Ending the Year of 2012 with Pink Roses

I haven't been updating my blog for quite some time. I was away for a short break but ended up getting even more exhausted than before. Haha. Today is the final day of year 2012. Year 2012 has been a turning point for me as I resigned after working for the same firm for 8 years. Ya, I have been jobless since August 2012 but I feel so much happier! I actually enjoy my life as a housewife very much!

Before the year ends, I made myself a new keychain and a anti-dust plug for my new iPhone 5.

I have always loved roses, especially pink roses.

Japanese Curry Ramen

I have added something new to my menu today and it's the Japanese Curry Ramen Set.

Unagi in Teriyaki Sauce

I have been hibernating for some time and it's time to continue with my Japanese food project. I thought of making unagi today.

Anniversary Plaque - The Happy Piggies Family

This is an order made since October 2012. What took me so long? Well, I guess I just have to save the best for last. Haha. I met Tin 4 years ago in a wedding forum. We signed up the same bridal shop for pre-wedding photos hence we had never-ending chats about our wedding preparation, photo-shooting, life and the list goes on. Wow... Time flies... This year is already our 4th anniversary! 

I know Tin loves piggies. I am not surprised when she told me that she wanted to have piggies for her plaque but 8 piggies are a bit challenging for me. Haha.

Wedding Plaque - The Inspector and His Beautiful Wife

The Chinese wedding theme may be popular but I guess the "uniform couple" is catching up soon. This plaque is ordered by my ex-uni mate for her friends. We were from the different faculties last time and we may occasionally bump into each other at campus once in a while but she is always a special friend to me. I still remember how she took the trouble to send dumplings to me as she knew I was alone during the Dumpling Festival (all my housemates went back home but I couldn't). Those were the most heart-warming and delicious dumplings I have ever had in Malacca.

After graduation, we managed to keep in touch. Thanks to FB! After all these years, now only we realised we didn't actually know each other's full name until she asked for my bank details and I asked for her address. How funny? Haha.

Anyway, I thank her for having the trust in me and let me design the plaque freely. I am glad that I have the opportunity to get to know the police uniform better. I never knew the uniform could be so detailed and gorgeous! This is also the first time I made a bride in white gown. I can't deny that I love making gowns and dresses as I enjoy creating the details in them.

More Macaroon Keychains

I am addicted to making macaroons with the Japanese light air-dry clay!

Name Plaque - The "A" Sisters

These plaques are meant for Christmas gifts from an aunt to her nieces. All the nieces' names start with an "A". How interesting...

I have got customers asking me if I bake the plaque together with the clay as well? The answer is no. Haha. I use air-dry clay for the background hence the plaque does not need to go into the oven. As for the decorative items, they have to be baked as I am using FIMO oven-bake clay. After everything is ready, I will assemble and glue the decorative items onto the plaque.

Wedding Plaque - Chinese Wedding

Theme: Chinese wedding
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Colourful Macaroons

I started my clay hobby with oven-bake clay but I realised that most people prefer air-dry clay. Today, I tried to make some macaroons using Japanese light air-dry clay. To my surprise, it's not that difficult as I thought. Ya, I kinda have to rush my work as the clay will get hardened once exposed to air but I still find it manageable.

Colourful macaroons are used to make key chains.

Salmon Sashimi Boat

I bought some mini accessories earlier of this week and I finally got them today. I bought 6 sashimi boats but one of them is chipped. Haiz...

Wedding Plaque - Chinese Wedding

Theme: Chinese wedding
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

This is an order from an old friend. She specially asked for a Chinese wedding themed plaque for her friend. Just now, she informed me the bride-to-be has already received the plaque and she loves it very much. So happy to know that :)

The Winner of the Christmas Giveaway is....

Getting ready papers...

Miniature Japanese Food

Guess what I am making?

