Jean Kee

The last time I picked up a watercolour brush to render jewellery by hand was 5 years ago. It's amazing how terrified I was of getting back into it. This was a traditional technique that only couture jewellery houses such as Cartier, Bulgari and Van Cleef & Arpels still uphold... most jewellery companies now have already switched to using CAD. And because of that, there was such a high expectation for the rendering to be a work of art - rendered to the point that the jewels could almost be picked up right off the page. 

My first complete rendering attempt (and I'm not even counting the 3 times I had to restart) took me the better part of the day to complete, my nose practically touching the paper as I captured every sparkle and facet of the diamond pavé. But like any skill, practice makes perfect, right?  

It is a running joke amongst my friends, colleagues and fellow designers that the space in which I inhabit - whether it is to work, sleep, play or live in - is called the panda cave. I've come to realise the reason for my nickname lies in my lifestyle... and it has nothing to do with me being Asian (I think).

Working in Bangkok has been an eye-opening experience. Today marks my one year anniversary of being with this company. I've learnt so much, but at the same time, I'm already itching to begin another new adventure. Though I cannot know what the future holds for me, what matters most is the journey... the people I meet along the way, the experiences, and the things I do to make sure I get to where I want.

So in one year from now, where will I be? Better yet, where will you be?

(An added bonus being that I'd be able to enjoy all my favourite foods at the hawker centres in Singapore as well!)

Not to sound like a pyromaniac, but a festival about sending lanterns on fire into the sky was something I did not intend to miss while living in Thailand. Known as Yi Peng in Thai, it is a Lanna (northern Thai) festival, which meant travelling up north to Chiang Mai, once the ancient capital of the former Lanna kingdom.

Upon arrival in Chiang Mai, we went on the hunt for the famous Khao Soi, a specialty of the region. It is a Burmese-influenced dish, but instead of using rice noodles, our bowl was filled with crispy egg noodles... not that I'm complaining! Appetite sated, a visit to the Doi Suthep temple was in order, before heading back downtown for an afternoon siesta - or in our case, a massage. 

When the sun set, we ventured back out into the city in time for the lantern lighting. Hordes and hordes of people (mostly tourists) filled the streets, lighting, carrying and lifting the lanterns high into the sky (or dodging them if it got astray, which was not uncommon). It was the reality version of the scene from Tangled - simply replace the romantic duet with all-rounded chaos and hullaballoo... you get the idea.

We ducked into a temple to escape from the noise and risk of getting hit by a paper lantern already ablaze, and it was as if we had stepped into another world. There were lights floating on the water, lights hanging from the trees and lights floating in the sky... it was absolutely breathtaking.

Work aside, my brother and sister-in-law are now living in HK with their hyperactive maltese, Caesar, and I was able to spend a couple of days over the weekend couch surfing at their apartment, much to Caesar's delight. Getting together in the Kee family always involves eating, eating and well, more eating, and this was no different. From Peking duck, to good ol' fashioned Dim Sum, to Napoli-syle pizza, to fro-yo... it is probably a good thing I don't live in the same country as my brother or we would have a serious problem.

To top it all off, a Seattle friend that I used to work at Taphandles coincidentally was in Hong Kong that same weekend as me. Ryan was en route to China to visit a factory, and through a friend of his, Christian, who works in Hong Kong, we somehow ended up on a junkboat, spending a lazy Sunday afternoon out on the waters by the island. Pure bliss~

I caught the red-eye flight back to Bangkok on Sunday night; arrived Monday at 2am, crashed for 4 hours before heading to work... seems like the best times to be had are always associated with lack of sleep! 

While Bali gave us a collection embodying very detailed, intricate scrollwork, the ancient kingdom of Thailand, Sukhothai, inspired us to create a concept that was classically timeless in its appeal, sculpted in silver with accents of 18K gold.

Sukhothai literally translates to the "dawn of happiness" and was considered to be the golden age of Thai culture. Rather fitting for a collection with a bolder look for the modern professional women, no?

I was wandering around the streets of Bangkok the other day when I almost walked into a lamp-post... and crazily enough, the base of the post had the same twisted rope look that is iconic of our new collection! Incredulous, I still can't believe how coincidental my clumsiness became a moment of clarity - seems like we are moving in the right direction with this new collection!

Thank goodness for technology sometimes. Keeping in touch has never been easier, and you catch moments  happening halfway around the world at the same time that makes you wonder about the mysteriousness of time, serendipity, fate and all sorts of otherworldly stuff.

The timing could not have been more perfect. 

It seemed as if the stars were aligned, as around the same time that I was joining the team at John Hardy, the executives of the company had finalised their decision to rebrand Angela by JH to a new name, with a new concept, and marketing strategy. 

One of the very first collections was very much inspired by my trip to Bali, and the detail and intricacy of the handcrafted artisanal work found there.

Our first launch of this new brand went online on the QVC website this month, around the same time I received my business cards, officially cementing my position as a jewellery designer for John Hardy... cheers to that!

It's looking to be an eventful year for everyone in the Kee family - of relocating to Bangkok, possibly [but highly unlikely at this rate] births, inevitable deaths, graduating with PhD's, getting promoted, having weddings... and to top it all off, startup bakery ventures!

PieKee & Co. is the result of all of the above. All artwork related to the brand identity of PieKee & Co. can be seen here, and for the full story, please go to their facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/PieKeeCo to support this small but quirky Kee family business that is sure bring a smile to everyone's faces.

Props to Kee for finally listening to your own advice, and Pie for sticking with it through thick and thin, hurricanes, cake explosions and all. You guys are the cutest, craziest, quirkiest, most lovable couple ever, and we're all excited to celebrate with you in August!

Prior to me starting work in Bangkok, I went on a 4-day trip to Bali to visit the compound of John Hardy to better understand the company's dream, their values, and their mission as handcrafted luxury. 

Founded by John Hardy, a Canadian designer & artist, in 1975, the company applies new design concepts to Balinese artisanal techniques inspired by nature and ancient East Asian art styles and themes, creating luxurious pieces that are not only intricately made, but detailed in the story that goes behind each item.

The compound in Bali is not only the design centre, it also serves as a living and gathering space with an organic farm and low impact buildings. One of the company's biggest focus is to be environmentally and socially conscious of its carbon footprint - the ultimate goal being to become carbon neutral.

As I explored Bali, I did not realise how much it had to offer in terms of culture, heritage and tradition, and returned back to Bangkok truly inspired, ready to begin applying all that I saw into jewellery!