Napkin Holder Galore at Tmour.com

Whether you are preparing a feast or a simple lunch, the table sets the scene for the meal, and a beautifully and elegantly laid table creates a sense of anticipation among your guests who can look forward to a special time together. Or, surprise your family with a special meal complete with very unique napkin holders!

Special and unique Napkin Holder made from Buffalo Horn

Tmour.com presents a unique range of napkin holders, which are specially handcrafted from buffalo horn and mother of pearl. The buffalo horn is heated and then moulded into shapes. Special care and attention to detail is applied to these amazing masterpieces. Our intricate collection consists of a variety of flowers, graceful insects such as the bee, dragonfly and butterfly, the auspicious fish, and the ever-natural leaf. These designs are chosen because of their significance, such as the bee is for good luck; the dragonfly signifies a new beginning which is suitable for new home and new ventures as well as a wedding present; fish for prosperity; lotus for serenity and calm. In terms of designs, most of them are suitable for all occasions. For those who want to portray an oriental feel, the lotus design is the best. The different tone of the buffalo horn makes every piece even more unique.

Note the attention to detail on this piece, especially on the stinger, the wings and the head, complete with the antennae

Note the pearl shell details on the butterfly wings which are intricately attached

Note the scaly detail on the thorax of the dragonfly.

Napkin size and material

The general rule for napkins is: the less formal the occasion, the smaller and more decorated the napkin can be. Dinner napkins should be generously proportioned – up to 1m/ 1yd square – and should be used folded in half, adequately covering the most ample lap with a double thickness of good quality fabric. For less formal dinners you can use smaller napkins, about 75cm/30in square, but no smaller than 50cm/20in square.

For most entertaining we are much more relaxed than our forebears; while white napkins remain the classic choice, patterns and colours suitable for all but the most formal of occasions. If you keep a selection of different types, varying in size, colour and material, you are bound to be able to fit the right style to every occasion, especially if you customize them with some of the many ideas in this book.

Napkin Etiquette

Even today, when many of the fussier aspects of table manners have been abandoned in favour of a general awareness of the comfort of your fellow diners, there are still some formal occasions when elaborate etiquette will be observed.

At formal dinners and banquets one of the first stumbling blocks can be deciding when to unfold your napkin. In top hotels and restaurants around the world the waiters often deal with this: once everyone is seated they may g around the table, unfolding the napkins and either handing them to each guest of flicking them into their laps. If this is not done for you, wait at least until everyone is seated before unfolding our napkin, but make sure it is on your lap just as the first course arrives.

Large dinner napkins should be left folded in half, so there is a double thickness on your lap, and small napkins completely unfolded. The napkin should be left on your lap throughout the meal, except when you need to lift it to wipe your mouth. In parts of France, some people still tuck their napkins into their collars, and this is perfectly proper, although in other countries at more formal occasions it may seem a little eccentric.

If, during a formal dinner, your napkin slithers off your lap, do not attempt to dive down under the table to rescue it from among the other diner’s feet. Attract the attention of a waiter, who will either retrieve the napkin or bring a fresh one.

When it is time to get up at the end of the meal, put your napkin on the table. In Europe it is usual to leave the napkin crumpled on the table to indicate that it is ready for laundering. In America it is more correct to leave it neatly folded. At family meals you should fold your napkin when you have finished with it, or roll it up and replace it in your napkin ring, before leaving the table, even if it needs laundering.

The Art of Napkin Folding – Double Fan Fold

The Art of Napkin Folding – Small Scroll Fold

The Art of Napkin Folding – Fan Fold

(Click refresh to see slide show again)

A Hundred Years of Batik In Malaysia

 

A short history and great creativity can serve as catchwords for the commercial production of batik in Malaysia. Covering scarcely 100 years, this history has been full of life and movement. We know that Malays on the East Coast of the peninsula experimented with textile prints without wax in the early 1900s. In the 1920s people in the same area started using a technique with screen prints for fast and cheap production of decorated textiles. Around 1930 the ‘real’ batik production started, stamping with wax directly on the fabric. (Source: Arney 1987). Long before this production got started batik, especially from Java, was known and used in the area that is now Malaysia. The Malays learned the techniques and adopted the patterns from the Javanese. Still today elements of patterns from the Javanese textiles are continued and developed in many of the textiles that are produced by block printing as well as screen printing.

