Where To Start???
The first thing you need to remember is - just because you thought of it does not mean it will be a winner. Making money from your hobby or craft is more of a lifestyle than a viable income source for most people. That is because most people enjoy crafting (sporadically) rather than dedicating the majority of their week to cranking out items for sale and end up having to market them as well.
First , you need to test the waters. Go to some craft shows and see what people are selling. Go early and stay awhile then go back near the end and see who is still hanging out. Check them out carefully to see if they are packing up a lot of merchandise or if they have a significantly smaller inventory than what they came with. Flea markets are good for this as well.
Second , check out things of interest to you on the internet as well as what is "hot". If what you want to sell is not in demand you may need to modify either your urge to become your own boss or change what you are willing to make &/or sell (just because you want to sell it does not mean there is a large market for your item). -- Here I speak from experience. You have to remember that what you are selling today, this week, this month or this year may not or more likely will not be popular the next week, month or year from now. Another point of concern is you can't make just one of an item unless you are making high-end, high cost items that do not necessarily turn over very fast (which is not good if you are trying to establish income from your 'handiwork'.
Third , you have to be willing to dedicate your time to it as if it were your full time job. Even if you are working full time and trying to get started. Making money from something you create means you are the factory, salesperson and CEO. I do not want to discourage you, rather to get you prepared for what is to come.
I sold my crafts for years on e-bay but only as a hobby or in-between jobs. I also sometimes sold my crafts at school and park craft shows. Each one has their own flavor and clientele base. If you are blessed with children that are interested in making the same types of things, there are things they can do to help, but in the grand scheme of things you are also quality control. Give them jobs they can do without having to denigrate their efforts.
Fourth (& final), life is supposed to have flavor, challenges, hardships, fun, and sometimes failure. If you take the flavor and taste it for yourself, seek the challenges, ride out the hardships, laugh, love and sometimes fall down, but always get up then you will gain so much more than the knowledge of life. You will take the essence into yourself and send it right back to others.
So, You Are Still Ready To Proceed?
Ok, so, you want to do it anyway, sucker! No really, I applaud you in your effort.
Your options are varied.
1. If you want to target craft shows: You should set up a schedule of small goals to accomplish prior to the date you need to show your wares. Everything you want to sell must be made prior to arriving at the craft show/fair. (Remember that you may/will not sell everything that day.)
As you attend more and more shows you will see what is in demand, what sells well on a regular basis and what is not selling well at all. You should always cater to what is popular while still remaining true to your inspiration. In other words, if you don't like making it don't chose to sell it, even if it is a money maker. You don't want to get yourself away from the job you don't love now just to get yourself into a situation you can't fire yourself from! You will keep telling yourself it is for the money. However, nothing in life is worth torture if you can't enjoy your life. If you end up eating spaghetti more often than not but are comfortable and satisfied, isn't that better than eating Fillet Mignon but dealing with a stomach ulcer?
2. If you want to target internet sales, make sure you are aware of the variables. Lets say you make an item that is all of a sudden very popular. You need to make sure you have a good source of supply (stuff you use to make your crafts) and keep yourself supplied, or set a cap on stock so that once it is gone it is no longer available.
What I used to do is make something and have enough supply to make a few more (say 5-10) of that item. If it sold quickly I could refill my supplies and make more. Usually if you say you will ship within 2 business days make sure you have enough time to make the quantity you are offering and get it shipped out. Also remember you are not offering one item only. Make sure you don't overlap item production. This means that if it takes 4 hours to make 5 total of one item and 2 hours to make 5 total of another item and you need to make 4 different variations of it that is 12 total man hours. So, don't list the entire quantity as in stock & as ships in 24 hours. If the best happens and they all sell all of a sudden, guess what? You are staying up with your friend, 'Monster', and working your hinney off to get them ready to ship! That is what the CEO does, make sure the production is accomplished. Guess what? you are the CEO, Head of Production, and Factory Staff!
