Meet Creative: Anita Ang of Willow Art Studios

Anita is a self-taught jewellery artist/crafter of Willow Art Studios. She currently runs her business from home and is residing in exotic Bali, Indonesia with her children and Malaysian husband.

Name: Anita Ang
Location: Bali, Indonesia
Links: Website | Facebook

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1. What is your day-to-day like as a creative person? How do you juggle your tasks, projects and personal life?

I am a full time mother to 3 beautiful children. My children are my first priority, so I prepare them to start their day followed by my day. I juggle my task with time management. Sometimes, I work when the children are sleeping or I wake up early around 4 am to do my work. I always do my best in my tasks.

2. All creative people have their own toolbox. What's in yours and what are your favourite tools?

My favourite tools are simple, basic jewellery making tools such as: flat nose plier, curved chain nose plier, flush-cutter, round nose plier and scissors; glue, elastic, jewellery polishing cloth and an old tooth brush.

3. Complete this sentence: "When I am creating art, the thing that goes through my mind are..."

‘Out-of-the-box’ jewellery.

4. Name your top 3 favourite books for ideas:

Beads Japanese magazine -ビーズ Friend (Beads Friend)

Fashion Japanese magazine -  ヴィヴィVivi

Wallpaper* Magazine

5. Music mixes are awesome! What's your music playlist when you are creating & making art?

 I listened to Al Quran recitation, Yusuf Islam music, Maher Zain, Mufti Menk, Deep Forest, Enya, Loreena Mckennit, African Latin music, Sergio Mendez, The Beatles, Bob Marley, Pharrell Williams and Will.I.Am.

6. How do you organize your creative ideas and inspirations for reference?

I always carry my sketch book everywhere I go, just in case I have some brilliant idea pop up. I love pretty and beautiful pictures, so I have a wall in my workshop which I call it the ‘Image Board’ to put my source of inspirations. I also use Pinterest to collect my own image board online.

7. What is your favourite place to go to for inspirations?

Beads and Crafts Shop, visiting fellow crafters and jewellery workshops or exhibitions.

8. I want to know your crush! Who's your favourite artist/designer/crafter or creative person?

Indonesian jewellery designer Heaven Tanudirejda, Indonesia fashion designer Biyan; Swiss Surrealist Artist H.R. Giger, Frida Kahlo and Ralph Lauren, as well as Steve Jobs and Victoria Beckham. 

9. Look at your creative life now, WOW! If you can reverse time, what would you say to the 5-years-ago-you?

Persistence in your deed to Allah Swt; Believe in your Self, don’t be afraid to make mistakes, meet new friends, love life and be committed to your Self.

10. What is your Kung Fu style to fight creative blocks?

Eating ice cream, visual adventures (read books/ magazines with more beautiful and pretty picture) and watching positive and creative people on YouTube.

11. Give the readers some love! Do you have any tips, advice, words of wisdom?

I believe Allah Swt is beautiful and Allah Swt loves beauty. 

12. Everyone has a dream! What's your dream or goals 5 years from now?

My goals are:

1. Have lots of good friends.
2. Having an offline shop and a proper workshop.
3. Collaborate with other creative people, like collaboration with famous fashion designer who’s using my jewellery design in fashion shows.
4. Developing confidence to submit my designs into jewellery design competition.
5. Travelling to hunt for more unique and authentic beads around the world.
6. Sharing with community in by teaching jewellery making for charitable purpose.

Super Easy DIY Pencil Statement Necklace

In my previous post, I mentioned that I made an appearance as a guest artist at the BookFest 2014 for Staedtler Malaysia, to conduct a 45-minute DIY workshop making Pencil Necklaces. It was fun to see all kids and parents craft the necklace together.

When Staedtler Malaysia approached me with the opportunity, I was overjoyed to be able to conduct a craft workshop using their colour pencils. About a week before the event, I decided to do a tutorial on this super easy-peasy pencil necklace and told myself I will post it up after the event is over.

