Phoebe is a second-time participating maker. I recalled Phoebe’s booth being very crowded last year as many checked out her handcrafted leather items, the on-the-spot workshops, and the “barang-barang” (“Things” in the Malay language) she was selling. I also found myself drifting back to her booth again and again (also manned by Phoebe’s mother and son, a helpful young boy), and eventually I bought an awl which I wanted to use for bookbinding. Unfortunately, I’ve not embarked on my bookbinding project yet.
Mini Shoe Workshop in progress at Singapore Mini Maker Faire 2014 (Photo: Barangshop)
How it all started
Phoebe shared that she has been making all kinds of crafts and stuff ever since she was 4 years old and started selling them as young as eleven! She has a love for making and have tried many crafts and hobbies, including pottery and woodworking. She is also a shoemaking trainer at TaF.tc (The Academy of Fashion Professions). Wow!
However, at this stage in life, her focus is on designing and making jewellery, shoes, bags and accessories, creating DIY patterns for sale and conducting workshops. Like last year, Phoebe’s booth will showcase her handcrafted items, some patterns and supplies for DIY fans.
Joining Singapore Mini Maker Faire 2014
Phoebe told us that she actually saw the promotional poster for the Singapore Mini Maker Faire 2013 after the event, so she made up her mind then to take part as a Maker in 2014.
Phoebe’s recap of her experience - “It was an interesting 2014 as we saw many who were interested in making their own leathergoods. Hope to see more this year who would try out shoe making as well with our new shoemaking kit to be launched at Maker Faire Singapore 2015.”
Like last year, Phoebe hope to raise the public’s appreciation of handmade products and also encourage people to DIY. It’ll be interesting to check out the shoemaking kit!
Thoughts about the Maker Movement in Singapore
Phoebe felt that in the not-so-distant past, most people viewed handmade/homemade as cheap and poor quality as they are made “by hand”. People perceived machine-made items to be of “good” quality. Now, more and more people realise and appreciate that handcrafted items can actually be better as opposed to factory-made. There is value added for artisan made products. And this in turn stimulates more interest in people to be makers too. We may have a long way to go in comparison to the USA or Australia, but we are strolling our way there.
Want to check out Phoebe’s Barangshop booth at Maker Faire Singapore this year? Make your way to 15 Tampines Street 11 on 11 and 12 July! Barangshop can also be found online at http://barangshop.blogspot.sg/
