Is a space filled with tiers of musky scented hardcover books called a library?  What if in that same space – in sheer madness, you threw out such precious – would you still call it a library? 

Is a community park without paved grounds, swings, slides and monkey bars meant for communities to congregate?

Would the studio of Coco Chanel in Paris be a space for innovation if she did not have in place all her tools to change the face of women’s fashion in 1918?

How about a writer tinkering on his type writer?  Would words flow if the very space gave him fear and anxiety? Constricting his energy to put down his best words?

Take a walk around your professional office and take note of each individual’s desk.  

Check out the studios of artists, musicians, dancers  and check out the diversity of tools each one holds dear. 

Each Crafted Space is made special to the individual of interest and serves their purpose.  However, for the past many years, since 2009, I closed the door to my creative world full time and entered into the apparel corporate industry, I have fraudulized my space.  I packed away majority of my tools, old inventory of hand-dyed georgette silk, hand-dyed merino wool, corsets and scarves.  Out of sight, out of mind right?  

Not exactly.

However, I understood creativity may only come after Maslow’s  5 basic needs have been covered: Physiological, Safety, Love / Belonging, Esteem and Self – Actualization.  

And so over the years, I would sneak in little trinkets of textiles and collect them unfashionably onto corners of my desk at home.  The desire to do something creative taunt me day in and day out but I knew – I must secure my foundations, set my house in order – without major struggles in any of my 5 boxes and sustain myself.

Years passed.  My fingers continued to itch.  But I slapped it and resumed, collecting dollar for dollar.  I paid rent & my bills diligently month after month.  A Win!!  But still, itch went my fingers.  I entertained them through cooking but I continued, dollar for dollar until I had enough to purchase the deed of my home 3 years ago.  Without realizing it, the personal growth I went through both professionally in the corporate world and my personal life was immensely valuable, did I allow a moment to dance and finally relieve the ingrown itch of 10 years.  

Without the financial stress once experienced with the early days of . . q u e e n i e . . .  – the liberty to be free and express in the medium best highlighting my skills showed the maturity I’ve gained than that of my early 20 something self.  

To start, the website of my brand was launched in 2016.  It was meant to share the true purpose of service through the means of creativity.  However, Mama Universe had other plans for me and so this itch once again took a pause for another 3 years.  

I learnt to be patient with Mama Universe the hard and beautiful way but when she decides to reward, she does it at 100% and so I never questioned her.   Year 2020 was it.  With all the creative juices collected over the past 10 years, my “studio” was recently revamped with all the love and gratitude in the world.  

Inspirational mood boards created were systematically chosen and placed on the wall.  Photos of my loves and valued precious moments captured into a single shot arranged with the softness & flow often amalgamated into my work.  Desk space cleared of clutter and each item serves a purpose, whether creativity or emotionally.   

With the space completed, I fondly reminisced a visit to a Yoshikazu Fujimoto’s studio in Japan 2016.  Mr. Fujimoto described his studio as his playground.  He wakes up everyday with full appreciation for his space and it is evident in his work.  Echoing this same mindset, I am immensely thankful and happy to share this crafted space with you.  To many, it is simply a corner with pretty photos but each space is personal and serves only the owner. 

A story or two for every space.  Mama Universe, thank you for this personal Crafted Space where innovations & current work will continue to flow for life.