Group Spotlight: Creative Hands & Willing Hearts
- Suellen Lee
- Nov 11
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 16
By Suellen Lee
Selected photography by Ann Seojin
My maternal grandmother was, as my mother says, a “queen of the domestic arts.” Her living room was filled with cross-stitched pillows, her sewing machine always humming atop a long wooden table. She could transform simple yards of fabric into something useful or fashionable. Ironically, her gift skipped not one, but two generations. My mother, the only girl among brothers, never took to sewing, and my own attempts to learn from my grandmother as a child ended when my family moved abroad.
So when I stepped into Jen Moses’ home for the AWA Creative Hands group’s November meeting, I was overcome with a familiar nostalgia as memories returned of my grandmother’s industriously patient spirit around her sewing table. Around Jen’s dining table sat several women — Jen, Paige Jenkinson, Siew-Wei Ngiam, Gaye Goodman, and Jade Wangdi — who welcomed me with warm smiles. I had arrived in time to catch the group on a crafting break, happily chatting over spoonfuls of nourishing food. Then, no sooner as they cleaned up their plates, they - one by one - were back at work. The room filled with a calm, rhythmic energy — the kind that comes from hands and hearts fully absorbed in making.
As I spoke with the group, one thing became clear: Creative Hands is about much more than just crafting. Formerly known as Quilters and Crafters, the group changed its name in 2018 to reflect its inclusivity of types of creative pursuits as well as skill levels. Whether it's crochet, embroidery, beading, making temari balls, or you are just starting to learn to knit, all are welcome. Meetings are held two to three times a month in members’ homes, a choice that nurtures connection and comfort. “Being in someone's home is just warm,” Jade told me. “You learn, you share, you finish things you might otherwise never complete.”
Creative Hands gathering in Siew-Wei's home in October 2025, photos by Ann Seojin
Listening to their stories, I realized that what binds this group is not just the art of making, but the act of being together and helping each other grow in craftsmanship — sharing time, knowledge, space, and encouragement. They spoke of workshops filled with sewing machines and conversations; of field trips to hidden haberdashery stores in Chinatown; of projects that took months to complete but were cherished all the more for it.
Watching them work, I thought about my own short-lived efforts with knitting and sewing — projects that quickly ended whenever frustration set in. I used to think I simply lacked the patience and knowledge, obviously. But sitting there with the Creative Hands group, I understood that what I had lacked was community — mentors to guide, friends to motivate, and the accountability that comes from shared passion.
In their gentle focus and easy camaraderie, I saw echoes of my grandmother’s spirit of creative, unrushed industry in this group. Creative Hands thus feels like a living thread that connects generations of makers, each stitch linking creativity with companionship.
I left inspired and encouraged that one day I will make time to pick up where my grandmother left off with me years ago. Because after spending time with these women, I know one thing for sure: it’s never too late to begin again, one stitch at a time!
Jen Moses' temari balls collection
(L) Handmade bag by Carol Picon (photo by Ann Seojin),
(C) Washi tape Easter eggs taught by Kim Arnold, (R) Blanket by Siew-Wei
(L) Bag taught by Charisse; (C) Peranakan beaded slipper by Laura; (R) Bag taught by Kim Arnold
Christmas felt crafts by Donna Krejci
Diamond paintings by Siew-Wei
Crafting hands at work (hover over individual pictures for captions)
Creative Hands members visit local haberdashery and craft supply stores
Recent pictures of the Creative Hands group, by Suellen Lee (left) and Ann Seojin (right)
If you are ready to join this group of creative women, click this link on the AWA website and request to be added to the WhatsApp group! https://www.awasingapore.org/creative-pursuits#creativehands
Creative Hands meets on the 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursdays of every month at someone's home.
 | Ann Seojin is a wedding and lifestyle photographer. Known for her candid, heartfelt and documentary-style approach, Ann captures images that celebrate connection and the beauty of everyday moments. She is based in Singapore & Seoul. You can view her work at annpano.com. |
 | A native Singaporean, Suellen grew up as a "Third Culture Kid" in Hong Kong and the US. She moved from San Francisco to Singapore in 2019 with her husband and three sons. They have since added another three furry members to their family, Ollie (a "Singapore special" dog), Panda and Piglet (twin cats). She runs, sometimes writes, and is a California licensed Clinical Psychologist with a part-time practice in Singapore. |
