saplanet originals

I mentioned that I MUST have Shin-tzu? Now, I have her for my birthday. 

If it’s puzzling to you why I take time to make myself a doll, when I have been shouting loud about my busy schedule, well, it really has to do with my showy personality. 

I am going to have a 3-day marathon birthday lunches from tomorrow, I want to show off my shin-tzu! hah! 

I have been feeling really tired lately, I reckon it’s perfectly fine for me to cut myself some slack eh. 

The only problem I have with my showy personality, is always my mum. She walked in to the room as I typed.. I decided to show her my shin-tzu, and gave a really proud expression, and told her that Shin-tzu is really named after myself. It always backfire!

First, she was all praises of my shin-tzu.. Then, the real deal hits harder. She asks for one too (does she always have to have what I have?!!!??) and to name it Hong-tzu. What kind of name is that!!!!! She wants one that is named after her!!! What! what! what!!!!! 

Then, she wants more! She wants one for her grand-daughter, and she wants her Hong-tzu to be slightly different (I can do that, but I am busy!!!!), and she is not taking no for an answer! She merely said, ‘Ok eh, you owe me one doll now, after all, it only take a while for you to finish one’. WHAT? WHAT? WHAT?

I am planning to bring my parents for lunch on my birthday, this coming Friday, and it’s going to be my treat. Oh well, looks like she is going to treat me for lunch now. hiak hiak hiak. Seriously, can you believe it? I HAVE to make a doll and name it hong-tzu? Gosh!

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new additions:
So, mum decided she not only wants hong-tzu, she wants 4 more shin-tzu (whom she calls ‘baby’.. hey, she has no respect for the designer at all!!! bleah!) for her grand-daughters. She also thinks that I should coach her how to make dolls, since I MUST HAVE GOTTEN ALL THE GOOD GENES FROM HER!! ‘If Lis can crochet dolls, she must have gotten the creative genes from me, so surely I can do it too!’

With a retired mum like mine, don’t you want to cry and laugh all at the same time? You think my life is monotonous and bored since I stay home mostly? You are soooo wrong, my mum’s newest mission is to make sure that my life is nothing but INTERESTING. LOL

I was told that if you wish hard enough, your wish will come true. I really wanted very much to make a Shin-tzu in another color combination, and it’s pink that lingers in my mind.

I mentioned that yesterday when I wrote the blog post of Cyndi’s Shin-tzu, didn’t I? I woke up with an email requesting for a Shin-tzu doll. It’s perfect timing too, because if it’s earlier or later, I may not be able to rush out this little cutie in time. My work schedule is pretty packed, honest.

I didn’t push Joanne to let me do a different color combination, but screaming in my heart, ‘Let me do pink, let me do pink!!!!’

Joanne is a really sweet customers, she trusts me completely with a different color set for her Shin-tzu. This doll is meant as a birthday gift, I hope she likes my choices of colors. For all I know, I am very satisfied with this set of colors. 

Shin-tzu looks really sweet and lovely in sweet pink, doesn’t she?

Shin-tzu has hit the top of the sales chart since her launch, no kidding!

Cyndi is probably my best customer, I am guessing it may have something to do with the ‘C’ thing. I seemed to get along really well with people whose name starts with the C.

Cyndi has asked to make Shin-tzu to be used as a cell phone charm, so by using a smaller hook, I managed to shrink Shin-tzu slightly smaller. It’s not exactly that much smaller than the first Shin-tzu I made.

I was hoping that Cyndi would want a different color combination, but she simply loves the color combi I designed Shin-tzu with. Cyndi loves the magnet that I always throw in the package, this time around, she wanted the large magnet with Shin-tzu artwork (she knows what artwork I have, I haven’t been doing new artworks for some of the amigurumi designs, will get to it when I am less busy), but I am giving her something else. 

If you are wondering, Cyndi is kind of a privileged customer, she buys frequently; never once haggling at my prices; most importantly, she is a very polite customer. When she is not a customer, she is a friend, yet she doesn’t try to blur that line and take advantage. 

