tiny droplets murasaki

Creating a Terrarium

2012-02-16T12:13:00.001+08:00

Living in a apartment doesn't allow me the luxury of planting trees on terra firma or creating stunning landscaped gardens that other homeowners have. But thanks to a balcony that gets kissed by the morning sun - and visits everyday by cute little sunbirds that announce their arrival with loud chirps - I get to indulge in some high-rise gardening with rather satisfactory results.

Recently, I have been intrigued by terrariums, especially those enclosed in pretty glass containers. From elaborate plantscapes to simple designs, setting up one of these self-sustaining eco-systems can be a lot of fun. The result will liven up any coffee table or office desk.

Here's are two very simple mini terrariums that I've created:

An open terrarium with cactus

Red and green frittonia growing in a glass bottle

Quick How To

Step 1: Choose your glass containers and plants. If you're making an enclosed terrarium, make sure the plants are small enough to fit entirely in the container when covered, with some room to grow.

Step 2: Line the base of the container with the following in this same order.

A layer of small pebbles
Sphagnum moss, available at gardening supply shops - I bought mine from Far East Flora
Soil

The pebbles create a form of draining so that the plant roots do not trap too much moisture, which may result in rot. Sphagnum moss is useful in maintaining the layer of soil above it and not seeping down gradually into the pebbles.

Step 3: Gently arrange your plants inside the container and packing the soil firmly around them. Popular plants for terrariums include frittonia (nerve plants) and other non-succulents.

Step 4 (optional): Top up visible soil surfaces with coloured sand or pebbles. To add interest, you may include little figurines or rocks to create a nice little landscape with a story to tell.

Caring for Your Terrarium

Do not have the urge to overwater the plants. Enclosed terrariums usually do not require watering for weeks. But do play by ear. You may give your plants a drink whenever the soil appears to be parched.
Remove leaves that have whithered quickly.
Trim overgrown leaves or repot plants that have outgrown the containers.

t.d.m. Saturday Flea Market

2011-09-10T18:48:00.001+08:00

Much as I've wanted to, I've never set up stall at a flea market... until today. A neighbourhood RC had organised a Saturday flea market held at the void deck and so I decided to give it a go.

The crowd trickled in very slowly and business was pretty lull not only for my stall, but every one else. Nevertheless, it was an interesting experience! Thanks to friends and family who stopped by to lend their support, as well as those who purchased items. >_<

Beads Passion @ Far East Closed

2011-09-10T18:16:00.000+08:00

I was informed that Beads Passion, run by a friendly Chinese expat couple, would be moving out of Far East Plaza recently and therefore had to go and collect back my stuff that had been consigned there. Thus ended my foray into retail @ Orchard... for now at least.

Beads Galore in Shum Shui Po, Hong Kong

2011-01-12T09:42:00.000+08:00

Ah, finally got to check out this place, which I heard is a must-go destination for any avid beader. So during a recent holiday in Hong Kong, I made it a point to stop by Shum Shui Po in between all the other sightseeing and shopping in this exciting Asian city.

The area of Shum Shui Po in Kowloon is famous for the Apliu Street flea markets peddling everything from electronic goods to household knick-knacks, as well as wholesale shops brimming with clothing and fashion accessories. Moreover, those looking to top up their beads stash will go ga-ga at Yu Chau Street/Pei Ho Street, lined with shop after shop selling beads, beads and more beads.

Even if you're not planning to buy, simply peering into the shops will leave you awed by the countless varieties of beads on sale. Entire drawers are filled to the brim with crystals, wooden beads, acrylic baubles and everything in between.

And that's not all; around the corner is another entire street dedicated to buttons and ribbons. I randomly stepped into one shop just to take a look-see, but ended up buying a couple of packets of buttons and what-nots, simply because everything was just so cute!

How to go: Take the MTR train and alight at Sham Shui Po station, Exit A1.

On days when you want something fun & flirty

2010-10-14T15:38:00.001+08:00

Some like it petite and intricate; some like it bold and chunky. We're talking about necklaces here and we know it's all a matter of personal taste. But for an attention-seeker or a gal simply not afraid to flaunt an individual style, nothing says it better than a statement piece of accessory round the neck.

Check out my three new necklace designs here.

