ending rules and regulations kept you at having only plain boring studs? Well, now that school is almost out... here is a pair to beckon in the fun!

Magenta tinted glass beads are the centre of attraction here... flanked on both sides with similarly hued Swarovski crystals, it serves as nice eye candy for the ears. Lightweight and "carefree"...

Sweet Dreams $16

Sweet dreams are made of these... No, not the song. But instead, I refer to the scents of lavender. Apparently lavender is a soothing scent that helps you relax.

This bracelet is made of freshwater pearls and flowers, silver toned findings and Swarovski crystals. Simple and obtrusive. Good to make you dream the day away.

Aspiring Princess $16

Little girls and boys are the usual suspects for the wedding party... Dressed in finery to be little flowergirls and pageboys / ringbearers, they remind me of asipiring princesses and princes. In fact, that was what I called my 3 flowergirls and 1 pageboy.

I am sure that in years to come, they will be the beautiful brides and handsome groom they were the image of at my wedding. Life's blessings upon them!

Aspiring princesses would be something I would love to have gifted my flowergirls as a bracelet, or even jie meis as a wrist corsage if I had any jiemeis / or knew how to bead then. It has a nice balance if delicate feminine beauty and yet simple enough to adorn any one in the bridal party. It is made of gold toned chains, light gold freshwater pearls, Swarovski crystals and dainty Czech glass flowers.

Pink Colada -- gifted --

Did this while watching Prison Break last night. After all the gloom and evil, out came this contrasting piece of black Czech glass, bronze toned faux pearls and flower shaped (and carved) freshwater pearl discs. Its a long necklace that is finished in gold toned chains and toggle.

All said and done, how does it fit into the Childhood Dreams theme? Think no alcohol till 18... The pink flowers reminded me starkingly of pink -- pink colada. It is a long stretch but that was how my mind was working. At 11.30pm that is.

Customisation -- T & C

I like the challenge of making pieces just for you but as I am doing this only as a hobby, I really cannot afford the time to have a lengthy discussion or start working on something to have it come to nothing.

Hence... here are some rules to live by when you are requesting customisations or remakes of current pieces.

1. Limit the initial discussion of design, components to be used, price range to 4 emails (4 from each side is quite a lot!)... I will not begin work or show you any sample until we can come to an agreement on what it is going to look like.
2. There will be at least a 50% non-refundable deposit required for all customisations and remakes (100% if you are requesting more than 3 pieces at a go) before I begin work. This will be based on the estimate cost of the items. I will refund excess if any.
3. Allow for ample time. If you need it urgently, please contact me first as I may or may not have the necessary materials. I will require on average, at least 1-2 weeks to finish your order.
4. There is no discount available for customisations or remakes of items. What I can do is to work within your budget. These items are made specially for your order, not items I have up for sale already, and I do have other ideas I want to try out. That is the fun part of this hobby.
5. Trust me to come out with something you would like. I would do it as best as possible according to your specifications. It helps if you have a good idea of what you would like.
   

Lavender Green $14

As mentioned when featuring Lavender Blue... here is the non-identical twin of Lavender Green. Made using similar materials but in a different combination, choose which you would like to dangle from your ear.

October ** Childhood Dreams **

We are definitely in October already! You can see the children breaking out in cold sweat as the exams draw nearer. You can see the parents panicking and the teachers stressed. But over here, I like to remember the silly lil things from childhood days. Yes, there was school. Yes, there were exams. But above all, there are precious memories to be remembered.

In October, Bead Haven features small little items that just remind you of childhood days when you could simply dream the day away... and not worry about work. For the younger, still schooling customers, I wish you all the best in your upcoming exams... and enjoy it while it lasts. You will miss the holidays! :P

Newly released under Childhood Dreams collection...
-- School Days -- earrings
-- Lavender Blue -- earrings

School Days -- gifted --

Somehow school uniforms are largely blue in colour. Yes, I know there is a variation but when you have grown up in blue for 10 years while schooling, you cannot shake that image.

Yet this pair of earrings is anything but old-school. Instead it dazzles with enough flair to get you interested in the colour blue again. Perhaps it will change your impression of the colour altogether.

Tassel Beauty -- SOLD --

A special request to create a pendant out of the tensha bead used in Like An Old English Rose. A simple pendant, enhanced with a silver toned tassel that sits on a suede leather cord / chain.

Tassel Beauty in its glory.

A Touch of Class ii -- SOLD --

The original necklace was customised to meet the request of a customer and I feel, both the "old" and "new" versions are equally nice!

The necklace has been lengthened and can fit through the head without the need of a toggle clasp and sits just nicely in its fullness.

Gold Opulence (The Necklace) -- SOLD --

Remember the Gold Opulence series (earrings and bracelet)? A customer requested for a remake, along with a necklace to match. So here is the final component of the set.

Customisation!

It has been a little quiet here on the Bead Haven shop front because there have been a number of requests coming in via email. So... as I work through them to remake some items, rework them to suit the new owners or even create new pieces to form a set, time is taken away from creating more new pieces.

But... I am almost done! And here are some for preview... :)

P/s: If you are interested in customisation or remaking items, please feel free to contact me at littlemissbeadalot@gmail.com. Do give time for sourcing materials and making the items as they are typically made from scratch and sometimes I do run out of materials.

Please be considerate too... I am doing this mainly as a hobby. Customised designs do not have discounts available because I am doing it specially for you.

Rocking Horses II -- SOLD --

Rocking Horses has been adapted to create this piece. The only difference is that the chain has been changed to be completely made of freshwater pearls and frosted faux pearls. :) Which do you prefer?

This was done as a special request.

Lavender Blue -- gifted --

I am making two different earrings with the same lavender hued coral. And while doing them, I was reminded of the childhood ditty that we used to sing at school... Music lessons in the "attic" behind the school's hall, and you would hear our class go...

Lavender's blue, dilly dilly,
Lavender's green
When you are King, dilly dilly,
I shall be Queen

Check back later for Lavender "green".

Lavender Blue is made of a purplish coral bead and teamed with freshwater pearls in mauve and a dainty Swarovski crystal. All come together to match... A lavender dress? And more of course.

Rose of Sharon -- SOLD --

A pair of simple earrings to up the glam factor just a tad more. Lovely tensha beads with rose prints are paired with Swarovski crystals and gold toned chains to create Rose of Shaon.

Light weight yet catchy. Simple yet elegant. Just the right balance I must say.

(Click on image for large picture.)