Childhood memories of miniature biscuits, crackers, inspire Joyee Tan to start a business

KUALA LUMPUR: Childhood memories of buying snacks or "jajan" or loose candies neatly packed in oversized containers at sundry shops or night markets are memories fondly remembered by those who grew up in the 60s until 90s.

Joyee Tan, 25. has embraced these memories to start a business.

Those childhood memories have inspired her to come out with miniature keychains and earrings in the shape of "keropok roda" or cracker wheels, iced gem biscuits and fish-shaped biscuits. Measuring three centimetres just like the real ones, they definitely evoke nostalgia.

To make it more interesting, the hand-made miniatures which are moulded from clay resin or soft clay are packed into miniature plastic containers in red colour like the ones used to store the snacks in sundry shops.

"The idea to come out with the snack collection came after my mum brought home those colourful icing gem biscuits and immediately a rush of my childhood memories flashed through my mind.

"Many of us still miss those moments of our childhood especially now where life is tough. Back then, there were no commitments and no responsibilities to think of. We were free and happy,' she told Berrnama.

Asked what was the biggest challenge for her to prepare the miniature candies, Tan said time was the biggest obstacle because she needed between two and five hours to complete a batch as she needed patience and accuracy.

"First, I will mould the clay according to the required size and later bind them to become objects with the aid of epoxy putty, AB silicon liquid, mould putty, shaper brushes and craft knives," she said.

Tan and her close friend Renee Wong, 23, who have been doing the business since February, also make other miniature food items like croissant, onigiri and kuih kapit, the traditional love letters.

"Initially, when we first started, we produced a lot of foreign-based miniature food items but later we found out they were commonly sold and could be easily obtained, so we moved to making local food stuff,' she said, adding that they plan to focus more on food-oriented products.

Tan operates from her her home in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur.

Under the brand name 1/12, she sells her products online at prices between RM12 and RM127. She gets on average 40 orders a month.

-- BERNAMA