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Rediscovering My Creative Soul at 54
Art has always been a part of me, even if life’s demands often nudged it aside. I remember vividly the still-life paintings I created in secondary school—especially those green apples that looked so real, you’d almost want to reach out and touch them. Back then, impatience got the better of me, and I never truly pursued my interest in painting. As the years passed, the whirlwind of work, business, and family life swept me up, leaving little room for creativity.
It wasn’t until the world paused during COVID that I found moments to reconnect with art. I dabbled in Chinese ink calligraphy and acrylic painting, seeking solace and expression amidst the chaos. Yet, true to form, I was always busy—continuously learning and evolving in my professional life—leaving my artistic pursuits sporadic and yearning for more.
Then, fate intervened in the form of a few handmade hair clips—a gift that introduced me to the captivating world of Tsumamizaiku, a traditional Japanese art and craft form. The delicate beauty of the craft intrigued me, but it was my dearest friend’s journey that truly inspired me. As Tomoko Ota refined her techniques and even created a patent DIY kit, I found myself drawn deeper into this art form.
A few years down the road, my passion blossomed into something more. Combining my love for art, wellness, business with my course development expertise, I began creating a structured way to share this craft to others with our first workshops conducted since April 2024 and we have not stopped counting.
In November 2024, we launched the first in Singapore and Asia’s Tsumamizaiku Craft and Therapy International Certified Trainer Course つまみ細工つまみ細工国際認定講師講座.
And this year – 2025 is really exciting as our first batch of Certified Trainers are graduating real soon in March 2025 and ready to conduct their first workshops to the public at several establishments and corporate companies.
It has been incredibly fulfilling to intertwine art, passion, and business into a meaningful endeavour. More than anything, the joy of imparting these unique skills to new trainers has been the most rewarding part of this journey, equipping them with a skill, a new hobby and to be of service to the community.
This is why I’ve decided to dedicate this website and blog to the beautiful art form and share my artistic journey—both the rediscovery of my creative self and the evolution of my passion into something much more profound.
Here’s to embracing art at any age and proving that it’s never too late to rediscover the creative soul within.
Art of Tsumamizaiku 