Wedding Plaque - Chinese Wedding

Theme: Chinese wedding
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Name Plaque - My Little Black Dress

Theme: My little black dress
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

DIY iPhone Casing Decoration

Some time ago, I found some nice Marc Jacob daisies from a handphone accessories booth. The daisies were really gorgeous and I matched them with a champagne gold casing. Recently, this casing has finally broken off. I managed to buy two new ones and the above is one of them. I love the lace details and the heart shape opening for the camera. Few days ago, a friend suggested that I can actually decorate phone casings with my clay stuff and sell them! That's a brilliant idea but I am not too keen in selling them at the moment as clay tends to break or chip off if you're not a careful person. I wouldn't say that clay is fragile as it's still harder than glass but still... it's not meant for heavy-duty usage. Anyway, I shall just try at least once and see how long it can sustain.

Christmas Giveaway 2012

You better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I am telling you why... Santa Claus is coming to town!!!

I am not a Christian but I super love the atmosphere of Christmas, hence I would like to take this opportunity to organise a Christmas giveaway.

Some friends just asked me if I have more anti-dust plugs for Christmas theme and I said they are coming soon. Actually, I was secretly working on the giveaway items.

While I am working hard, someone is also working hard! Look, Santa is struggling to hang on the edge of my mug!

Are you ready for Christmas?

Christmas is coming soon! Santa, I have been a good girl this year. Please bring me big presents, ya!

High-tea Party

I bought some miniature accessories recently and my hands were itchy for doing something with them. I am supposed to do my revision but I just can't resist it. Oh, well... You always have no time for the things you dislike and you always can't get enough time for the things you like!

Anti-Dust Plugs

Do you like to collect anti-dust plugs? I do but most of the plugs found in KK are mostly heavily bling-ed or too childish for my likings. After starting playing with clay, I decided I might as well do my own anti-dust plugs.

Coming Soon...

Waiting for the glue to get dried...

Miniature Birthday Set

Few days ago, I received an order from my ex-colleagues to make a miniature birthday set for another colleague. We have no idea what the birthday girl likes apart from cute soft toys. Since the girls let me to decide what to make, I decided to make something sweet for the birthday girl.

FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Recently I have received some common queries and I think it's time for me to write about FAQ. Please take some time to read the FAQ below before placing orders. Thank you :)


SHOPPING

What do you sell?
I am selling custome-made name plques and plaques for special occasions. Sometimes, I will make some miniature items for sale as well. All the items shown in this blog are handmade and are made of clay.

How do I order the plaque/miniature set online?

Kindly contact me at gin.miniworkshop@gmail.com with the type of product you would like to custom-make, theme, preferred colours/design, wordings (only applicable for plaques) and the date of when you need the items.

How big is the plaque?
For the time being only two sizes are available:
i)   Rectangle - 15 cm x 20.5 cm
ii)  Oval - 15 cm x 20.5 cm
iii) Rectangle - 21 cm x 29.5 cm

How do you charge for custom-made items? 
Charges will be quoted on case-by-case basis. It very much depends on the complexity of the designs, time spent and size of the items. I will provide you a quotation once I have studied your requirements. My minimal charges are as follows:
i)   Plaque 15 cm x 20.5 cm - RM50 onwards
ii)  Plaque 21 cm x 29.5 cm - RM100 onwards
iii) Keychain - RM25 onwards
iv) Miniature set - RM60 onwards 

Is postage included in the quotation?
No. Postage will be communicated later as it depends on the weight of the items. Please refer the SHIPPING section for more details.

Why are your items so expensive?
Please understand that all items are 100% handmade. It requires not only skill but a lot of time and patience.

If I want the item to be smaller, can you charge cheaper?
Sorry, I can't. Normally people will think that big items need more clay hence I charge more, but small items need less clay hence I should charge less? Unfortunately, my charges don't go like this as the difficulty of making the items increases when its size gets smaller.

Do you give discount if I buy more?
Sorry, I don't as I don't do many ready stocks. I only make the items upon request.

Can I put a message onto the plaque besides the name(s)?
Not really... Please understand that the plaque is not very big. It is difficult to squeeze both the long wordings and designs into a small plaque. 

Can I amend/add more wordings/designs once the plaque is done?
No, once the plaque is done, it is finalised.

How long do you take to finish the custom-made items?
From designing till completion, please allow at least 7 working days for each item. I will inform you if longer time is required.

