Crochet Craze, Sharon, Back in Action!

"Dear Betsy, Thank u so much for helping me & guiding me to finish up this mouse! You are still as patient even though I paused for so long. Thank you! :)" - Sharon, 27th May 2011

Some Knotty News...

Iyo, it's been unknowingly 2months since my last post!?!? O dear... I've been such a lazy blogger! Apologies to my dear Knotty Fans... Well, I must say though that I haven't really been lazy, but VERY BUSY instead... Most of all, as most of u must've guessed, I've been kept busy with my fast-growing baby Edda, who's 10months+ now... time flies indeed. Here's a latest picture I took of her just this morning. Yes yes yes, she's modeling a Knotty Bicsie Knitwear ;P


Well, there's been quite a few customized orders as well. Special thanks to my "new pair of hands", Irene, who's been helping me with some of the productions, while I get busy with workshops. To those few Knotty Fans whom I've turned down your orders, I'm truly very sorry! Thank u for your kind understanding. :) Gentle reminder to all Knotty Fans, pls contact me with your order request EARLY, giving me at least 2-4weeks production time (depending on complexity/quantity/size of orders) to avoid disappointment. All Knotty Productions are uniquely handmade with lotsa love & stringent QC you know :P


As for workshops, well, Knotty Bicsie Home Studio has been busy mostly from Thursdays-Saturdays only, due to some ongoing corporate workshops:
1) Weekly knitting sessions @Warren Golf & Country Club is very fun for me as well. These ladies are truly enthusiastic & diligent! :) 
2)The gals at Singapore Chinese Girls' School Art Club are in the process of completing their very own knitted vest! I'm really excited to see all their masterpieces! 41 vests!!! The biggest class for Knotty Bicsie so far... Special thanks to my 2 lovely assistants, WennYann & Chenyen. Couldn't have done it without you ladies! :)

That's all for now... typing this while my "Little Empress Dowager" is taking her afternoon nap... :P

Edda @8mth, by 31Images


Time really flies... our little angel is already 8.5mth old! We had a most enjoyable session with a very talented & charismatic photographer, Sweng, some 3weeks ago. Little Edda, like most of u know, does not have "stranger anxiety", but she doesn't really smile at strangers much, even though she's actually very cheeky & playful with Papa & Mama :P Sweng is so good at what he does & is able to capture many cheeky smiles of our naughty angel ;) Thanx a million, Sweng! :D



Special Announcement!!!
Well, actually I have two $50-vouchers to 31Images' wonderful family portrait services that I'd like to share with my dear Knotty Fans here! ;) Simply spend S$50.00 (on product, supply &/or workshops) in a single receipt by 30th April 2011 to stand a chance to be 1 of the 2 lucky winners. Results will be published here on our blog & also our official website. Winners will also be notified personally.

Understanding Our Work of Heart

Came across this very cool animation from my good friend, Jullie's, blog. Share with you here so those who don't knit/crochet have a better understanding of what goes on "behind the scene" & the effort we crafters put in :) Usually take me at least 3-5hrs (non-stop) to make 1 amigurumi, sometimes even longer for those complicated ones. Hmm... so it must've taken this animator at least a few days to make this! BRAVO! Enjoy! ;)

Working from Home...

HELLO!!! I know I haven't been blogging for a long long time... just couldn't find the quality time & discipline to do it :P Many thanks to all Knotty Fans who's been emailing/sms-ing your well-wishes. I feel so loved each time I hear from you peeps. Thank u! :)))

I always say Knotty Bicsie is a "happy accident", yet it's given me & my family our ideal lifestyle. Truly feel very lucky & blessed. Running my little home studio not only has given me lotsa freedom & flexibility to balance between work & family, most importantly now it's given me the joy of witnessing every milestone of my growing little angel. Edda is almost 8months old now... time really flies, watching her learn something new everyday. A little smile from her magically makes everything ok. We all laugh heartily with her whenever she laughs & giggles. She's indeed a bundle of joy packed with abundance of love & warmth :) 
Well, besides "entertaining" & "being entertained by" Edda :P , I've been kept busy in our kitchen & our crafting studio too lo. Yup, been cooking almost everyday nowadays, healthier, save $$$, & less disruptive to our little girl's routine in the evening, even though it means getting busy in the kitchen as early as 6+am everyday @_@ So dinner out during Saturday nights have become a little treat for me :)

As for Knotty Bicsie's plan & directions for 2011, we will be focusing more on corporate deals & Weddin'Craft Parties this year...
We've had 2 groups of ladies coming over for their Hen's Party so far, & it's been really fun!

