Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Read: Karma and other stories by Rishi Reddi

Wednesday, July 31, 2013


It is very hard to finish a book these days. I usually go for guide books, compendiums, books with step by steps, to name a few. However, whenever I am up for a good read, I’d pick up books from inspiring authors like Paulo Coelho; especially when I am seeking for an inward soul adventure. I also have a thing for children’s books, graphic novels and such; those with very nice illustrations. All in all, I love to read. It takes me to a place in my heart which no words can describe. When I came across this book in my office library (which is rare), I was awed! Well, one, because I never thought I would actually come across a novel in our library, it is usually filled with art and design books. Two, the content in page 1 itself amazed me. I was immediately hooked to it. Now that doesn’t happen very often to me.

In Karma and other stories, Rishi Reddi tells stories based on traditional Indian cultures and beliefs and how characters in her stories, both young and old, struggle with balancing the social system of their own religion and culture, and modern era. Her stories are touching, endearing, and you will be able to learn how each character journeys in their own self-inquiry experience, and how some of them, questioned their rights and social status as individuals.

All in all, it is a very beautiful book. If you are in for a soul empowering treat, grab this book. I am not sure if it is still on sale in bookstores (especially in local bookstores), but I am pretty sure you can get one online on Amazon bookstore.

Thursday, July 25, 2013

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

Monday, July 22, 2013

How I restored a one-ear deer figurine

Monday, July 22, 2013
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Over the weekend, I was asked to help my love's father to fix his favorite Deer figurine. The male deer figurine belonged to a set with a female deer and a fawn. He bought this beautiful set one of his travels to East Malaysia, and was very devastated when the female deer was accidentally broken in half. Luckily the male deer was saved, only the ear was affected with a huge hold in it. I decided to help him restore it. Just so you know, this is not really a step-by-step, but more like a post sharing with you on the materials I used and how I managed to restore it to its beautiful original state again. Enjoy! 

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Announcement: Support the Craft Scene for Charity




































There will be a Fund Raising Bazaar in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur this weekend on Saturday 25th July 2013, from 10am - 5pm by Tamil Methodist Church, featuring assorted handmade and well being products for sale. Funds from sale will proceed to charity to help with the provision of basic needs and space for counselling for recovering drug addicts, the homeless, sex workers, alcoholics and the migrant workers.

Funds collected will help build a Community Center- which is a 5-floor building at the back of the church, in order to serve the needs of helping the community. With this, the church will be able to cater to children as a space for kindergarten, sunday schools, learning center, a space to store provisions for the needy and as mentioned, a comfortable and holistic space for counselling.

There will be all kinds of happenings during the event ranging from
• A Food Sale
• Games Carnival in the Car Park
• Vendors with stalls
• Art competition
• Jumble Sale

The Artsy Craftsy and Tamil Methodist Church members would truly appreciate your support and in making it happen for them this coming weekend.

For more information on event and vendor availability, please Email: sarahsingam@gmail.com
Venue: Tamil Methodist Church, 197, Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur.
Map to Charity Bazaar

Saturday, July 20, 2013

DIY Cheap and Quick Wedding Favors

Saturday, July 20, 2013
Imagine this scenario- it is last minute for you and your maid of honour. You are running out of time, and you have to juggle your schedule with running errands, getting the dresses ready, photoshoots, cake tasting, visiting your printer and designer for your cards and other dilemmas you have in mind. The last thing you need is to fret about is your wedding favor. Let's say you are the type that don't mind ordering 100 over boxes of ready-made chocolates, fine with me. But let's say you want something personal, meaningful, yet you don't have the time to get things done. Well, there's always a solution to a special situation like this. Here is a tutorial on how you can make a quick and easy wedding favor- a wedding favor "Love" theme keychain. All you need is just a little gluing and threading here and there, and you are good to go with preparing 100 or more wedding favors. PS: you might need some assistance if you are doing this big project.

Thanks to Crafty Cabin and its arts and craft supplies of beads, charms and more, I am able to make this possible.



Main Supplies: Crafty Cabin

Tools: Self Own
Jump rings
Crimps
Nylon String
Key ring
Scissors
Tweezer OR a Plier








Give it a try and share with me your own version. I'd love to see it!

PROMOTION: Crafty Cabin is giving The Artsy Craftsy readers 25% discount when you purchase arts and craft supplies. To purchase, click on the button on my sidebar/link and key in
VOUCHER CODE: ARTSY on your checkout.
*Promotion end: 26th July 2013
*Voucher code cannot be use for items that are already on discount.

HURRY! Before Sale ends!

