Once Upon A MAAD

Maad, Market of Artist And Designers October 2011

Long long time ago, there was a featured Arts market at the former Traffic Police HQ renamed as Red Dot Design Museum along 28 Maxwell Road, Singapore. An iconic Red painted building.

In that place there were many many artist selling their hand made craft. It was a wonderful place to be on a weekend. To sell your craft and to buy another artist's craft.

It was founded by

I started selling my happy hand made crafts at this market. I was active at that location for about a year and the half before I decided to halt due to my super busy schedule as a costume designer. I had many bookings for costumes on weekends back in the days.

However, and whenever I can, I'd squeeze in some time to put up a small stall at this Arts market.

Whilst looking though my tumbdrives, I came accross a few images I saved when I participated at this fair. These are probably the only ones I have to remind me of my earlier days of nitty gritty. My style has changed so much. I evolved and I love it! It gets better with age!

My popular Russian Doll Bag Series.

If you were once a part of that place (seller or buyer) you'd remember the creative vibes that place offer. The dim lightings, cool air-conditioning, live music, eating artisan ice cream, and walking along many different creators and hoping to see something that catches your eye! Having interesting conversation amongst other Artists, sharing ideas and inspiration. The best feeling was that we are ALL CREATORS! We are so pround of what we made.

Then ofcourse there was the selling part. The whole reason to being there was to sell to people what I made! I sold countless hand made bags, purses, bag charms, textile-based jewellery. Baby bibs, baby cotton booties, and little girl's hairclips. It was just pure joy!

Red Dot Design Museum has relocated to Marina Boulevard and I believe there was still a series of MAAD when it moved. Although I haven't visited the new location, I'm glad I have such sweet memories when it was at it's old location.

A display of small and pretty little girl's hairclips.

My favourited Russian Doll phone bag.

I remeber making these when my first born was only a 2 year old toddler. I would have to make them a little taller now since most mobile phones have grew longer.

nitty gritty name card and logo design

That was how my logo used to look like. A little toddler doll which was a represetation of my first born back then. Conceptualised by myself and digitalized by a talented graphic designer girlfriend named Cheryl.

In a way the label for kids accessory was dedicated to her as I crafted alot when I was pregnant with her. It does resemble her alot when she was small!

I now have 2 daughters and they are much older. Perhaps that was why I started designing with myself in mind instead of the little girls. Anyways, I enjoyed it back then and I love it even more now!