I received lots of love today. A lot. I'm thoroughly pleased with the progress alhamdolillah. The work pending gives me shudders. Last year I was sick for like a month after over-carving and after that things got pretty slow. But Allah Ta'ala gives me strength when I'm down, and I still get to manage. Taking Harlequin further and expanding it would be a very difficult task. I get a lot of suggestions as to what I can do and what new stuff I can introduce but I feel, sticking to plaster-carving and gift-booking it will be for sometime. I'm blessed alhamdolillah all due to Him and feel that I need to stick to this, make it grow more, improve more, and master it inshaaAllah. =)
Harlequin charges too much. Harlequin charges too little. Really? As far as "too little" goes, those people who tell me it's too little, well honestly, I've never seen them showing the slightest inclination to buy anything from Harlequin. And as far as "too much" for the carved items goes.. I really don't know what to say.. but since you've paused to give a thought at purchasing them, then you should know a few things.
I didn't take classes for plaster-of-paris crafting, you know. I created it. It started off in my dental labwork taught by brilliant teachers. But converting it into a durable handicraft was a series of experiments. And I still keep making more and more upgrades to improve. You can't simply carve or paint onto plaster of paris. Alot of physics goes into it (a blessing being a whacky science student it is). I'll definately give classes for this craft InshaaAllah and people will realise how much of an effort goes into carving, moulding, shaping, painting, varnishing and the wrapping-it-up part, is no easy either. But it is a lot of fun! And the best part is the extensive detailing I love doing.
Did you know that as long as a gift remains in my custody I keep making additions to it? Yes, I do that. I'm not jataofying here on anyone. Yes, you don't ask for it either but I know the importance of making the thought count. Take a look at the DSLR I carved. What if I simply exclude the gift box, and give you something that unique in a simple gift bag? A. I'm inviting every possibility of the gift not reaching your place. Plaster of paris products are "FRAGILE: handle with care!" items.B. Ok, let's say I give it to you in the carton-type box. Those boxes land in trash cans eventually because they're not pretty. Are they? Nope! These gifts are unique alhamdolillah because they are about the unique, beautiful people they are intended for. They need to be dressed well and the way the receiver would love them. C. Why decor the box when you can do with the simple one? Harlequin products are my babies. Take a look at it this way. When I handover a gift I want to sleep in peace that night knowing the particular gift has a home. What if you get something made from Harlequin, and give it to your friend. Years from today, you would want that gift to stay forever. Your friend might move to a new place. In moving, what if the gift breaks because it was simply handed over in a bag or a carton box ? Now we don't want that do we? Having a proper themed box ensures that the gift has a home. If it is not on the shelf, it is safe in it's box. If it's not in a desk, it's safe in a box it rightly belongs with. Or if it's simply stored in and treasured then it get's to be so in a box that is equally treasured. (I think I'll include that with the instructions now). When I made the Sydney Opera House, I did not want to depart with it. I had put a whole month into it, from figuring out how on earth it could be carved to how to set it right and then finally personalise it. I felt like a parent whose raised a daughter and rukhsatting her. (funny feeling that was) And that is when I made the "Our Love is Like the Wind"-box entirely out of my own hands. And I was up all night doing it alhamdolillah =)
So if you get a harlequin gift, you get it with it's box. The only time I've not added boxes are for little ceramic stuff I stock up when my sisters wanted them or we were in an absolute hurry. The sizes vary so greatly that availablity of "every-size" boxes ain't possible when you need to give the gift within a few hours (hence the processing times when these are ordered). Even then, i do display boxes or quickly-made trays. Presentation of a great gift is nine points of law! And I would encourage anyone reading this to remember, that the best gifts are even more awesome when presented rightly. Even if you've bought simple earrings for your friend. Get some momentum, be little more generous, go and get a lovely box with it as well there are so many in the market. The Gift will turn into a Treasure when given with the Box! ;) Or if you've planned the gift a week ahead, you can always get a box personalised from Harlequin. I love to personalise.
I don't want the gift to be given to the receiver without my client's contribution either. So we do a lot things where both my client and I put in our best. We decide the colours together. We decide the designs together. My clients get to keep tabs on the progress. And last but not the least, the greeting card... Why would you want to go about looking for one when it comes personalised in the decided personalised theme =). And you get to scribble in your notes to your loved ones yourself. So, you're with me from the beginning to it's very end and we create a jewel and WE WRAP IT UP *high five* =)
Now that's something right?
Anyways I'll get back to some incredible inedibles i'm setting right now. can't wait to put em on the page.
Keep following,
love,
HarleQueen. =)