I know what you must be thinking, "would anyone wear a pencil necklace", I've been getting this question too, but as what I've shared with the parents at the workshop; it doesn't have to be a necklace. You can make it portable for your kids to carry around to keep them distracted especially at functions, etc. OR they can even save up those used, blunt and short pencils and turn into other accessories like hairbands, earrings, more necklaces, bracelets, etc. As for the adults, I think this is an awesome fashion statement necklace. Quick solution if you don't have necklace to wear for parties. Hey, be different, why not!

Now that you have an idea, here's how you can get started.

You will need:
- Staedtler Colour Pencils (Short ones)
- 10mm Screw Eye Bails
- Beads (Colourful ones would be good)
- Cord (Any colour of your choice, and length depends on you)

As I have mentioned that this video is super-easy, nonetheless, I have included a video tutorial here for you to follow. Guaranteed that it is not difficult at all.

If you have tried this craft project out, or have your own version, i'd love to check it out. Leave me your link! Have fun!


P/S: If you find the video is good quality, do excuse me for it, as I am still learning and I need better equipment. *grins*

Featured in: Harian Metro newspaper, DIY Table Motivation Craft Decor

I am lining up good news to post up on the blog, so here is my latest good one.

My table motivation decor was recently featured, last 2 weeks, 6th August 2014. I was really excited about this because it was the first time I get to see my craft tutorials to be featured in the press. When the awesome journalist contacted me for this project, I had to do a quick run through on what sort of quick crafts I am able to show because it was quite a last minute.

I was asked to create a project related to home decoration. Timing was great because about a week I was informed, I created some stone motivation with doodles for the studio's 'Inspiration Altar'. Yes, I have a space that I called my inspiration altar. It's also my entertainment space, where I cozy up to watch movies, play music, read books, meditate and do Yoga. My inspiration altar is where I place things that inspire me and make me feel good about myself. It's also an altar where there are things to remind me and Justin on Love and Gratitude. I kid you not that when you are seated in that space, you are filled with coziness and positive energy.

So, because I doodled on the stones, I decided to enhance that idea for the press feature. I used IKEA photo frame, painted on it to turn it into a tray. For the colour selection, I used 7 colours based on the 7 Chakra colours; then I doodled on more stones for it. It is actually a very easy project, a quick home decor craft if you are looking for something fast and easy especially for a table 'Centerpiece'.


After the photo shoot, the interview and the press feature, it is now placed together with the rest of my inspirational items.

Listening to my Soul's Voice

Today I feel a little soulful.

A couple of interesting things has been happening to me lately; and like little 'smses', I read them as form of life inspiration to my life.

I haven't been meditating or doing Yoga for sometime. Overwhelmed by back to back work load, falling sick a little and concerned about some worldly matters, I have allowed myself to be part of it. I find myself forgetting my daily intentions. Besides having a strained week, I had more than worry to think bout, ie. planning on a new year-long project that I will be working on. I have been working on some new items to launch, all in all because I want to work towards living the dream- working from home.

Sometimes, when we get carried away, we carry ourselves away... and we forget, and then we become dull everyday.

And the mind to me, is like a tool, practically a TV. It needs the DVD player to be plugged in, pop in a good movie. The movie being the scenarios in Life, choosing the genre that we want to experience.

All it needs is some kind of uplift. Some kind of brief experience or something, to just remind me of what I am grateful for.

I once took a yoga lesson from a graceful yoga instructor who taught me how to trust my body, trust my self and to trust my heart. When you are constantly surrounded by corporate people, you tend to forget who you truly are. Taking lessons from her was a gift. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen reasons, I had to quit. When I bumped into her again, it reminded me that perhaps I need to hijack my inner self away from my body, and to live in the present moment as often as I can to be aware of my daily intentions. I am grateful for my Body, my complete and healthy body, regardless of the list of physical flaws; dark circles, frizzy hair, and being fat, as some might have pointed out about me. (Fat is just a word, a label, like how you describe a person as a tall person or a short person, there should not be a negative concept to a simple word.)

Trust. Learn. Give Thanks. Honor Your Body.

