1. Tell us something about yourself. Like your name, where you’re from etc.
Hi, my name is Ong Xiao Yun and I am from Singapore. I am currently a practicing artist. I apply the technique of weaving and construction into industrial materials to discuss about feminie issues. ‘Crafting’ itself therefore becomes a process out of these attempts.

2. Do/Did you have any pet?
I have a cat, and her name is Lily. She is about 4 years old and is our darling in the family.

3. How did you get into crafting? What’s the first thing you made?
That’s a good question. When I was very young, my mother used to work from home. She weaves leather coverings of women’s shoes. And my father is a inventor of simple technique of constructing industrial materials together into a product. What they did probably influenced me subconsciously. My first craft work probably was in primary school. Making cards for friends.

4. Do you have any formal training?

I have formal art school training majoring in painting, minor in sculpture, ceramics and performance.  

5. What are your favorite materials?
I have no particular favourite materials but I enjoy the surprise of discovering new things. I like the feeling of tension generated when materials don’t work well together.

6. Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspirations come from artists around the world, books, observations and conversations with people.

7. Is crafting your full-time job? If not, what’s your day job?
No. I work part time and practice art.

8. Do you have any other hobbies apart from crafting?
I enjoy art exhibitions in Singapore, theater, listening to music and volunteer works
With Jalan Besar CC and Tzuchi Buddhist foundation(Singapore) branch.

9. What is the best thing about having your own business?
It adds a new dimension and factor into making your own works. Considerations of commercialism comes into light as I progress on.

10. Any advice for someone who’s going to start his/her own business?
A bag of passion and true to what your heart desires.

We raised SG$ 173.46 for ASD (Actions for Singapore Dogs) in April 2008. Thank you for supporting us!

We raised SG$ 132.34 for ASD (Actions for Singapore Dogs) in March 2008. Thank you for supporting us!

We raised SG$ 285.30 for ASD (Actions for Singapore Dogs) in February 2008. Thank you for supporting us!

We raised SG$ 208.00 for ASD (Actions for Singapore Dogs) in January 2008. Thank you for supporting us!

1. Tell us something about yourself. Like your name, where you’re from etc.
I am Richard Chan from Singapore. Besides card making, I also make handmade tags and bookmarks. Card making is still my favourite.

2. Do/Did you have any pet?
I used to have a dog many years ago during my school days and ever since, she has passed away, my family does not keep any pets anymore. At present, my wife has a black cat at her mother’s home. We pay him a visit every weekend.

3. How did you get into crafting? What’s the first thing you made?
I have started crafting since my primary school days. I make cards and send them to friends and relatives on their birthdays and during festive seasons such as Chinese New Year and Christmas. It is through these years of practicing, my skills have evolved to the present standard that you can see on my cards. I can’t remember the first thing that I have made. During my primary school days, we have art classes where we will do drawing, painting, stamping, clay making, cross stitching, etc.

4. Do you have any formal training?
No, I do not have any formal training. I keep on experimenting with any interesting materials that I can find and used them on my cards.

5. What are your favorite materials?
My favourite materials are mainly patterned paper, ribbon, sticker and corrugated paper. I like ribbons a lot as it make a card more lively and sweet while patterned papers can make the card more interesting. I also used corrugated paper as it helps to create a layered/3D look for the cards and stickers helps to give a final touch to my cards.

6. Where do you get your inspiration from?
I get my inspirations from viewing cute and lovely things that I can find whenever I browse through shops, magazines or anything along the streets. I like colourful things and hence, I always try to make my cards look bright, colourful, sweet and lovely. I do flip through scrapbook and card making magazines now and then to see what is hip for the season.

7. Is crafting your full-time job? If not, what’s your day job?
Crafting is my hobby and my day job is working as a Facilities Engineer in a manufacturing plant where I manage infrastructure upgrading projects such as building cleanrooms and setting up production lines.

8. Do you have any other hobbies apart from crafting?
My other hobbies are the usual stuff that most Singaporeans are doing such as watching movies, listening to songs, jogging, swimming and surfing the internet.

9. What is the best thing about having your own business?
The best thing is that I am doing something that I like and at my own pace. It also gives me a sense of satisfaction when I get to know that people from other parts of the world like my creations.

10. Any advice for someone who’s going to start his/her own business?
Believe in yourself that you can do it and start trying it out. Experience the whole process, learn from it and keep on improving till you see results. Read more related forums and look for ways that can help you in your crafting business. It may be a tedious process but it will turn out worthwhile after all.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, everybody! We’re elated to announce that we raised a total of SGD 1286.77 in the past 6 months. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all who have shown us your kind support. Crafted With Love would not be where it is now without friends like you! To welcome the new year, we’ve given our blog a new look, made some new banners and dolled up our website a little. We now have a ‘featured items’ on our homepage! To visit the product pages, simply click on the images.

And one more piece of exciting news – Crafted With Love now has its own jewelry line! We have some earrings and a necklace up for grab. Oh, and we’ve listed out some store policies on the ‘How to order’ page. Do take some time to read them.

Also, we’re featured in CLUBPETS January issue. Remember to grab a copy. You can also view the article in our press gallery!

We raised SG$ 178.00 for ASD (Actions for Singapore Dogs) in December 2007. Thank you for supporting us!

Action for Singapore Dogs (ASD) was born in December 2000 as a non-profit organization. Their main concern is the welfare of stray and abandoned dogs in Singapore. They rescue, foster and re-home stray and abandoned dogs. Slightly less than half a year ago, ASD set up an Adoption & Rescue Centre in Lim Chu Kang. It serves to temporarily house the increasing number of dogs on the waiting list for adoption. As anyone can easily imagine, running a center like this requires a large amount of resources, including monetary support, food and medicine. As long as it’s within your ability, we hope you will consider helping these poor creatures. Here’s a peek at the ARC wishlist:

• Dog food (Back to Basics brand - Pork)..Note that a 15 kg bag can last only 5 days to feed about 6 dogs.
• Flea & Tick medication (Accurate brand)
• Shampoo
• Leashes & Collars
• Clean towels
• Volunteers