If, however, your items did not sell quickly, leave them in inventory and promote them later or stop them and featured them as 'close out items' at a later date. You can always set up an auction for quick sale as limited quantity 'buy it now' items. Usually you can pay one auction fee for an individual item or multiples of the same type of item (showing variations) so why not offer them all for the one low fee?
p.s. auction fees are a 'cost of business' which is deductible on your income taxes. Having to sell something at a reduced price is a 'business loss'. Do you see where I am going here? Don't worry about how much you are losing now if it will lower your taxes at the end of the year. **Remember that I am referring to filing long form, Schedule C, not a short form. Even if it is classified as a hobby you cannot file 1040A or EZ. Definitely speak to your tax professional and keep all your records on external hard drive. You can always print them out if needed.
Let's Wrap This Up!
Ok, as the title says, "Let's wrap this up!"
Make lists! Take notes! Write down your goals!
Make an outline of what you want to do and when. Forecast a budget. It will not be accurate, but can easily be revised and help you with achieving your goals. Get a journal or start an Excel spread sheet. List all your income in one column and all your expenditures in another column.
Take a hint from someone who has been in the trenches. If you don't know how much money you have or don't have you will soon feel discouraged. Highlight anything that can be deductible. This will help you see how having to sell something at cost or a loss now is not always a bad thing at the end of the year. (Show yourself the full selling price, the sold at price and the difference as business loss) Don't get lazy, keep those records up to date! No matter how awesome your memory is, once you start to multi-task on a daily basis you will not remember what that receipt in your coat pocket was for unless you record it the same day! Your enemies are stress and lack of sleep. Take time every day to do something with your family or for yourself if you are by yourself. Absolute satisfaction is the key to your happiness!
Monday, February 27, 2012
How to Start a Home Design Studio or Craft Room
If you own a business that designs, creates, and sells handmade items from your home, or even if you just love to put your hands and mind to work, it is likely that you need a studio that intrigues your imagination, inspires you to create, sets your mental gears turning, and provides a tidy and accessible craft space for working. The photos and suggestions below will get you thinking and dreaming about starting your own home design studio.
Fancy Craft Workspaces
Most important is that you fill your space with things you love. Cut out scraps of fabric that inspire you, newspaper clippings or color swatches that caught your eye; save photographs, postcards, antique advertisements, nameplates, greeting cards, bits of texture from your garden. Have a bulletin board or two at eye level that will give you plenty of eye candy when your ideas run low. These bits of paper and string put together by Design Sponge would inspire me; what about you?
Surrounded by Flights of Fancy...
Organize Your Craft Space
The most functional design spaces are usually stacked floor-to-ceiling, on at least one wall, with shelves of supplies. Two or three small boxes can usually fit on a shelf, and can be slid out easily to get to the contents. Supplies that you use more frequently should be at arm's length or in drawers near your working space. Spools of threads, ribbons, or wires can be placed on a peg board on the wall nearest your work table, and tools such as scissors, pens, and knives can stand up in a small container. The design studio for PinkLovesBrown paper goods and fine items is a great example of an organized storage space and inspiring design studio in one!
My favorite kind of work space involves lots of sunlight, and plenty of lamps for when it gets dark. There is occasionally something inspiring about a dim atmosphere, but as for working with colors and textures and details, natural light is the best thing that can come into your craft space! Don't ruin your eyes for the sake of creativity. Pull back those curtains, let in the sunlight, and you can be sure your designs will look their best in any lighting.
Another advantage to having a window near your workspace is the view outside. Whether you live in a woodland or a city, you will appreciate a look out the window now and then to get fresh ideas from what you observe of the great outdoors. The Bark Design work studio by the Bark Design Architects combines the best of the work environment with the best of the outdoors: plenty of natural light, views of the coast, and the workroom itself elevated amongst the treetops. How would you like to work in a place like this?
Create Your Own Design Studio in an Abandoned Chocolate Factory!
