onegramofmojo-blog

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All in all, Melbourne has been such a darling to us and I absolutely loved it and would seriously consider moving there if an opportunity comes up. 

I feel so inspired from this trip, and will make good use of these inspirations to create. Actually, I’ve been thinking - before the new year starts, I’ll take a couple of days to unplug from society and really think about how 2015 has been for me, and how 2016 will be for me. How I can try to impact the world in my own little ways and basically gather all the inspirations throughout the year and start working!

See part 1 here.

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Melbourne, you’ve been amazing and inspiring. I hope that the inspiration stays in my head and heart, allowing me to create more soon.

Btw, if an opportunity arises to migrate, I would take it up! 

More pictures at part 2 here.

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First workshop success, and another to come this Dec 19! 

I never thought one day I’d be a teacher to anyone except my future kids, but it really feels great sharing your knowledge and tips to eager people who wants to learn your craft, and appreciate the things you do. The synergy of these colour enthusiasts coming together really excites me!

So thankful for this amazing opportunity by the ever so generous Joanne and the amazing support from my friends.

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Fresh from the oven are these brooch pins! The whole beauty about marbling is really about the unexpectedness. More on https://instagram.com/shopaveragejo/.

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Create a mess!

I can’t believe I’ve only just found out about her! She’s got to be one of the people that I look up to or who inspire me. Kelli spoke wonderfully about how skeptical she can be about things happening around us, resulting in her 3 creations - reinventing holiday greeting cards, designing turntable wedding invites made out of paper and able to ACTUALLY play a song and lastly, printing and distributing hundreds and thousands of copies of fake New York Times containing positive information from the utopian timeline that people HOPE to read about.

I hope whoever is reading this would be as inspired as I am; that anything is possible. Watch Kelli on TED here.

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As promised after my Holga series of the NZ trip, here’s the other half from the digital camera. The first half’s here. 

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As promised after my Holga series of the NZ trip, here’s one half from the digital camera. The other half’s here. 

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My common icebreaker is “Do you know the girls from In Merry Motion? Do you do you do youuuuuuuu?” These two angels were my sources of inspiration and proved that success of a small business starts from within. Their genuine attitude and warmth are extremely contagious! 

Of course when I was working on a side project for MATTER on this Interview Series: Our Crafted Nation, the first people popped in my head were Joyce and Weiyan from IMM. In this series, I had conversations with 5 craftspeople who call their amazing community a second home. They have also inspired me in ways that I never thought I would be and have humbly shared with me what keeps them going, their difficulties, and my personal favourite part - a quote for keepsake. 

(A big welcome hug was given.)

Jo: It’s really good to be back girls! Thanks for having me and sharing your precious time. Let’s start with the big question: How did In Merry Motion come about? And what are the values behind?

Weiyan: The idea of In Merry Motion / doing something on our own was birthed one day during our final semester in school while we were working on our thesis. Joyce was sharing about her sister's wedding preparation, and wondered why her sister's one special day had to look like everyone else's even when she was paying quite a considerable amount only to be subjected to a template. It got us thinking -- what if! we could apply what we've learnt (design thinking) to this realm of celebrations. We started thinking out loud - why must a ring pillow be a pillow? Or a hongbao (red packet) box be a box? And then we got REALLY excited!

Values behind? Really about this never ending merriment and joy that comes from within as we ideate, craft, and extends to during and after the celebration. Like a wave motion, never ceasing, always spreading. That drives our work, that sense of joy. 

Jo: So what would one expect in a celebration crafted "in merry motion"?

Joyce: It's thoughtful and sincere (from the heart). And surprising! 

Jo: That’s so nice to hear. You know how easy it can be to talk about achievements and happy moments, but what happens when the going gets tough?

Weiyan: Pray. Eyes on the prize - the project, and finishing it well. The satisfaction of our clients, and always going back to the reason why we started / like our good friends from Logue (Jean and Huiwen) who always remind us to think of why we're doing what we're doing. 

Jo: What are some tips/lessons you wished you knew before setting up your own business?

Weiyan: It's okay to ask for help. Sometimes we tend to think that we have to put up a "front for the public", and that everything is okay, when it's not. So, don't be afraid to fall!

Joyce: Laying out expectations. Problems tend to arise when expectations are left unsaid. Make sure to have a clear communication flow!

Jo: Wise words! Ok, people that you look up to?

Joyce: My sister Yvonne. She's my role model and source of inspiration, constantly challenging in a constructive manner. Always pushing me forward, always so supportive and encouraging.