I also have been teaching my colleagues guitar. Again, as a self-taught person, I don't have much advanced experience, I taught myself only the basics sufficient enough for me to make my own music and enjoy them on my own. I never thought that I would inspire others to do the same, and just that alone reminded me on how amazing it was to realized that I was getting a chance to pass on my humble passion for music to others.

Embrace and Inspire. Let creativity fill your soul.

Perhaps you too would have your own share of little experiences like these too... all you need is to connect with it.

What was it like? Penny for your thoughts.

The Artsy Craftsy at BookFest M'sia 2014, KLCC - DIY Pencil Necklace with Staedtler Arts & Crafts Workshop

Few weekends ago, I had an opportunity to conduct a workshop at the BookFest M’sia 2014 event in KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.

(Time flies, still feels like it was only yesterday)

Unfortunately, there weren't much photos taken by myself the other day (thanks Joo Ai for this candid shot though), I mean I was up there doing my show, but while we wait for the official photographer to come back with the pictures, here's my update on the post-workshop.

It was an exciting 45-minutes session teaching creative kids and their supportive parents on how to make a ‘Pencil Necklace’. I was really happy to know that they were quite a good number of turn-ups. It wasn’t much at first, but we had people joining in half way in the middle of the session; I guess they were attracted with what I was teaching.

Since it was only 45 minutes, the craft session had to be quick and easy; basically the idea was to let parents know that they don't have to throw away their "short and blunt" pencils and they can turn it into accessories for their kids or themselves if they like quirky stuff as much as I do.

To be honest, I was quite surprised myself too because this was my first time, creating craft with colour pencils! I would say, Staedtler Malaysia was pretty impressed by the session, and I am glad that they equally enjoyed the workshop as much as I did.

It’s been awhile since I taught children how to make art, and that day, the workshop just reminded me once more on how blessed I am to be able to guide children on unleashing their creativity.

It’s not about whether they can or cannot do, the idea is to give them a sneak peek into the world of making arts & craft; that contribution in their life was all they need to recognize their own potential.

Back to the event, the DIY Pencil Necklace theme was something quick that me and Staedtler team whipped up. Promoting their awesome small size colour pencils, parents & kids get to explore with it and turn them into necklaces.

The awesome little girl with her rainbow Pencil Necklace and Bracelet, thanks to her awesome crafty Dad!

I think the kids went crazy over the rainbow strings and the colourful beads that I've provided. I would too if I were them, haha!

One kid amazed me the most because her dad was crafty and worked hand in hand with his daughter; after making the necklace, they used the left over materials to make a 'Pencil Bracelet'! How creative! I asked her dad if he's always doing craft projects with her, and he said, "from time to time, yes!" I can tell he was very excited about his daughter, and I quickly took her to a corner to take a photo!

(As you can see, my eyes look funny in the picture, but I don't care because the focus is on her, not me! Wish I got her name though)

Whoever you are, little girl, you are awesome! Love your crafts and I hope that you will be making lots in future!

Want to see more photos? Check it out here:

Post by The Artsy Craftsy Blog.

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If you are interested in organizing arts or craft workshops, and if you'd like me to make an appearance, feel free to contact me for further enquiries.

Creating Balance with the Two Sides of Me

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I always believe that everyone has two sides like a coin.

I think the two sides in everyone of us doesn't say that we are indecisive; and I don't think it makes us look as if we are unsure of who we are.

I think that having two sides makes us a balance individual, balancing the inner and outer us like the symbolic Yin Yang.

I would like to think that having two sides is far more profound than the idea of dualism, because to me, dualism is a philosophical discussion of conflict; good vs. bad, right vs. wrong, yes vs. no... perhaps even far from seeing the idea of cause and effect.

I didn't realize this until much recently that having two sides is connected with our creative-self. I used to think that I was lost and confuse because I saw the two sides that in me. I didn't know that it would benefit me and my work, and that it can help me find balance between creative passion and putting food on the table every month.

I finally learned that having two sides of me defines my interest, my work, my style of art, and everything else about me that makes me- ME. I am Special, just like each and everyone of you who's existence is as important as me in this world.