An art studio can appear out of the strangest places! Helen Rawlinson, who designs and creates textiles for home decoration use, has found the perfect place for her studio: an abandoned chocolate factory in London! Built in the Victorian era, this building was bought recently by another designer, then rented out to specific crafters like Helen. She has each wall piled high with shelves and products, little toys underfoot from her son, and when she needs a break, she takes a few steps out into a cobblestone courtyard surrounded by potted plants. It sounds idyllic, doesn't it?
Your Craft Table and Chair
A clutter-free table is a must for all crafters, because the clutter only increases as you work --which it should! As a wise man said, "Where no oxen are, the trough is clean, but much increase comes through the strength of the ox." Your clutter should be your increase, not your demise. Choose a desk or table that offers you plenty of space without crowding your hands or the square footage of your room. You need to be able to move around freely from supply shelves to workspace without bumping into corners of tables or cabinets. A great way to have add-on desk space is to attach slide-out extensions to one or both sides of your desk or table. You can easily adjust the surface area of your desk according to your needs.
Decide if would rather work standing up or sitting down. John Adams nearly always composed his documents and letters while standing up, and he had to have a special desk tall enough for him to write while standing. Now many people have admitted they work better while standing (or even pacing), and there are several desks and counters for the stander/pacers. If you prefer to sit, consider getting a stool or an exercise ball to improve your posture and strengthen your back. Your chair should be high enough to let your forearm rest on the desk without overextending it or crunching it in to your side. You should also be able to keep both feet flat on the floor or foot bar of your stool or desk.
Fancy Craft Workspaces
Most important is that you fill your space with things you love. Cut out scraps of fabric that inspire you, newspaper clippings or color swatches that caught your eye; save photographs, postcards, antique advertisements, nameplates, greeting cards, bits of texture from your garden. Have a bulletin board or two at eye level that will give you plenty of eye candy when your ideas run low. These bits of paper and string put together by Design Sponge would inspire me; what about you?
Surrounded by Flights of Fancy...
Organize Your Craft Space
The most functional design spaces are usually stacked floor-to-ceiling, on at least one wall, with shelves of supplies. Two or three small boxes can usually fit on a shelf, and can be slid out easily to get to the contents. Supplies that you use more frequently should be at arm's length or in drawers near your working space. Spools of threads, ribbons, or wires can be placed on a peg board on the wall nearest your work table, and tools such as scissors, pens, and knives can stand up in a small container. The design studio for PinkLovesBrown paper goods and fine items is a great example of an organized storage space and inspiring design studio in one!
My favorite kind of work space involves lots of sunlight, and plenty of lamps for when it gets dark. There is occasionally something inspiring about a dim atmosphere, but as for working with colors and textures and details, natural light is the best thing that can come into your craft space! Don't ruin your eyes for the sake of creativity. Pull back those curtains, let in the sunlight, and you can be sure your designs will look their best in any lighting.
Another advantage to having a window near your workspace is the view outside. Whether you live in a woodland or a city, you will appreciate a look out the window now and then to get fresh ideas from what you observe of the great outdoors. The Bark Design work studio by the Bark Design Architects combines the best of the work environment with the best of the outdoors: plenty of natural light, views of the coast, and the workroom itself elevated amongst the treetops. How would you like to work in a place like this?
Create Your Own Design Studio in an Abandoned Chocolate Factory!
An art studio can appear out of the strangest places! Helen Rawlinson, who designs and creates textiles for home decoration use, has found the perfect place for her studio: an abandoned chocolate factory in London! Built in the Victorian era, this building was bought recently by another designer, then rented out to specific crafters like Helen. She has each wall piled high with shelves and products, little toys underfoot from her son, and when she needs a break, she takes a few steps out into a cobblestone courtyard surrounded by potted plants. It sounds idyllic, doesn't it?
Your Craft Table and Chair
A clutter-free table is a must for all crafters, because the clutter only increases as you work --which it should! As a wise man said, "Where no oxen are, the trough is clean, but much increase comes through the strength of the ox." Your clutter should be your increase, not your demise. Choose a desk or table that offers you plenty of space without crowding your hands or the square footage of your room. You need to be able to move around freely from supply shelves to workspace without bumping into corners of tables or cabinets. A great way to have add-on desk space is to attach slide-out extensions to one or both sides of your desk or table. You can easily adjust the surface area of your desk according to your needs.
