{"id":2134,"date":"2016-08-24T18:12:04","date_gmt":"2016-08-24T17:12:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.ift.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/?p=2134"},"modified":"2017-05-21T18:27:07","modified_gmt":"2017-05-21T17:27:07","slug":"carving-out-a-stylish-niche","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/carving-out-a-stylish-niche\/","title":{"rendered":"Carving out a stylish niche"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id='gallery-1' class='gallery galleryid-2134 gallery-columns-3 gallery-size-herald-lay-c1'><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"herald-popup\" href='https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-470x313.jpg\" class=\"attachment-herald-lay-c1 size-herald-lay-c1\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2135\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-470x313.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-130x86.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1-187x124.jpg 187w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_1.jpg 990w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2135'>\n\t\t\t\t\u201cInheritance \u2013 Exhibition of Handmade Leather Accessories and Carving Crafts by Teachers and Students\u201d\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"herald-popup\" href='https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-470x313.jpg\" class=\"attachment-herald-lay-c1 size-herald-lay-c1\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2136\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-470x313.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-130x86.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2-187x124.jpg 187w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_2.jpg 990w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2136'>\n\t\t\t\tDebbie Sin Mei Cheong, lecturer for the IFT course \u201cDesign and Production of Leather Carving Crafts\u201d\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure><figure class='gallery-item'>\n\t\t\t<div class='gallery-icon landscape'>\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"herald-popup\" href='https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3.jpg'><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"470\" height=\"313\" src=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-470x313.jpg\" class=\"attachment-herald-lay-c1 size-herald-lay-c1\" alt=\"\" aria-describedby=\"gallery-1-2137\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-470x313.jpg 470w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-414x276.jpg 414w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-640x426.jpg 640w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-130x86.jpg 130w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3-187x124.jpg 187w, https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/05\/Leather_3.jpg 990w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 470px) 100vw, 470px\" \/><\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<figcaption class='wp-caption-text gallery-caption' id='gallery-1-2137'>\n\t\t\t\tHong Kong leather workshop BEIS founders Catherine Ling and Ryan Lau\n\t\t\t\t<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n<span class='pum-trigger  popmake-2139  text-center font-blue' data-do-default=''>\u4e2d\u6587\u6458\u8981 \/ Summary in Chinese<\/span>\n<p>What would make a better wedding present than something handcrafted in leather? That was the thought in Ms. Phoebe Cheong\u2019s mind, and she was eager to try making such a gift herself. But Ms. Cheong knew nowhere in Macao where she might learn the craft of leatherworking. She was lucky enough to meet craftswoman Ms. Sin Mei I, who taught her some leatherworking techniques.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAfter that my interest in leather carving grew steadily,\u201d Ms. Cheong says. \u201cWhen I found out that Mei would be teaching a course in IFT, I joined it immediately.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The course is called \u201cDesign and Production of Leather Carving Crafts\u201d and is taught by Ms. Sin and her sister, Ms. Debbie Sin Mei Cheong. The sisters honed their leatherworking skills in Hong Kong, Chinese Taiwan and taking instruction from a Japanese master craftsman. They say their course is the first of its type in Macao.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere was basically no awareness of leather carving in Macao before the IFT course, as there was nowhere to learn and no channels for obtaining relevant information,\u201d Ms. Debbie Sin says. \u201cOur course lets students learn the basics about leather carving, and about the tools and production skills involved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The IFT course also teaches students how to make accessories with carved leatherwork. \u201cWe don\u2019t want to make carved leatherwork something beyond the reach of the general public,\u201d she says. \u201cIt should be something you can take out into the street.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Some of the carved leatherwork crafted by the Sin sisters and their students is on show in an exhibition at the IFT Educational Restaurant entitled \u201cInheritance \u2013 Exhibition of Handmade Leather Accessories and Carving Crafts by Teachers and Students,\u201d which will run until 30 October.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Creativity cultivated<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Speaking at the exhibition\u2019s opening, IFT Tourism and Hotel School Director Ms. Diamantina Coimbra said the Institute had invited renowned and qualified designers of leatherwork to teach courses at the School since 2013 on the strength of a surge in the popularity of handcrafted leather accessories.<\/p>\n<p>Ms. Coimbra said about 20,000 people a year attended vocational courses at the Tourism and Hotel School, and that some of these courses taught cultural and creative skills. \u201cWe wish not only to cultivate qualified craftsmen for Macao, but also to help them move up the social ladder,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>The Tourism and Hotel School runs programmes of various durations and degrees of specialisation that teach creative skills. These skills range from fine art painting to computer animation to making leather accessories. Some courses lead to certificates or diplomas recognised internationally.<\/p>\n<p>In cooperation with the Cultural Affairs Bureau, the Tourism and Hotel School has since 2011 been offering a programme leading to a Certificate in Arts Administration. This year, IFT and the Bureau began offering a similar course in Performing Arts Management. The purpose of the classes is to train managers for artistic and cultural industries.<\/p>\n<p>To keep up with demand for training in creative skills, the Institute plans to broaden the range of courses it offers.<\/p>\n<p><strong>From hobby to brand<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>The co-founder of the Hong Kong leather workshop BEIS, Ms. Catherine Ling, says the number of leatherwork designers in Macao has grown in the 2 years since IFT began offering courses. Ms. Ling and her partner in BEIS, Mr. Ryan Lau, have been teaching leatherworking courses at IFT since 2013. One such course is called \u201cLeather Craft \u2013 Design and Production of Handmade Practical Leather Accessories\u201d; another is called \u201cLeather Craft \u2013 Design and Handmade Accessories\u201d; and a third is called \u201cLeather Craft \u2013 Professional Design and Production of Handmade Leather Accessories\u201d. Leatherwork by Ms. Ling, Mr. Lau and their students is among the exhibits on show at the IFT Educational Restaurant.<\/p>\n<p>Also among the exhibits is an accessory handmade by course student Mr. Benny Fan. \u201cBefore IFT opened the leatherworking courses, I had to travel to Hong Kong to learn, as the choices in Macao were limited,\u201d he says. \u201cIt\u2019s more convenient now.\u201d He works at a casino and regards leatherworking as a hobby, but he may yet try making a career of it. \u201cI try to squeeze in some time for making pieces every day,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n<p>Ms. Ling says some of her students have set up their own leatherwork brands since taking her courses. \u201cSome of them have sold their products at various fairs in Macao, such as the Tap Seac Art Fair,\u201d she says. \u201cSo we also teach about brand management in our advanced course, sharing our experiences with students. The design of the products may look simple, but it takes many years of experience to master the skills needed to make them.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>What would make a better wedding present than something handcrafted in leather? That was the thought in Ms. Phoebe Cheong\u2019s mind, and she was eager to try making such a [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":2135,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"gallery","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52],"tags":[274,277,278,273,279,276,272,280,275],"class_list":["post-2134","post","type-post","status-publish","format-gallery","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-continuing-education","tag-carving-craft","tag-creative-course","tag-creative-industries","tag-design-and-production-of-leather-carving-crafts","tag-handcrafted-leather-accessories","tag-inheritance-exhibition-of-handmade-leather-accessories-and-carving-crafts-by-teachers-and-students","tag-leather","tag-leather-craft-design-and-handmade-accessories","tag-sin-mei-i","post_format-post-format-gallery"],"views":1759,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/18"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2134"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2141,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2134\/revisions\/2141"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2135"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2134"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2134"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.utm.edu.mo\/NewsPortal\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2134"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}