BEING able to control and manage work pressure or any kind of stress in life is a plus towards better living.As for Annie Lai Kui, 59, she has found her lifesaver in art and crafts – a choice that derived only as hobby at first, without realising that was how she gained her happiness, confidence and wellbeing again.
She fell in love with crafting while still serving in City Hall (DBKK). Out of pity by a colleague seeing how depressed she was, she was persuaded to take up crafting.
By and by her interest increased with curiosity on decoupage artwork. She began exploring further by getting knowledge and skill through classes she attended and self-funded.
“Since taking up the new hobby some 10 years ago, I began to realise I became calmer, steadier and happier although I was still working at the time.
“However, I could only do my craft work over the weekends but I was really excited and always looked forward to the following weekends,” she recalled.
“How stressful it was when I recalled back the work that I had to carry out while with the agency, but I was glad I listened to a friend’s advice to take up the hobby. Hence, my decoupage artwork has become part of my life today,” said Annie, a former civil engineer.
Having served the agency for 35 years, Annie confided in her retirement period she deserved the happiness she wanted by doing her decoupage work. She had since retired a few years ago.
Encouraging others to emulate her, Annie said everyone has a hobby that they are engrossed in, it would somehow transform you to be a happier person.
“There are certainly reasons as to why we ended up doing what we wanted in life. My choice of doing decoupage, a kind of art has indeed made me a better person in terms of thinking, way of relaxing, how I perceive life ahead of me and how I want to help those who are in the verge of giving up life due to work stress.
“I honestly can say that doing artwork could make your hands and mind move steadily and think calmly. It is so rewarding in the sense that you will be able to appreciate your surroundings,” she pointed out.
Originally from Tuaran, she now lives in Penampang with her family.
She said “decoupage” derived from a French word meaning an activity of decorating a surface of any object using glue to paste a paper cutout.
“Anything that makes your mind think and your hands move, I believe it is a good therapy for well-being and it’s rewarding, too.
“When I was pressured with work life then, I slogged myself to do something that pleased me, I chose decoupage artwork. It has benefited my mental health so much,” she said.
Today, her time and effort paid off. Her investments towards learning the skills, applying the knowledge she acquired from all over the world had definitely come to fruition.
Determined to help her community in upgrading their artwork skills, Annie said she would gladly share how she managed her crafts using objects that are easily available for anyone inquisitive enough to ask.
“In fact, I have been telling people not to throw any containers, bottles, jars or anything that can keep things. These are objects you can transform into something beautiful.
“For example a food can, cooking oil bottles, sea-shells or even unused dish covers, they are good for practising your decoupage artwork,” she said.
She added that her real happiness comes from the work that people do or create with their hands.
She is also helping B40 category recipients (E-Kasih) to learn the art for skills and survival.
Colourful: Dish cover makeover.
Annie claims arts and crafts saved her from a depressed work life.
From trash to new: Repurposing an old can.
Slippers and shoes can be transformed into attractive objects as well.
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