ARRESTING and colourful, online fashion and accessories venture Our Spot’s range of neckwear are fashion pieces that can add instant glam to a simple or plain outfit. Our Spot is a collaboration between two church friends, Adele Lee and Tina Ng.
A biochemist by training, Lee had the idea to start an online jewellery business because she wanted more free time, an option to do other things and not to be stuck in a traffic jam in her daily commute to work.
Last year, the two friends decided it was time to give it a go.
“We are glad we took that leap of faith to start our business.
“We were introduced to a new community and met people who were showcasing their handmade products.
“They gave us invaluable advice and support to soldier on with our jewellery,” said Lee
Lee teaches private tuition classes in addition to co-managing Our Spot with Ng, who formerly worked in the corporate world.
Testing the waters on what would sell at arts and crafts bazaars in the Klang Valley proved to be a fertile learning ground for the two friends.
They recently showed off their expanded range of accessories at the F.A.B.! Fuyoh Art Bazaar at Publika, Kuala Lumpur.
After dabbling with a variety of products in the initial stages of the business, the duo came across semi- precious stone necklaces hand made by a friend.
They were immediately captivated by its look and the craft behind the product, and semi-precious stone necklaces became the first range that they sold under the Our Spot brand.
Then, as they delved deeper into handmade jewellery, they found themselves playing a deeper role in the designing of the necklaces, wanting to ensure they could commission handmade pieces of jewellery that met the taste of customers.
“We have been keeping a low profile as we hone our craft to develop other ranges of jewellery to provide variety to the mix we currently carry,” said Ng.
Initially featuring only their elaborate semi-precious pendants and necklaces, the duo has complemented their semi-precious stones neckwear range with interesting bracelets and cuffs.
The cuffs, available in a range of colours and designs, are made with semi-precious stones fastened on a leather strap and inlaid with wire to retain their shape.
“We like the idea of offering handmade products and people seem to appreciate our semi-precious neckwear for the same reason.
“They love our semi-precious stones designs, so we have now extended them to matching cuffs .
“Encouraged by customer feedback, we choose not to offer common, cheaper jewellery. That is the direction we are heading to as we develop our range further.
“We source materials, like our stones and beads, from Malaysia and within Asia. We are experimenting and developing a range of accessories with this slant,” said Lee.
She has been designing and creating her own range of metal wire jewellery. She makes Kumi Himo bracelets with a Japanese beading technique that she learned from an acquaintance.
Ethnic beads, such as nyonya manik beads, Nepalese beads and Sabah beads, are being introduced into the brand’s new range.
“We started introducing the manik beads in our children’s hair accessories range and they were a hit. They were so appealing that adults started purchasing the pretty clips for their own use.
“It is usually trendy women in their 30’s who find it appealing. We gave the nyonya beads, which are traditionally used to decorate accessories like slippers and bags, a new fashion twist,” said Ng.
Besides fashion accessories, they also offer handmade character keychains and mobile phone holders.
Visit www.facebook.com/ourspotenterprise for more information.