Sham Shui Po is an amazing place to visit and is a stark contrast to the glitz and glamour of the designer stores found in other parts of Kowloon and Hong Kong Island.  Here you will find flea markets and streets solely devoted to fashion, fabric, beads, gems and/or accessories.  Although, Sham Shui Po is one of the poorest areas of Hong Kong it is actually a fashion designer or sourcing officer’s dream.  This place is a window into the textile industry in mainland China and every imaginable type of fabric, button and/or trim can be purchased here. Needless to say, we had a fabulous day.  So to all those budding fashion designers… make sure you visit Sham Shui Po when you next visit Hong Kong.

For those in Hong Kong, Chinese knotting supplies can be purchased from the following suppliers on the Kowloon side of Hong Kong:

• Tak Cheung Co. 124-126, G/G, Cheung Sha Wan Road, Tak Cheung Bldg, Sham Shui Po
• Nature’s Beauty, G/F, 148 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po
• Luen Fung Beads Co. G/F., 199 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po
• Fun Fun Imitation Jewellery Co 209 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po
• Lap Sun Gem Company 247 Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po
• Mee Ngai Wah (HK)Ltd G/F, 289-291Yu Chau Street, Sham Shui Po

If you are new to Hong Kong and aren’t familiar with Shenzhen then I recommend that you purchase a book called “Shop in Shenzhen – an insider’s guide” by Ellen McNally.  It tells you everything you need to know as Lowu has so much to offer and everybody has different tastes. 

If you go in the morning like we did, the MTR and KCR is very busy and it can be a struggle to get a seat.  The best option in this case (if you live on the island) is to catch a bus to Hung Hom where you are pretty much guaranteed a seat.  From Causeway Bay you can get tunnel bus (number 112) to Hung Hom Station (the 2^nd stop of the KCR) or you can catch bus number 111, 104 or 115 from Des Vouex Road, Central (opposite HSBC).  The Central buses also go through Queensway, Admiralty (opposite Pacific Place).  Just make sure you press the bell as soon as the bus gets in the tunnel.

What can you get at Shenzhen?  Well, you can get tailor made clothes, designer clothes, accessories, sunglasses, prescription glasses, manicures, pedicures, massages, curtains, bed-linen, paintings and Chinese folk craft to mention but a few.

It is best to schedule your day before you go and get your tailoring and bed-linen organised first.  Then you can look at bags and the like have lunch then maybe have a massage or a pedicure in the afternoon so that you can feel refreshed before heading back to Hong Kong.

Make sure you buy some Ba Bao Tea from the numerous tea shops scattered around Lowu as it is divine.  Delicate flower petals with rock sugar – yum!  Also visit  Choi Dip Hin Restaurant on the 2nd Floor (below Taste) for great dim sum and the Ba Bao Tea.

If you love jewelry, beads and anything beautiful then check out my range in my Etsy shop.

This is a sample of what I’m currently showcasing:

At the advanced level, however, there are no more chicken hands but we are playing chicken style… confused?  Yep, so was I.  

Need a lot more practice which is hard since no expats really play this style nearby so will have to wait until next week by which time I will have probably forgotten what I learnt tonight.  As I’m a bit of a spring chicken though I think I like chicken hands better.

Keep posted on this site as I plan to type up some of our class notes on a separate page.

I have always made my own jewelry and have taken several courses in Hong Kong but since I receive so many comments on my designs I have decided to create my own range of jewelry.  I love being spontaneous and particularly enjoy scouring Hong Kong for anything beautiful and unusual and love using materials such as rich velvets, beads, buttons, ribbon, fabric and anything else that has a hint of sparkle.  My jewelry is designed to be lots of fun and really bright and each necklace has my signature – at least one brightly colored button knot.  Eclectic designs for the confident, uninhibited woman.

Visit my Etsy shop at http://dumplingdesigns.Etsy.com and tell me what you think?  If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see incorporated into my range drop me a line.

Did anyone manage to get their fingers in a twist – knot!