A little more about me =)

These are 2 of the artworks which I have designed for the Singapore Gifts Shows last month at Suntec City.

You can click to enlarge the images to read more about me =)

New name cards arrived! A story to share =)

 

I have just received my new name cards few days ago. This time, I have added an image of my latest creation, Squeak on the back of the card.

Very often, when collectors take your card, they tend to forget what type of bears / service your company makes / provides. If you could add a little icon or an image of your item, the receiver is more likely to remember you without entering your website to see what you do. This helps when they have pile of name cards on their hand. I am saying this from my personal experience as I collect name cards as well.

I want to share this story with you today.  

This happened a few years ago when I was still a design student in a Polytechnic. Students from my class are having our Final Year Project design exhibition at the School's Auditorium. Many visitors came from all walks of life. There were potential bosses who came down searching for graduates to join their company. I observed many people taking name cards from different booths upon glancing at their portfolios.

I could remember vividly, one gentlemen came to my booth and talked to me. He showed interest to employ me as a designer for their company. It was a shame that I had to turn down the offer as I had to serve the army immediately after my graduation; it was a lost opportunity. The gentlemen gave me advise and said I should have added an icon of my project on my card. He wanted to remember me and wrote my project title on my name card.

Surprisingly 2 years later, he wrote me an email asking if I was still looking for a job. On his email, he even wrote my project title. I felt touched and happy that someone could still remember me and my work.

I see name cards as a first impression to the receiver. I consider it as a little souvenir and want people to keep it, not just throw it away or put aside.

So, if you are planning to design a logo or name card for your company, do remember to add an identity or an item that represents you. Who knows, an opportunity might come your way someday!

Hugs, Wayne

My Journey – Magazine Features (Part 2)

Many of my friends have been asking me what I have done to be featured in bear magazines. Seriously, I have no idea and haven't done anything!

It happened on one fine day in 2011: I received an email from a bear magazine contributor with some interview questions. I was surprised at that time and did send them the answers with some pictures of my bears and animals. I really have no idea where they got my email or contact information from.

After the first feature in June 2011, I have frequently received emails for new features. This has made me very motivated, and I strive to create new things and make sure that I am always prepared for the next interview to come. It's an opportunity not to be missed, and I am lucky to be one of the chosen artists.

A few of the things I could strongly recommend are to take very high resolution pictures of your bears on a plain background. This is the most important criteria, because the magazine does not want an image to be blurred when it is enlarged. A plain background makes it easier for graphic designers to remove the background, lighten the shadows, or crop out the bear. I am not a trained photographer. I am using a low-end Canon DSLR camera for my bear photography. Although my photographs is not the best, I compensate by selecting my best pictures. I then brighten and enhance the pictures as necessary.

I think it would be polite to always send a reply letting the contributor know if you are interested in the feature upon receiving his or her emails. If you are not interested, just let them know so that they will have enough time to find other artists who are interested in the feature.

I want to thank Teddy Bear Review, Teddy Bear & Friends, Pretty Toys Magazine and Vibes Magazine for selecting me as one of the featured artists in your wonderful magazines. =)
Click on this link to read more on Wayneston Bears magazine feature:
http://waynestonbears.blogspot.sg/p/media-archives.html

Hugs, Wayne

My Journey - Changing the way how others think (Part 1)

After making my first bear on April 2009, I proudly showed my very first bear to my family, colleagues and relatives, at that time none of them were impress at all.

Sadly the level of appreciation for art, design and handicrafts in Singapore isn't there yet, it would take a few more years to grow. Upon completing my first bear named Rosy, I told my parents that I really love this art and wanted to make more, sadly at that time they disapprove because they feel that this is a waste of time and money, I should focus my time on my work and have more rest time. I know that they are looking after my best interest, but I have persisted and told them that this is what I want.

My friends and relatives weren't supportive as well, they won't even take a second look at my bears and I was deeply hurt. The only one that have trust and believe in me is my Teddy Bear teacher Emen Chen. Emen is an art teacher and has been coaching children art and bear making for many years. I met him 3 years ago at my old work place, I told him about my passion and interest to become a toy designer. That time was the happiest moment of my life when he agreed to be my mentor and I studied under him for a few months. Do you believe in fate? 8 years ago when I am a secondary school student, I chanced upon a website with bear making course (I did not manage to sign up because my parents disapprove) and much to my surprise later I found out that the teacher coaching that class was Emen. Isn't that funny how fate brought us together and I finally learn under his guidance :) Miracles do happen!

I told Emen that I want to be a bear artist and want to participate in the Singapore Teddy Bear Show just like the rest of the senior bear artists. Remembering the first time I went to the bear show, my jaws dropped and this came to my mind - "WOW I want to be one of them!" It was a great challenge because I started learning in April and the next show was in November, I have to be extremely hard  working to prepare for the show in just 6 months! Mission Impossible?

This is my work schedule everyday (for 6 months) - I woke up at 6am to start sewing, left house at 9am to work, back home from work at 7pm, start sewing at 8pm and slept at 2am. For the 6 months I slept only 4 hours everyday... my parents think I am insane but I know I AM NOT!

True enough my hard work paid off, I took just 6 months to learn bear making from scratch and participate in the Singapore Teddy Bear Show with an approximately 20+ bears on my table. On that big day, there were many visitors coming to look at my work I am so proud of myself. My family were at my table too. One guest came to my table and asked how long have I been making bears, I told her 6 months, she looked with an unbelievable expression on her face and said my work look as if I have been making for many years... I am so touched.

Emen on the other hand is a very kind man, he helped me sold my first bear at the show, this really give me a boost in confident on my work. Few hours before the show ends, my relatives came to the show. They looked at my table and the first question that popped was - how many bears were sold? Just at that same moment, a lady came to my table to purchase a bear, she is a savior? My relatives went speechless and disappeared from the hall. On that first bear show in 2009, I have 6 bears adopted :)

I always believe that if you know what you want in life, embrace it. It might not be easily, but if you persist in believing then it will come to you one day. My parents are now very supportive and will appear on every bear shows I attend. My relatives also now looked at my bears with respect.
If we don't let others influence your path, they might just decide to follow along too.

I hope you enjoy my story :)
(Thank you Joanne for helping me vetting through this post :)

My first bear show in Singapore

My brother, mum and me

Singapore Teddy Bear Show in 2010

Hugs,
Wayne