So, if I have explained myself well enough, it does pay off being a nice customer. This is also the advantage of being an independent merchant, I get to pamper my favorite customer, although I have not tried to punish the bad ones yet. 

Now that my best customer, Cyndi, and my best craft friend, Cindy, have a Shin-tzu each for themselves, I really want to make myself one too. I think I will have a different color combination, although this combi is really my favorite. 

I am feeling very good about myself today. I compared this Shin-tzu and the first Shin-tzu (by photos), they look identical. I know, they should, but as with any handmade crafts, there is always a slight variation each time you make the doll.

If you have noticed, I haven’t been using my light tent for photography lately, because my light tent is a little dirtied now, and I have not figured out how to clean it. I may want to get a larger light tent though, the present light tent is just too small. Meanwhile, just bear with me. Light tent does give a better distributed light, and reduce harsh shadow casts on the items.

How appropriate and thoughtful to present the bridesmaids with little angels. In a wedding, the bridal helper team is just like the angels to the wedded couple. 

This lot of angels are ordered by a bride who wishes to express her appreciation to the help that her bridesmaids have/going to render.

This is my left hand. I have fair skin, so my veins are quite visible, but this is the normal hand I have always have. 

These are my right hand. I am a right-hander, so I crochet using this hand. Lately, I have noticed that my right hand looks really ‘bruised’ with green/blue patch. They don’t look pretty, really. The good news is that there is no pain, just ‘discoloration’. 

I am not sure, but am I going to have a monster right hand by the end of Christmas?

I guess, as long as there is no pain or strain, that should not be a cause for worry, should it? Ok, I am just taking a short break, and now, I am back to ‘bruise’ my hand further. 

I am actually very excited to see 8 completed angels all lined up for a photo-shoot though, if I don’t get them done by today, I am confident they will be ready by tomorrow. 

This is a very sweet fairy tale alike love story…

When Chris contacted me about her interest in customizing wedding favors for her wedding, she shared with me her love story. 

Wee Khiam and Christina have been friends for a long time, but love has its way to work the wonders in its own mystical way. The sweet love only happens when they were posted overseas for work. 

The couple was actually based in different countries; one in South Africa, the other in China. As much as we may think maintaining a long distance relationship is challenging, this amazing couple not only overcomes the challenges but cherishes this treasured love they both share. 

Now, they bring this relationship to a greater height… a blissful marriage, ever after. 

Chris has been one of the most patient, and lovely lady I have worked with. She keeps an open-mind towards the artwork design, and allows us to do what we do best. 

In the artwork, Chris only has 2 main requests; Asian eyes for the couple; and the South Africa ‘Table Mountain’. 

Herein, we wish the couple a blissful marriage, and a wonderful wedding!

Artwork design: PJ
Artwork copyright: Wee Khiam & Christina

We have brought in more safety eyes, and restocked the existing range. 

October may be my favorite month of the year, it’s not by choice though, I am a Libran, so that makes me an October baby. Although Halloween is not exactly that well celebrated here in Singapore, or most Asian countries, I have always prefer Halloween to our Chinese Hungry Ghost festival. The latter is filled with eerie stories and tons of scary legends!! While with Halloween, it seems like a fun festival. 

I used to work as food promoter during school vacation, and October is the month of the German Food Fair (not sure if it still is), I love German sausages!!!!

To celebrate this favorite month of mine, I am running promotions in both our webstore and in our etsy store. 

saplanet main webstore
+ selected designs (mostly devils and monsters) are tagged with 10% discount
+ crocheted designs tagged with discount, are available in patterns; finished dolls; and project kits
+ re:series dolls are tagged with 40% discount

