The Healing Power of Creative Hobbies

Ms Christine Lau has always had "itchy hands." Despite making a career in video games, that creative itch never went away.

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EXPLORING OTHER WORLDS VIA LEATHER

"I've always liked the physicality of making things with my hands," says the 35-year-old Hong Kong native, who moved to Singapore in 2015 to work as a game artist.

It was a love of drawing that led her to becoming an illustrator and graphic designer.

But Ms Lau eventually found herself turning back to handmade crafts and venturing into woodworking and metalworking for jewellery.

"It's a way to keep my hands tactile, to be creative, as well as my mind," she says.

As someone who has always had "geeky" interests—including series like Sailor Moon, Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings—she found muses and influences in fantasy media.

Woodwork, metalwork and leatherwork are big parts of the genre, as they are used to make armour and signature items.

"Beautifully crafted fantasy leather satchels, books and props in films were an early inspiration," she says.