#3 Unexpected kindness: Singapore's handmade scene

The polymer clay space in Singapore is... let's just say, intimate. It's been bitter sweet seeing who has continued to create after the whirlwind of the past four to five years after COVID.  You'd think we'd discover other makers and crafts people on Instagram or Tiktok, but funnily enough, the real encounters for me all happened over Carousell. 

I know, right? It's where I, a total newbie to the world of handmade jewellery in Singapore, found my people.

1. Annie from aclayaffair: The one who taught me to soften up (literally)

I met Annie when I was just starting out. I'm talking "haven't-even-touched-a-block-of-raw-clay" new. I was scrolling endlessly, completely lost in a sea of Sculpey, Cernit, and Fimo. Annie, an art school grad and new mom, was selling some of her supplies. She didn't just sell me clay; she really opened up her entire world. She shared her favourite clay artists from the US, techniques she found most fun to practice, and, most importantly, saved me from a crumbly clay disaster. I’d bought some Fimo Mother of Pearl that was basically just expensive dust. Annie taught me the secret to clay conditioning – skip the store bought Sculpey stuff and use a little bit of baby oil along with a whole lot of patience. Game-changer.

2. Christel from zahzil jewelry: The one who taught me the worth of my art

Two months later, I met Christel from Zahzil Jewelry. I was fresh from a trip to Europe, starting a new job, and prepping for my first-ever craft market at my university. I needed some jewelry busts, and hers were perfect. Christel, another art school soul with an incredible eye for design, shared her stories from the trenches. She told me about the people who’d look at her Brazil-shipped, handmade jewellery and ask,
"Why so expensive?" She warned me people will eventually challenge my prices saying "It's just clay."

She told me about the magical feeling of a customer returning for a second, or third time. The surreal moment of seeing a stranger on the street wearing a piece of your heart. Her stories were a reminder that what's being listed isn't just "clay." We're selling tiny, wearable pieces of art, after months of experimenting and practice. That's something to be proud of. She genuinely made space for me as a newcomer and shared in her love for her craft.

These encounters have been more than just transactions; they've been the building blocks of Solmade. It's a reminder that even in a city as fast-paced as Singapore, there's a space for slow, intentional, and handmade jewellery. And on that note... my next collection for Solmade is going live at 3pm today. Come say hi!

And ofcourse, see you back here again, soon.

- Edna, x