++ better still, we are rewarding repeating customers who are issued with our discount coupons with special bonus! On usual practice, we do not allow discount coupons to be applied on discounted items, but this time around, the items mentioned in this posts are eligible for further discount too! (do remember to enter the discount coupon code when checking out)
+++ the restriction for the usual sale items and detash supplies still applies (mean to say that only the sale products in the newsletter are eligible for further discount)

saplanet etsy store
we are taking off 15% off your order (excluding shipping). Select how you want to pay for your purchases by entering your selection in the ‘message to seller’:
1. enter ‘revised invoice’ - buy and WAIT for adjusted invoice (paypal) to be sent to you
2. enter ‘refund’ - buy and pay, 15% of your order will be refunded to you via paypal
+ promotion does not apply on ’sale items’ and ‘pattern saver packs’

Have a fun time preparing for Halloween! 

p.s.: dolls order - to avoid disappointment, do place your orders early for dolls, I would need 3-5 days lead time for complete each order, as my work schedule is packed rather tightly now.

We have launched the new pattern saver pack across all our stores! There is a minimum 5 patterns to qualify for this saving buy. The discount structure is built-in, and if you buy more than 10 patterns, you enjoy up to 15% discount off the original price.

I am still buried with orders at this moment, so the Christmas designs may come nearing end of October. The shipment for some supplies have arrived in Singapore, but it’s not delivered to me yet. I reckon it should arrive next week. 

Some supplies are new, so I will need some time to take pictures and load them up. 

SHIPPING:
As there is a minimum tare weight added to my cart in simpleartsplanet main store,  the shipping fee at checkout may appear more than it should be. Do select the desired shipping mode, any excess fee charged to you will be refunded to you via paypal. 

RECOMMENDED SHIPPING:
+ small supplies (such as craft eyes, crochet hook etc) - Regular air (International); Regular (Singapore)
+ Yarns - Registered surface (International); Registered (Singapore)
+ Dolls - Registered air (International); Registered (Singapore
(All dolls are precious, they are handmade with care, registered shipping is always recommended)
+ Order value exceeding S$50 - Always select registered shipping

SINGAPORE SHIPPING:
Although we are a small country, and SingPost being our main postal carrier has been pretty reliable, however, there are still lost mails and delayed mails for regular postage. My experience is that area in Bedok has always been a problem for delayed and lost packages.

If you select regular shipping for your purchases, we are unable to assist in tracking the package status if it is delayed or lost. To-date, we have one lost package sent to Bedok; one delay (package only arrive in 2 weeks as of mailing).

We could remove regular shipping selection in our cart, but we chose to leave the decision to the buyers instead. However, with the many packages we sent out daily and weekly, although we would be aware of the date of mailing, we are unable to narrow down the place of mailing and exact time of mailing. Only registered mailing provides proof of location and time of mailing at this point.

Bottle opener for the lovely couple, Jeffrey & Veron.

I was told by Veron that they love spending leisure time together, relaxing at the Kelong. With this, we discussed the idea through and gave the couple a kelong, at sunset.

Many a times, we try to sync the couple’s behaviors with the entire environment. Here, we took away the formal dress code, but still have them dolled up with some wedding elements.

Artwork credit: PJ

Wedding favor - mini magnets

This couple is going to be enjoying every bit of this journey together, happily ever after. I know, because I have been communicating with Elaine, the bride-to-be.

This design is largely built on the love that Elaine has for her husband-to-be. Although she loves to have a formal and gorgeous gown to be illustrated in the artwork, she is willing to let that slide and adopts the sport that Daniel so loving it.

The couple’s first movie was Herbie, and she loves to have that up in the large screen. Clearly, Daniel is a die hard fan of Chelsea. With the story provided, we incorporate every details into the artwork. In the artwork, we made Daniel a star player of Chelsea team, and Elaine as the supportive fan.

Daniel and Elaine retain the sole copyright of this artwork

I am out of scene again lately, because I am really swamped with work. 

I have not been able to update the webstore, and also the blogs, because of the orders to finish. 

At present, our wedding customization work slots have been fully booked for November, earliest date available for customization service is projected to be end of November. That would mean that the earliest wedding date must be end December or later.

Wedding orders are still acceptable for non-customization artwork service. I am trying to struggle time out to finalize the details with our designer, and to include the changes in the webstore, but for now, just send in the inquiries via our contact us form, and I will explain the details to you.