Do you have a catalogue?
I have the photos of my sold and ready-stock items posted on my blog and my Facebook page. You may view the blog archive or the FB albums as reference.

My question is not listed here.
Kindly contact me at gin.miniworkshop@gmail.com with your question(s).



SHIPPING

How do I get my items?
I am living in Sabah, Malaysia. For customers living in Kota Kinabalu area, arrangement for collection can be done. For customers outside Kota Kinabalu, I will send the items via Pos Laju. A tracking number will be provided.

How much is the postage?
Please be informed that the charges of postage depends on the size and weight of your items. The postage will be communicated later after the completion of the items.

Do you ship internationally?
Yes. I will send the items via EMS. A tracking number will be provided. International customers are responsible for all the fees related to customs in their country. 


PAYMENT METHOD

Before I start working, 50% deposit is required from customers. Upon completion, the 50% balance and postage have to be paid before I mail out the items.

For the time being, I accept payments via bank transfer. My bank account details will be provided upon confirmation of order.

Working Hard...

It has been  while since I last updated my blog. It's not that I have nothing to blog, it's just that I have been working on things that my customers requested me not to upload the pics until their friends receiving it.

Keychains - Angel and Roses

Theme: Angel + Roses
Status: SOLD

Japanese Ramen Set, Again!

Remember my last Japanese ramen set? Yes, I have sold it to my buddy so today re-created the ramen set again with some minor changes.

Salmon Sashimi Rice Bento

When I just started doing clay stuff, I wasted a lot of clays in the process of trial-and-error hence the amount of waste is ever growing. Now is the best time to recycle them! I hide them beneath the rice. Haha.

Cold Soba Set

I have an ex-colleague who likes to eat cold soba every time we had Japanese meal. When I purchased the fake ice cubes, the first thing came across my mind was... I wanna make cold soba!

Tonkatsu Bento

After knowing the short-cut of making rice, I made another bento today - tonkatsu bento.

Ebi Ten Don

In my previous post, I mentioned that I was sick of rolling rice grains. Today I tried a new method of making rice grains and I am happy with the outcome :)

Keychains

Key chains for sale!

Name Plaque - She is an Angel

Theme: Angel
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Japanese Ramen Set, Anyone?

In my personal Facebook account, I uploaded pics of my clay miniature journey since day 1. I have mini display cabinets of which I am trying to fill them up with mini yummy foodie. For the time being, I have already filled up 2 mini display cabinets with cakes and assorted desserts. So, when it comes to my third mini display cabinet I decided to make Japanese food.

Gin's Mini Japanese Restaurant was officially opened some time ago but there was not much progress. The reason is that I have underestimated the toughness of making mini Japanese food. We all know that most Japanese cuisines involve rice and noodles. I attempted to make some Japanese rice balls.

Wedding Plaque - Malay Wedding

I have received an order for making Malay Wedding plaque. This is a new challenge to me as Malay wedding costumes are known to be very detailed.

Name Plaque - Travelling Around the World

Theme: Travelling around the world
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Miniature Gingerbread House

Miniature Gingerbread House 

Price: RM69.90 (without casing) or RM74.90 (with casing)

Status: Available

Miniature Christmas Sets

I know it's too early for Christmas but who can resist Christmas desserts? 

Miniature Christmas Set A 

Status: SOLD

Wedding Plaque - Chinese Wedding

Theme: Chinese wedding
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Name Plaque - Home Sweet Home

Theme: Home sweet home
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Name Plaque - Coffee or Tea?

Theme: High-tea
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Name Plaque - Traveller's Love

Theme: Travelling
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Name Plaque - Relaxing Moment

Theme: Relaxing
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Name Plaque - For an Animal Lover

Theme: Animal lover

Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm

Status: SOLD

Name Plaque - For a Lady

Theme: Elegant & ladylike
Size: 15 cm x 20.5 cm
Status: SOLD

Hello, World!

One day, I entered into a handicraft shop and discovered FIMO clay. A new hobby was born ever since then. 

This blog is to tell you that in this small small world, there is a small small me doing small small things.