Photo: Sadshrimps
Cover Photo: Sadshrimps

Support our local zany accessory artists and #handmadequeens this August

There is something so ethereal yet fragile about a piece of handmade perfection that is made up of several other collected art pieces. We tend to soften our touch and movements as we handle them because they are not only beautiful to look at, but they are also delicately put together by human hands for our visual pleasure and adornment.

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It is no surprise that handmade accessories are always more fascinating and attractive to gaze at than the mass-produced stuff because of the individual artistry, time and effort put into the value of each and every accessory.

But what is more intriguing is when the artist puts their own personality and background into their art, and these homegrown accessory artists and designers do just that.

These locally-based artists not only incorporate elements of quirk and individuality into their art pieces, but they also integrate social and cultural aspects into them like shokuhin sampuru (food models), which replicate food that is familiar to Singaporeans, or peculiarly Singaporean tropes like the red plastic bag and styrofoam boxes.

This wholesome effort to imprint a local and individual identity onto one’s accessory pieces celebrates everyone for their own quirkiness and uniqueness and what it means to be Singaporean, which truly makes these brands so special.

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1. Kowa

Kowa, which means ‘to make peace’ in Japanese, is a brand that aims to bring a kind of zen tranquility and happiness to their clients. Their use of muted, pastel colours with the recurring motifs of flora, fauna and blue waters displays a truly Japanese aesthetic of nature and philosophy of minimalism in their products. Their accessories are all handmade and they range from a variety of earrings to barrettes.

See also: Heaven And Earth: Inside The Mind Of Japanese Artist Chiho Aoshima

2. Sadshrimps

Natasha-Elle of Sadshrimps puts herself and her love for quirk in her aesthetic through the use of bold and bright colours in many of her accessories. Her art style takes inspiration from cartoons and animations and she boldly expresses herself through her products with animatedly and emotively drawn faces on inanimate objects, giving new life to the mundane.

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3. QQuirk Co

This Singapore-based accessory brand adds a local flavour to most of their products like their references to McDonald’s chicken nuggets and Pepperoni Pizzeria and we are here for it. These beautifully crafted and accurately realistic accessories successfully deceive the naked eye as play on the local cultural experience of the country and integrate it into their products, making them utterly delectable and oh-so-Singaporean.

See also: How Singapore Designer Nathan Yong Started a Successful Furniture Store

4. Whoaa

Whoaa is a homegrown accessory brand that wishes to empower individuals in self-expression and self-affirmation, and what better way to do it than to accessorise. The brand’s founder is a self-proclaimed shy introvert and she found that the best way to express herself and to start conversations was through her uniquely eccentric creations. She hopes to spread her passion and joy in making her products to her clients and to also imprint the Singaporean twist onto her products, with her nasi lemak earrings and socially trending items like her BTS meal earrings.

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5. Attaylia

This small homegrown brand focuses on producing accessories that are deeply nostalgic and fun, as they evoke memories of our childhood with our favourite breakfast cereals growing up and the references to Toy Story. Their approach to accessory-making is one that does not take themselves too seriously and the bubblegum theme and bright, pink colours of many of their products reflect that philosophy.

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6. Lauren X Khoo

Lauren Khoo of her namesake brand wants to bring a quirky sense of fantasy, mysticism and romanticism in her fine jewellery creations that evidently evoke a timeless elegance and opulence with a touch of authorial personality and symbolic intention. She not only alludes to folklore and tale, but she also shows her zany fun side with her gummy bear collection of chain necklaces, bangles, rings and hoop earrings.

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7. Pyar Is Love

Pyar Is Love is an ethical fine jewellery brand from Singapore and they not only make sure that their materials are sustainably sourced, but they also love to add character to fine jewellery pieces such as casting gold plated recycled bronze in orecchiette pasta shapes and translating them into different vessels as earrings, bracelets and necklaces. Since pasta making is always a family affair, they hope to spread the love for food and your loved ones through this creation.

See also: Pasta Table Honours Singapore’s Frontline with Culinary Masterclass

8. Eden + Elie

Eden + Elie wants to elevate the Nyonya beadwork and your grandma's kebaya in the genre of fine jewellery through their focus on handweaving techniques to create their functional, yet uniquely quirky and Singaporean pieces. They incorporate intricate Peranakan patterns and beadwork into their jewellery such as their bangles that are reminiscent of the jade ones that our grannies wore and the handwoven patterned lantern earrings, which successfully combines high jewellery and the cultural motif of our city.

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