We were assigned to build a pelamin at Dewan Tun Rahah last weekend. It was quite smooth except that we had to make some additioninal last-minute purchase of extra cloth.The bride was very happy with the result, she took home both flower balls that I made!  We even have booking from other client through this project.

A few weeks ago I was helping (and get paid too..hehe) to build a pelamin for our client in Dewan Risda near Ampang Point. We got there around 7pm and finished at midnite..it was a Friday nite, so there goes my much anticipated Friday chill out.

Yesterday was public holiday..labor day..but I had to do some laboring nonetheless.It was our first wedding/pelamin account. The Persada has done numerous flower arrangement for wedding before, but this time we used our own pelamin set. We went to the Dewan in Setapak at 10am, installed the pelamin and set the flowers..it took few hours until 4pm..then we headed home. By 10pm we went to the Dewan to dismantle the setting. Had to wait about an hour as the bride and her family were still posing at the arch and pelamin.

By the time the dismantling process began, we realized we had forgotten the tools !! ( plier etc). We got stuck and had to call the Boss to bring the tools in his car ( it was almost midnight). Well it was our first time handling pelamin, so sure need few things to remember the next time.

Then I noticed one of the spotlight went K.O. and the other one looked like it has been kicked for the umpteen times. Nevertheless, the bride’s family complimented us for the handiwork.

First load the stuff into the van. Need to carefully arrange them, otherwise wont fit.

Bring up to the stage

Start setting up

Do you like the light? I bought them myself from SSF and added up beads n stuff. The rest? I let my staff do:-)

Esther, Shasha, that’s not me! I’m taking photos! & I’m clueless about arranging flowers!

Tadaaa…Final work..Selamat Pengantin Baru!!!

It’s secretary’s day today, and I just got back from the function at Restoran Seri Melayu ( I’m terribly sorry Esther, Sha for canceling our hard-to-fix date) They gave us 3 free seats as we sponsored part of the event.The food was great, some weird stuff ( look at the following pics), Mawi, Nabil and Heliza were entertaining although I’m not their big fan. I guess the sponsor plan worked fine. Shortly thereafter , a lady called to inquire about our services.

Post-ranting last week ( or was it 2 weeks ago?), now I’m loaded with not-so-stressful, yet copious amount of job. So I have a lot to update here:

1. Secretary’s week

The Persada received hundreds of single-wrapping rose hand bouquet order from Restoran Seri Melayu for the coming Secretary’s Week. We also agreed to sponsor goodies bags for the partying secretaries (and the bosses). Basically, our own ( my design, to be exact) paper bag, discount card, flowers and I also included a greeting card that also informs everyone about the launch of The Persada Wedding.

2. The Persada Wedding

It’s official that I’m running a wedding services. It’s an equal share business between the Head of Florist and me. She likes the pelamin stuff and all but she needs someone to do account and management, so here I am. Perhaps it’s sound weird for me to run a Wedding section, but the opportunity is there, so why not I grab it.

So I went to City One Plaza near Masjid India to source for pelamin stuff, at first I felt weird (never crossed my mind) but then I got used to it. I picked our first set of pelamin ( She let me do the decision as I hold the account) and the order will be received in 2 weeks. Then on the 1st May, we will have our first wedding account. It’s quite exciting, honestly. Here are some shots of the pelamin stuff displayed at the shop:-)

I also got order to design a wedding bunting. The client gave me a small, camera-phoned quality, colored photograph which I have to re-shoot with rose petals and give the couple a heavy editing in hope to make it as fabulous as possible. Well at least I tried my best.

Before editing

Final artwork

3. Potpourri Manufacturer

I found a strange obsession with making potpourri. Normally every Monday and Wednesday, there will be old flowers that we collected from Prime Minister’s Office and Ministry of Finance office, then we replace with new flowers twice a week.I saw the petals thrown away just like that, so I decided to give the flowers honor of being immortalized in organza wrap than plastic garbage bin wrap. ( Oh what an honor!)

It’s actually fun to air-dry them next to my printing zone, and see them wilt and dry.There’s something about seeing the petals dry each day that keeps me excited (psycho huh). Then,just pour fragrance, and stuff them in organza bag. It’s much easier than I thought. Perhaps I could supply potpourri afterwards, considering the amount of rose petals I collected.

I am officially entering panic zone. I think my marketing capability is way too mediocre. I have been bugging with calls, spamming every boutique, clubs and even clinics’ emails to let them aware of my presence.

Today our dispatch guy resigned, in consequence of his lack of discipline towards work. So now we are looking for a replacement.

The Persada is launching a Wedding department due to high demand from clients. Most clients who buy flowers from us want us to set their wedding too. (So perhaps I could get my printing involved too..paper bags, wedding buntings etc)

Until now, I feel so hot on my seat.

I have a crazy, irritating week going on. I was working on a project to decorate an office of one lady. At first it was okay, I had to include so much text in a small 2′x 5′ bunting that my client thought will provide ample information for her products (trust me, it’s incredibly silly and doesn’t work that way) but after the printing work was done and mounted ( and everyone thought it was a good job done, considering her tiny budget), the lady and her husband started to show their true colors. They complained every single thing that was done. Hellloooo, you’re the ones who approved the visual etc, I’ve explained everything that may have different results due to certain limitation and bla bla, but these annoying, arrogant humans just don’t get it. I have to tell them that it’s not my problem if both of them failed to communicate among themselves. At the end of the day, I decided to take back some of my printed work ( 2 large 4′ x 8′ banner with wood frame & 4′x 6′ frame) and the freebies I wanted to give initially. Heck, you’re getting on my nerves. I’ve been tolerant and calm and composed while you were mentally torturing and criticizing me. Now it’s my show time.

She thinks I was being emotional and should obey to “Customer is always right” rule. My biz partner and me decided to cut her off and told her that at The Persada, customer isn’t always right. It was too obvious that they were being a pain the you- know-where. (Sounds like French motto, huh)

Other than that, my Illustrator software was playing a drama too. It just can’t save in pdf file, Memory slow, unknown error and so much excuse (Hello, I paid you to work for me, Miss Little Software!) . Dateline was way too near, and I have no backup copy in hand. Argh..It took me a whole day to rectify it.

Many months ago, my boss cooperated with one big liar. He was cheated some money, and Mr Liar was nowhere to be found or contacted. Few days ago Mr. Liar re-appeared and came to my office and wanted to do get some printing work. When he saw my boss was there next to my table, he just couldn’t go anywhere! Luckily there was no blood and tears, but he sure got what he deserved.

I am more calm at the moment. I bought some guppy fish yesterday and it’s really comforting to see them swimming.

The office isn’t completed yet. Still waiting for the reception to complete (They haven’t placed the logo on the Polycarbonate divider wall yet). All the buntings I designed are ready, although the colour output was a bit unsatisfactory. Other than that, my friends are complaining that I’m getting absorbed with the office. Yup, meet clients, google for resources, and lots of coffee the size of my head. My laptop is my closest friend at the moment:-) Huh can’t complain.

Still waiting for compressor for the cold room to be installed. Not much flowers yet.

Photo Test-Shoot for product photography

The shop/office is almost ready. Izzi works really fine at my new office, quite fast and steady.