Good penmanship begins with the right tools

MANILA, Philippines - Selecting pencils that a beginner can easily grip and work with is more important than most parents think, according to Cristina Caraig, marketing manger of Amalgamated Specialties Corporation (Amspec), exclusive makers of T-Pencil and Crayola in the Philippines.

For many beginners, the T-Pencil with large-sized hexagonal barrels are ideal. Others find the Jumbo model with round barrel in black — the standard pencil for kinder students in the ’50s up to the ’60s — easier to work with. Still other pupils are more comfortable with the T-Pencil with triangular barrel. The same model works well for left-handed youngsters.

Each child has his own preference, point out studies by Amspec, which has been making pencils for 50 years. It used to manufacture other pencil brands until it decided to develop its own label.  “The key is to help a child experiment — beginning perhaps with the hexagonal models with larger barrels,” says Caraig.

She notes that the best time to prepare a child to write is as young as 18 months or old enough to grip a crayon. The best precursor to a good pencil is a good crayon — one that is easy for little hands to grasp and at the same time will not easily snap. More important, a crayon should be non-toxic to avoid harming youngsters who tend to put things in their mouth.

Crayola’s My First Crayons were designed especially for toddlers and meet all of the above requirements. They are also deliberately not labeled so that kids don’t have to struggle peeling them off after long hours of scribbling. Like all Crayola products, they meet the European Union’s consumer safety, health and environmental requirements. They are also registered with the Philippine Food and Drug Administration and have been deemed safe by the USA Arts and Crafts Materials Institute.

“Drawing and writing are complex tasks for growing children to master,” says Caraig. Both activities require grasping an implement, holding the paper so it stays in place, and applying just the required pressure. A crayon that glides easily on paper facilitates mastery of this skill. In lieu of a crayon, markers made intentionally for pudgy hands like Crayola’s stubby Pip-Squeaks help a child hone the skill. With the right coaching, scribbling metamorphoses to writing with a pencil.



Crayons and pencils that are easy for a toddler to use also build his confidence. “A two-or-three-year-old, says Caraig, “automatically attributes the efficiency of his writing implements to his own abilities — and vice versa. When a crayon does not register well on paper or when a pencil’s lead snaps easily, he automatically thinks it is because he has done a bad job.”

source: philstar.com

Miraculous Mandarin tea for the Year of the Snake at TWG

MANILA, Philippines - TWG Tea, the world's finest luxury tea brand, celebrates Chinese New Year with the unveiling of new products for the occasion. In a tribute to the upcoming Year of the Snake, the brand launches the bewitching Sahara teapots and teacups and saucers in gold and in silver. And, to fill your cups with brimming prosperity and happiness and to perfume the air with an ambience of rare and precious essences, TWG Tea suggests the Miraculous Mandarin Caviar tin tea and Miraculous Mandarin tea scented candle.

A legendary symbol of knowledge and immortality, the serpent is a potent guardian of good fortune, health and vigor. The spectacular design and detailing of this majestic creature on each Sahara Teapot require weeks of precise handiwork by a master craftsman. The 18-carat gold Sahara Teapot boasts alluring green Swarovski crystal eyes, while the silver plated version has the same in red.

Star the Year of the Snake with a lucky pot of Miraculous Mandarin Tea, packaged in a perfectly round Caviar tea tin. This modern twist to your customary Chinese New Year offerings of mandarin oranges brings an extra tinge of sweetness to reunions. A mélange of warm, rich black tea blended with the fresh tartness of orchard fruits and notes of delicate sweetness, the blend is a miraculous tea of delight.

TWG Tea's talisman red scented candle, accented by alluring notes of Miraculous Mandarin Tea, is a perfect addition to your home during these festivities. Welcome the Chinese New Year with the color that wards off bad omens and the fragrance of sweet fruits that represents good luck for the future. This sensory feast of fresh tonalities of tea leaves, rare resins, warm spices and mythical blossoms bring to mind fond celebrations of family traditions. Miraculous Mandarin Tea Scented Candle is also available elegantly packaged in TWG Tea Gift Box with Sleeve accompanied by Saturn Tea Tin in Red filled with 100 grams of Miraculous Mandarin Loose Tea.

source: philstar.com

RP Handicrafts Go Upscale Market

Philippine handicrafts are no longer competing against the mass-based Chinese and Vietnamese products but are already catering to the upscale market competing in terms of quality, innovation and craftsmanship comparable with the high-end Italian items.

Trade and Industry secretary Gregory L. Domingo told reporters at the opening of the Manila Fame 2012 that competing in the high-end category is more profitable than in the low-end category because producers can price their products at a higher level.

“We are not competing anymore with the Chinese and Vietnamese, we are competing with the Italians,” Domingo said.

In fact, he noted that a locally-produced bag being exhibited at the ongoing Manila FAME fair at the SMX Convention has a tag price of $800 a piece, which was already sold.

“We are competing for design, innovation and craftsmanship for our handicrafts,” he said.

Manila FAME has also raised its standards of the products to ensure only quality products are showcased at the fair. The size of the exhibit has remained the same, but the quality of the products was topnotch and the staging of the show was given a more world-class appeal than the previous events, Domingo said.  “A few of the buyers that I’ve talked to describe this show as spectacular while others are wowed by the display,” he said.

As a result, he said, the show has also attracted the upscale market in terms of foreign buyers and visitors.

In addition, Domingo said, producing high-end products is less vulnerable to foreign exchange factor.

“The high-end products have higher margin unlike the mass produced handicrafts or for any other mass-based consumer goods, which margin is very small,” he said.

So far, exports of handicrafts this year have already breached the $100 million market on strong demand from overseas markets.

The amount already exceeded by 11 percent the $90 million handicraft exports for the whole of 2011. The volume of orders has gone up substantially despite a global economic slowdown. (BCM)

source: mb.com.ph