Joyce & Weiyan: And also David and Tom Kelley from IDEO (an experienced designing and innovation consulting firm)! Tom Kelly recently held a talk where he shared about his book Creative Confidence - his revolution of design thinking. To him, creativity is not just about designing or being in the creative designing. It can come in many forms from different industries. You should read the book, it's inspiring!

Jo: I am definitely going to get it.

Weiyan: For me it's our good friends from Logue, a local content studio, who we proudly call friends (Joyce nods in agreement). They showed us through their craft that we can all do what we love to do everyday. Their spirit of giving their all - their energy of teenagers and excitement of two-year-olds - so contagious!

Jo: I hope to meet them formally one day. They sound like angels too! How's the IMM calendar looking like?

Joyce: Thankfully it's the lull period now - it's been a busy 2015 (in a good way). We will be using this period to regroup and gather, taking a look internally to see what we can produce that's easily accessible to the public and what In Merry Motion is about, and in what future direction we'll be embarking on. A step back will help us to see the bigger picture.

Jo: What does it take to be a local craftsperson? 

Weiyan: The Logue girls' energy! And also being genuine and true. In our case, no two weddings are the same where we don't reuse our crafted props in another celebration. Every celebration is unique and we honour that.

Joyce: Don't give up and continue moving forward is the attitude to have.

Jo: Can’t agree more. What do you think of the local craft scene and it's direction?

Joyce: Very exciting and hopeful, where we aren't afraid anymore to share our stories. Really looking forward to what it may become!

Weiyan: On the other hand, I think as more creatives venture out, the scene becomes saturated with people working on the same craft, resulting in you having a leverage over others using a low price point. If we can all respect each other's work and protect the craft, the craft scene would look very promising!

Jo: That’s a different perspective, but very true. Let’s hope for the best! Any wise words for the budding creatives?

Weiyan: Try. Don't despise the days of small beginnings. Surround yourself with like-minded people who love you enough to tell you the truth (instead of trying to keep you in your bubble). Bloom where you are planted. Sometimes it starts wherever you are - at home, in your current workplace, in your neighbourhood. 

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This 3-week road trip to South Island, New Zealand, had many firsts for me. First time travelling out of Asia. First time on a road trip. First time seeing such beautiful landscapes. First time experiencing peace and serenity in a large magnitude. First time using Airbnb (we had 7, and one of them was a private cabin with a bird eye view of the city). First time seeing animals in their natural habitat. First time paragliding (the leap scared the shit out of me but after that, it was amazing). First time going out to the ocean to whale watch. First time witnessing a gigantic chocolate fountain (in the Cadbury Tour). First time kayaking, alongside ducks too! First time using my Holga (after buying it in Hong Kong in 2009). 

These pictures are far from perfect, but it sums up our trip pretty well. We’ll be back soon, NZ. Kia ora!

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The Shawshank Redemption

A movie 21 years ago, and hands down one of the best movies I’ve ever watched (thanks to the Mister who’s practically a human movie library). Got me all mixed up with emotions in the short span of 2 hours - anger, joy, sadness, unjust, gratitude, guilt, courage. You name it, I felt it. Reminded me of those times when I was a little girl listening to one of the best storybook told in a classroom, unravelling myself in the story. 

One of IMDb’s highest rated movies - a 9.3/10. Definitely worthy and has lived up to its reputation. Can’t be more thankful to call it a week with such an excellent movie. Cheers to a fresh new week ahead!

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 Browsing my new book that came in the mail over tea from Jeju and bread on a handmade porcelain plate from Jaipur. There’s nothing to not love about slow mornings.

Have been wanting to get my hands on this book about Katsuji Wakisaka - a Japanese Textile Designer (my dream job!) who has made brilliant designs for Marimekko, in their early days. He was one of the two Japanese designers offered to work in a Finnish company. During his 8 years in Finland, he sent a total of 10,000 postcards to his wife. Wished I could read Japanese to understand his love notes, but till then, I shall keep this aside as my inspiration source and a coffee table book. 

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It annoys me terribly that acquaintances want to “catch up” when they need something from you, after five hundred and seventy two years. Thank you, I don’t need it. You can go away now.

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“Everyone is searching for originality. Ironically, it is right there within them, but most people are too busy being someone else.

You have to make the most of your uniqueness. Nobody else can draw from your childhood and teenage experiences, from your schooldays, or from your parents.”

Enlightened by my new book - The Art of Creative Thinking.

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Last month, I was working on a side project for MATTER on this Interview Series: Our Crafted Nation, where I had conversations with 5 craftspeople who call their amazing community a second home. They have inspired me in ways that I never thought I would be and have humbly shared with me what keeps them going, their difficulties, and my personal favourite part - a quote for keepsake. 

