HanaBelle's

Bali...a page taken from my life.

2010-02-26T05:23:00.000-08:00

The move from the hussle and the bussle of the city, to mystical Bali was an impressive change to me. Looking back, a good 11 years later and in a completely different geography now, I must say, I have a certain regrets and of course if I knew then what I know now, my stay there would've been extremely enjoyable. Those days, I was torn between annoyance and awe for the island. Back then, as I left everything behind, my job, my country, my life, I discovered I had absolutely all the time in the world to do anything and everything that I wanted. And that was all that I had in abundance... time. And of course, as some corny line goes, you don't appreciate what you have in your hands until it's gone...I think somebody wrote a song about it or something along those lines.

I didn't really have the patience or understanding on cultural differences, and being in Bali, where every day there's bound to be a ceremony somewhere, and you are part of the Banjar (village) community regardless of who you are, thus, you are obliged to contribute towards it. It was a little bit hard to chew for me. The thing was, being part of the Banjar, means that everybody knows your business, from the old lady who comes to your house mornings and late afternoons daily to offer prayers to the old man that you occasionally see by the roadside herding his army of ducks. Taxi drivers asking my marital status, 2 seconds after hopping into the cab, followed by how many kids do I have... To me now, I could've taken it in a positive way, caring people and all that, but back then, it was just plain old nosy to me.

I followed the flow, coffee mornings with other wives, realized it wasn't my cuppa tea, dabbled in Yoga, I couldn't handle the giggling fit! So, I wandered about, shopped some, and more shopping, till I was all shopped out. Found a little art supplies store tucked in a little street somewhere in Ubud, so I started painting. Well, nothing major, no masterpieces either. Had a blast in African Dance course down in Denpasar, though. During those solitary wanderings, I happened to pass by a silversmith and goldsmith village, stores by the roadside, their little workshop and home outback. Nothing fancy about it, handmade gold and silver jewelries displayed in glass showcases, little containers filled with beads of different sizes and designs. What caught my attention was the intricate designs of each pieces, the beauty of it. I started to frequent several stores and frequented their workshops to see the process. I gained a few artist friends, hailed from generations of gold and silversmithers. Their skills handed down from one generation to another.

True to Balinese culture, everything must be done in a relax manner, the Balinese are, as a whole, a community of artistes. They are very meticulous, the processes were slow, but they enjoy the work tremendously and immerse themselves in it. This is the part that left me in awe of Bali and the Balinese. Everything is somehow associated with art. From the intricate weaving of coconut leaves for little offering baskets use daily for prayers, to dance, architecture, carvings, paintings, weaving, silver and goldsmithing, just to name a few. However, I cannot claim to be a specialist in Bali and the Balinese culture, as the enormity and the depth of the culture, way of living and even the beauty of the island itself takes a lifetime for one to grasp and immerse oneself into. Unless you are a born and bred Balinese, that is.

These days, as I hold my slightly... dented Balinese Dancer bangle in my hand (yes, it's a prove of my rough handling and clumsiness!), the glitters of the gemstones, the intricate designs and weaves of gold vines and leaves often takes me back to mystical Bali..where it all started..

Tout mortel au plaisir a dû son existence ; Par lui le corps agit, le coeur sent, l'esprit pense ~Voltaire

My Balinese Dancer Bangle - a Balinese Valentine's present by my soulmate years ago. My wedding band, custom~made from where else but Bali!

Decision, decision...

2010-02-18T09:04:00.000-08:00

It's been a while that I abandoned this blog of mine, but here I am again. This is probably will be a rambling of a designer with creativity block. Which direction this blog will take, I leave it up to my limited imagination, and my flying typing fingers!

Read somewhere that being an adult is being lonely. On a good day, sure, this doesn't make sense. But on 'one of those days' this makes perfect sense. Being lonely, paired with having to make decisions, to me, are what being an adult is all about.

At this point of time, I've decided to keep mum on the family front, I've decided to keep creating, I've decided to enjoy my time with my girls, I've decided to work on those 'winter thighs', I've decided to enjoy my time here where we are, I've decided to try and be more sociable, I've decided to try cutting down on smoking and eventually quit, I've decided on kezillions of other things....But! deciding and implementing are totally two different ballgame altogether. Example, on smoking, decided this morning to slow down leading to quitting, but right now, within the spand of half an hour, I've puffed 2, and there are 7 coffin nails in the ashtray. The last time I cleared the ashtray was 4 hours ago, I think. So there! Don't get me started on the thighs issue..The only exercise these thighs get is when I walk to the car.

Fickle minded person that I am, I'd probably change my mind thus my decisions by tomorrow or the latest, next week.

2009-10-08T16:02:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to introduce, finally, my very own virtual store....
http://fr.dawanda.com/shop/hanabellesbijoux

It's been a few days that I've been busy setting up the store, I kind of neglected to update this site. Well, see ya at the store ;-D!!

About being alone and lonely...

2009-10-04T14:48:00.000-07:00

More often than not, being out, means you are no stranger to loneliness. Sure, with kids and pets and my soulmate, I am not the right candidate for being lonely. But then, it sure does hits you once in a while. Enter friendship, and socializing. If you were to ask me not a year ago, I'd say that friendship is overrated. The likes of Rachel, Chandler, Monica etc, only exists in sitcoms. But then, I was wrong. Have you ever read The Celestine Prophecy? There's this chapter that sticks to my mind, on how people and things that happens in your life at a certain point, happens for a reason, bringing you messages, whether you are aware of it or more often, unaware of. These events in life, helps determine the direction of your path in life.

2009-10-02T09:56:00.000-07:00

Odd shaped Amethysts as centre piece, Indian Silver and Brass Beads, Balinese Glass Beads to end up the strands. this item is SOLD.