Copying and creativity
is another pair of catchwords fit to describe the production of batik in Malaysia. Even though the Javanese heritage is still visible, Malaysian producers have partly liberated themselves from it and developed their craft in new directions. This can be seen in technique and design as well as in the development of new types of products. In particular, the hand-painted batik from the late twentieth century represents an innovation, not least because it differs technically from the Javanese tradition of handdrawing. First, it is a simplification of the production process. Second, it opens up for more individual freedom and creativity; an entirely new design tradition has sprung up, one that is dominated by large motifs drawn freely on a plain-coloured background. A few textile artists emerge as remarkable innovators, and these are soon followed and copied by many others. To take one example, a type of silk scarf with floral motifs has lost its exclusivity, and although the scarves are attractive, they are easily perceived as stereotyped.

The dominant North-East
Two circumstances are vitally important in order to understand many aspects of the batik business in Malaysia. First, there is the dominance of the northeast, and second, the simple technology.

In the Northeastern States Kelantan and Terengganu industrial alternatives have been weakly developed; production and sale of batik have thus meant valuable opportunities for employment. The batik factories are particularly numerous around the major cities Kota Bharu and Kuala Terengganu.
The Malays make up more than 90 % of the population in these States, and production as well as trade in batik have been a Malay niche in the multiethnic Malaysian society. We see here a unique outlet for Malay enterprise in a society where other groups have tended to dominate trade and industry.

As far as Kelantan is concerned, the proximity to Thailand has been important economically as well as culturally. There has always been a brisk border trade. And in folklore as well as in handicraft traditions there are easily discernible connections. Batik has been exported from the East Coast States to the rest of Malaysia, although a considerable production has also sprung up on the West Coast. It remains to be said that the Malay dominance of batik is now about to dwindle in the West Coast States (se the page on the tourist market).

The strength of low technology
Another feature to be noted is the relatively simple and inexpensive production outfit as well as the organisation of the production process. Flexibility is the underlying strength of low technology. It is relatively easy to get started and easy to decrease the activity in slack periods without having to close down completely.

The factories, or workshops, are usually small family establishments, and part of the batik processing is often farmed out to women in the neighbourhood. In this way both loss and gain are spread. Moreover, a reservoir of skills is developed: a great number of people in the factory’s vicinity have a basic knowledge of batik production. The workshops can draw on this reservoir, and many skilled individuals can also make small amounts of handdrawn batik independently as a part time occupation (see also The tourist market).

State and market
By and large, the batik business has been driven forward by free enterprise and a free market. After Independence the authorities were eager to strengthen economic development, particularly in the Malay population, and these efforts were boosted when the New Economic Policy was launched in 1971. This has also effected the batik sector in several ways. The huge development programme MARA grants support to Malay entrepreneurship, and runs training institutions on nearly every conceivable occupational area.

Many batik artists have been educated at the MARA Institute of Technology. Kraftangan, another important Federal agency, co-ordinates and supports activities within arts and crafts. Kraftangan’s sales organisation is KARYANEKA, with departments and shops in most States. KARYANEKA partly seeks products actively from crafts producers, and partly accepts offers from producers if these pass certain criteria of quality.

But many batik producers and traders operate outside these State institutions, and there are also a number of private schools that train batik artists. Furthermore, a great deal of training still takes place through direct, practical participation in batik production, particularly within the smaller family concerns.

 Another unique product presented by www.tmour.com

Knots of Goodwill

Story and pictures by GRACE CHEN
Taken from www.thestar.com.my

The art of knotting serves to bring across messages of well-being, good luck, longevity and harmony.

 
Abundance: Goldfish indicates bountiful incomings

Knot tying goes beyond the functional aspect and takes an ornamental role in conveying messages of goodwill during Chinese New Year.

The 58-year-old Chinese national, who has 20 years of experience in dealing with Chinese folk arts and crafts, says that he has chosen this ‘knotty’ theme for his sixth trade visit to Malaysia because the art of Chinese knotting holds a special charm.

In explaining the functional and practical importance of knotting in Chinese society, Zhou says that it was once the basis for written and symbolic communication.