Decide if would rather work standing up or sitting down. John Adams nearly always composed his documents and letters while standing up, and he had to have a special desk tall enough for him to write while standing. Now many people have admitted they work better while standing (or even pacing), and there are several desks and counters for the stander/pacers. If you prefer to sit, consider getting a stool or an exercise ball to improve your posture and strengthen your back. Your chair should be high enough to let your forearm rest on the desk without overextending it or crunching it in to your side. You should also be able to keep both feet flat on the floor or foot bar of your stool or desk.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Fragrance your home the natural way
Today, aromatherpist, Louise Green of Vital Aromatherapy talks to us about how to fragrance your home the natural way.
Most people like to fragrance their homes in some way. Commercial air freshener aerosols, plug-ins and scented paraffin candles are commonly used. These are generally made with synthetic fragrances that mask unwanted odours but can be toxic to our lungs and the environment when used on a regular basis. There is a natural alternative that is effective, affordable, beneficial and creative. You can make your own Aromatherapy home fragrance solutions using Essential Oils!
1. Use a tea-light burner or an electric diffuser
Use up to ten drops of a single essential oil or a blend in the burner or diffuser
* Romantic blend: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Jasmine and Orange
* Sleep blend: Roman Chamomile, Mandarin, Lavender, Vetiver
* De-stress blend: Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender
2. Make your own spritzers. You can use these as room sprays or as linen mists
Room sprays will need approximately 2-3% of essential oil to the base water and linen sprays approximately 1%. I use floral waters, also known as hydrolats, but you can use Spring Water.
Simply add the required amount of essential oil to the hydrolat, bottle in a suitable container with an atomiser, and then shake and spritz every time you use it.
Lemon-balm water with essential oils of Lemongrass and Rosemary clears unwanted smells
Rose Water with a few drops of Rose and Jasmine Absolutes or Geranium essential can be used to delicately fragrance your underwear or you can wear it as a natural perfume.
3. Make Lavender bags to fragrance your drawers or airing cupboard
You can make simple cotton rectangular bags secured with ribbon, hearts to hang or simply fill a pretty organza bag. Save Lavender when you cut it back at the end of the summer, dry it and strip or cut off the petals. Keep in an air tight container until you are ready to make the bags. You could make bags or pouches with other natural materials such as hops or wheat and fragrance the "stuffing" with essential oil. Cedarwood is traditional for keeping moths at bay.
4. Make a natural and contemporary pot pourri with any dried flowers, leaves, fruits, cones, spices etc and fragranced according to the seasons
Use a beautiful bowl to present the pot pourri or make cones for a lovely gift. You will need some Orris root as a fixative and essential oils for the aroma. Geranium, Rose, Lavender and Lemon essential oils would make a beautiful blend for Spring.
5. Make your own fragranced beeswax furniture polish
Make polish with beeswax, pure turpentine and carnauba wax. Add any essential oils you like to the polish base once it has cooled a little, before pouring into your container. Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Pine, Lavender and Cedarwood all smell fantastic in polish or you can make a blend that you love. The polish fragrances the wood, and the aroma will linger in the air every time you use it.
6. Make your own Aromatherapy soy candles with Essential Oils
1. Use sturdy glasses, pretty hexagonal jam jars, vintage tea cups or other suitable container.
2. Measure how much water the container will take leaving approximately 1cm at the top. This is how many ml/g of wax you will need.
3. Weigh out soy wax and melt it in a heat proof jug using a microwave or over a bain-marie.
4. Using a suitable wick for the diameter of the container you are making, glue the wick sustainer to the bottom of the container and centre it with a wick holder, using masking tape to keep the holder in place if necessary.
5. Cool your soy wax before adding essential oils; check with the supplier as to the correct temperature but it will often need cooling at room temperature for about half an hour or till the wax is on the verge of turning slushy and opaque.
