Crafty Community-Craft Promotion Malaysia 2013

This took place about two months ago.
As usual, I am slow with photo editing.
Some of the photo quality is not so good so bear with me.
These are pictures of the Malaysia Craft Promotion 2013, organised by the Malaysian Handicraft Development Corporation from 30 Aug to 8 Sept.

There were about 70 craft entrepreneurs who took part and they came from all over Malaysia and showcased their products based on textile, metal, wood, clay and various other crafts.

Enjoy the photos and have a great weekend.

At the entrance.

 Some lovely hand roll ceramic beads.

This Lun Bawang clay beads. Just awesome and expensive.
The Lun Bawang is one of the indigenous people of Sarawak.
Most of them found on the northern part of Sarawak - Limbang and Lawas.

The Lun Bawang are famous beaders.

A silver smith at work.

Some of the ring he crafted.

Looks familiar? Looks like the Pandora charm bracelet ya.
They are not the real thing but you can find them all over the place.

Cute ducks crafted from shell.

Traditional fish traps made from bamboo, i think.

The Sape, a traditional Orang Ulu guitar/ music instrument.

A giant wooden bench.

 Keringkam - A Malay weaving art, similar to embroidery.

 What is Keringkam?

Pua Kumbu, a traditional woven cotton cloth of the Iban ethnic group.
The motifs of the design are those of animals, plants or other daily activities.
That's all for now.

Switching from Google Reader to Feedly RSS Reader

Its not too late yet if you have not done so.
If you have been using Google Reader to follow your favorite blogs, websites or news sites, its time to switch to an alternative tool to read your subscriptions.

By 1st July, 2013, just few more days to go, Google will retires Google Reader.
Sad! Sad! Sad! but I have come to terms with it.

Nevertheless, there are many alternatives to Google Reader.
Some are free while others are not.
Just google for "alternative for google reader" and you'd be presented with lots of them.
You may want to check them out before deciding.

I personally made the switch to Feedly about a month ago.
Migrating my list to Feedly is easy peasy and so far I have no complaint about it.
In a way, it actually feels like Google Reader.
Otherwise you can tweak the setting to your personal preference.

The migration instructions is available here - Tips for Google Reader users migrating to feedly.

If you are subscriber to my blog, thank you for following and I hope you will continue be one with your new reader.

Alternatively, you may subscribe via email.
To do this, look to my sidebar on the right and the email subscription box is down almost at the center of the sidebar.

My post would appear on my Facebook page as well - http://www.facebook.com/wireblissmei

Happy reading.

Happy Chinese New Year of the Snake 2013

Finally an update and a belated Chinese New Year wish to all you readers out there.
The last day of my CNY holiday.
Back to work tomorrow.....but meself still in holiday moodleh.
Why do time seems to pass by faster when we are on holiday?
I am sure a lot of you feel the same way right...hehe.

Sharing with you the happenings during this year CNY celebration.
First of all...FOOD.
As usual the Fish Maw Soup, the main dish and my (and others) fav.

Prawns - for happiness and good fortunes

Children - for happiness, family unity and good fortunes (my own symbolism..hehe)
This is Abbie, all the way from Switzerland.
Henry's "1 Million Stars" little cousin sister.
The stars are Henry's own rating for cuteness.
Influenced by ratings given for apps.
Obviously 5 stars is not enough to describe her cuteness...

Children and fireworks.
This year the boys played lots of them - happiness.

Horsing! - happiness for Abbie.
She loves horsing around with the Kokos (brothers).

Hiyah! Look how fierce she is.

"1 Million Stars" cuteness.

The day after CNY Eve.
Red papers from the fire crackers.

Its hard to say goodbye to the "1 Million Star" after a week together.
Look how Henry is holding onto her....

I hope your CNY was a blast.

Bye 2012, hello 2013 and thank you

Another few more hours, we will be welcoming 2013.

Before anything else, I would like to thank you all for following along on my wire jewelry journey here, + other journeys as well :), and for taking the time to leave me feedback and comments. Thank you for your support and friendships over the years.