Coral Only medium length necklace, mid to centre complimented by silver wirework, Swarovski chrystal as charm framed by silver wire pendant. Coral on tiger tail from mid to end of necklace.

Short Light Chain charm necklace.

Indian Agates in the shades of Robin Eggs Blue, Pastel Lime Green and Streaks of Black and White. Short Chunky necklace a la 'Wilma Flintstones'...!

Bedouin Amulet Pendant with Onyx centrepiece on short necklace, a combination of Coral, Turquoise, Agates and Indian Silver Beads. colourful yet earthy.

A combination of round Turquoise and round orange Agates charms, this short chain charm necklace is light and complemented by a unique shaped Turquoise as a pendant.

Am debating on producing a catalogue of my works and get this chapter of my life up and running. It looks easy, yet a daunting process.

I am full of what ifs and doubting myself a thousand times over. A conversation with Moody this evening convinced me that I should proceed, and knowing myself, I'll continue to entertain doubts come tomorrow.

As I have always been telling my girls, if you don't push yourself, you'll never know what you are capable of. Easier said than done it seems to me now! But hey, I'll take this as a challenge, I've come this far, it's a shame to back out now, a Dragon child that I am....So, soon you shall see the catalogue.

2009-10-02T09:24:00.000-07:00

Multicoloured Agates the shades ranges from greenish blue, deep green, yellow to orange, stringed together into a long necklace. Silver wirework in the shape of spirals in between.

Deep green, yellowish pair of Agates on a long dangling chain for earrings

A combination of orange Agates, Indian silver beads and Bohemian Czech Glass on green tiger tail. A double strand necklace, medium length. Very light necklace. This one is going to KENYA!!!

2009-09-30T10:20:00.000-07:00

Antique Turquoise, never heard of it, till we visited Egypt. Was telling hubby that it was probably Malachite, the owner corrected me and explained what it was ~ note to self, Ms Know-it-all am not!

Paella a la Marcel! Keeps you going back for more! Et encore!

Antique Turquoise Pendant ~ these stones are dark green, instead of the usual blue, earthy tones, speckled with goldish yellow veins. Paired with multifaceted Onyx for a little bit of 'bling'! Jet and Cat's Eye to complete the necklace.

2009-09-30T03:00:00.000-07:00

Indian Agates and Amethysts, Indian Silver Beads, Balinese Glass beads.

'Hana' and 'Belle' enjoying the middle eastern sun

Square Turquoise chunky pendant, Indian Silver beads, Coral. Short necklace.

Unique shape African Bead pendant with Egyptian Lotus. In Egypt, Lotus symbolises Sun and Rebirth. A combination of multicoloured Agates and Onyx for the necklace.

2009-09-30T01:37:00.000-07:00

Lariat of Bedouin Coins and Findings, Tibetan Dze Agate, Turquoise, African beads, Coral, Bones and Wooden Beads.

Lapis Lazuli globe Pendant on Silver chain, mini 'Evil eye' dangling charm.

'Evil eye' Turkish Glass bead, Coral Chunk wrapped in Copper.

Earrings....with Bedouin silver findings, Corals, African beads...

2009-09-30T01:14:00.000-07:00

Hana~Belle's

As far as my memories could take me, I have always been besotted by colours, design, and anything consists of forms and textures. Growing up in Malaysia, I have been blessed to be surrounded by traditional wooden carvings, arrays of colours from our fanciful textiles such as Batiks, Songkets, Ikats to name a few.

But most of all, my fascination lays on Ethnic Jewelries. Be it gold, silver or copper, the workmanship, the motifs and not to mention the story in each and every piece ever produced never ceased to amaze and intrigue me. I remember admiring my grandmother's fabulous 'keronsang' ~ a number of brooches connected together by chains, to be worn on Kebayas acting as buttons. The number of brooches will be either 3 or 5, depending on the length of Kebaya worn. Grandma's silver belts, Cucok Sanggul (hairpins), Keronsangs, used to be the items in my dress up play.

Years of travelling and living in exotic locations, has exposed me to different cultures and of course, diverse ethnic jewelries. From Balinese Silver, Antique Bedouin Coins to Egyptian Ankh, each represents different heritage, history and geography, but all represents beauty and richesse in its own form.

My stay in Middle East, has brought my fascination on Ethnic jewelries into full circle. Arrays of gemstones available, it's enough to describe as I've gone to heaven, and stayed there! Antique Turquoise, Lapis Lazuli, Agates, Corals, Amethyst, African Beads to name a few are my playthings now, calling and waiting for me to transform them into pieces of jewelries. The downsides of jewelry making is that it comes with muscle spasm, antisocial behaviour and losing your sense of timing! But, nothing can beat the satisfaction of seeing it worn and appreciated by someone. For this alone, I welcome muscle spasm on my neck like it's my best friend!

Anybody with pics of keronsangs or any old Malaysian jewelries, I thank you in advance if you'd share it here, for all to see and appreciate....

2009-09-29T23:53:00.000-07:00

A short necklace, a combination of Corals, Turquoise, Indian Silver beads and Agates.

Antique Silver Bedouin amulet with onyx centrepiece, transformed into a pendant. This piece is one off, and one of my personal favourite. The necklace falls right below the collar bone. Amulets and coins are parts of Middle Eastern Bedouin heritage. Silver Bedouin jewelry is one of a few art forms of the desert dwellers, made beautiful by their spartan surroundings. It is more than adornment; it is also a woman's personal wealth. The jewelries are part of the woman's dowry.

Corals that comes in various shapes and colours often seen worn by the women, together with other beads and stones of different colours each contains different properties, for the well being of the wearer. Shades of blue and white, are most popular as it is said to ward of evil eye.