6. Add approximately 3% volume of essential oils to wax with a pipette and stir well before carefully pouring the wax into the container.
7. Allow to set until completely solid. Remove the wick holder and trim the wick to about 1cm. Allow to rest for 24 hours before lighting. After the first burn keep the wick trimmed at 0.5cm for optimum burning.
You can use any essential oils but some do seem to hold their fragrance in candles more than others. Anything that smells very intense like Patchouli, Geranium or Lemongrass will work well in a candle and can be blended with lighter oils such as Lavender, Sweet Orange or Grapefruit. You can use Citronella or lemon Eucalyptus oil to http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3765535675833442775#make a candle to keep biting insects at bay.
Most people like to fragrance their homes in some way. Commercial air freshener aerosols, plug-ins and scented paraffin candles are commonly used. These are generally made with synthetic fragrances that mask unwanted odours but can be toxic to our lungs and the environment when used on a regular basis. There is a natural alternative that is effective, affordable, beneficial and creative. You can make your own Aromatherapy home fragrance solutions using Essential Oils!
1. Use a tea-light burner or an electric diffuser
Use up to ten drops of a single essential oil or a blend in the burner or diffuser
* Romantic blend: Sandalwood, Patchouli, Jasmine and Orange
* Sleep blend: Roman Chamomile, Mandarin, Lavender, Vetiver
* De-stress blend: Bergamot, Frankincense, Geranium, Lavender
2. Make your own spritzers. You can use these as room sprays or as linen mists
Room sprays will need approximately 2-3% of essential oil to the base water and linen sprays approximately 1%. I use floral waters, also known as hydrolats, but you can use Spring Water.
Simply add the required amount of essential oil to the hydrolat, bottle in a suitable container with an atomiser, and then shake and spritz every time you use it.
Lemon-balm water with essential oils of Lemongrass and Rosemary clears unwanted smells
Rose Water with a few drops of Rose and Jasmine Absolutes or Geranium essential can be used to delicately fragrance your underwear or you can wear it as a natural perfume.
3. Make Lavender bags to fragrance your drawers or airing cupboard
You can make simple cotton rectangular bags secured with ribbon, hearts to hang or simply fill a pretty organza bag. Save Lavender when you cut it back at the end of the summer, dry it and strip or cut off the petals. Keep in an air tight container until you are ready to make the bags. You could make bags or pouches with other natural materials such as hops or wheat and fragrance the "stuffing" with essential oil. Cedarwood is traditional for keeping moths at bay.
4. Make a natural and contemporary pot pourri with any dried flowers, leaves, fruits, cones, spices etc and fragranced according to the seasons
Use a beautiful bowl to present the pot pourri or make cones for a lovely gift. You will need some Orris root as a fixative and essential oils for the aroma. Geranium, Rose, Lavender and Lemon essential oils would make a beautiful blend for Spring.
5. Make your own fragranced beeswax furniture polish
Make polish with beeswax, pure turpentine and carnauba wax. Add any essential oils you like to the polish base once it has cooled a little, before pouring into your container. Sweet Orange, Patchouli, Pine, Lavender and Cedarwood all smell fantastic in polish or you can make a blend that you love. The polish fragrances the wood, and the aroma will linger in the air every time you use it.
6. Make your own Aromatherapy soy candles with Essential Oils
1. Use sturdy glasses, pretty hexagonal jam jars, vintage tea cups or other suitable container.
2. Measure how much water the container will take leaving approximately 1cm at the top. This is how many ml/g of wax you will need.
3. Weigh out soy wax and melt it in a heat proof jug using a microwave or over a bain-marie.
4. Using a suitable wick for the diameter of the container you are making, glue the wick sustainer to the bottom of the container and centre it with a wick holder, using masking tape to keep the holder in place if necessary.
5. Cool your soy wax before adding essential oils; check with the supplier as to the correct temperature but it will often need cooling at room temperature for about half an hour or till the wax is on the verge of turning slushy and opaque.
6. Add approximately 3% volume of essential oils to wax with a pipette and stir well before carefully pouring the wax into the container.
