WHEN Patrict Tan was young, he used to make his own Christmas trees out of paper and decorate them with LED lights which he soldered.
His love for arts has encouraged him to try his hands at the various modes of expression – from drawing to painting, from origami to beads art, and plaster art.
Interestingly, arts was just his hobby. Tan did not fully transform his passion into a profession.
“I don’t really want to put all my eggs in one basket,” Tan, 43, said in an interview recently.
Tan is currently working as an insurance agent.
“I love my job as an insurance agent. I have been in the industry for 11 years.
“I also love arts and business, so I took the opportunity to start a small business selling my products as a part-time job – thanks to Hin Bus Depot.
“I am truly grateful to Hin Bus Depot for giving me the chance to showcase and sell my products,” Tan said.
He added that he has been selling his products at Hin Bus Depot for the past five years.
“I started my small business selling bracelets, paper craft, beads, and other handicrafts back in 2017.
“It was only after the first movement control order (MCO) that I tried making essential oil diffuser stones and selling them,” he said.
Tan, said he opened his kiosk at the atrium of Gurney Paragon Mall in December last year.
His kiosk, called EDF (Epiam Des Fleurs) Essential Oil Diffuser Stone, displays various designs of products ranging from Buddha figurines, teddy bears, mermaids, birds, fortune cats, dogs, flowers, and more.
Being the founder and designer-artist of EDF, Tan said he was very particular with his products.
“I handmade all my products, including choosing and applying the right accessories for each masterpiece,” he said.
Tan is a self-taught artist and sometimes he refers to the internet to widen his knowledge.
“I use the plaster of Paris (commonly known as gypsum plaster) to make the essential oil diffuser stones.
“I sourced numerous silicone moulds online. Currently, I have about 300 silicone moulds (of different designs) at home.
“Normally, it will take about two days to complete a product. I usually do them in batches and not individually to save time,” he said.
Tan added that he usually does his handicrafts at night.
“My sons, aged seven and 11, are also interested in arts. I want to let them follow their passion,” he said.
When asked if it was hard to pursue his passion, Tan said nothing is difficult if one puts his mind to it.
“For me, practice makes perfect.”
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar