Daphne Tann

To paraphrase a line from one of my favourite books, Ender's Game (great book, so-so movie) – "I be crazy too, little buddy, but at least when I be craziest, I be painting and the crazy, she float out of me". 

I've been painting for as long as I can remember but it was only recently that I discovered intuitive painting through Flora Bowley. The first two images are the result of chancing upon her techniques. It's an amazingly therapeutic process where you don't plan ahead what you're going to paint. It takes the pressure off from having to plan ahead and to make sure it turns out the way I wanted it to. 

If you'd like free painting tips, a personal or group painting workshop, to purchase or custom a painting (I promise you I'll do a happy little dance if so), or just to say hi, feel free to drop me a note here.

Is your own collection of jewellery also a collection of memories? 

The reasons behind my favourite jewellery pieces often goes beyond mere aesthetics. They’re the ones that were with me during a special moment in my life, becoming tangible expressions of memories and emotions.

My earliest memory of jewellery was of this little “Captain Planet” ring I had as a child. It was a cheap plastic toy, but wearing it made me feel empowered and feel that I had magic literally at my fingertips.

It’s this transformative power of jewellery that makes me fall in love with them and the stories behind each and every piece. Because of those stories, jewellery pieces become modern day talismans and amulets that are infused with pure feelings of love, celebration, strength and even healing energy. From helping you feel confident for that interview or first date, to helping you feel even closer to a loved one.

Ten years ago, I stumbled upon my love of creating jewellery during my foundation year at Central Saint Martins in London. I’ve since moved back home to sunny Singapore where I lovingly hand-craft each and every piece in my little design studio.

I often use Mother Nature’s natural beauty as a starting point. It is her seemingly effortless beauty that I try to recreate in my designs. I work rather intuitively, respecting the precious metals to create a product that feels just right. These pieces are conversation starters with a bold feminine edge, that are intriguing and iconoclastic.

Each piece is created to be one of a kind so that they may truly become part of your personal story, letting you stand out from the crowd without having to shout about it.

Ready to create and immortalise more memories? Let’s connect and co-create a truly original piece of wearable art to represent a part of your personal story.

Confessions of a serial-workshop-attendee –

There's something really great about making things with your hands. I dabble in all sorts of crafts and have recently fallen in love with pottery thanks to lovely local potters from Mud Rock Ceramics, Un Studio and Ves Studio.

I dabble in leather crafts thanks to Maketh Project and Shoe Artistry. It's a brilliant mix of art and functionality.

Similarly, seen here are wooden dessert spoons I've carved under the guidance of Everyday Canoe. Totally new level of appreciation for such crafts.

I learned how to knit from YouTube and can proudly make wonky scarves. Not that it matters much here in Singapore. 

And last but certainly not least, the last image here shows my first attempt at a little "botanical crystal" that I've made after lots of Googling and YouTubing. Will be making more of these soon with more colourful flowers and plants so stay tuned!

If you'd like to try something new and need help finding a workshop for all kinds of crafts here in Singapore or if you'd like me to make something for you (I promise I'll do a happy little dance if so), feel free to connect with me here.

At the risk of being labelled a "hipster" (oh the horror), I fell in love with photography when I was taught how to shoot using film back on an Asahi Pentax K1000 during my university days. Since then, I've acquired one too many film cameras (want to buy one?) with the oldest (and still functioning) being about 95 years old. 

Over here I have a mix of film and digital photography.

A personal favourite shot that I've taken is the one here of the couple kissing. It's a little voyeuristic but I shot it through a window as the train I was on pulled out of the station. Saw the moment and couldn't resist, so *click. Shot it on film and had it cross-processed and then scanned to get a digital copy. And those are original colours of the cross-process film :)

Admittedly I don't shoot as much I used to. Changing that especially after attending Eric Kim's photography workshop titled "Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography”. It was a great experience. Especially the exercise of trying to get ten "no's" when asking strangers if you can shoot their portrait. You'd be surprised how hard it is to get ten "no's" and who you get the "no's" from. It's really not the big/scary/grumpy person. If anything, those turned out to be the friendliest with amazing life stories.

P.S.
I am serious about selling you a film camera if you're interested. Just drop me a note here to adopt one of my babies x

Pardon the cliche and hipster-notion, but I usually have a sketchbook on hand wherever I go.

And here are some of my doodles as I go about my day.

Am also in the midst of not making my iPad a white elephant as I figure out digital doodles.