I have placed orders for some supplies which are slightly delayed; as soon as I am done with the on hands orders, I will try to work on some Christmas doll designs; with everything going on now, this issue of newsletter will come later, but when it does arrive, there would be some goodies.

The love story begins when the couple met each other from their workplace, hence the work attires. 

Esther requested for the Benjamin Shear’s Bridge in Singapore to be the background of the artwork; with fireworks in celebration of this special day.

The artwork is made into fridge magnets to be given out to the guests. 

Credit: artwork copyright to saplanet’s design, PJ

The artwork and layout of the wedding favor is designed by the thoughtful groom, Dewei. 

It was Chuxuan who contact us initially, and when they have decided to place an order with us, Dewei took over the corresponding and coordination.

The couple wanted to have the thank you note on the front of the package, instead of the magnet, which we normally pack the favor. 

We wish the couple a blissful wedding, and endless of joy in this journey of their marriage.

The copyright of this artwork is solely owned by the couple.

The couple has chosen the artwork from our gallery and preferred a simple layout to go along with the artwork. 

Watt Shin was very easy to work with on her order. She knew what she wanted; and a very decisive lady.

She chose to have the favor made into large fridge magnet to express appreciation to their guests who took time to attend their wedding.

We wish the couple a lifetime of happiness and joy!

Specially made for Cindy and Justin. The angel girl is made to represent Cindy, since she has long black hair, even the dress is made differently from my original angel design. The angel boy is to represent Justin whom I remembered having very short blonde hair. 

I had planned this surprise gift for months now, I had checked into Cindy’s profile for her birthday, since I only knew that her birthday is in September. I even thought through how to package the gift, which gift card to use, what to write. 

Just when I was making the dolls on stage 2 (due to some customization, I took slightly longer than to finish the dolls) Cindy sent an email indicating her intention to purchase shin-tzu (the Japanese girl). Heck no!!!!! I forbade her from buying, but she insisted and placed the order. 

She left me with no choice but to decline her order, and ordered that she was not to pay for the order, yet, she went ahead to pay!!!!!! 

To begin with, that day was ending with a peaceful note, when out of the sudden, I was dumped right into a roller coaster ride of panic! 

The emails went to/fro within the hour, and how was I going to tell her that I had been planning for this?? I had to do what I had to stop her! I did all I can.. even to throw in threats of hanging large crocheted pig’s head on her door, plaster notices all over her apartment, spray cans of ink on the wall, and even the worst threat of putting bags of kaka (creatures, insects etc) in her mailbox etc. That didn’t work, she went to pay for her purchase!

Then, she flickr up the the rejected order email notice! I don’t know, I am convinced that we crossed paths just so that she can torture me. 

We met up today, and I had the 3 little ones packed nicely in a box. She was excited about the meet up (I suspected that she must have been suspecting that I am going to give her shin-tzu! bleah) so I told her that she’d better stop dreaming that I am selling her shin-tzu.. I am not lying, I am really not selling shin-tzu to her, I reckoned, the 2 little angels need a personal maid too. 

When I took pictures of them, shin-tzu just looks so ‘maidy’. hahaha. 

Ok, so in real life, and in dolls, shin-tzu (me!!!!) is destined to serve Cindy. Shin-tzu has become a loyal maid cum sincere confidante to Angel Cindy too. 

Today’s outing was just .. bizarre? Mike joined the girl’s duo party too (I don’t know, this was the first time they met each other, but they already ganged up to bully me!!!).

I needed to do some shopping for clothes, and there was a little drama episode… there was a conflict going on while I was trying the clothes, and Cindy was waiting outside the changing room. This lady was literally shouting so loudly, I thought she may just barge in to the changing room. 

We accomplished many ‘missions’ today, and each has a story to tag with. Even the simplest task like paying for bread caused a small stir when the cashier was trying to explain the error she made; and a lady behind us was complaining aloud of the delay. 

Other smaller episodes are just funny. In conclusion, it’s a really fun outing. hahaha. 

Cindy, you’d better be liking the dolls!