It was a blessing to finally wake up one day and saw myself in a bigger clearer picture that everything happened for a reason. Things started to make sense especially why I am attracted to certain music genre, why I am fond of certain topics in conversations, why I am interested in certain art pieces, etc. etc.

As I link them to who I am today, and what I love most that makes me unique, I now see how I am reflected in my own work, in my art, in my writing; I think that makes me my own personal work of Art.

I never really shared much about the other side of me. And most of the time, with people that I meet or just met, I receive different feedback about what they think of me. I laugh about it because it's interesting to see the different types of impression people have of me...

I get that a lot all the time, but most of the time it is all based on assumptions and as I have said "what they think of me", then it's obvious it's based on their opinion or preference.

I have completely nothing to do with it at all. detachment.

via | Copyright Shia Lynn 2014

I get questions about this unconventional-looking Lotus logo (see above).

As a matter of fact, this Lotus logo has a little a story behind it. It was derived from my name in Chinese which translates 'Summer Lotus'. Upon getting a friend to design this Logo for me, I told him that I wanted something that would represent the two sides of me, the balance in me. This was after I finally discovered the uniqueness in me of having two sides.

And I realized that everything that has happened to me or to my life, has fallen perfectly into its place for a reason. I am not shy to say this; for instance there was a reason why I was curious as a child, why I was once a rebellious and weird teenager, why I was once a junkie or why I was once a confused college student, and why I would behave androgynous-ly sometimes and next like a Lady! That was probably when I realized the Male and Female within me. The Black and White. The Unconventional and Conventional. The Love and Light. The Order and Chaos and many more..and then the Yin and Yang.

I finally understood the purpose of Yin and Yang and its existence. It was beautiful...and that was how the Lotus Logo came about.

As I am writing this, I am getting the feeling that some of you might not understand what I am talking about, haha! I know today's post might be a strange post, but it was only because couple of days back, I was just thinking to myself about why I am the way I am, and I conclude that I am the way I Am because I am creating the balance in me, as a human with needs & wants and a soul of light & love.

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So if you are curious to know the two sides of me, on top of my head, here it is:

1. Music
- I like Rock, Heavy Metal, Goth Rock, Nu-Metal
- I like Classical, Jazz, New Age, Alternative, Contemporary, you'd be surprise if I like some kind of pop music out of nowhere. Trust me, my love was like "whatttt?" But give me good lyrics, not something like "hotel, hotel, holiday inn" no.

2. Colours
- My blog is all Sunny Yellow, Turquoise and blue.
- My official website's primary colour is Black.

3. Symbols
- My blog's lotus logo is Geometric shape with bright hues
- My official website's logo is swirly spiritual lotus with black and white-ish grey

4. Mysteries
- I like the topics of Wicca, Spirituality, Metaphysics, Fairies, Magic, Mythologies, Fantasy and the rest of mysteries of the world
- I love my religion as a Catholic Christian and I trust in my relationship with my lord Jesus and enjoy finding out more about back then.

5. Spirituality
- I meditate and do yoga
- I pray with the sign of the cross and accept the Holy Communion

6. Religion
- I enjoy reading and learning about Buddhism
- I enjoy reading the bible and learning the word of God

7. Interest
- I enjoy going to Rock concerts whenever a band visits town
- I love dancing, move my body latin-like

8. Movies
- I love Disney movies or mushy love stories (Twilight sometimes, yes I admit)
- I enjoy biopic movies, action movies, thrillers, indie films, documentaries, historical films, etc.

9. Books
- I love to read books by authors like Paulo Coelho, Alice Hoffman, etc.
- I love comic books like Batman, X-Men, Cat Woman, etc.

10. Leisure
- I enjoy playing guitar and the piano
- I love playing video games (not candy crush -_-) like Assassin's Creed (sometimes The Sims, ah there you go!)

11. Fashion
- I like wearing bright colours, love the whole Bohemian look
- I love Black, almost everything I own in my cupboard is Black.

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What is your Balance? Have you ever wondered, what makes you unique?

=) Happy Friday.