KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 27 — There are earrings shaped like a curved leaf, charms that resemble blooms and buds, a pendant of a coral bed cast in silver... browsing through Tribal Spirit Workshop’s display is not unlike strolling through a forest or taking a dip in the blue yonder. Indeed, fine art artist-turned-jewellery maker Yap Lee Lin finds much inspiration from nature. “I spotted some tiny flowers when out jogging one day. I spent some time studying them before turning them into motifs that are first shaped with wax, and then cast in silver,” Lee Lin explains of the floral pendants that are among the selection of jewellery that Tribal Spirit Workshop is currently selling.

An easy way to start is by making a customised bracelet, which can also be done by children

Besides cast silver, their designs are also crafted from metals like copper and brass, and incorporate materials such as precious stones. It’s a small collection because as their name indicates, their focus is on workshops.

Fine art artist Yap Lee Lin used to run a beading shop before turning to jewellery making (left). Former graphic designer Chan Mei Lee now finds more satisfaction in crafting jewellery (right)

Lin and her partner Chan Mei Lee, a graphic designer by training, used to own a beading shop at 1 Utama called Tribal Spirit. After a good run of nearly nine years, they had grown weary of it and also found that working with beads alone had many limitations. They decided to take up jewellery making, learning from various craftsmen locally and also foreign artists. “We wanted to produce our own creations and liked the idea of doing everything from scratch — from the drawing board to the work table, having a hand in every step from a raw idea and concept to the final product,” says Lee Lin.

Add a touch of nature to your outfit with this one-of-a-kind leaf earring (left). Lee Lin drew inspiration from flowers she picked up during jogging for this series of charms (right)

Lead press is used to etch names or initials onto the metal plates

It’s that creative process that they are keen to share with fellow artistic souls and those who enjoy working with their hands. Several months ago, they re-introduced Tribal Spirit as a workshop-led outfit based in Desa Park City. They offer several types of workshops that each focuses on a different type of material. All classes are on a one-to-one basis, so there’s flexibility with the schedule and timing can be suited to everyone.

The jewellery-making class, for example, takes up a total of 15 hours that can be split into three sessions. You can choose to do it over three consecutive days, or once a week over three weeks. The hours are necessary as it is a very labour-intensive process, with every little detail made and perfected by hand. “We used to conduct one-day classes of just five hours, but found that it was impractical,” says Mei Lee. “Within that time, you can only learn the basics and produce a plain copper piece.” If you’re willing to set aside 15 hours, you can create a masterpiece of a pendant.

One-on-one classes ensure students get full attention and have flexibility with the schedule

You start by drawing or tracing the design onto a rectangular copper sheet using a punch, a pencil-like tool. The shape is then cut out using a hand-held saw, the ‘blade’ of which is a thin wire that’s imported from Germany. Resting on top of a wooden block that’s locked to the edge of the table, you press the copper sheet in place with one hand and hold the saw with the other. The saw must be positioned at a 90-degree angle and moved vertically, without placing too much pressure on it. If you bend or push too hard, the wire will snap. “It’s common for first-timers to go through several of these wires!” Mei Lee reveals, and adds that one’s sitting posture and the height of the chair to the table are also important to ensure that the sawing can be done efficiently.

Tribal Spirit Workshop’s classes are based at home in Desa Park City

Depending on your design, the copper may need to be heated and cooled down to make it more pliable, or what’s known as annealing. If you need to give it some curves or make it circular, dapping is required, whereby the piece is placed into the concave surface of a dapping block and knocked into shape using a chasing hammer — a process that’s not unlike the pestle-and-mortar technique in food preparation!

Metal jewellery making involves multiple tools, depending on the desired design and finish

Some of the available embellishments for customising bracelets

If your design requires a cut-out in the centre, a shaft will be used to puncture several tiny holes before the saw can be fitted into place. The edges then need to be sanded and filed to a smooth finish. You can also opt to do the same to the surface, if you want to give the final product a different finishing. Copper, for example, typically has a stained and dulled appearance. “You can buff it with sandpaper to give it a rustic, edgy effect or with this,” Mei Lee explains as she puts on a pair of goggles and switches on an electrical hand-held polisher that’s controlled with a foot pedal.

Tribal’s offerings include necklaces, pendants and earrings

The whirring rod is used to gently scrape over the surface, resulting in a grainy texture with a metallic effect. You can also opt to stamp your initials on it, using lead press and some good knocking with a heavy hammer.

The making of a coral-inspired pendant, shaped by hand

Part of Tribal Spirit Workshop’s current range of jewellery, featuring mixed materials

While none of the steps are complicated, they do require patience, precision and a familiarity with the materials and tools — which can only be honed through time and practice. If a 15-hour workshop sounds intimidating, start light by trying your hand at customising a leather bracelet with a copper or brass plaque. You will be taught to etch your name onto the metal sheet, curve it to fit your wrists, create patterns on the strap and add other details. It can be done in 20 minutes or so and granted, is a lot less elaborate than jewellery making (they will be running children’s classes in the beginning of January 2016) but it gives you a glimpse into the metallurgy process.

Enamel jewellery is part of their range, and they also teach workshops in this medium

Knocking, sawing, soldering, hammering, pounding, buffing, and working with a variety of heavy tools and electrical machinery... it’s no surprise that those who enjoy jewellery making find it to be a therapeutic activity. It’s also one that has limitless possibilities. As Lee Lin explains it, the most important thing is to have a concept in mind. “In our workshops, we teach you the required techniques and skills. Ideas and designs have to come from you. Once you know the basics, you can create anything.”

Tribal Spirit Workshop offers the following classes:

3-day jewellery making (15 hours) Price RM1,500 per person

2-day lost-wax casting class (10 hours) Price RM800 per person; excludes casting cost as it’s done by a third party

1-day enamel class (5 hours) Price RM680 per person

Children’s customised bracelet class Price RM79 per person

Note: Prices are inclusive of tools and the basic material (copper, wax, or enamel glass) but not silver, which is charged at RM3.50 per gram.

For more information, contact Lee Lin at 012-312 8552 or email tribalspiritworkshop@gmail.com; follow them on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/tribalspiritworkshop) or Instagram (@tribalspiritworkshop)

Vivian Chong enjoys working with her hands, be it for writing or crafting. Read about her lifestyle pursuits at http://thisbunnyhops.com/