This year 2012, my posting is not as frequent as I wanted to.
Same goes to wire jewelry projects and tutorials.
I can give lots of excuses but basically it has something to do with time management.

Like previous year, there will be no new year resolution for me.
No point for resolutions if I can't fulfill them.
However, I am looking forward to overall improvement in whatever I will be doing and embark on.
Hahaha... that's more achievable and very general.

For this last post of 2012, I will share random photos taken last month and this month.
First of the batch is about fruits - its the durian, rambutan, mangosteen, langsat season here.

Temporary fruit stalls set up along the roadside, mostly selling durians and seasonal fruits is common sight around the City and its outskirts.

Posted this Mangostene pic on FB. One of my favorite fruits. Yumm!

We drove all the way to Asajaya looking for fruits, fish, prawns, pineapples, etc.

A "new" fruit I discovered (dark brown skin).
Can't remember the name though.

2 weekends ago, we went to Serian (again) and stopped by the Market.
Yeah, it is becoming like an annual trip for us...hahaha.
Though not buying, we were happy just going around and look at the various fruits and vegetables.

Mixture of fruits and vegetables - rambutan, chilly, terung Iban, cucumber, corn, pineapple, nipah fruit (not very sure about this).

 More fruits - Mangostene, rambutan, mango and pumpkin.

 Something different - varieties of local rice

Then there are the boys and school holidays.

Took them "jalan-jalan" (walk around) here and there.

At the Sarawak Museum compound.

They like this better than the Museum. Each with their favorite food.

At Stampark Swimming Pool.

At Kuching Waterfront, the New Sarawak State Legislative Assembly Building at the background.

View of Padang Merdeka from Plaza Merdeka, a newly opened shopping mall.
The same Christmas tree on Christmas Eve 2012, pic below.

These fossils are more interesting :)
They are huge.

The Ammonite (right) is as huge as Henry's head.

Wishing you all a healthy, prosperous, successful and happy new year 2013.

Prescription Sunglasses from Firmoo (Review)

Review post!
Yeah! I do write review post :) especially something related to jewelry and beauty accessories.

Today i’m featuring Firmoo eyewear (www.firmoo.com), an online eyeglasses store. A bit of background why I accepted this offer.
For years (about 3 years give and take) and for the last few months getting more often (like every two days) I have been telling dear hubby and anyone who cares to listen that my eyesight is getting worst and I really need to go get myself a pair of prescription glasses.

Strange or not, someone at Firmoo must have heard me!
It came in the form of an email about 3 weeks ago, offering to send me a FREE pair of high quality and fashionable glasses or sunglasses. Talking about answered prayer.

Of course nothing is really FREE right? So, here I am writing this review post and later on invite you my dear lovely readers to try out their products for free....Not totally free actually...you will need to pay for the shipping! Maybe if you have thicker skin ;) you can request for a totally FREE eyeglasses. I am sure they will be more than willing if you write a review post as well...hehe.

Anyway, as I browse through their website, they offer a vast range of eyeglasses to suit your face, style and preferences. I like the virtual try-on part. You can even use your own photo to try on the eyeglasses to ensure you get the look you want. Cool...
And the average price for their items are very affordable starting from as low as $8 to the highest $70. After all, Firmoo's ultimate goal is "Vision & Fashion the Frugal Way".

My initial plan was to chose a pair of prescription glasses, either bifocals or progressive.
Hubby suggested I should get a prescription sunglasses instead because I complained a lot about blur vision and the sun while driving.
So, I finally choose this - Women's Full Frame Wrap-Around Plastic Sunglasses
Went for eye check-up (thanks Girly!) and send the results to Firmoo and my new prescription sunglasses arrived few days ago. They mailed from China.
Here is the unboxing...