New Arrivals this week

2010-09-04T11:27:00.002+08:00

Hi Peeps, lots of new earrings available this week for order online. Check out the one with the absolutely adorable bird charm, and other danglies. I also made a pair of stud earrings, with buttons and pearls - my first foray into something that involved, er, glue on earrings. Happy browsing!
:: Go to earrings catalogue.

Don't forget, more items available for sale at:

t.d.m. goes to Beads Passion

2010-08-30T10:41:00.002+08:00

From one end of Orchard Road to another, I can now say I've had the opportunity to showcase my t.d.m. products on both sides of our premier shopping belt! Lease on my hot box at Totally Hot Stuff at The Cathay will be ending this month, so it was really a good timing that another opportunity at Far East Plaza popped up.

Beads Passion is located at #03-13 Far East Plaza and stocks a good collection of bead supplies, including specially imported quality resin designs from Hong Kong - I was told it's difficult to find these in other beads shops anywhere else in Singapore.

And *drumroll*, you can now find a small collection of Tiny Droplets Murasaki accessories (mainly earrings and necklaces) on sale here.

Incidentally, The Cathay is a grand old dame on Orchard Road, which, after 75 years of contributing to local cinematic history (...and still going strong), has transformed itself into a hip retail mall specialising in upscale indie fashion. Slightly westward on the map, along Scotts Road is another old-time mall that has put on a new image, since the early noughties, as THE place to go for affordable, casual fashion targetting at the Gen Y crowd.

Haven't set foot there in a long while? On your next Orchard Road trip, don't just concentrate on the newer hangouts like ION Orchard, Mandarin Gallery and 313 @ Somerset. Trawl the malls on the fringe too. Rediscover the hidden gems at the other established malls... and if possible, my little corner at Beads Passion @ Far East Plaza! Cheers! :P

Where else you can find t.d.m. products

:: de. laundrette #01-19 Burlington Square (next to Sim Lim Square)

:: Online here at http://www.tinydropletsmurasaki.blogspot.com/, of course

t.d.m. goes to de laundrette

2010-08-20T10:42:00.004+08:00

Some of my items are now on consignment at de.laudrette at Burlington Square (#01-19). It is actually a laundry shop catering mainly to the expatriate community living around the area (there are service apartments in the same building upstairs). But the shop also stocks a selection of handmade women's clothing and scarfs sewn by one of the the shop's owner, plus other pre-owned fashion items (branded and non-branded).

Interestingly, a friendly Caucasian male customer who was sending in his clothing for laundry readily bought one of my necklaces even before we had put them up on display! Talk about a surprise first customer! Thanks, Mister! Hope whoever you're giving the necklace to likes it! :P

AUG Promo: Order online and get free gift

2010-08-05T16:51:00.003+08:00

No time to head down town? Have the accessories you love delivered to your letterbox instead. Here are the one-of-a-kind dangling earrings you can order online here, consolidated from my Earrings page for ease of browsing. Oh, if you're buying two items or more, don't forget to ask about your free gift! Hurry! Whilst stocks last.
:: All at S$10.00 per pair.
:: See how to order (Please check for stock availability)

GSS - Final Reductions

2010-07-17T23:10:00.002+08:00

All earrings are going at a crazy price of $8.90 per pair from now till the end of July. So head down to my hot box at Totally Hot Stuff now. Plus the first person to purchase two items in a single receipt will receive a free gift! How's that to end GSS with a bang? :)))

GSS 2010 Special - 20% off

2010-06-10T10:45:00.002+08:00

All accessories going at 20% off at my hot box at Totally Hot Stuff, including all New Arrivals! Get them now before they fly off the shelf!

Who's gonna get the free gift?

2010-05-10T17:13:00.001+08:00

Apart from new earrings and necklaces being added, now, here's one more reason to check out my hot box at Totally Hot Stuff this week -- I'm giving away a lovely free gift for the first customer to make a purchase above $25! It's an exquisite gift set of frangipani-shaped scented candles, incense and cute elephant-shaped incense holder, bought from Thailand. Perfect for gals into aromatherapy. Go take a look before it's gone!

Puddings, cupcakes and all things nice

2010-04-30T10:50:00.002+08:00

I love baking and I love sewing, so my latest craft project seemed to bring both passions together. I was pleasantly surprised that the faux pudding and cream tartlet made with little scraps of felt cloth turned out to be so yummilicious. They look quite real too, right down to the whipped cream on the pudding and the choco-wafer roll on the strawberry tartlet! I embedded a magnet in each too so they can go up on the fridge or any magnetic surface.