The Chinese not only employed the use of knots to fasten and secure but also as a method of record keeping and a symbolic representation of meaningful historical events that occurred over time.

A large knot for example, signifies an important event. A small knot may act as a reminder for a minor errand.

Knots are also used to signify feelings of love and longing. Endless and repetitive knot patterns may symbolise the cyclical nature of all existence and incorporated loops are interpreted to symbolise trouble-free transactions.

Safe passage: The replica jade acts as a safety button while the colourful threads signify a full and interesting life.

In essence, the art of knotting serves to bring across messages of well-being, good luck, health, longevity and harmony.

Giving examples of the types of knots used, Zhou says that in addition to the cross knot, ring hitch and the Chinese lanyard knot, the most popular style is the plum blossom knot which is the most widely used in this art form.

“In the basic art of Chinese knotting, there are 10 basic types of different knots used by the artists to create over 100 patterns ranging from flowers, animals and other auspicious shapes.

“Over time, different artists have come up with their own styles of knotting and this is a reflection of their ingenuity in coming up with new knotting styles to suit modern tastes,” says Zhou.

To make the patterns interesting, other ornaments such as bells and replicas of gold ingots are also incorporated into a piece of knot work. This is to signify wealth and prosperity.

The ones with goldfish motifs carry meanings of a bountiful year, while those with replica jade circles are meant to be safety charms.

Colourful designs also ensure the owners of these knot patterns a rich and interesting year ahead and those imbued with gold threads are thought to represent harmony.

These handicrafts can mostly be seen as decorative items at home or where the safety charms are concerned, hanging from the rear-view mirrors of cars.

Speaking from experience, Zhou says that the art of knotting is an exercise of an artist’s dexterity and precision.

Apt gifts: For those not eligible to give out ang pows, these good luck tassels can make up for it.

“The beginning of a rope pattern will always start with a loop and finish with two open ends which are usually capped with a tassel.

“Mind that for one pattern, only one rope is used. So, let’s say if the series of knot work comes to a length of 15cm, the artist will have to work with two sides of a rope, each reaching up to 1m in length. For larger knot patterns, rope lengths may exceed 1km, depending on how intricate the patterns are.

“So, you can imagine all the pulling involved as the artist is weaving the pattern into shape,” says Zhou.

Ironically, while an artist is working the knots into place, he must also deal with the problem of unwanted knots in the slack parts of the rope.

According to Zhou, this is where skill and experience comes in, especially when it comes to estimating how much of rope is needed for a particular pattern.

Of course, there is always a solution in joining more rope to the work but that will spoil the continuity in the pattern, he surmises.

For the superstitious, running out of rope while making a knot pattern may be seen as a bad omen and this means that the goodwill messages conveyed in the pattern may have lost its edge.

Taken from www.thestar.com.my

The first signs of the advent of Chinese New Year

         

Chinese New Year is around the corner, 7 February, which is just 3 weeks away. In Malaysia the first sign of Chinese New Year is when you walk into the shopping malls on 26 December, the day after Christmas and hear the Chinese New Year songs playing in the pipe-in music. It immediately gets you in the mood.

The first place I went was to the flower nursery, to choose the auspicious Chinese New Year plants, before the good ones ran out of stock. Of course it gets cheaper nearing the date but I want the best! You can read all about the plants and the significance in my last blog. I went to my regular nursery in Sungai Buluh, and got myself a dragon pussywillow, which is the latest plant this year. I love this tree because it is alive compared to the standard option which is quite “fake” to me. They made them colourful by soaking the cut stem into coloured liquid, thus the red and yellow pussywillow. I also grabbed the 2 best looking bamboo shoot plant shaped into flower vase. This vase signifies the golden urn where all the prosperity and good luck will be attracted to flow into the urn be kept in. I have to make sure I keep the mouth of the vase open. The next day, I marched back to the next shop to get the must-have plant, the lime plant. The happy colour orange is the colour of gold, thus signifies the tree of gold and prosperity. You can see in the picture the bamboo plant that looks like lotus flower. To quench your curiousity, notice the picture of the sprout growing from the golden egg, it is the lucky egg! You buy the golden egg, chip off the top shell, water it for a few days, and it will sprout. And in anticipation, there will be 4 digit lucky number on the sprout, and for the 4-digit punters out there, they will know what to do!

