Auspiciously when MARIA TERESA JAVIER-BRYANT was almost a year old, her mom bought Maria Teresa a raffle ticket which won her a diamond solitaire ring. Though inanimate and cold in appearance, gemstones respond to Maria Teresa's creativity as she breathes vitality and power into them and sets their magical properties to work, combining elements of balance and harmony, symmetrical or asymmetrical,
with vintage and new found objects such as sterling silver and 14-K gold-filled beads, crystals, glass, pendants, connectors, clasps, and chains. Nothing short of phenomenal, her necklaces, earrings and bracelets are versatile art forms that project chi energy. Her handcrafted innovative creations are worn all-year round. Maria Teresa promotes gemstones known to possess healing properties, such as Agate for blood and colon disorders, Amethyst for depression and headaches, Aquamarine for sore throat, tooth and gum problems, digestive, bladder, and kidney disorders, colds, and seasickness, Blue Chalcedony for correct flow of body fluids, Blue Goldstone for promotion at work or better job opportunities, Carnelian for cleansing the blood and kidneys, Charoite for difficulties with blood pressure, migraines, eye and liver problems, Chrysocolla for strengthening the lungs and thyroid glands and regularizing blood-sugar levels, Chrysoprase for digestive and skin disorders, Emerald for increasing prosperity, preserving youthfulness, attracting love and healing relationships, Golden Topaz for arthritis and stress disorders, Jasper for increasing energy and stamina, Rhodonite for lesions and allergies, Ruby for power and energy, and Sapphire for spiritual healing. Maria Teresa is Music and Art personified. As First Prize Graphic Arts Winner and Gold Medalist in the 30th Art Association of the Philippines (AAP)'s Annual Art Competition she traveled to Tokyo in 1978 and 1979 for a two-time scholarship grant at the International Yoshida Hanga Academy. During her 1978 visit Maria Teresa participated in Taiheyo Art Association's 74th Annual Art Competition held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum in Ueno Park and was awarded a prize and a Certificate of Distinction. Years later, during the 33rd Annual Art Exhibition for UNICEF's "Peace and Understanding Through Art" held at the U.N. General Assembly Lobby in New York City, she received the Chemical Bank Purchase Award for her sumi ink painting "Tattoi". She has traveled extensively throughout Europe, Asia, the United States and Canada. Maria Teresa holds a Bachelor of Arts (Major: Journalism) Degree from St. Theresa's College, Metro Manila, and studied Music Education at the College of Music and Fine Arts, PWU, Metro Manila. In New York she completed courses in Graphic Arts and Metal Techniques at the School of Visual Arts, the Art Students League of New York and the Pratt Institute, and music courses at The Juilliard School. She is also a musical composer and lyricist, having written and composed numerous love songs. Again Maria Teresa takes center stage as she shares with us her artistic flair and passion for color, creativity, and style, manifested in her gemstone collection which you are about to experience in cyberspace. "Out of one wintr'y twig, one bud,
One blossom's worth, at last,
Of Summer......."
