Craft Fair: Kasut Manek / Beaded Shoes

"Manek" is the Malay words for "beads", and "Kasut" means "shoes". Kasut Manek were made and worn by Peranakan women as a part of their traditional costume in olden days. The tiny little "manek potong" are hand-sewed onto a piece of cloth and the finished hand-piece is then custom made to a pair of shoes, be it open-toe or fully covered type. There are also available in slipper type where they are made up of two strips sewn in a criss-cross or parallel manner across the feet.
I am now making one for my own, an open-toe type and it is about to finish. It is very tedious and can be strenuous on the eyes too as the beads are so tiny. I have spent weeks working on it and the process is so slow. I am sure it will be a beautiful pair of shoes, yes, an unique one for me that you can get it from the market.
If you want to get a glimpse of how to make a Kasut Manek, With Every Bead will satisfy your curiosity.

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Craft Fair: Handbags

Since I am doing handbags and purses, here are some of the handbags shown in the craft fair. The one I am making is bit different, though it is made of fabric but the opening is metal type (no no not zip). It is similar to "antique" purse that our grandma or mother used to keep coins where the frame is a solid "U" shape metal with 2 globes on it, to open the purse you just tweeze the glode apart, can you imagine? If not, then wait for my photos in the next few post :p

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Craft Fair: Baby Quilt Blanket

Aren't these 2 baby quilt blankets lovely? If I have the time, I would make one for my new born baby who is due to arrive very (yes, very very) soon. Don't they look warm and cozy!!!!

Wow, I have so many plans and future projects. I feel so excited about them that I feel as though I am "neglecting" of my baby who is still in my womb. Ha ha ha Hubby thought that I must be crazy to get too involved in handicraft and setting up a blog at this point of time. I told him this is what having a hobby is, you must love it before you can put such patience and effort on it. Moreover, handicraft is really a time consuming hobby, you can't produce a good work if you rush to finish it. Luckily he is a very supportive person which makes me feel so happy and secure :)

I am currently working on some purses and handbags project using sewable metal frames. Each of them takes me about 3 days to 2 weeks to complete. I will post them in the blog once I have enough material to show. It could be in month's time or more as I don't know how attached my baby will be (or vice versa). Well, just hope that I will have some of my own time to do what I like while take care of my baby.....

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