KUALA LUMPUR- Imagine this: you’re a kid marvelling at the pretty figurines in a store window. But then you look at the price tag, you realise your allowance comes nowhere close.
Well, in March Pun’s case, she decided that if she couldn’t afford something, she’d make it herself.
“I have loved miniature art since I was in secondary school, and it sort of developed into a hobby since then,” she shared with FMT.
The self-taught 26-year-old artist, who holds a degree in accounting, said she watched numerous online video tutorials to learn how to mould polymer clay into the food she loves.
“All those mini crafts, especially from Japan, fascinates me because of how intricate and well-made they are, and I aim to be able to make something like that one day, too.”
Pun said she was unwilling to give up her hobby despite being a fresh graduate tackling a high-pressure accounting job.
Instead, she used her free time to run workshops on how to make miniature art at the MTMT Studios in Taman Megah. The experience made her realise just how much she enjoyed this line of work.
“I want to inspire people to learn and make these as I feel this type of art is not as mainstream here like in Japan, Korea or France,” Pun said.
Soon she was taking orders from customers who wanted birthday gifts for family and friends.
She said that one of her proudest moments was collaborating with Family Mart Malaysia. “I love to eat the oden from Family Mart, so I got the idea to make a mini version of it and posted it online.
“Their marketing team saw it and loved it, and they got in touch with me and offered to buy them from me for a social media campaign,” Pun shared.
Oden, for those unfamiliar with it, is a Japanese fish cake stewed in soy-flavoured dashi broth. It is a well-loved street food.
Pun also collaborated with Chucks, a skincare brand by local influencer-cum-entrepreneur Jane Chuck, as well as Xing Fu Tang, famous for their brown sugar boba drink.
She said her main aim participating in flea markets and mini bazaars was to create better exposure for her products. While most of her art is food-themed decorative pieces, the Port Dickson native also makes earrings, necklaces and keychains.
Who makes up the most of her customer base? Pun mulled for a while before saying they come from all walks of life.
“I get orders from teenagers and office workers, as well as aunties and uncles; I guess it’s because the food pieces I make are universal enough for them,” she said, with a smile.
Pun said she hoped to make her miniature arts hobby a full-time venture someday and maybe even set up her own studio.
“I realise it is mostly the guys who spend a long time standing at my stall and perusing the pieces instead of their girlfriends, often asking if she wants something from the displayed items,” she said, chuckling.
If customer demand for her mini crafts keeps up, Pun just may be able to have her dreams come true.
Follow Pun on Instagram; head to her website, email [email protected]; or contact 017-6818636.