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Project Intan 2013

Over the last 5 years, Project Intan has raised more than $150,000 to support local charities in areas such medical equipment, training programs, therapeutic fixtures etc. This year, The Intan is raising funds in support of Singapore Children's Society.

This is my second year participating in Project Intan as a volunteer. When my friend Alvin called me some months ago on whether I was keen to conduct a craft workshop for the youths at Roundbox, I couldn't say no to such a meaningful event! So I said yes! Last year, paper fans were given to guests as door gifts and we decided that we would use the same gift again this year. 

So I got down to work on the concept of making a paper fan that would encompass the elements of the Peranakan culture. And so I the idea of Peranakan tiles with beautiful motifs came to mind. 

This was the mock up:

The workshop was intended to get the youths who will be benefiting from Project Intan to make the paper fans as appreciation gifts for the guests who would be attending the charity event at the end of this month.  

The workshop was held this morning at Roundbox, a drop-in centre managed by the Singapore Children's Society targeting youth-at-risk through a variety of performing arts programmes. At this centre, youths are able to express their creative energies, learn new skills as well as make new friends through activities such as dance, drama, puppetry, mime, circus and music. The classes, conducted by professional trainers or volunteers, are offered at no charge to these youth.

It was a maiden experience for me conducting a craft workshop. I didn't want a one design for all kinda paper fan, so I provided them with different coloured papers to mix and match however they like, gave them embellishments, stickers and paper doilies to decorate their own unique pieces which they would sign off after.

Unlike having a group of adults, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. It took awhile for some of them to warm up and after, you have them crafting this minute and skateboarding, singing, dancing or playing pool the next minute. While speaking to them and observing the extra activities they were doing in between the craft work, I realised that each one of them have a hobby there are very passionate about like singing, dancing etc. And they seem to be quite good at it. One boy was singing to all the songs that was playing on 98.7FM and he sounded really good! 

I think the existence of this centre provides these high energy youths with a good environment to hang out. And the centre conducts activities that encourages these youths to pick up a fun skill like learning the guitar etc. I would definitely love to conduct more workshops for them in the future :) Can't quite explain that great feeling of seeing them progress from idealess to creating really lovely art pieces.

I Passed!

After more than a year of hard work, I finally obtained my Instructor certification! It definitely wasn't an easy journey. I remembered turning down appointments from friends and spending most weekends and even weekday nights cooped up in my room trying to finish the assignments.

Now that the certificate is in the pocket, I have time to work on new ideas and projects that have been running through my head the past year :) I hope to start conducting craft workshops next year to share the joy of crafting and to meet more like minded people.

It's finally over!

After more than a year, I am finally done with all my clay flower course projects! Finally finally finally!! That was like a good 20 projects!

Flash back.....

The last few months have been especially busy for me trying to complete the 'Themed Project" and "Tall Vase Arrangement Project". Both projects are to be assessed by the academy in Japan for my application to be an instructor. Submitted the final 3 roses to my instructor yesterday and they will be on their way to Japan for the final assessment as well. So fingers and toes *crossed*!

This is the tall vase arrangement project. Decided on an oriental themed tall vase arrangement bcos I am so in love with peonies :)) Glad the birds turned out pretty alright.

Thought really hard for the theme project. Did consider birthday, baby shower etc. But ended up with 'wedding', not quite surprising I guess hehe, after all I have been doing quite a bit of wedding stuff. Instead of the conventional ring pillow, I did the ring holder in the form of a frame. A nice keepsake after the wedding.

With the course done, I will have more time to blog, start working on my new website and play around with new craft. Bought a felt bear and figurine kit from Etsy some time back but haven't got a chance to work on them. So many things I want to do I need more time! 

My favourite hydrangea...

Went pass a florist on the way to dinner and couldn't resist stopping over to take a look at the stalks of different coloured hydrangeas displayed in the vase.

The last time I saw big balls of hydrangea was during my trip to UK in Sep 2012. The flowers were blooming from a bush and they were of different colours even though they were sprouting out from the same plant. And it was really lovely! How I wish I can have a hydrangea bush in my garden :) The potted ones I have in my garden have really small petals, like a mini version of the hydrangea.

