Workshop at Dunman High

Conducted a workshop at Dunman High on 25 Jun 2010. My first impression of this school in Tanjong Rhu is that IT IS HUGE!! Ok...maybe I have been away from school for many years now, but school then don't look SO BIG!!!
Teachers are nice people, I really like teaching teachers. They are humourous, chatty and lots of fun. (Of course, students don't see them that way). After the workshop, they even help me to pack up and arrange the tables back. Our future generation are in good hands. I really enjoyed this workshop. Hope they like the bracelet they made during the workshop.

Flu Virus In The Air

Wow! Just this week alone, four of my students cancelled/ postponed their lessons because they were down with the flu! Well, I wish them speedy recovery so that they can attend my lesson next week.
Ever since the H1N1 was downgraded as harmless, people are getting careless again. Just travel on the bus and you will see what I mean. People are coughing openly, without bothering to cover their mouths!! Every time I travel, I can see 2-3 people coughing while on the bus.
So...Mr (or Mrs?) Virus is certainly back.
For me, I am taking vitamin suppplements daily whenever I conduct lessons or if I am going out. So far, it helps.

Finally, An Off Day!!

My off day today, after six days of continuous work. It is a weekday and I treasure every moment I have with my family. I love to go out during weekdays. You don't get caught in traffic jams, you don't have to 'chop' your seat when you eat, you don't see queues at the cashier. (oops, better stop here, wait I get 'hammered' by my 9-to-5 friends). But it is fair right? Cause I work over the weekends...

I went to Spotlight today and bought some nice laces. The lady serving me at the cashier was very friendly and nice (see? weekday afternoon la, less crowd, no stress, so can smile a lot) Oh yes, soon I will decorate my home again, bit by bit, to get the Shabby Chic look. When I am done, I will post more photos for all to see ok?

Everything Begins with a Dream

Do you like my Shabby Chic collection? I am simply madly in love with them now. This is my dream. To fill my entire home with Shabby Chic collections, the furniture, the sofa, the book shelves, and EVERYTHING!!

Ambitious? maybe? Dreaming? maybe?

Shabby Chic is not part of my business, it is just another of my hobbies. But everything begins with a dream, just like my beading business. If I did not have this dream six years ago, I would not be where I am today. You don't have to do everything at once, I believe in taking baby steps, with each step, you move closer to your dream.

more Shabby Chic collection...

Recently bought some cushion covers, bed linen ( more like a blanket), floor mat, door knot cover, basket...

more to come :P

Handpaint wall deco

"Growing Strong in the LORD"

Bought the wooden board from Daiso, paint the roses with arcylic paint, but need to practise more....

Shabby Chic collection

Got these two flowers collection from Lim's Art @ S$10.00 each !! what a good bargain.

Home Business and Social Life

The biggest benefit about running your own home business is being able to spend time with your family whenever you want. This is something no company or organisation can give you. But do I miss the daily interaction I used to have with my colleagues?
Fortunately for me, my business allows me to meet new students quite frequently. Over the years, during my interaction with them during the workshops, some of them actually become my friends. Many people fear that home business means working alone and being detached from the outside world. However, the opposite is true. With flexible timings on your hands, you can arrange to meet old friend for lunch.

Home Business - Flexible Working Hours

First, let me start off with what home business is not. Many people, including my best friends, have the impression that home business is about lying on the sofa, slipping tea and watching Korean dramas. How then, my dear friends, do the money come in if I do not work?
Well, let me set the record straight that, in reality, the opposite is true. Working at home doesn't mean that you work less hours. You still work 8 hours a day, just that one of the greatest benefit is that you chose when you want to work, not governed by any corporate structure that insist you work from 9am to 6pm (and you cannot always leave at 6pm, otherwise your Boss thinks you do not have much to do).
So this means I can work 2 hours in the morning, 2 in the afternoon and 4 at night. On another day, I might wake up late and work 4 hours in the afternoon and 4 at night. Get my point?
Yes, I can watch Korean dramas anytime I want, but first, I have to work hard to make sure the money is coming in first right?
Do I miss the structured office environment? More on that in my next post...

Home + Business = Home Business

I have been running a home business for several years now, conducting beading and polymer clay workshops in the comfort of my home and managing an online beading supplies business. People asked, "Home business got business meh?" I believe it is the way you brand and market your home business.
First of all, to show that I am serious about my business, I have dedicated one entire air-conditioned bedroom (of my 4-room HDB flat) to conduct my workshop, complete with a full size table that can seat 4 students comfortably. I have also partitioned half of my living room to display and store my beading supplies.
Secondly, it is important to get licensed too. My home business is approved by HDB.
People asked again, "Home business can make money meh?". Well, that is my business secret...
But seriously, what do I like about my home business?
Read more...in my next posting...

How I Got Started With Beading

In 2004, I was a bored full-time homemaker looking after my lovely 2-year-old girl. She's such a lovely girl, well-behave and that left me with plenty of time on my hands. I took up beading as a hobby. I tried to sell my ready-made designs but sales were slow. I found out that I was pretty good at it so much so that I started teaching people how to bead.
ViVE Creation was born, one thing lead to another and now six years down the road, I am pleased to have shared my knowledge with hundreds of students since then.

My new Shabby Chic collection

if anyone have any ideas on how to decorate home with Shabby Chic decoration, please email me or leave a comment here... Thank you !!