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.

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.

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...

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....

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.