Something Blue

Folks,

I'm still alive. And yes, I'm still addicted to the candy smashing game. It's not so bad now. I have better self-control. I've reached level 62. (the chocolates scare me)

Enough about this silly game. Sorry if I got a few of you hooked to the addiction. Apart from smashing candies, I've been busy with mostly technical work. It's gruelling work and very glamorous. It's also very time-consuming. I lose track of time a lot. Sometimes you could hear me calling out to the kids:

Is it midnight?

I don't think I've mentioned anything about craft markets this year. You know what? Seems like craft markets are booming this year. At least in Singapore. I've been receiving notice of this and that craft market almost every week. Unfortunately, I'm not signing up for any of them. Yet.

Firstly, I'm quite tired of making stock. Last Christmas took a lot of joy out of sewing for me. This year I want to make fewer of the same designs. I mean, those days of making 10 of this and that is over for me. I cannot do it again.

Secondly, I am committed to selling at VivoCity. I've been selling at VivoCity since October 2011. In January this year, the organiser of VivoCity craft market announced major changes to the way we sellers are charged. Previously we paid a rental fee plus a sale commission on the total sales. The change means that now we only pay a rental fee and zero sale commission. The rental is of course much higher and you pay more for the booths with better locations. Which verifies what I have always suspected - I had been getting the suckiest locations previously because they are priced the cheapest now. With this new arrangement, you really need to think hard if you are able to sell enough to cover the new higher rental.

What I don't like about the new arrangement is I have to sell more frequently than I want to. As I produce everything myself, it is a herculean task to keep up my stock. Plus, it's very little profit. Anyhoo, I thought long and hard about it and decided I would stick to VivoCity for another year. Tentatively, I will be selling from May to July. I say tentatively because it seems the schedule is not out so I'm on tenterhooks.

I have not started making bags for sale. But I will sew like a mad woman in April.

Today I have something blue to show you.

I started work on this design in November last year and I sold a few during Christmas. I managed to get some useful feedback from browsers and customers as well. I made this polka dot version yesterday and my girl said she liked it. That means it's not old-fashioned.

Oh, remind me never to spring clean again. I've had such a hard time locating my sewing supplies. My fabric is now in the storeroom and every time I want to find a particular fabric, I spend hours hunting for it.

But look what I found while searching for a beige polka dot fabric. This running stitch embroidered flying horse with beads and sequins! I must have sewn it years and years ago. The perl embroidery thread - I'm so over it. It's definitely turning into a zip pouch once I locate the zippers.