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Malaysian Quirky Artist: Abs Lee

Tuesday, July 16, 2013
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As I have mentioned before, part of my objective as a blogger for The Artsy Craftsy is to seek for various creative people to feature them and their work as a source of inspiration for my readers. It is to empower you to create your life with creativity everyday and to help you understand that art is not at all about being an artist or creating fine art pieces.

In one of my recent artsy quest, I discovered Abs Lee, a homegrown artist that creates an interesting array of quirky art pieces, that signifies her life, thoughts and imagination. I am impressed by how Abs Lee has projected it in her artworks. I hope you find her art pieces here as endearing as I do. Just like Abs Lee, you too can talk about your life and your thoughts in your artworks. You can create stories about your life using zany characters and learn to project them with a positive outlet. May you find Abs Lee and her art pieces inspiring.

Abs Lee
Abs Lee (Lee Chooi Yee) is a Fashion & Retail graduate and a self-taught illustrator. With no experience in computer graphics, Abs picked it up during her years working in a graphic tees company.

She created her brand ABSoluteLEE ME© where she explores her creativity by creating quirky and zany illustrations. Abs Lee expresses her feelings about her life stories in her illustrations, under her other collection MEETHECREEPS, featuring a bunch of cute and wacky monsters. www.absoluteleeme.com

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Pursuing My Passion and Being Practical

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

I feel the need to share this story with you. Before I proceed, I want you to know first that my blog post is not in any way trying to force you to agree with my ways or my beliefs. I only hope that my story can inspire you in your own way, your path, or only if you think it is applicable to you.

Recently I was given an opportunity to work with an award-winning international advertising company. I was always aware that this company is an ad agency that is sought after by many people, whether it is to seek their service or to be hired by them.

When I received the news that I was headhunted, I was of mixed emotions. I wasn’t even sure what I was feeling because I never expected to have such an opportunity given to me.

I remember the day I got the call, I quickly told my love about it. I shared the news with a few people, and naturally most of them were happy but also said to me “What are you waiting for? Grab this chance of a lifetime!”

The part “chance of a lifetime” struck me the most. I was confused and taken aback at first, but after all, I stopped and realized that whatever this person was saying, was out of social system influence.

Looking back at my life, I used to feel unworthy of having good things coming my way. When I graduated with a diploma in advertising, I was probably the only one among my college mates to land a job in a retail craft store crafting away instead. The rest of them seem sure of their path. In college, I was only awed by famous advertising agencies only because of social influence by my classmates and lecturers. I never really thought of making a career in an agency. 

Years later, it took me a lot inward experience and overcoming certain fears to make me take up a job as a copywriter. Surprisingly, I never look back ever since then. In fact, I became good at what I do. Eventually it occurred to me that the reason why I became good at what I do was because of my interest in writing and how much I enjoy being surrounded by everything art-related (it is an art college after all). My love for it reflected in my performance, and after that I managed to find my balance in maintaining my rice-bowl (income) with my truest passion- art and creativity! Then I discovered, the more I love what I do, the better I become at it, and the more income I generate. It was all pure logic to me!

So, coming back to that part, “chance of a lifetime”; I remember how confused I felt because how can this headhunted job be a chance of a lifetime when I never once planned to make a career out of being a copywriter in an advertising agency? Even if I do switch jobs, it will only be because my truest passion takes me there. But what more can I asked for? I am already surrounded with creative-related things and work everyday, that allows me to learn more about communication art & design.

For a week plus, I held this dilemma to myself. Even though I pretty much knew what my decision was, nonetheless there was still a feeling of uncertainty. After much thought and sharing how I felt with my kind boss, she said to me, “If you think you are already in the midst of doing what you love, why don’t invest more effort and time in it to further yourself in what you enjoy doing most.”

That’s when I realized. I always knew what I wanted to do in my life and what I was meant to pursue. I now realized that I am already here and now doing what I love and what I have always wanted to do. I have a dream, and I want to go far with it. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not being a hippy either by not being practical. The answer here is balance. I strongly believe that you can still pursue your passion and still be practical. 

Yes, being in a corporate industry is good money, but honestly, it isn’t for everyone. It really depends on what you want, if it connects with your Self and if you can find balance in it. For one, I acknowledge that it isn’t for me, and just because everyone’s doing it, doesn’t mean I have to do it. Years ago, I would have probably quit my job and went for this instead. But I probably wouldn’t be as happy as I am right now, and to have discovered joy in doing what I love.

As someone wise said to me before “Do what you love, and money will come”. I will never forget that.


So from here now on, if anyone asks me, why I didn’t take the offer; I would say “Because I have a dream. And I am living my dream and I am already making a career out of it.”

I would love to hear your opinion about pursuing passion or being practical. Kindly leave me a comment below.


Making a quirky painting on mounting board


Being Authentic, 2013
Mixed Media, Acrylic and Collage on mounting board.