As for corporate workshops, we have the honour of working with Warren Golf Country Club, Singapore Chinese Girls' School Art Club & Sahara Sundance Event Company to conduct knitting & other crafting workshops since last year. All have been fun & exciting. Special thanks to all my instructors too. All these workshops would not be possible without YOU! :) Letx work hard together to make crafting a modern way of life for everyone! ;)

In adjustments to my new routine, Knotty Bicsie Home Studio is now opened on whole of Fri & Sat, & Sun mornings only. Selected Thursday slots are also available. Hence, to avoid disappointment, do book & confirm your slots as early as possible. :)

Introducing 2 of our many new Funky Knitters...
"The pace was slow enough for me therefore I could easily understand what she was teaching me. Now I am able to grasp the basic skills of knitting. As it was also a one-to-one teaching experience, that benefitted a lot as well." - Dellysda, 10th Feb 2011.
Sherman is really sweet & wanted to knit something for his sweetheart as Valentine's Day & went straight to YouTube. Unfortunately it turned out to be a disaster :P & eventually found his way to Knotty Bicsie Home Studio...
"My knitting experience is tough & challenging for me. Tangled up a couple of times & got mistakes. Knitting is not smooth-sailing at all. Thanks to Betsy for her kind patience & faithful teaching!" - Sherman Yeo, 12th Feb 2011.

Besides teaching, my fingers are still wriggling around to make some special orders for Knotty Fans out there. There's been some scarf, baby booties & other orders as well. A Knotty Phant Collector, Jet, kept her promise & came back again for her annual Knotty Phant! Now our 3 Knotty Phants are making friends @Jet's Japonicas Garden :)))
So you see, multi-tasking is definitely an under-statement for Knotty Bicsie this year :P Nevertheless, to maintain the quality of our creations & teachings, I'm sorry I have to disappointment some of you sometimes :( So pls do make your orders & confirm your workshops as early as possible to avoid any disappointment :)

Needle Felting Fun! & Crochet Craze - Shian

"Dear Betsy,
Thank you so much for teaching me a new craft! Most inspired by your passion too :) Keep up the excellent work... and blessings to you & family on this Christmas season & a joyous New Year!" - Shian, 24th Dec 2010

Little House Cushion Workshop on 16th Dec 2010

Our Crafting Studio was filled with chatting & laughter last Thursday when our crafter-in-residence, Periwinkle, had her sewing workshop. 2 of the ladies turned out to be a hardcore fan of Periwinkle even before the workshop! So the experience was like learning from a celebrity idol for them B-) Teacher Suzanne even thoughtfully brought some Nonya pastries for the tea-break. All the colourful & pretty Little Houses sure made our studio a lot more cosy & lovely that day! ;)

Customized Orders

Been working on some customized orders lately... even now still working on a few new orders... Think will be kept busy all the way till X'mas liao :P




Meet Funky Knit - Yu Lei

"Betsy is very patient with me and she really knows her stuffs well! She's also very chatty so this somehow turns every single session into a chatting session instead, but of course, not at the expense of my project :) It's very enjoyable to be able to learn knitting from someone who is so passionate and takes so much pride in her students' works that she wants them to take pictures with their projects so that she can keep them as momentos! Kudos to Betsy for making knitting such a therapeutic and pleasurable experience! I'll definitely look for you in future if I have new projects in mind!" - Yu Lei, 29th Nov 2010

Special Announcement!

