Shopping when you’re in Singapore is overrated. There, we said it. Sure, who doesn’t love retail therapy. But why not make better use of your time, by, well, making something. Be it if you’re one of the business travelers streaming through this entrepot, or if you’ve made the city-state your Singapore serviced apartment, these workshops in Singapore will help you craft new trinkets that’ll spruce up your life in Singapore, especially when you’re staying here for a longer period of time.

A History of Craftsmanship

Perhaps the humble streets of Little India and Chinatown still bear the remnants of the enterprising spirit of traders past. Back between the late 19th century and 20th century, immigrants from India, China, and the rest of Southeast Asia came to Singapore in the hopes of a better life. Some of them had already honed their craft as blacksmiths and image carvers.

One fascinating example is the Banjarese people from South Kalimantan in Borneo, a land known for precious stones and metals, with diamonds being the most prized resource. The Banjarese were one of the earliest people to mine and trade diamonds. There is even evidence as early as the 17th century, where diamonds were part of the tributary gifts to the Chinese emperor.

With the riches from the diamond trade, it paved the way for some Banjarese to move to Singapore (even if there was no such thing as a Singapore serviced apartment yet). Some of the Banjarese families continued the diamond trade, while working with other artisans and craftspeople to create intricate jewellery.

Through the early 20th century and after postwar Singapore, the city-state prospered. With it, traditional crafts began to evolve, adapting to the rapidly changing needs of the people. Cobblers proliferated as people switched from wearing clogs to leather shoes. Painters also worked on movie posters for the likes of Shaw Brothers and Cathay Keris. Some street barbers were even able to move into their own air-conditioned shops. All of it laid the groundwork for Singapore’s quiet, but rich tapestry of craftspeople today.

Fading From Time

Yet, time marches on. Most of these trades and crafts began fading from view as the years progressed. There are a couple of factors at play here. One of the more obvious ones is the advancements in manufacturing. With new technology and machinery, factories were able to mass-produce goods more cheaply and efficiently. Working spaces within factories were getting more comfortable too, compared to the arduous conditions of occupations such as blacksmiths and goldsmiths. Along with better hours and wages, most preferred to leave older trades and crafts.

New policies for land, labour, and the economy also decimated most of these trades. In Singapore’s roaring 80s and 90s, many shophouses were demolished to make way for skyscrapers, housing the corporations of the new economy. Craftspeople and peddlers relocated to factories. There were new environmental regulations for the streets too, and the younger generation then preferred less labour-intensive work. 

Even so, some survive the test of time. Perhaps you’ve even seen them before: itinerant ice cream cart vendors, traditional bakeries, independent provision shops. They are still able to find a space to thrive amidst the ever-changing cityscapes. Today, new generations of artisans and craftspeople are taking up the mantle. So let’s find out how they share their traditions, and how they spark new ones by running workshops in Singapore.

Acrylic Pour Workshops

Nearby MetroResidences Serviced Apartments

Jewellery Making Workshops

Nearby MetroResidences Serviced Apartments

Leather Crafting Workshops

Nearby MetroResidences Serviced Apartments