SINGAPORE, Oct 8 — She taught herself how to crochet by watching YouTube videos during the Covid-19 circuit breaker period. Now, 22-year-old university student Bernice Lee and her family earn up to S$3,000 a month from selling homemade crocheted items.
Lee is one of many crafters who have grown hobbies or passions picked up during the pandemic into what is commonly referred to as a “side hustle”, a small business people do alongside their main occupation. Yet, since Covid-19 restrictions eased, Teo has seen an almost three times increase in the number of makers. He also said that more than half of Invade’s vendors sell more “sophisticated” items or things that are more complicated to make.
Crane Living currently stocks items from small businesses at its four branches and various pop-up spaces and hosts weekend markets in its spaces. “Running a business is very expensive, and much of that is rental. If you’re renting a physical space, you have to sit there and hope customers come to you, which is very difficult if you’re just starting out and have no idea if your market can sustain that,” said Boey.
Also at Curbside Crafters is 28-year-old Samantha Fong, who left her job to pursue her hand-poured soy candle business Apricot and Co full time in January this year.Her arrangement with Curbside allows her flexibility, such that when she is unable to physically be at her booth, Curbside staff members will help her attend to customers.
For Suliah Jamal, who owns a hand-blended oil and scented sprays business Suerinity, having an in-person front at Curbside Crafters for her products is essential, as customers are able to smell the scents and personally try the oils on their skin.