Here are the content:

• Prescription Sunglasses - Perfect! The boys were more excited than me. It feels solid in my hand and fits nicely, almost perfectly. It is not heavy, just the way I like it. As soon as I put it on, WOW! everything is so clear (2 meters and further). Tried it on this afternoon and I am very happy and satisfied with this prescription sunglasses.
• Plastic case - This looks a bit on the "cheap" side. This is the only part I am not impressed with.
• Soft case, cleaning cloth - These are standard accessories you get from any eye wear shops.
• Double-sided screw driver cum keychain and replacement screws - these are extras which are hard to find and I really like them.

Now look at this. The boys are more excited and in awe...duh! Look at their mouths.

Finally, here is the part you might be interested in.

Firmoo launched a program offering free eyewear to first-time buyers here - http://www.firmoo.com/free-glasses.html
My experience with them is pleasant, friendly and excellent customer service plus quality products at affordable prices.
Delivery is fast, from their first email till the arrival, 20 days exactly.
Go ahead and read the "How to get your FREE pair?"
Check out other eyeglasses at Firmoo here - Other Firmoo Glasses

Salam Aidilfitri 2012

Finally, the big day is here. Today is the end of Ramadan.
I'd like to wish all my Muslim friends, colleague, acquaintances, lovely wire jewelers, ever loyal blog readers, blogger friends, Facebookers, Twitterers, Linkedin friends, wherever you are a very Happy Hari Raya 2012 :)
May you get to "balik kampung" safely and have a joyous celebration.

SELAMAT HARI RAYA AIDILFITRI

Sewing - Pencil Case for Henry

Remember I mentioned about sewing in my previous post?
Well, I wanted to post earlier but only manage to do it today.
I know it is not related to wire jewelry but I have some ideas in my little head on combining this two one day.
Tried this once before here, but I got distracted after that. And also some old projects here....

Now about my sewing....I am self thought just like wire jewelry. Learned most of it from my mom (ermm about 30 years ago....) but only the most basic i.e. sewing in straight line...very little actually. So, the most popular sewing projects are pillowcases and blankets...LOL. Sew quite a few of them. The patchwork blanket I made for myself and been accompanying me from my teen till now and all around the country for more than 20 years ago is still around. William "inherited" it from me now but with lots of "patchwork" to cover up the old patches. Can't show picture here....you know, shy shy....
Another item I sewed myself and that still accompany me till this day is a cross stitched pencil case.

Unlike 20/30 years ago, sewing is made easier by the internet. Tonnes of tutorials/lessons are available online for self learner like me. This pencil case here is based on Ayumi of Pink Penguin's (love her work and blog) tutorial for a wristlet. I left out the internal pocket and handle but her step by step instruction is very easy to follow :). 

Freehand embroidered letters.

 ....with lining.....

The happy little guy with his first handmade pencil case.

The Most Important Tool of All in Wire Jewelry is....

...NOT this, this, this, this, this, this or this!

It is the HAND and fingers.

Obviously, but always taken for granted.

I found this out the very very very very very painful way last Monday.

I slipped and fell on my butt outside the house due to slippery floor after the drizzle.

Hurt my hand while trying to cushion the fall and experienced the most excruciating throbbing pain.

Bum is ok (probably I got fat bum as cushion :) but look at my hand.

As if it is not bad enough, this is my right hand, my working hand.

I'd be out of the wire jewelry action for at least 2 or 3 weeks or maybe a month.

Can't hold the pliers anymore. 

Any pressure on that Mount of Venus will inflict pain...huhuhu...

Lesson learned:

• Be extra careful when walking or running on wet floor.
• Don't rush, walk slowly.
• Wear slippers/shoes with good rubber sole (mine is botak - bald)
• Listen to dear hubby! :) don't be stubborn! When he says "don't do" then he may have the premonition...the story - I insisted on making a small rack (carpentry) although he was against it. The fall happened when I went to the back to look for the last piece of aluminium. In the end, hubby finished off the little rack.
• Anymore safety tips? I you have, feel free to share in the comment.

There you are.

No matter what, Hand is not the only important tool.

The eyes, ears, nose, feet, teeth, etc. are all important.

So, do take care.