What started out as a hobby has transformed into a business, with craft makers selling their handmade products on various platforms.
By: Kevina Sim
Estie Tan Yi Zi enjoys hand making gifts for her friends, and some of them have asked if she has ever considered selling them to others. Initially, she did not know when would be a good time to start and also felt like she was not ready for it
“Then I thought to myself that there would never be a perfect timing because one will never be prepared enough to be holding the weight of an entire business all alone,” Estie said. “So I just decided in 2017 that I will make it happen in that year and figure things out as I go along.”
Local creators like Estie are channelling their art and creativity into products that are then put up for sale using different platforms. These crafters sell primarily online but also take part in local flea markets, such as Artbox and Shilin Night Market.
Wendy Seah and Chiang Pin Yi, the founders of Two Curiously, were one of the creators at MOX Parade, a flea market held at School of the Arts (SOTA). Both of them graduated with a Diploma in Product & Industrial Design, and worked similar jobs - Wendy worked as an in-house graphic designer while Pin Yi worked as a designer in a 3D company. They came together and started selling handmade earrings after leaving their 3-year full-time jobs.
“We were trying to calm ourselves down,” Wendy said, before elaborating on why they started Two Curiously. “We started thinking maybe we could do something with what we have learned in school and from the past three years of experience.”
The unique selling point of Two Curiously is the use of 3D printing in their earrings, besides paper cut and resin. With almost 4,000 followers on Instagram, they credit their popularity to word-of-mouth, social media efforts and joining pop-up events.
“You can’t rely on online platforms only, because you’ll have zero brand exposure,” said Pin Yi, highlighting the importance of these events, especially for new brands.
Another popular creator is Jazreel Kwek, who makes handmade earrings under the name Loopy Fruppy. She participated in Art Boom, which is an art carnival featuring pop-up stalls that sells crafts and customised accessories. She is thankful to have met many of her followers who went down to support her.
“I never understood why anyone could pay so much for handmade goods but as I began making my own, I understood all the effort that goes in and how special and unique each product is,” Jazreel said, noting the importance of supporting local businesses.
Mr Jeremy Tee, a youth entrepreneurship lecturer in Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), noted in an email interview that the reason for youths wanting to start their own business is to break away from the status quo of a set career path in today’s social setting. “After working closely and lecturing in NP, I understand that youths these days enjoy expressing their individuality and are not shy about it.”
Torres Jelaena Lee, a second-year Advertising & Public Relations student in NP, likes to attend such events. “It’s not shops that you find in shopping malls and usually, they can only be found online,” she said. “I’m someone who likes to buy stuff in person to actually see and feel the products.”
There will inevitably be competition between the local creators. Wendy believes that it can help them improve. “If there’s no competition, you will always stay there.”
Estie, the boss of Eezycraftzy, stands out from the rest because she chooses to hand-make not only jewellery but also her packaging.
“I wanted a more customised and personal packaging,” she said. “I do strive to reduce waste consumption in my own life so I thought if I made a reusable packaging, people would be able to reuse them and give it a second life.”
Estie gave it some thought on whether she should try focusing and doing this full time for a while and see if it was sustainable enough in the long run. “It would really be great if this passion of mine could turn into my full-time job,” she said. “I'll never dread a single day of work and never have to drag my feet to work.”
Video: Pop-Up Booths in Singapore
A short compilation of booths at MOX Parade @ SOTA and Art Boom @ SAFRA Punggol.
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