How It All Began…
Handmade Corner by Lucy
Hi, I’m Lucy from Vietnam. (I know some of you are curious about my real name! 😊) I moved to Croatia in 2021, and this is where my handmade journey began.
I studied Environmental Management and English Language and Literature. I always joke with my mum that I studied too much — I have two bachelor’s degrees, yet here I am, selling fans at street markets! The truth is, I never really felt that being an environmental engineer or an English teacher was the right path for me.
I love travelling, dancing and creating beautiful things. Before moving to Croatia, I travelled to many places around Southeast Asia, China, India, Nepal, Australia and New Zealand. I met my other half in Rajasthan, India, and moved to Croatia with him.
When I moved to Croatia, I needed to make a living, so I started thinking about what I could bring from Vietnam that might feel special and interesting to people here in Europe. One of the first things that came to mind was our traditional Vietnamese hats.
My journey began with a hat-painting workshop at Špancirfest, a famous street festival in Varaždin, the city where I live. From there, I started joining other small fairs and festivals, including psychedelic music festivals such as Ozora in Hungary.
Along the way, I met so many wonderful artists who shared a similar lifestyle — creating things with their own hands and bringing them to life at fairs and festivals. Being surrounded by these creative people inspired me to keep exploring and trying new things.
Every year, my collection grew. Some ideas came from my own imagination, others were inspired by artist friends, and some came directly from customers and their needs. I experimented with all kinds of things, from crochet products and bags to pillowcases and bookmarks. Some were popular, others less so, but every experiment taught me something new.
Today, my collection focuses on four main categories: hand-painted fans, hand-painted Vietnamese hats, macramé jewellery made with natural gemstones, and beach blankets. Every piece is handmade by me, with care, creativity, and a little bit of my own story woven into it.
And I’m still learning. I’m still developing my ideas, improving my skills, and discovering new things I can create.
Starting Handmade Corner by Lucy has given me so much more than a way to earn a living. It has connected me with fellow artists, curious travellers, and people who appreciate handmade things. Most importantly, it has helped me to explore the creative, artistic side of myself — a side I truly love to explore and develop.
This journey is far from over. There are still so many ideas to try, skills to learn, and little creations waiting to come to life.
Thank you for being here and being part of my journey. ❤️
Stones & Energy