7. Allow to set until completely solid. Remove the wick holder and trim the wick to about 1cm. Allow to rest for 24 hours before lighting. After the first burn keep the wick trimmed at 0.5cm for optimum burning.
You can use any essential oils but some do seem to hold their fragrance in candles more than others. Anything that smells very intense like Patchouli, Geranium or Lemongrass will work well in a candle and can be blended with lighter oils such as Lavender, Sweet Orange or Grapefruit. You can use Citronella or lemon Eucalyptus oil to http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=3765535675833442775#make a candle to keep biting insects at bay.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
邀您搭手工藝術列車 卡卡市集廟會獻創意
來自中馬的25個手工藝術隊伍已經趕工製作新年為主題的各類藝術品，並於本月14日及15日晚帶到檳城中路及北海斗母宮；不管是用的或是穿的，所有的作品絕對讓您愛不擇手，包您恨不得要通通搬回家。
卡卡手創藝術市集負責人林彥杉（Tuna）說，人味與創意是一般商品最缺乏的元素，該市集匯聚文化、美術、音樂、手工、表演藝術等領域的藝術工作者，北上為大家呈獻作品，大家都滿心期待這25個熱愛藝術的青年攤主給廟會帶來的驚喜。
“這個市集主要是想讓本地手作人有個平台，也讓本地人多了解手作藝術的意義。此外，也會把街頭表演藝術放在這個市集上，讓表演工作者有個展現的平台。”
不僅如此，還以“手工做的用品，多了一股人味，手工做的飾物，多了一股創意”為自我鼓勵的格言。
卡卡手創藝術市集的各類手工作品，全由攤主們親手製作，包括飾品、娃娃、包包、筆記本、首飾、插畫明信片、攝影作品、陶瓷、卡片、恤衫等。現場也可以體驗陶土拉坯，動手做出自己獨一無二的陶杯、陶碗等作品。
值得一提的是，卡卡藝術市集鼓勵全民動手做，回歸自然的生活形態，因此市集現場也有售賣製作手工品的材料，如花布、粘土、軟陶、吊墜、繩線、手工雜貨等，更有多種選擇的造型材料包，民眾可以買回家根據教材學習製作，現場也有提供製作教學和詢問等。
喜歡手工品的朋友，想要搶先獲知更多詳情，也可先瀏覽www.facebook.com/kakaartmarket。
藝術家發揮創意平台
卡卡手創藝術市集結合文化、美術、攝影、陶瓷、表演藝術、音樂、藝術交流等於一屋簷下，每月固定召集各地手工藝術家，於吉隆坡半山芭邵氏廣場為手工藝術者提供平台，也讓民眾一賭藝術作品。
每月不同主題的市集都吸引許多民眾參與，熱愛藝術的北馬朋友也會因為這個市集而特地赴會，如今本報邀得市集北上，絕對是引頸長盼的北馬朋友的好消息。