Interestingly, I read that most species of the flowers are white, but some can be blue, red, pink, purple etc depending on the soil pH. An acidic soil will usually produce flower colour closer to blue while an alkaline soil will produce flowers that are more pink. Now I need to find out how to change the soil pH!

This was what I bought yesterday. And I think it looks so pretty in the can I bought from Plymouth :)) Totally vintage <3<3 Gonna brush up my painting skills and attempt to create this effect with clay soon.

"Anytime is a perfect time to receive such a lovely gift"

A pot of roses I created for a client who wanted it as a gift to a special someone. As we discussed over whatsapp on how best to surprise that special someone, I could sense the excitement on text! It makes me really happy too :) And her kind words complimenting my work made my day. It's really nice communicating with my clients like we are friends. Some of them have been really supportive and sharing my creations with their friends. Not forgetting my friends who have been really encouraging since Day 1. It has been an awesome 8 months since I created my first clay flower piece - a wedding box - for sale. Looking forward to create more interesting works in the months ahead ^_^

We are OPEN on Etsy!

Dawnut's Factory is finally open on Etsy! The items you see are just one of the many craft possibilities we can create.

Have always loved unique statement necklaces and brooches. So I thought why can't I have both at the same time? So for the launch, we have created a few unique Brooch Necklaces for those who like statement items but would like to have the best of both :))

New Year, New Creations!

Happy 2013! The past year was awesome and I think it will get even better this year :) Looking forward to more interesting and challenging projects this year. As I continue slogging to finish up my clay flower course, I hope to launch some new creations on Etsy some time in Mar/Apr this year. Preparations are on-going but I wish I have more time! So watch out for that.

I recently conducted a fun clay class for my girl friends. If you are interested in customised private workshop for your tea parties, bridal showers, drop me a note to find out more. Have a fantastic year ahead!

Fancy a handmade clay table floral arrangement?

Thinking of getting a floral piece for your home or as a housewarming gift? A lovely table arrangement will definitely brighten up the home. We are taking orders now :) Drop us a mail (dawnutsfactory@gmail.com) to find out more.

The First Christmas Fair

The 2 days fair over the weekend is finally over and I must say I am exhausted! The last 1 month was pretty crazy prepping and creating stuff specially for the fair. I really have to thank my family and friends for being so so so supportive. Especially my parents who chauffeured me to and from the fair. My mum chipping in to help with little things like preparing the price tags, namecards etc. And my friends, especially those who were so encouraging since day 1 when I started Dawnut's Factory in 2010. Some of them even braved the heavy rain on Saturday to head down support the fair.

It is really no joke doing this while holding a day job. But crafting is what I love. I got to know other crafters who were at the fair, they too are juggling crafting with their day job. Have to agree with what one of them mentioned, "no more social life". Because most weekends are spent crafting and that is the most valuable time we have. It was great meeting all these like minded people. Albeit tiring, overall it was an awesome experience :) Will I participate in another fair? YES! But probably with my new creations "BUTTONS by Dawnut's Factory" that I am gonna work on after I complete my customised orders for December. Will tell you more in the next update.

In the meantime, check out the photos from the fair ^^

<3<3<3

Lock + Store Christmas Market 2012

Ho Ho Ho! It is the festive time of the year again! This year is gonna be extra special because Dawnut's Factory will be participating in a Christmas Fair for the first time :)

My instructor Nora from FloraClay invited me to participate Lock + Store's Christmas Market 2012 and I said YES! 

There will be clay crafting workshops conducted by Nora if you are looking for something to do over the weekend. And I will be showcasing some of my original clay creations which you can bring home for yourself or as x'mas gif

ts for your loved ones.

Check out the event page for more details! 

Sneak peek>>

DIY table centre piece

I just remembered in one of my earlier post on table number place card I promised to show the end product of the centre piece we did for Congren & Shermaine's wedding.

A cake and cookie pops pot with fresh flowers and place card :)

My clay flower bouquet in Edmund & Celine's wedding shoot

Yay!! The photo is finallyyyy out! My very first clay flower bouquet featured in my friend's wedding shoot :) Been waiting so long to see how the bouquet will look like in photos. Totally <3 the vibrancy of the colours. Drop me a tinker if you would like to customise a clay flower bouquet of your own~

First clay flower order!

