It was 2011, we just returned to Manila, Philippines after my husband’s 3-year stint as an expat in Jakarta, Indonesia. I was pregnant with my second child and knew that I wanted to do something and earn on the side. An online business seemed to be the best way to go about it.

I thought of selling tween costume jewelry which was something I used to make before I had kids. But the idea of creating, marketing and selling them seemed daunting for a then mother of 2 young kids.

But I’ve always loved jewelry- be it costume, fine, modern or vintage. On Etsy platform, if you want to sell something you didn’t create, it has to be either vintage or supplies. Vintage sounded more exciting so that was the start of my foray into vintage jewelry!

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Brief History of the Tamborin Necklace:

In Spanish-colonial times, jewelry like crucifixes replaced the talismans worn by native Filipinos. To the converted Filipinos, it was not only a way to show their new Christian faith, but also to adorn themselves while still following austerity measures imposed by the Spanish regime.

Filipinos began wearing crucifixes and scapulars along with tamborin necklaces. The “tamborin” is a traditional Filipino necklace patterned after the rosary. The neckpiece itself followed the rosary bead pattern, but by the early 1900s, different styles and patterns came out. Even the relicario or reliquary that served as the pendant of the tamborin which originally had religious designs, started to feature nature-inspired themes like flowers or leaves. While most tamborins were made of gold, materials like silver and brass were also used.

These beaded necklaces became heirlooms. Sadly, there are only a small number of authentic gold tamborins remaining today, as most have been melted and turned into modern jewelry, or the beads were divided among the family members, and many of the necklaces have missing components.

Tambourine Jewelry seeks to revive this delicate lost art by offering pieces that are in their original condition along with some gently up-cycled jewelry using preserved vintage components.
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PRESS:

Spot.ph
Best of Manila 2014
http://www.spot.ph/print_article.php?id=58010&post_name=best-of-manila-2014-buy-try-2

Is it Real or Not? Philippine Daily Inquirer November 14, 2014
http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/177000/is-it-real-or-not

Is Your Vintage 'Tamborin' Real Or Not? The Manila Times September 27, 2014
http://www.manilatimes.net/vintage-tamborin-real/129934/

Heirloom Pieces: The Happy Lab Blog September 19, 2014
http://www.thehappylab.com.ph/latest-post/heirloom-pieces-tambourine-jewelry/

A Piece of History: Manila Bulletin September 11, 2014
www.mb.com.ph/a-piece-of-history/

Is it Real or Not? Manila Bulletin September 12, 2014
www.mb.com.ph/is-it-real-or-not/

EtsyMom Team- Featured Etsy Seller February 15, 2014
http://www.etsymomteam.com/2014/02/featured-etsy-seller-tambourine-jewelry.html

ANC ShopTalk TV Interview: July 19, 2013
https://anc.yahoo.com/news/antique-jewelry-retains-sheen-082040530.html

Stories Set in (Precious) Stones: Cebu Smile Magazine June 2013
http://ink-live.com/emagazines/smile/1389/junejuly-2013/#/38/
http://www.cebusmile.com/features/2013/06/stories-set-in-precious-stones