卡卡手創藝術市集以年輕、創意及獨特性為市集切入點，打造新文創市場的展銷平台，創作分享與藝術交流的新據點，讓本土藝術家、創作人展示作品，亦為藝術與企業間搭建橋樑。市集的成立，也為年輕朋友提供了不少的機會。
卡卡藝術市集是個講究主題性質的市集，例如過去的8月是“馬戲團”，9月“田園風情”，10月“搖滾Kaki”，11月“西部牛仔”及12月“我的聖誕襪”。來到1月份，當然是“新年快樂”才夠應景，風格獨樹一幟，看起來又時尚創新，有夠“夯”。
新年穿新衣，如果您打算購買一些富有文化氣息卻又不俗氣的上衣穿過年，不妨到廟會逛一圈， 各種不同設計的“衣福”，說不定會給您帶來意外驚喜。
“衣福”備有各種不同的設計及尺寸，且價錢合理，男女老少都適穿，喜歡的話，還是可以多購買幾件，一家大小家庭裝齊過年。
Monday, May 9, 2011
曾德榮縫製娃娃起家‧Dooodolls布偶打进國際
1. 在白紙上打草稿，畫出玩偶輪廓和眼睛。
2. 白色不織布根據草稿剪出娃娃前後的身體輪廓，先剪一面再照著修剪出另一面；紅色不織布修剪出一個迷你心形。
3. 以黑色棉線縫上“米”字形眼睛。（圖：光明日報）
4. 把紅色心形不織布以粉紅色棉線從中縫在白色不織布上。
5. 將娃娃的雙面布以收邊縫法，密密地縫在一起。
6. 在頭頂處把紅絲帶一起縫上，最後在腋下留個小開口。
7. 用筆將棉花弄勻撥鬆，塞入玩偶的開口內，使其呈現鼓起狀，然後再慢慢收口，可邊收邊加入棉花，防止爆棉。
曾德榮與合伙人周愷昕（左）在工作室裡專注工作並盡情歡笑。
21世紀是一個創意至上的時代，只要具有夠創新夠出位的概念和想法，隨時能揮灑出一片無限寬大的“潮”天地。
是這樣的時代，誕生這樣的男子，雖過了而立之年卻仍陶醉在玩偶世界裡，從親手縫製娃娃，到成功構建Dooodolls這個銷售網遍佈全球的玩偶品牌，曾德榮以創意包裝赤子之心，建構了他夢想中的奇幻布偶世界。
一個年過30歲仍然在玩絨毛布偶的男人，說得好聽是童心未泯，實際上可能是受人訕笑的對象，尤其是在民風相對保守的馬來西亞。
因此，身為道地大馬人的平面設計師曾德榮（Darren），如今的Dooodolls創意主管、設計師與創辦人，他以娃娃起家的成功事跡絕對稱得上是奇葩。
在創造Dooodolls之前，曾德榮只是一個愛看卡通，熱愛畫畫的年輕人，腦子裡充斥著天馬行空、稀奇古怪的想法，並且極度嚮往美麗事物。他在完成學院課程後，進入廣告公司擔任平面設計師，凡是設計人物、玩具、出版品，他都涉獵其中。
每日重複做著與設計相關的繁重工作，但他內心深處始終有一塊淨地，保留給他所嚮往的那個奇幻世界。
靈感記錄繪圖本上
“忘了從幾歲開始，我就養成了把繪圖本帶在身上，偶爾靈感來了就把浮現在腦海中人物角色、故事情節和圖樣，全數塗鴉般記錄在隨身繪圖本上，這樣的抒發有助於舒緩我的工作壓力。這樣持續地畫素描、繪圖了十年餘，我開始思考，為甚麼不把它帶到真實的世界呢？”
於是，一個本來夢想著要當瑜伽導師的平面設計師，以針線開啟了截然不同的人生風景，一個奇幻的玩偶世界，亦打開了一扇向著全世界的通道。
為創意學縫紉技術
“創意，其實就是做自己所想的東西。只有做你所相信的，才能看見一個清晰的未來。”
為了讓繪圖本上的角色現形，他憑一股熱情與執著，在2003年開始，以他當時笨拙無比的縫紉技術，開始學習手工縫製娃娃。
“一開始，我不懂得針織，甚麼都要請教別人，我的第一個成品，是用家裡的舊被單和布碎，在一知半解的情況下拼湊出來的粉紅布碎小黑貓。”
接著，他如同上癮般地將所有工餘時間，統統投注在縫製玩偶上，通過勤勞的練習與不斷的嘗試，加上他與生俱來的畫畫天份，在他手裡的玩偶素質和數量開始節節上升。每一個娃娃都是獨一無二的創作，他把它們當禮物送予家人和朋友。
