IT WAS love at first try for Ms Vickie Lee when she went for a Japanese clay craft lesson six years ago.
A craft buff, her hobbies that include cross-stitch, crochet and knitting. But while these have remained hobbies, she has taken things a step further with Japanese clay craft.
To share her passion for clay crafting with others, she started Craft-It-Yourself — a specialty craft shop.
Ms Lee teaches others how to make miniature clay figurines, pastries and flowers, which can be used on hair accessories, earrings and, occasionally, as wedding favours or display items.
Some of them look so life-like that you could easily mistake them for the real thing if not for their size.
From hobby to vocation
Ms Lee had an unexpected and unconventional start in this business. She has been in the business of printing for many years and currently runs a digital printing company alongside her specialty craft shop.
When she first started clay crafting, she had problems getting the materials locally as it was a relatively new hobby in Singapore. She then approached the supplier in Japan and ordered materials directly from there.
She soon became such a regular customer that they asked her to be their sole distributor in Asia, and she agreed.
“I did consider starting a craft venture at some point. So when this opportunity presented itself, though somewhat prematurely, I ran with it,” explains the 41-year-old.
Today she has multiple suppliers from Japan and South-east Asia from whom she orders her clay and other materials.
Joy of teaching
For almost six years, Ms Lee stayed behind the scenes supplying materials to other retailers.
It was only a year ago, after the overwhelming interest in an art and craft road show she organised, that she started Craft-It-Yourself with her partner Lilian Low.
An emporium for crafting materials, Craft-It-Yourself also runs clay craft lessons for both adults and children every day of the week. Her oldest student is an 89-year-old woman.
Initially, she started Japanese clay flower craft lessons for adults. Once that took off, she introduced miniature creation classes and is now moving on to folk art creations.
“I enjoy teaching others. Being able to share with others something that I love doing is a bonus for me,” she says.
There is however a minimum age requirement of five years for children because their motor skills are less developed.
Three freelance teachers help to run the classes, one of whom is the Japanese teacher from whom she first learnt the skill.
With her classes getting more popular, Ms Lee finds it a challenge to get teachers with the proficiency to teach this craft.
Nonetheless, she has her eyes set on the future. She is already starting to expand the business online through a website which allows her to sell her supplies overseas while promoting her craft classes.
This way, she hopes to create awareness of the craft internationally and to attract overseas participants to attend workshops and learn the craft.
Not for sale
Despite recognising that the profit margin can be quite substantial, Ms Lee is not eager to sell her creations.
“Nothing beats the satisfaction of creating things and having customers wanting to buy your creations, regardless of the price,” she says.
“But I would much rather have people create something of their own. This way they will treasure it more.”
Having run two totally unrelated businesses, she feels that for any kind of business, one must be determined and prepared to work long hours.
She believes any business is workable, and it helps if you have a positive mindset.
Her motto is: “Persevere, persevere, persevere. Problems are temporal. Sunshine will come after rain.”
For more information, go to www.craft-it-yourself.com
|
