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Everything she touches oozes with spellbinding creativity. With her nimble fingers she weaves a collection of unique handmade decorations that bring light and colour to a home at any given time of the year. Her innovative streak, flanked by the little tit bits she had gleaned from the global crafts industry, won her accolades from many who were inspired to follow her lead. Ramani Arsecularatne has carved a niche for her originality in diverse spheres. She has mastered the fields of beauty, hair, arts and crafts and she trains students too. She hails from Kurunegala. Her father, Cyril Perera, was an Assistant Controller at the Department of Immigration and Emigration while her mother, Mary Perera, was a housewife. She was the third in a family of six and had received her primary education at Holy Family Convent, Kotahena, before sitting for the CIMA examination. She married Priyan Arsecularatne, an engineer, and was employed at Noritake - a Japanese ceramics company for a short period where she handled accounts. She had to retire as she had to be by her husband's side when he was involved in the Randenigala-Rantambe Hydro Power project. "I was frantic because there was nothing to keep me occupied. I had been so used to keeping busy that it was frustrating to be without work. Later we left for Japan as my husband wanted to engage in higher studies and I took up a part time course on flower arrangements," she explained the roots of her success. "I wanted to start something of my own after returning. I started making handcraft items. I wanted to conduct classes to impart my knowledge but I was in awe as I did not have experience previously," she said. Like many who have excelled in their respective careers she started off at a slow but steady pace. She began classes on a small scale with three students but soon her inborn talent for creativity branched out along with her fame. Articles on her handicraft items appeared in newspapers and magazines while television stations laid a platform for her to reach out to a wider audience.
"Camera crews visited my place and spent the whole day shooting clips. I began conducting demonstrations on how to make handiwork in 1990 and it was received very well. They praised me because I taught them how to make the creations from A to Z," she recalled. However, she had to take a break when her daughter, Shanika, was in her O/L classes. Shanika is now engaged in studies abroad in the medical field. Her husband shifted to SriLankan Airlines and she was blessed with the opportunity of traveling and conducting nine international workshops in countries like Singapore, UK, Canada, Sweden, Dubai and Abu Dhabi. "I could observe the latest handicraft techniques. I had creativity within me but I learnt the basics from what I observed. I generally go abroad once or twice a month and make it a point to visit a handcraft, beauty or hairdressing school to brush up my knowledge." "Hairdressing and beauty are in at the moment. A lot of youth are enthusiastic to wear a new look with a new haircut, manicure and pedicure for the festive season," noted Arsecularatne. "People are looking for new and different types of decorations to sprinkle the festive air in their homes. The traditional Christmas tree is out. It has emerged with a new look. One of my students, Marie Samarasinghe presented me a new look for a Christmas tree recently. It is made of red ribbons, pinus coated in silver glitter and a silver painted regiform star," she said. "We need to bring the festive aura into our home. Christmas decorations such as candles, bonbons and poinsettia flowers light up the house. Even the curtains have to be changed to bring about the Christmas feeling. Vibrant colours like red, green and gold are associated with this time of year. In Europe where there is snow, blue and silver shades are prominent along with lit candles," she said. She is pleased about being able to provide Sri Lankan women with the opportunity to learn techniques in various vocational fields. Decorations to add a touch of uniqueness to your Christmas Are you tired of the same Christmas decorations you see year after year adorning your living room? Do you wish to add a touch of uniqueness to your home and listen to the gasps of wonderment from your friends as they visit your place during this festive season? Get creative and start making your own Christmas décor with a few hints from Arsecularatne.
Simple steps to healthy skin
Of course, much of it is make-believe. Not only there are stylists, hairdressers and make-up artists to make the models as well-groomed as possible, but the photos are airbrushed or digitally tweaked to give the models a look of perfection, all glowing healthy skin and glossy hair. Much as it's an appealing thought, most of us don't have a group of stylists standing by to do our face and hair each morning. Nor do many of us have the money to buy the most exclusive beauty products or the most fashionable clothes. So what do you do if you want to make the most of yourself? The main thing is to pay attention to your skin.
An essential towards healthy skin is to cleanse it every day with a mild soap or cleanser suited to your skin type. Check the labels before you buy; a long list of chemical ingredients is not necessarily good for your skin. Cleansers based on natural ingredients can be better, although can still sometimes irritate. Try a few and see what feels best on your skin. Because your skin is a living organ, you need to nourish it from the inside as well as the outside. Water is the best cleanser there is, so ensure you have a good daily intake. It will help flush out toxins inside you and help brighten your skin. Think about the food you eat. Cut out junk and try to eat natural, unprocessed food as much as possible.
These are just a few simple steps you can take towards having healthy skin. A dermatologist or doctor can help too if you want detailed, expert advice. Don't despair if you don't have healthy skin. Other factors such as hormones, allergies or even genes can play a part in how good it looks. And nearly everyone gets breakouts from time to time. Remember also, while healthy skin is attractive, it's not everything. Carry yourself well, be confident and remember, you don't need to be perfect; that's not real life. clearskintips.com
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on
a paper and mark the pattern in which the coloured triangles
should be pasted. Trace the outline of the design on one side of
the three fold card and cut out the middle portion off the card.
Following the design on the paper, paste the triangles folded
into two on the reverse side of the card onto of the other until
the pattern is complete. Glue the reverse side of the first fold
part of the card to its facing surface. You can use stickers,
gel pens or computer graphics to write the greeting at the top
and verse inside the card.
500 grams of Paraffin wax. Melt the mixture in low heat (70
Fahrenheit). Blend the mixture with candle dye.
Many of us start the day anxiously peering into the mirror to see
what blemishes or wrinkles have appeared since yesterday. This concern
over our looks is not helped by the constant reminders in magazines of
models with seemingly flawless skin. We may wonder why they have healthy
skin when we do not. 
Many people believe that if you have healthy skin it helps to promote
a more positive image to others. The trouble is, healthy skin is not
always the easiest thing to come by. It often requires you to adopt a
consistent approach to health and skin care. 
Exercise can help you get healthy skin, because as you sweat dirt is
cleared out of your pores. A sauna has the same effect so try one every
now and then as a treat. 
●Make a plan for attaining goals that you believe will make you
happy. Your mood will very likely to increase as you pursue your goal
because you will feel better about yourself for going after something
you value. 