New plants for Chinese New Year

   

PLANTS are symbols of life and growth. For the Chinese, it is a must to have plants decorating their houses and gardens during the Chinese New Year celebration.  Some of the popular plants are, among others, bamboo shoots, lime trees, cherry blossoms and plum blossoms.   Apart from decorative purposes, each of them carries a special connotation that is usually synonymous with good health, longevity, good fortune, abundance of wealth, business growth and career successes.  Shopping for plants for next month’s Chinese New Year celebration will be more exciting and fun as there are many new choices, some quite out of the ordinary.  At the flower bazaar at the NZX Commercial Centre in Ara Damansara, lime fruit almost as big as pomelos are the big attraction among the shoppers.   “People like to buy these big lime trees as they are very special. Our lime trees are available in different styles. There are the one-tier, three-tier and also eight-tier ones,” Phoenix Ocean marketing director Eric Hong said.   Another newcomer is the dragon pussywillow that comes planted in pots, in contrast to the normal ones that come in vases without soil.  According to Hong, the Chinese love the new pussywillow as it is “alive” and will grow leaves, symbolising growth in many aspects in life.  The Bromeliad (pineapple or “ong lai” flower) in red, purple and yellow is another popular plant since it represents the arrival of fortune. “Ong lai” in Hockkien means “Fortune comes”.  “The plants here are not only suitable for decorating houses and offices; they make great gifts as well,” Hong said.  According to Hong, even non-Chinese purchase the plants because of their vibrancy and uniqueness.  Also available at the bazaar are the bamboo shoots, “change-your-luck” bamboos, bonsai, crystal soil, pussywillows, vases, plastic plants, decorative items and garden fountains.  The bamboo is very popular as a symbol of life, longevity and strength. It stays firmly rooted even in the face of fierce winds. For the Hokkiens, the bamboo plants represent their shelter from the evil demons that terrorised their ancestors during an ancient dark evil era.  The imported plants come from China and Taiwan while the homegrown ones are from Cameron Highlands.  “I will have cherry blossoms, tulips, chrysanthemums and more,” Hong said.   The bazaar, opened since Jan 1, is open from 10am till 11pm daily until the 15th day of Chinese New Year.   For more information, call 016-841 7887 (Jason) or 016-332 2322 (Melvin).  

By THO XIN YI  www.thestar.com.my Saturday January 12, 2008

The Rustic Celadon

I would like to introduce an interesting product, which is Celadon ceramic. Celadon, meaning crackled glaze in French, is the intricate art of ceramic making. The clay has to be heated at a specific temperature to get the crackled effect and further skills are needed to control the drip effect on the end product. The result are rustic looking tea sets, plates, bowls and other dining-ware. The tiny crackled effect on turquoise makes it look like the sea’s reflection, and drip effects which are unique, makes them one of a kind pieces of art. Celadon ceramic matched with bamboo handles gives it the rustic look, suitable for outdoor tea-time or resort style decoration. Available soon in www.tmour.com.

Feng Shui Enhances- Golden Bowl

This is dedicated to my fellow blogger Oggin who is into feng shui. These are some Feng shui enhancers:-

- Gold and red bowl signifies prosperity, and become even more auspicious when you put oranges (kam, means gold in Chinese) inside, put this pot of gold in ur money corners, I usually put at the entrance of the house, the first thing to greet guest (especially good chi) when they enter your house. If you notice i tie red ribbons on the oranges, to further maximise the energy. If you noticed, i design this bowl to be deeper than usual so that it can catch the prosperity!

Of course, i also cater to those who want be subtle with their intentions so I also have smaller bowls (the third pic) to be discreetly put on places like office tables, You wouldn’t want your boss to stare at you right?

Also the big bowls are very auspicious gifts, fill them with oranges and is a perfect gift for house-warming or for the auspicious Lunar New Year. Your friends will be awed and will appreciate even more if they know the significance!

These bowls are hand-made from thin gold leaf (those you see at temples) there is a mini carat of gold there, and there are 13 layers of lacquer. Will let you know the intricasies of making it soon.