Handsewn Hello Kitty Pouches

2010-04-30T10:39:00.003+08:00

My cousin, Mei, is a huge Hello Kitty fan, just like me. We always show off our latest collection of Hello Kitty goods when we have a chance to meet up at one another's houses. Our other relatives just can't understand our obsession with this cartoon cat with no mouth...

Anyway, the last time Mei laid eyes on a handmade bag that I made using some original Hello Kitty fabric, she went ga-ga. She was fortunate that I had some scraps of the blue fabric left, so that I could sew her a little card case holder (pictured above) from it.

A couple of weeks later, I used the same sewing technique and made myself a rectangular pouch, which turned out to be just the right size for my Hello Kitty notebook! (~_*)

:: Order one for yourself If you'd like to order a handsewn pouch or small bag like what I have above, post a comment and I will get back to you. Fabric and sizes can be customised.

May Highlights

2010-04-29T14:58:00.000+08:00

New necklaces have been added to my accessories hot box at Totally Hot Stuff (Level 2, The Cathay) today. Earrings are still at $9, bracelets are all $15 and necklaces range from $10 - $20.

Summer is near, so load up on t.d.m.'s quirky accessories for a dose of fashion sunshine!

New Arrivals Every Week

2010-04-08T15:29:00.018+08:00

Dear t.d.m. customers, the earrings rack at Totally Hot Stuff (the Cathay) has just been restocked with new items today! I will try to add brand new designs every week, so if you're heading down to this far end of Orchard Road to catch a movie, chill out over the weekend with friends at Plaza Singapura or Po.Mo., or enjoy a cultural fest at the museums - National Museum of Singapore, Singapore Art Museum or Peranakan Museum - nearby, pop by my booth on Level 2 to take a look. You might just find the sparkly accessories too irresistable to miss! And at cheerful prices, they won't be burning a hole in your pocket either!

:: New Arrivals ~ 24 July 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 10 June 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 27 May 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 15 May 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 10 May 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 30 April 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 14 April 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 08 April 2010
:: New Arrivals ~ 01 April 2010

Forest Munchkins

2010-04-05T10:06:00.004+08:00

Hang them on your drawer knobs, use them to accessorise your bags, or however else you wish to - these cute little handmade cotton critters just want you to take them home.

Though they were not meant to be, somehow they kind of resemble that tiny alien furball, CJ7 from Stephen Chow's hit movie of the same name, don't you think?

Approx size of the biggest one (top left hand corner): Length 13cm x height 9cm

$3.00 each

:: How to order

:: View related items

No April Fool's Joke! All earrings selling at $9 this month!

2010-04-01T10:38:00.005+08:00

*Only available at Totally Hot Stuff (The Cathay)

There's no time for a better deal than the month of APRIL!

All Tiny Droplets Murasaki handmade earrings will be selling at $9 per pair at our hot box at Totally Hot Stuff this month.

We have brand new stocks too - delicate little dangling earrings made with Swarovski crystals, faux pearl and more. Check out the vintage-looking Victorian inspired creations too.

Go on down! Check out our hot box @ B13.

Tiny Droplets Murasaki goes to Totally Hot Stuff!

2010-02-27T09:06:00.009+08:00

Tiny Droplets Murasaki has hit the retail store! Come visit us at Totally Hot Stuff (#02-13 The Cathay, Singapore). We're new to the mall concept though, so pardon us while we continue our efforts to improve our display... we're getting there... :)

You'll find the same quirky accessories like those you see here, at the same great prices. But do check back often at our blogshop too for Web-exclusive items. Hope to see you soon!

And for those who want a peek at what our tiny, little booth looks like, here it is. Well, it's a little too crammed for our liking, but the booth is really pretty small... ;)

Che3ky Koalas

2009-10-20T14:29:00.007+08:00

Playhouse Disney's Koala Brothers go around helping others in the Australian Outback, but these three Che3ky Koalas just wanna play! Lovingly hand-sewn from quality fabric with motifs of these cuddly creatures' favourite diet - the eucalyptus leaves - among other fauna, here is a set of cotton-stuffed koalas that'll look just right swinging from doorknobs, Christmas trees or just about anywhere else. They may be triplets but each has a different mouth, just so you know each has its own character. (Height approx. 19cm each)

S$7.50 each. (Props in photo excluded, of course! :P)
:: How to order.

