Misryoum details how an animator in Singapore turned her sticker hobby into a thriving side hustle, expanding into stationery and a snail-mail club.
A creative side hustle can start as an escape from work, but in one Singapore entrepreneur’s case it evolved into a steady source of income that now outpaces her day job.
Lee Tze Gwen. a 32-year-old animator and artist. created Curious Pots in 2020 after her animation work left her craving something wholesome.. As Misryoum reports. her artwork leans into calming greens and blues. with a “tired corporate worker” character who finds relief through plants.. What began as stickers soon became a broader brand built around stationery items and recurring offerings.
The key shift came from how she shaped the business around customer needs. At the same time, she kept her creative identity intact, using her character’s world to guide product design rather than treating each release as a disconnected idea.
Her early decision to focus on stickers reflected what she perceived as a strong market moment. and the lineup expanded into calendars and other stationery products.. Later, Curious Pots added a subscription-based snail-mail club, designed for a more thoughtful, low-friction kind of buying experience.. Instead of sending bulky goods. the club centers on art prints. letters. and stickers that can be delivered through regular mail.
Meanwhile, Misryoum notes that changing trade costs pushed her to rethink what she sold to customers in the United States.. She said tariffs made some existing purchases harder to justify for her buyers, particularly when total costs rose sharply.. In response, she developed a format that could stay more affordable for international subscribers.
That matters because it shows how small businesses can adjust without abandoning their core strengths. Pricing power and shipping strategy often determine whether products feel accessible, especially when global trade costs move.
By Misryoum’s account. the snail-mail club is priced in Singapore in the local currency. with additional postage charges for overseas customers.. The business also gained traction through art markets and conventions in Singapore, where she sets up booths and sells directly.. She has built a community approach that emphasizes the idea that someone “in a little nook” is still looking out for you. no matter where you live.
As the side hustle grew, she made a major employment pivot.. She left her full-time animation job and now balances freelance animation with running Curious Pots.. Misryoum describes this as a deliberate choice for flexibility: if she feels worn down by animation. she can shift back to drawing and assembling her club content.
In the background is a practical lesson for creators: being consistent and listening to customers can turn creative talent into a durable business.. The story behind Curious Pots is not only about art. but also about adapting product formats. showing up regularly. and using feedback to keep refining what resonates.