Due to popular requests, Tatting Workshop is postponed to a later date. Details as follows:

Tatting Workshop (2-day Workshop)
Dates: Sundays, 16th & 23rd January 2011
Time: 2-5pm
Fees: S$65.00, INCLUDES tools & materials
Closing Date for Registration: 10th January 2011

Email bicsie@gmail.com your Full Name & Contact Number to register.

We are on Youth.Sg!

Yay...! Knotty Bicsie is being featured on Youth.Sg! Dessy, thank u so much for the wonderful article! Do pop by our crafting studio again ;)

Meet Crochet Craze - Melissa

"Yay! Completed my 1st crochet piece! haha... Love it here!" - Melissa, Nov 2010
ps: Melissa is now working on some brooch projects with Knotty Bicsie :)

Knotty Bicsie Handmade-A-Fair 2010

For this year's Handmade-A-Fair, instead of showcasing crafters like last year, Knotty Bicsie will be showcasing a group of talented instructors who are dedicated to share their passion & craft :) There are limited seats for every workshops. So do sign up early to avoid disappointment. Closing date for registration: 5th Dec 2010

Introductory Funky Knit

Always wanted to try your hands at knitting? Here's your golden opportunity to mark the start of your knitting journey & get a sense of this therapeutic (warning: & addictive! :P) hobby! Betsy will show u how SIMPLY these cheerful coasters can be made :)

To register, pls email me your Full Name, Contact Number, Name of Workshop & Date of Workshop you are signing up for. Email: bicsie@gmail.com

Closing Date: 5th Dec 2010

Tatting for X'mas by SingTatter

Shuttle tatting is a centuries-old art of making fine laces. The lace consists almost entirely of double stitches or knots made using a shuttle, taking the form of rings & chains, & decorated with picots. Learn to shuttle tat & tat simple motifs for X’mas from Ellen Lai, founder of SingTatter Corner. Motifs may include simple snowflake, angel, bell & holly.

To register, pls email me your Full Name, Contact Number, & Name of Workshop you are signing up for. Email: bicsie@gmail.com

Closing Date: 5th Dec 2010

Terrarium - My Mini Garden by Japonicas

Terrariums are miniature enclosed gardens, which are self-sustainable and need minimal care from the owner once it is properly set-up. No watering will be needed! They thrive well indoors and make ideal office-desk or dining-table decorations. Witness how the plants 'breathe' and grow in the ecosystem created by you! Participants will learn the essential tips on how to set-up a simple terrarium. All materials will be supplied, including tiny ornaments for participants to put in their newly created terrarium! Instructor, Mary, will guide you through in creating your very own unique mini garden to bring home with! :)

To register, pls email me your Full Name, Contact Number, & Name of Workshop you are signing up for. Email: bicsie@gmail.com

Closing Date: 5th Dec 2010

Angelically Yours by Jullie's Handmade

Angels are always associated with protection and love. It's the best gift for that special someone on any occasion. Jullie Teo, founder of Jullie's Handmade, will guide you through & make this Angelically Yours this X’mas! Angel kit-sets will also be available for sale on that day.

To register, pls email me your Full Name, Contact Number, & Name of Workshop you are signing up for. Email: bicsie@gmail.com

Closing Date: 5th Dec 2010

Little House Cushion by PeriwinkleSu

This little house cushion can be used as a pin cushion, a handphone charm or a Christmas ornament. The size is about 6.5cm by 6cm. Suzanne Ho, founder of PeriwinkleSu, will guide u along in stitching up your very own, lovely little home :)

To register, pls email me your Full Name, Contact Number, & Name of Workshop you are signing up for. Email: bicsie@gmail.com

Closing Date: 5th Dec 2010

Bead-It-Your-Way! A Charming Time by Japonicas

You are given an opportunity to explore your creativity and to put your imagination into reality. Jet Goh, founder of Japonicas, will guide you through in creating your very own, unique & trendy bag charm! :)

To register, pls email me your Full Name, Contact Number, & Name of Workshop you are signing up for. Email: bicsie@gmail.com

Closing Date: 5th Dec 2010