KUALA SELANGOR, Jan 7 — Independent artists often have a hard time translating their creativity into a viable business.

However, the rising popularity of enamel pins has helped talented artists like Nur Ashikin binti Hussin, 23, to launch her own collection of pins which showcases her artwork.

The pins are marketed under her brand, Eurekart Studio. The word "Eurekart” is an amalgamation of her nickname Eureka and her love for art.

Stay magical and true to yourself with this unicorn enamel pin.

Nur Ashikin tells us that her name was given to her at Science Muar Royal Academy. The school has an interesting tradition where senior students assign nicknames with a scientific slant to the juniors. Once you’re given that name, you’re stuck with it in school and even the teachers call you that!

In 2016, she discovered enamel pins can translate her artwork into wearable pieces. The first design — Cat Lady — was released in October 2016 and featured a lady with a cat on top of her head.

The cat lover adds, "I wanted to create something that represents me but something cute.”

Stay magical with Eurekart Studio’s whimsical watercolour paintings.

Eureka loves the effect that watercolours give to her artwork (left). Mark a page in your book with these whimsical bookmarks made with original artwork from Eureka (right).

You will also find that her pins contain quotes. One of her favourites, "dream big dreams”, was inspired by the animated movie Sing. "It means a lot to me hence I want to share it with people.”

The quote resonated with her as she feels it’s a great reminder that whenever life gets topsy turvy, you need to keep calm and hold onto your dreams.

The Cat Lady pin came out in 2016 (left). Wear this super hero puffin pin with a cape to inspire you that ‘you’re puffin perfect’ (right).

Art is Eureka’s passion.

With the quotes, she believes that the pins become much more than just fashion accessories. "I want pins with a purpose and they are not just cute but can deliver a message that means a lot to me.”

After her first Cat Lady pin, she released another four designs. This includes a superhero puffin decked out in a cape that comes with the quote "you’re puffin perfect.”

This was well received by pin collectors as puffins are relatively rare in the world of pins. She also offers an interpretation of a unicorn with the words "stay magical”, a reminder to stay true to yourself and do what you love.

Eureka prefers watercolour versus acrylic paints since it creates a nicer wash effect.

The pin community has been incredibly welcoming to her. She also trades her pins with other like-minded artists to collect their work and they also help to promote her pins. "People who produce pins also collect them as it becomes like an addiction.”

Currently, the talented woman is studying for her Masters in architecture at UiTM in Puncak Alam, with the intention of pursuing a lecturing job in the future. Rather than taking the usual path of graphic design or even art teacher, she believes that she can do much more with a career as an architect.

The flower girls series will brighten up your life.

This enamel pin was inspired by a quote from the movie Sing (left). Bookmarks with fan art of Fantastic Beasts movie are all hand painted (right).

The Batu Pahat native has also been painting since young. She was born into an artistically inclined family as her mother is an art teacher and her father also paints.

That love for art is still strong despite her busy schedule. "Every night, I paint because I love it.” She prefers watercolours since it produces unexpected results when the pigments mix with the water. She also adds, "It’s because the wash effect is very beautiful.”

Inspired by films like The Secret of Kells and Fantastic Beasts, starry nights and music, her artwork has a magical, whimsical feel. Each piece she sells is one-of-a-kind. "I’m more than happy if people buy, as people are getting something I love.”

The cosmic girls series captures Eureka’s love for the oceans and the stars in the sky.

For her enamel pins, it goes through a multi-step process from sketching to translating it on Adobe Illustrator before it’s sent to China to be manufactured.

Usually her artworks are small in size; each piece roughly takes about three to five hours to finish. It’s perfect as she can complete smaller pieces faster, sell them and be satisfied. "I have a fascination for all things small. Working small scale makes it more intimate and I can have more fun too.”

In her early years, she would reach out to customers via Facebook. Nowadays, she prefers Instagram since it’s easier to make a connection to others. "It is informal and you can reach people easily. I also get inspiration from people.”

She has also participated in a few bazaars, the first being back in 2015 at Kompleks Kraftangan in KL. She also has a virtual shop on Etsy selling her enamel pins and art merchandise for the last one and half years, a move she took in the footsteps of fellow illustrator, azureenchan.

Inspired by her favourite animation, brother bear and the song of the sea are lovingly painted in watercolour.

At the bazaars and her online shop, she sells her original watercolour paintings, art prints, stickers and bookmarks, all hand painted by her. For the bookmarks, every piece is manually hand painted in watercolours.

When she is free, she also takes on commissions. So far, her watercolour illustrations have appeared on wedding invitations and even at a Malaysian cultural event held in Beijing back in 2015.

Eurekartstudio’s works can be found at Stickeriffic in Jaya One and the following links: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eurekartstudio/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eurekartStudio Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EurekartStudio