So for starters, Jackie from The Fingersmith Letterpress.

Jo: This is a one-woman show. What is an everyday routine like in the studio?

Jackie: If I were not printing in the studio, I'd be out teaching children acrylic painting. It's something that I also have a passion for since 7 years ago. These home painting sessions can be as often as 3 times a week. It's really a lot of freestyle expression for the children and they can paint anything they want. My role is to guide them in using specific painting techniques. One of the funniest (and most memorable) painting sessions was that a little girl who painted a picture of her father farting a balloon of green gas! 

Jo: Haha! That’s hilarious. Hey, I really love your studio! How does your amazing design process go in this amazing space?

Jackie: Thank you. I am really very fortunate and thankful for this space. I draw inspirations from everyday actions and things. I will then sketch them onto my notebook using Adobe Illustrator to have them on the screen to play around with. After I'm satisfied with my work, I make these designs into plates and that's where the printing magic happens.

Jo: Wow, that’s amazing. I bet you get this question the most often, but I had to ask - why letterpress?

Jackie: As I’ve mentioned earlier, I love working with my hands, so the hands-on aspect of letterpress printing really appeals to me. Also, I am actually quite old school. I don’t really enjoy using technology so much but I do so just because society in this era seems to only function with the use of it. Letterpress feeds that old soul in me and gives me gratification that I won’t get if I were, say a graphic designer. Actually, the letterpress machine came about by chance. Long story short - a family friend was looking at selling it and I took it up on a good offer!

Jo: Nice. Biggest lessons learnt?

Jackie: Always wear gloves when cleaning up my letterpress machine! Once when I didn't wear them and tried taking my contact lenses off with kerosene stained hands, my eyes went bloodshot. It was horrible.

Jo: Ouch, I can’t imagine. Did I mention one of your creative works was a welcome gift for all participants during a collaborative talk with The Platform Collective. So what value do you see in bartering?

Jackie: It's definitely a good concept. It’s also a good way to meet like-minded people (i.e. young entrepreneurs) in this growing community, which can be enriching and inspiring. People barter if they see the exchange as of the same value, and sometimes, in this time and age, that's tough.

Jo: Where do you see Fingersmith Letterpress in 3 and 5 years?

Jackie: As a designer and letterpress printer, I'd definitely want to increase Fingersmith Letterpress' product range and international exposure. I recently met up with a potential stockist in Barcelona (so happened we are following each other on Instagram too! - ah, social media). Well, in 5 years? Just continue with the progression in the same route, but on a larger scale and hopefully by then I’ll have more studio elves to help out in the studio. 

Jo: Sounds like a plan! Any advice to aspiring creatives?

Jackie: Manage your finances well. Only then will you be able to sustain your dreams. 

Jo: I can’t agree more. Last but not least, my favourite part - a favourite quote to share?

Jackie: "When in doubt, do the right thing." - Unknown.

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There were so many lessons that I took home from this, and just to name a handful:

1. Having lived in the city my whole life, I unknowingly took safety for granted.

2. Hand block printing is no layman’s work. Translating an artwork from a conceptual idea to a digital file to the most beautiful part - the actual printing - is more complicated than it appears. Common sense, planning and geometrical alignment are must-haves.

3. Being a conscious consumer is important, now that I’ve been out in the fields to see the makers behind the clothes I wear. An educational trip indeed.

4. Never take people’s words at face value. Find out their true intentions.

5. Gender inequality is still largely present in today’s world.

6. Indian food is AMAZING. I was eating naan-stop (Haha I did it again).

7. Good pictures are easy when there’s an abundance of natural sunlight.

More photos here.

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I was really privileged to be able to go on a production trip in India with my previous employer, who works closely with artisans, with the main aim of preserving the heritage and cultural techniques these people’s lives depend on. Frankly, the trip was at all levels of overwhelming and there was just so much to learn and absorb. 

Lessons I learnt from this trip and more photos here.

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So what are you up to? The common question directed at me after I left my day job. 

I then share briefly about my exploration process and literally the tasks that I’ve been undertaking. I can never find the right words to explain. Until now…

“Right now I’m making a giant mess. I’m in that liminal place between where I’ve been and where I’m going, and it’s a little uncomfortable and a little scary, but I’m sticking there until I know exactly which direction I’m headed next.” - Elle Luna, in The Great Discontent interview. 

Elle also happened to be the author of The Crossroads of Should and Must, an inspiring book gifted by my dear friend Rachel. 

One day. One day, I’ll find my way.