I deliberately avoided an area called Sham Shui Po for the first 2.5 years
we lived here. It’s the poorest district
in the city and has the most densely occupied residential spaces. Some people in the area actually live in
large kennels (yes, as in animal kennel) – for about $100 US a month - so you can imagine
how many people can get packed in buildings.
They are called “cage-dwellers” (credit for photo below goes to whatsonxiamen.com).
Sad.
Clearly, this is NOT the reason Sham Shui Po (SSP) is one of my favorites. There's another side of the district, which is known to be the go-to place for
fabric, beads, craft supplies, and any other kind of “notion” under the
sun. It’s really the one and only place
for such items, since there are no Michael’s or Hobby Lobby type stores
here.
Last spring Lydia’s wonderful music teacher sent out a
desperate email pleading for help to make 20 costumes for a music performance. And sent it again about 5 times with increasing
urgency. I couldn’t take it anymore, so
I volunteered (sucker!). Since I don’t
really know how to sew, unless making a drawstring bag in 7th grade
home-ec counts, going to SSP to get the supplies seemed like the least
of my problems.
When I exited the subway in SSP, I wasn’t impressed – just
the usual busy street vendors selling all kinds of old electronics and strange
smells wafting from tiny cafes. But
then, I turned a corner and saw the first of the many brightly colored ribbon
shops all in a row. All of a sudden, I
could see that the area had potential.
There were shops with buckets of beads that could be
purchased by weight.
Fabric galore.
(The prices were amazing – I got enough fabric for 20 skirts
and 30 sashes for about $40 US!)
Other shops were brimming with lace, buttons, hair accessory
pieces, leather, rope, feathers, jewelry making supplies, and the list goes on
and on...a Mecca for crafters!
Though I didn’t leave SSP the first time with any additional
crafting or sewing skills, I was inspired. With the guidance of a talented friend, the school program costumes worked out great (though the photos did not - this is the best one I could come up with!):
Now I look for reasons to go to Sham Shui Po. Most recently I volunteered to go buy 200+ bandanas with coordinating ribbon for 25 Girl Scout troops. Rarely do I get a thrill out of shopping, but that may have been the most fun shopping trip I've ever had! Here's the haul:
And, I have learned how to make something with all cute ribbon...ribbon belts!
Just looking at these photos make me want to make something, but I have no immediate needs. Sash, skirt, ribbon belt anyone??
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