Children's Lifestyle Accessories @ Adeline's Loft

Many may not be aware, barely 6 months after I ventured into handmade jewelries, I was offered an opportunity to produce girls' accessories for a now defunct local children's boutique, Tien, that was targeted for girls age 4 to 14 year olds. That was back in  2005 and 2006. The main boutique was located at Forum and a subsidiary space was rented at the children's level in Tangs. I had meetings to go to every month to discuss what the boss/designer wanted for her new collections. It was not easy to meet expectations.

Of course, little did I know how tiring and monotonous it was to be mass producing with my single pair of hands. All I was focused on was the given opportunity to show what I can do and the pure exhilaration I was reeling from seeing my handmade creations being showcased in the stores. And these were some of what I made.

Imagine having to make 20-30 pcs per design... even the skin on my fingers were not spared.

After about 6 months later, I decided to stop taking on these work, which took a toll on motherhood. My children were young and I wasn't able to cope with the demand. It was very tough to earn my keeps after the hours I had invested in making the pieces even till late into the night. So I re-focused on why I started out my jewelry making venture in the first place. To enjoy making my own designs and at a pace that I can cope.

One of the positive things that I've learned from this work stint, are the ways I could do to improve the lifespan of children's jewelry and studied on the materials suitable for girls with different ages. 

Here is a guide of how I recommend jewelry creations for girls' age between 3-12 years.

A few samples of my work, some with matching pieces for mums!

Recommended beads

Acrylic, crystals, glass or ceramic beads (it's not heavy it sounds and not glass breakable kind of material.)
You can read up more about bead materials here

Recommended materials
Fabric cord or suede for necklaces.
Suede or rubberized cords for bracelets. 

These materials are especially used for the younger ones, as I consider silver plating/rhodium materials to be sensitive to their young skin. I've taken care to ask how old a child is, before embarking on a suitable design. In this instance, colored fabric cords are used as I do not wish the girls to have allergy outbreaks from wearing my creations.

However, for the older girls (say a gauge of 10 years old and above), there are more options to play around with. By now, there should be an indication somehow if they have sensitive skin and may or may not take to silver plating or brass materials well. So funkier designs, with more choices of beads can be varied in a creation.

Prices
Individual item price range from S$14 onwards - depending on choice of beads and design.
Matching mum and bub necklace set is from S$45 onwards.
Matching mum and bub bracelet set is from S$40 onwards.

Lead Time

Depending on schedule, orders may take 5-14 working days before completion.

Do support and give a 'like' on my Facebook page for updates and inspiration. Queries are best attended to if you send me a private message from my page. Or drop me an email oon.adeline@gmail.com. 

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

The Key to an SAHM's Sanity

Of all the jobs in the world, they say a stay-at-home-mom's (SAHM) job is the toughest one. We are expected to run the household and multi-task. Nothing can prepare us for this job. We learn to go with the flow (not exactly smooth ones) and are expected to wear many hats at home. We help ourselves solve specific tasks, as much as possible. Those without external help would know what I mean. It's not so much of physical tiredness. It's just.... emotionally draining.

The many sleepless nights with my bubs at this stage, as I was nursing both of them concurrently.

Having been a SAHM for the last 13 years, there are possibly many things that I could have done to better manage my well-being, IF I had known better. Opportunities to manage the burnout feeling I felt at the end of the day was too insignificant to remember that I am being appreciated at home. I was an angry, grouchy and emotional mom in the earlier years. My identity was lost until my children went to school. Only then I could find a little bit more time to myself to pursue my interests.

Selfies did exist in the year 2004! :p

So listen up, all you new SAHMs out there, especially with the younger bubs who are not yet in school. This is really really important to have.

Looking back, I think it would have been perfectly alright to ask for some time off, to remember there is a 'me'. Moms are the reason for the existence of our children and I don't see why SAHMs should not take regular healthy time-offs to recharge and be energized. Wouldn't it be nice to go home feeling ready to face new challenges and embrace our family with a more loving and positive mind?

So whether you can squeeze in some time off to have a meal alone (without having to eat leftovers), get a hair wash at your neighborhood salon, bake a cake - anything that will make you feel on top of the world. Do it. You will appreciate yourself more. Your family would too.

Here's a recent photo of us enjoying each others' company! When they are older, things get much easier despite teenage angst. That's another story for another day. :)

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!

Next up on the blog train!

Pauline, a mother-of-two, a home cook, a baker and a crafter. She has been a SAHM for almost 7 years now and she’s still enjoying every minute of being one. Days with the children, to her, are never dull and having a hobby or something interesting to be kept busy with makes life so much more easier. Beyond her interest in cooking, baking and sewing, blogging keeps her sane as she shares with many like-minded moms about her struggles, moments of pride and everything in between, so visit her blog tomorrow to find out more!

This post is part of a blog train hosted by Gingerbreadmum where 31 stay-at-home mums share their survival tips. We hope that you'll find our tips useful and remember that you're not alone!

[RECIPE] Roasted Meat - Char Siew

 

Planning for meals in my home can be a daunting task - at times. Thankfully, char siew (or roasted pork) is definitely not a daunting dish to prepare. It has been well-received in my home and I am pretty pleased to have modified this dish to our liking. Knowing too that meat is a man's kinda dish, it is no doubt one of my husband's favorite. And I'm more than happy to be cooking this for him and of course, my children too!

*Now listen up to the daddies reading this post, you can do this easy peasy dish and impress the wifey and family!*

My advise for good tasting char siew is to use the pork shoulder portion, known in Chinese as 五花肉. The difference is in the fat proportions, in between the meat which makes the char siew tender and juicy. Using pork loin may turn out tough and dry, so you've been warned!

 

Preparation time : 5 minutes    Grilling time : 40 minutes   Serves :  4-6

Marinade (to be done at least 8 hours and placed in fridge or best if done overnight) :

- 450gm pork shoulder (五花肉) ask the butcher to slice it into longish portion if you like
- 4 tbsp hoisin sauce

- 2 tbsp light soya sauce
- 1 tbsp black soya sauce
- 2 tbsp honey (or substitute with sugar, if you prefer)

- 2 to 3 dashes of sesame oil

Place the meat in a large ziplock bag and put all the above sauces into the bag and massaged them on the meat through the bag so you don't get your hands messy. Remember to marinade it a day before grilling it, or at least 8 hours in the refrigerator, to get the best taste of this sweet meat dish. Mmmm! Dang, it is good!

Cooking method :

- Pre heat oven at 180 degrees 

- Line your baking tray with foil paper before placing the meat on it. Leave the excess sauce from the marinade aside for making the char siew sauce later.

- Grill about 20-25 minutes on each side. *Tip : if you like some burn bits on the char siew, raise the temperature to 200 degrees at the last 5 minutes before taking the meat out to cool.

- To complete the char siew sauce for drizzle on the meat or on your rice, dilute it with a little bit of water (depending on your preference for thickness) and bring it to boil in your sauce pan. This should take no more than 5 minutes.

- Once the char siew has cooled, slice and serve.

- Enjoy!

 

Updated post with this latest photo on 30/3/2015.

   

  Till the next post, have a blessed week!