I Want To Be A Blacksmith

I already know how to work with chains, let alone break stuff down to salvage materials... Next thing to cross off my list it to learn how to make metal collar necklaces (and weapons, maybe?)

But for now, I choose to stud the collars of my polos. DIY is making me a little more type A than usual.

After 5

There is this rabbit hole which I've slipped into for the past couple of weeks.

So you see, this post, this collection is my grandiose effort to win you back, get better at my craft and ignore the fact that it is getting a little bit harder to wake up these days. :)

This is After 5, the formal line of accessories from Bend & Snap. And although I'm unsure how well it will hold up over time, I'm really smitten by the thought of having a bridal line. Right now, it's all about curating, cherishing, discovering, editing, inventing, upcycling, recycling and most of all, having the confidence that this trial and error method will lead me somewhere.

Naturally, sand, charcoal, greys and blues, all paired with metallic black and sequins (I'm not really a less is more kind of girl) became the palette for After 5 to "warm up" the cooler nights.

Anyway, I hope you find something here that will make your heart go boom buroom boom boom!

With love, Risa

"Curtain Call" Headwrap, P500

"Link Again" chain on chain necklace + headband, P500

"Feelin' Drape" lapel chain necklace, P400

Get Lei'd P400 (Sale!)

"Petal to the Metal" P500 (Sale!)

"The Old Ball and Chain" P350 (Sale!)

Contact me at emailbendsnap@gmail.com if you'd like to purchase an accessory. :)
Photos by Joseph Bernabe
Model: Kylie Misa

For The Very First Time

It has been a very busy week/ month for me. I kept saying "yes" to different things --- make-up class, Zumba, surfing, design collaborations and of course, the occasional revival of my brand.

I guess I come from the Madonna school of thought that variety, reinvention, and trying out new things keep you young. That, or Kaballah. So I always aspire to make things (shiny and) new. It's just a natural part of the creative process and I like it that way. Keeps it challenging.

Anyway, here are some photos from the fashion show which I said "Yes!" to last month, featuring Bend & Snap accessories and Stylebreak clothes at "Glow", the UP Bar Ops Kick-off Party at Manor.

Anyone else out to try something new this year? :)

If yes, express yourself, justify my love, and then... vogue, vogue, vogue, vogue.

Currently inspired by...

A couple of projects seemed to have drained all the DIY energy inside of me. So all i'm left with are mental to-do's.

Behold the peg for this mental to-do. Friendship bracelets get less cheesy and more Chloe when rhinestones and chains are involved, don't you think?

Totally Hair Barbie

Greetings, loved ones. Let's take a journey to the past!

Look... it's Jenny from the Box with real-life glitter-hair-barbie hair!

Missing color, long hair and old toys.

Ahhh nostalgia.

Don't make me go there.

Hairography

Hair accessories featured in the Philippine Daily Inquirer.

As much as I love making hair jewelry (pro bono, might I add) and having a good hair day, sadly, I always resort to the labandera look in real life. I always feel like I get more work done with a faux thinking cap on.

And after putting in a hard day's work and finishing my "labada", I easily sport whoops-just-woke-up, messy hairography which I'm all for because I'm a bit of a scrooge when it comes to hair products. And well, it works best with mine anyway.

Currently inspired by...

DANNIJO jewelry is the brainchild of New York sibling Danielle and Jodie Sydner. Danielle is more boho rock 'n' roll, while her "ate" injects old hollywood glamour in their designs. The combination? A curious mixture of metals, Swarovski crystals, chain details, spikes and tribal beads. I've always been a fan of the line and the sisters since spotting their work in celebrity gossip columns and lists such as "America's Coolest Young Entrepreneurs" from inc.com. Ahhhh handmade... Doesn't it just amaze you? :)

I love the tough + soft elements in their designs. I promise that after I finish my Revalida on May 2, I'm getting my hands on new materials. Speaking of which... I gotta stop procastinating my paper! :( :( :( Sometimes, I wish I could just study jewelry design. But more on that next time. Less whining, more writing! Bye for now!

What's on your tray?

Silver floral bracelet

(P400.00)

Silver Medallion Necklace

(P500.00)

Gold Drop Necklace

(P650.00)

Stemmed Rose Necklace

(P500.00)

Gold and silver floral bangle

(P300.00 each)

1

2

3

Rings

(P200.00 each - super steal!)

LIMITED STOCKS ONLY!

For orders, purchases and inquiries, contact me at emailbendsnap@gmail.com

Sunday Sneak Peeks

Roses are red

Violets are blue

Check the blog this week

Cause I have something new!

Get Riding

If I had my own reality show, I imagined the credits to look something like this --- me riding a bicycle in the city with songs like "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall blazing through the background. (P.S. Pinch me?) Stumbled upon this photo blog of people riding bikes in downtown NY over here.

I guess I will always have a soft spot for photos or movie scenes of people on bikes because a) I don't know how to ride one, b) they're always accompanied by the best soundtrack and c) I learned from the quick-cut montage of the Von Trapp kids that "when you know the notes to sing, you can sing most any thing"!!!

Do... A deer a female deer...

Now and Then, 1995

Mi, the name I call myself.

The Sound of Music, 1965

La, a note to follow So

Tea, a drink with jam and bread.

E.T., 1982

THAT WILL BRING US BACK TO DO!!!!!!!

Do-Re-Mi-Fa-So-La-Ti-Do... So-Do!

Productive

"Have regular hours for work and play; make each day both useful and pleasant and prove that you understand the worth of time by employing it well. Then youth will be delightful,old age will bring few regrets, and life will become a success in spite of poverty." - Mrs. March from Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Happy Women's Month!

P.S. I have new stuff. Come back soon. :)

Flashback

I partnered with the ladies behind Looking for Lola and Little Miss Dress Up for a mini bazaar a few months ago. (This is a late and quite useless post I know, but I have a point and we'll get there eventually.)

More vintage awesomeness here.

Aside from a mutual (and obvious) love for shiny, shimmering, splendid stuff, the tie-up was a success thanks to an all-girls school event nearby. Our shelves were cleaned out by young, tasteful fashionistas thriving on daddy's allowance. So while everything in my blog is sold out, I've decided to test the waters and partner with other online shops, designers and creative megaminds. I don't know just how to do this, but this is me putting the idea out there for the universe to work its eat-pray-love magic on me.

And yes, I've got a lot on my plate right now, but I wouldn't have it any other way. Truth is, a busy schedule invigorates me as long as I'm busy doing things that I enjoy. But isn't that true for everyone? :)

So now we get to the point of this late post: tell me your idea, business proposal, or just tell me how you feel. *Cue Joy Enriquez* Haha!

Namaste,

Risa

emailbendsnap@gmail.com