Thanks to Tamara of Willowing and her amazing tutorial, I learned how to use clear gesso and produced a quirky collage painting, entitled Being Authentic. I have recorded the process of this painting, but it will take sometime to edit and publish it. But I promise, soon you will be able to check it out and learn how to paint on collage using clear gesso.

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Loving what you do is happiness

Tuesday, July 9, 2013
Contributed by Jen Saunders of Wildsister.com

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A few years ago, I made a life changing decision to do whatever I could to love myself and be happy. 

That choice was the beginning of a huge transformation for me, one that helped me achieve my dreams, fall in love with myself and my life, and inspire others to do the same.

A vital part of that transformative process was making more time to be creative every day. Sometimes I pulled out my sketch pad and pencils and drew, other times I painted. But creativity isn’t limited to paintbrushes and canvases. 

I incorporate creativity into my life in many ways; cooking, writing, decorating my home, blogging, playing around in photoshop or redesigning my blog, even designing my life.

My job allows to me to have much creative freedom. I create newsletters, blog posts, articles, e-courses, and monthly editions of Wild Sister. But every now and then, I still need to stretch my creative skills in different ways.

About six months ago, I was feeling a little stagnant creatively, so I decided to do something I’d never really done before. I began writing fiction. 

At first, I didn’t think I could do it. I didn’t believe I was imaginative or good enough create a whole new world of characters, places and stories, but I tried it anyway, knowing I needed some sort of new creative outlet to get my juices flowing again.

To my surprise, I fell in love with writing fiction and have hardly stopped since. While it can often be challenging, it’s extremely fun and is exactly what I need to stretch my creativity and give myself a break from my work.

Now, I’ve written one book and am currently in the process of writing the sequel, with plans for a third in the works too. My first book has already been published in an anthology of similar stories, and I’m getting ready to self-publish it under a pseudonym. 

If someone had have told me a year ago that I would be writing fiction, loving it and finding success with it, I would have thought they were joking. It’s amazing what can happen when you go ahead and do what you think you can’t do.

So do something new today. Be creative in ways you have never dared before. You might amaze yourself.


Jen Saunders
About Contributor:
Jen Saunders is the creator of Wild Sister Magazine and the Wild Sisterhood.

She’s a tie-dye wearing daydream believer, writer and spirit junkie. Jen's got so much love for women who own their power, smile at themselves and believe that happiness is a choice – so if that's you, give her a wave at any one of her online homes so you can connect!

Facebook | Twitter

Monday, July 8, 2013

Style with ZALORA: Traditional Wear

Monday, July 8, 2013

My home country Malaysia consist of various races and cultures, and each of it has their own traditional wear. The beauty about this is that our traditional costumes has become more than just traditional costumes, but part of a fashion statement as well; in this country we have the popular Baju Kurung, Baju Kebaya, Saree, Cheongsam, Shalwar Kameez (Punjabi Clothing for women) and more. Personally, I am always amazed with the various traditional wears in this country.

As a Chinese, I have never felt restricted to wear outfits that belong to my own culture and race. As a matter of fact, as a child, I used to watch my mother wear a Baju Kedah (an attire slightly similar to Baju Kurung) to work on Fridays as a respect to the Muslims in this country.




As for myself, when I was a little girl, I used to enjoy putting on my favourite light green Baju Kurung during the Hari Raya festive seasons, and another time in college, I wore a Saree during Malaysian Studies' Cultural Week. As westernized as I am, nonetheless, I really do enjoy putting on a traditional outfit, especially for special occasions. Today, traditional wear is no longer an obligation, because Fashion has put the "FUN" in it while making a woman look attractive, elegant and sophisticated in her traditional attire. For instance, with famous fashion online stores like ZALORA, you and I can now shop for an exquisite traditional wear and turn it into a modern outfit.

In conjunction of Year 2013 Ramadan, ZALORA, Asia's Biggest Online Fashion Store is proud to present, popular Asian fashion designer's Jovian Mandagie's latest traditional wear clothing line, called Lisa Surihani for Jovian Collection for our special Hari Raya Collection

ZALORA is giving away 15% discount* to The Artsy Craftsy readers, with a minimum $70 spent.
Get 15% off storewide, including sale items

To purchase, key in voucher code: ARTSYZALORA
End date- 31st July 2013

More special promotions are installed for The Artsy Craftsy readers!

Another ZALORA Ramadan special until 10th August 2013. Click here to be redirected.

For NEW ZALORA shoppers, click here for a special discount for you!



*Brand exclusion applies
*This blog post was sponsored by ZALORA Singapore/ Malaysia
All information, voucher code, promo banner and any other ZALORA related information was provided by ZALORA Malaysia/Singapore.
Other photos incorporated in this blog post and facts are blogger's own