Article from The New Paper on Sunday – 16 Jan 2011
Madam Piong Liong Moy, 66, and her husband Mr Liang Tan Yen, 67, are among those keeping the art of Chinese New Year ornament-making alive. The couple, who run a shop selling handmade Chinese New Year craft, have been making them the old-fashioned way for the last 30 years.
In their shop at Block 328, Clementi Ave 2, intricate hongbao lanterns hand on a wall and hongbao hand-made bags, silk flowers and orange trees sit on the cabinets beneath.
RARE
“These are traditional items, which are very hard to find nowadays. Now, most of them are ready-made,: said Madam Piong in Mandarin. “There used to be many shops like ours in the 1970s, but it is not common now because of the high rent.”
After the 15th day of Chinese New Year, the shop reverts to teaching and selling other handicrafts such as beaded handbags and woolly dogs.
This year, the shop has specially designed a golden money tree. Its trunk and branches are made by twisting golden wires and real $1 coins hang from the branches. The tree has 288 leaves – an auspicious number – and is sold for $188. At least 20 handmade decorations or kits are sold each day during this period. A number of customers also buy materials.
Ms Felicia Ang 40, a part-time property agent, visits the shop regularly and makes at least two hangbao lanterns each year. She is now addicted to hand0crafting items after learning from Madam Piong. “I have made handbags, goldfish and umberllas. I have ordered the materials to make a tree. I have made the oranges and am going to hang them on the tree when it is done,” she said.
And the couple are happy to teach customers how to do this for free. For Madam Piong, it is not about making money. She does it for her passion. “It is something to keep us occupied in our old age.” she said.
For more infomation, you can also read the link below:-
http://news.asiaone.com/News/The%2BNew%2BPaper/Story/A1Story20110117-258727.html
Style Needle Art - A traditional DIY handicraft shop with more than 25 years of experience in the business. A simple, no frills, friendly and homely neighbourhood shop. 
