Design Up Asia - Empowering Single Mums to Become Jewellery Artisans

Photo courtesy of Design Up Asia

As part of the Fashion Revolution campaign, I attended an Upcycled Quality Jewellery Making Workshop conducted by Design Up Asia, a Singapore-based social enterprise with the mission to empower low-income, single mothers who are unable to afford childcare to earn a living through crafting jewellery from home.

The accessories are eco-friendly and sourced from recycled and vintage materials. Their main jewellery line is designed by highly-seasoned designers and looks like any trendy jewellery retailing in stores along the Orchard Road shopping belt. Prices are also affordable ranging from S$10 to S$50.

I spoke to Kim, one of the co-founders of Design Up Asia, who told me that the social enterprise was founded when they won the Arthur Guinness Fund Hackathon, a social innovation competition, organised to meet the needs of marginalised women in Singapore.

L. our trainer helping me secure the hooks on the bracelets

Muli-coloured recycled beads used in the jewellery-making process

The participants for this workshop were trained by L., a single mum under the Design Up Asia program. She painstakingly guided us amateurs to create stunning handmade pieces using recycled materials. After much frustration, fumbling around and reassembling the beads countless times, I finally made a classic 'pearl' bracelet and a clam-shell necklace inspired by a safari adventure and seaside escapade (?!!).

My safari adventure meets seaside escapade necklace

To view the main jewellery line, you can visit Design Up Asia online store or shop via Zalora SG. They also run jewellery making workshops for volunteers, corporations' team building sessions as well as personal events such as birthday parties. Design Up Asia can also create a customised line of jewellery upon request by clients. Do head to their website to check out the good work they are doing to support and empower single mums and also to pamper yourself (or your other half) with their trendy, handmade pieces.