A Basketful of Critters

2009-10-02T14:51:00.004+08:00

I sew most of my own curtains and each time I change new ones, I'm left with metre after metre of cloth that's still too good to ditch in the bin (some do go into the charity bins at the Good As New Thrift Shop at MINDS, Margaret Drive though, but that's another story). This bunch of itty bitty critters were born out of my leftover dark pink IKEA curtains. It was my first foray into making stuffed toys and I was surprised how quickly they got adopted when I offered them to a bunch of cousins... right down to the curious-looking swan (centre right) that my little nephew mistook for a worm. @~@

Anyone interested to purchase something like this? Let me know.

Queen's Haven Purchase-with-Purchase Promo

2009-07-14T15:36:00.009+08:00

THIS PROMOTION HAS ENDED

Tiny Droplets Murasaki (TDM) is offering 25% discount on all jewellery items for Queen's Haven customers.

How it works
Step 1: Order your outfit from Queen’s Haven (http://www.queenhaven.blogspot.com/)
Step 2: Choose your accessories from Tiny Droplets Murasaki
Step 3: Leave a comment on this post, stating item code name and email address so we can contact you to complete your purchase.

Hurry! For a limited time and on first-come-first-served basis only.

Tiny Droplets Murasaki (TDM) will verify with Queen’s Haven on your purchase with them before contacting you to arrange payment. Please note that payment for TDM accessories must be made separately from Queen’s Haven and separate Terms & Conditions apply.

:: Go to Queen's Haven

Another Gift Showcase

2009-06-22T13:57:00.003+08:00

Accessories are such nice personalised gifts to make for family and friends. This latest one is something I made on behalf of my mum for her elderly friend. Though I've never met her, my mum tells me she's one of the most elegant senior citizens she knows. And a real "accessories golden girl" too! =) It all goes to show - age is all but a number!
If you like this item, sorry, it's one-of-a-kind and not for sale. But I have many other designs you can check out.

Yuletide Gifts from the Heart

2008-12-29T11:32:00.004+08:00

* Not for Sale *

A showcase of some of the little trinkets and stuff I made for family and friends for Christmas 2008.

A Present for Kat

2008-12-15T14:22:00.005+08:00

* NOT FOR SALE*

My colleague, Kat, has just returned from her hometown in The Philippines after her wedding ceremony. Although a little belated, we decided to surprise her with a little wedding shower gift. So here's something I made specially for her. This pair of chandelier earrings in bright red hues - one of her fav colours - will certainly set off her beautiful curly tresses.

How to Order on t.d.m.

2008-11-05T17:50:00.003+08:00

If you see an item you like, please click "Comment" for that item and leave me a message, along with your email address. I will get in touch with you to arrange delivery via email. Once payment is received by fund transfer, item will usually be mailed out within 3 working days, unless otherwise agreed.

Pre-Christmas Clearance Sale... NOW ON!

2008-11-04T17:25:00.004+08:00

Enjoy 50% off 2nd item* on all accessories

With barely a page more to flip on your table-top calendar, it can only mean one thing - Christmas is coming! It's the time of the year again to plan your gift list, or start choosing your outfit for that year-end event.

So what better time than now to get you into the mood for shopping! t.d.m. is having a sale on all past seasons' accessories. All items on my blogshop are already very reasonably priced, so you'll be getting a very good deal with the discount!

More importantly, by helping me clear my stock, you can look forward to new items that will be available very soon! >_<

* 50% discount will be given to item of equal or lower price.

New Earrings Available!! **

2008-06-17T11:28:00.006+08:00

Hello friends, yes, it's been a while... To be honest, I've been caught up with so many other things that TDM had taken a back seat for a while. For one, the new Canopy Walk on the Southern Ridges has been rather fascinating, well fascinating enough to make me don that pair of Pumas that has almost gone mouldy from being cooped up too long in the shoe cabinet and go trekking up the hill.

But crowds of sweaty bodies leaving their footprints on a once deserted hill certainly takes some getting used too. And the unbearable heat and humidity really reminds that the Singapore Summer is here!

Time to pull out all those tank tops, shorts and flip flops, gals! And check out the three new pairs of Tiny Droplets Murasaki earrings in bright sunny colours to add a dash of summer to your outfits!

My Personal Collection Showcase 2

2008-04-17T09:26:00.003+08:00

Multi-tasking comes in many forms. For me, I'd sometimes take out my beading materials and start making something while watching TV at the same time. Here's a necklace (left) and a bracelet (right) that resulted from one of my multi-tasking days... Both were made from leftover beads and chain I had from here and there. Look a little mismatched at first glance, but they kinda all come together pretty nicely, don't you think?

Little Bo-Peep's Lost Sheep

2008-02-12T10:33:00.000+08:00

"Little Bo-Peep has lost her sheep..." goes the nursery rhyme.

Sometimes I wonder if we're more like Little Bo-Peep or the sheep. Everyday, we get so caught up in doing stuff until we not only tire ourselves out, we also end up losing our direction like little lost sheep.

All the recent CNY spring cleaning got me down. I felt like I was racing against time to make my house spick & span - wiping & dusting, scrubbing the floors, washing cushion covers, making new curtains - and all in a rush to finish before the clock struck twelve on 大年初一. Why? Just because it's a tradition to clean one's house before the new year?

But then again, just like every other situation we come across in life, there's always a reason for it. There'll come a day when we look back and realise, "Okay, so that's why that happened," or "Now I know..."

If not for the CNY season, I would not have noticed that those curtains fluttering with the wind have actually got all black and dirty; nor that giving that wall a new lighter shade of colour really made the room look more spacious. At least after all that madcap cleaning, I take comfort that my living environments are a little bit more germ-free. And when the nest is nice and cosy, the little sheep will look forward to coming home.

Just like Little Bo-Peep's sheep:
"... Leave them alone, And they'll come home, Wagging their tails behind them."

This pendant that I did a couple of days ago somehow evokes this philosophy. It's probably the most complicated pendant I've ever attempted. Made with silver wire twined around randomly, Little Bo-Peep stands, looking a little lost, amidst a web of crystal and glass beads; with a finishing touch of a royal blue ribbon that looks just like the one on Little Bo-Peep's staff.

An irresistible offer for t.d.m. customers!

2008-01-10T14:17:00.004+08:00

*ALL SOLD OUT *

Here's a little secret weapon I'd like to share with all you gals out there... the K-Palette Eyeliner. This little black wand of an eyeliner from Japan is definitely a must-have for creating that smoky, almost gothic look. A little light touch goes all the way to make your peepers pop!

I've tried it myself and I love the way it glides on easily and stays on the whole day.

It retails for $18.90 at Watson's Stores in Singapore, but I have six brand new packs for sale here at t.d.m. at a very, very special price! Simply purchase any accessory item (no price restriction) and you can get the 1 Day Eye Tattoo Eyeliner at just $5!!! Yes, for real! :)

Christmas is a Time to Love

2007-12-10T11:20:00.000+08:00

Countdown... it's only 15 days away to Christmas - my most favourite time of the year. Not only is it a time to reflect on God's love for mankind by sending his only begotten son down to earth to be born in a lowly manger, it's also a time to spread a little yuletide cheer among loved ones.

Here's an antique jewelled necklace that I made for my dear cousin J as her Christmas pressie. She loves understated colours like blacks and browns, so I think this long necklace with a black stone, brown crystals and tassles will suit her perfectly. Hope she'll love it! *_^

Check out my store items if you too, would like to get something special for your loved one this Christmas.

Personal Collection Showcase (I)

2007-11-21T22:02:00.001+08:00

Introducing my personal collection... here are some of the bracelets I have done. If you like what you see, look out for new bracelet designs available for order SOON! まってね!!

To everything there's a new beginning.

2007-11-03T09:57:00.000+08:00

Finally, finally... I've finally gotten down to start my small little online beads store, hopefully to showcase my budding collection of self-made accessories.

For the longest time, I've been dabbling in simple beading projects, but the final pieces were few and far between. It was only recently that I started trawling the bead shops around town and picking up packets and packets of this and that before going home excitedly to work on my ideas.

I simply love accessorising. My style is always a little quirky, a bit eclectic.

But it has come to a point when I know there's just so many necklaces I can wear, even if I pile a couple of them on at one time! That's why I decided to make this little hobby a self-funding one for the prospect of more hours of stringing and wiring t0 come.

I may not be the most experienced beader around, but I hope you'll find my pieces things you'd love to have for yourselves or for another loved one as well.

Pardon me as I may take a bit of time to stock up my store. Do check back often and you'll be sure to find something new.

Cheers to a tiny new beginning!