My good pal Jas was helping her friend Prema to prep for the wedding last weekend. So she approached me to design a simple and classy wedding box. The first thing that came into my mind was a wedding box with a simple clay floral arrangement. Well, after going through at least 3 months of clay flower crafting, I felt I was ready to give it a shot :) At least I felt confident enough not to ruin any bride's big day especially when most of them turn into a 'bridezilla' weeks or even days before the wedding.  

So I got an ivory coloured box embellished with a small clay floral arrangement of peony, roses and stephanotis at the top. And personalised the box with a wooden plaque bearing the couple's names using clay crafted letters and bow. Very pleased with the outcome! Hope clay flowers will catch on in Singapore so that I will have more opportunities to design unique creations.

Vanilla House Creations

In one of my earlier posts I mentioned that all full decor projects will be managed under Vanilla House Creations. I am pleased to announce that our Facebook is finally up! Pictures of all our completed projects can be found there :) And Dawnut's Factory will still continue making unique craft creations for all occasions~~

A visit to The Barbican

Visited The Barbican during my recent trip to Plymouth. I love that place! Quaint shops and cafes line the street and vintage shops with hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Lovely~~

Enjoyed spending the afternoon lazing at a cafe watching the world go by. Tried the Cream Tea at Tudor Rose Cafe. Before I went over to Plymouth, I thought Cream Tea was a type of tea. But I later discovered that it was a Devonshire tea + scones set.

Bought some nice buttons from Funky Poppy at The Barbican. All the buttons were so pretty that I couldn't decide which ones to get. Finally decided on these few and I stringed them up with a chain into my very own statement necklace :)

Time to get back into action

Was out of town for 3wks working and travelling in Yeosu and Seoul, Korea. Love the food and shopping in Seoul. Especially with the summer sales, it was crazyyy or at least I went crazy. Yeosu in contrast was a quiet coastal state of approximately 300,000 inhabitants that had some buzz added because of the Yeosu Expo Korea held there from May-Aug. Visited the really small shopping street called Jinamgan in Yeosu without much expectations but found a rare gem called VINTAGE :) I have a soft spot for all things vintage.

Lovely shop with a lovely lady boss....

 Some interesting finds in Itaewon, Seoul too....

Every time I visit these vintage inspired shops, I dream of owning one too with a little cafe corner, a crafting corner and a space to sell some knick knacks. Now that I am back home and very much back to reality (unfortunately) time to snap out of my day dreaming. Dawnut's Factory is in operation again after 3wks break to meet the next order deadline in 5 wks! (But I will be flying off to UK next wk for a week or so, hope to get some interesting finds at Alfie's Antique Market ;p)

Balloons & Me!

There I was drowning in the sea of balloons we collected for Shermaine & Congren's wedding venue decor yesterday. At a ripe old age, it still felt kinda fun 'prancing' around with two bunches of helium balloons hahaha.. A little baby gal in awe tried to poke my balloons with her straw!

See how full the car was! Managed to get a head space among the heart-shaped balloons. People on the streets were rather amused when our car drove pass them.

Uncle William was really nice to come by to help take pics of the venue decor that we did under the sweltering heat yesterday! Pretty sure I got a tan from working under the sun. Can't wait to see the pics! All decor projects will be managed under Vanilla House Creations. We are still working on the website, fb and stuff. Will give a shout when they are up and ready :D

Table number place card

Spent the weekend doing prep work for Congren & Shermaine's wedding on 29 July. During the recce at the restaurant, Congren asked the restaurant manager to have number place cards for all the tables to facilitate guests looking for their seats. Upon hearing that, we suggested for Congren to let us incorporate the place cards into the table centrepieces we are creating. Was playing around with fonts, card size and stuff; finally decided on this. I personally don't fancy those place cards provided by hotels and restaurants. You don't need fancy graphic design programs for a simple place card. Microsoft Word program can do the trick. By choosing the right font, printing paper.., you can get something simple and chic. Will post photos of our table centrepiece creation after the wedding :)

My favourite piece of work!

Extremely pleased with my latest work from class :) Made purely from clay. All I can say is I LOVE IT!