誰知這無心插柳所設計出來的小玩偶，居然引起了轟動，他們不但對他所設計的玩偶愛不釋手，甚至還提出各種要求，想要特別訂做不同顏色和質料的大小玩偶。
出乎意料的正面評價，讓他決定再跨前一步，製作更多款式的玩偶，在假日時擺出來售賣，也都深獲好評。隨著訂單如雪片般飛來，讓當時還身兼平面設計師正職的曾德榮十分吃力，他回憶說，當時幾乎都在利用睡眠時間來縫製玩偶，身體雖然累，精神卻因為獲得大眾的肯定而十分滿足。
雖然忙得透不過氣來，源源不絕的訂單卻宣告了玩偶市場大有可為的訊息，讓他萌起把這獨特的設計投入銷售市場的念頭。
3人行一起創業
藝術天份洋溢的曾德榮，想當然不是個擅於經營之道的商人，雖然他有概念和作品，卻不知道該如何廣泛推銷自己的作品。
幸運的是，他結識了周愷昕與王漢偉，偶然間談起發展玩偶事業，3人一拍即合，決定以獨門創意玩偶當作創業的根基。
在一片反對的聲浪中，Dooodolls Design有限公司於2004年成立。Dooodolls團隊在3人的攜手分工下，由曾德榮負責創意設計與開發，另兩人著手市場推廣及負責公司的運作。
忍痛銷毀粗製濫造產品
興趣是成就企業的最大原動力，但是要將嗜好變成事業，卻不是單憑一時的熱情就可持續發展的，少一點運氣或詳盡的規劃都不行。
在創業初期，他們曾付出慘痛代價，因所托非人，他們把中國廠商粗製濫造，一大批貨不對辦的玩偶全數銷毀，重新在東南亞一帶尋找廠商，蒙受損失的不僅是金額，還有剛建立起來的信譽。
“當時公司一度陷入低潮，回頭想想，其實我們應該謝謝這家廠商，它讓我們上了寶貴的一課，提醒我們在往後的營運中，須親自監察品管這一塊，絕不假手於人。”
玩偶靈感全源自身邊人
曾德榮所創的Dooodolls玩偶靈感全都源自身邊的人，每一個都具有與眾不同的性格。
在Dooodolls的奇幻世界裡，每個娃娃的樣子都被設計成不同的外形，擁有各自的名字和能力，如會催眠的布林奇、幫人配對的邱比多、武功高強的忍者、讓植物開花結果的米西邁西、擅長讀心術的陽光孩兒、引人發笑的蛙哈哈、助人實現夢想的福氣…… 還有其餘能力各異的嘟多娃娃。
儘管如此，他們都是可愛好玩的小朋友，在他們的世界裡並沒有所謂的誰勝誰負，大家都是平等地生活，偶爾發生一些並不影響感情的小風波。
Dooodolls由一開始的12個成員，陸續增加到今日的近30名，每一個Dooodolls，都是重視細節，品質優良的手工縫製品。至今他們仍在在不斷構思新特點，以便繼續壯大Dooodolls的家庭。
盼Dooodolls拍成卡通節目
從一個2.5寸大的絨毛玩具鑰匙圈開始，曾德榮與他的Dooodolls團隊一路披荊斬棘，到如今推出巨型絨毛玩偶、T恤與系列周邊商品，並且在英國、韓國、台灣、中國上海、泰國、挪威、智利、丹麥、加拿大、美國、墨西哥、俄羅斯、土耳其，與新加坡皆設立了銷售專柜，足跡跨越歐洲、亞洲、南北美洲。不過短短6年時間，創下的輝煌成績令人刮目相看。
儘管現在Dooodolls的支持者遍佈世界各地，從12歲至50歲的人都有，這項成就距離曾德榮的終極目標卻還有一段距離。
“希望有一天能有Dooodolls的卡通節目，甚至成為一種註冊商標，像Hello Kitty那樣，為全世界人們所熟悉，變成生活中的一部份。”
不管日後走得再遠，他始終都會記得當他首次把手工縫製的Dooodolls送予人們時，他們笑得無比燦爛的快樂模樣，那是他在這條路上堅持下去的最大動力。
Dooodolls“邱比多”縫一縫
材料：不織布（白色與紅色）、棉花（深酯纖維）、粗棉線（粉紅色與黑色）、紅色絲帶
工具：剪刀、針、白紙、筆
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
.jpg)