KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — Wax seal stamps were used back in the old days to secure documents and “sign” letters so each stamp was unique to the individual. In Malaysia, Belle Lee is reviving this traditional practice with her online company Bamboo1619.
As a stationery lover who is into arts and craft, creative journalling and fine stationery, Lee started Bamboo1619 so she can share this passion with fellow Malaysians at a fraction of the price.
Working together with suppliers all over Asia such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and China, Lee brings in customisable wax seal stamps, planners, fine stationery, leather bound notebooks and washi tapes. She also has home decor items and customisable pet accessories!
The former accountant decided to start this business out of passion and also, she no longer felt the same passion for her previous job.
Lee started working for her father who owns a hardware shop and from there she set up Bamboo1619. She is juggling both jobs since the launch of Bamboo1619 three years ago.
“I like stationery because I want my work space to be beautiful. Malaysian stationery shops have the normal stuff like ballpoint pens but you cannot find fine stationery in most shops here,” said Lee.
The name Bamboo1619 is based on a Chinese folklore about the plant. Lee explained that when a bamboo seed is planted, within six months it can reach as tall as 60 feet!
It roughly takes another five years to grow further and make a big difference which is why she chose that name.
For the first four years, after the initial spurt of height, it grows so slowly that you won’t be able to see any visible difference. Lee likens it to business... the initial part is tough but once you’ve succeeded, it gets better.
Lee adds, “If you can’t see any results, it doesn’t mean it’s not working. It’s actually developing strong roots to support its future height and weight.” As for the numbers, it bears a personal significance for Lee since it’s a combination of her and her husband’s birth date.
The idea of bringing in wax seal stamps was sparked when Lee noticed her husband using the traditional Chinese stamp. Knowing that vintage stationery lovers would like a Western version, Lee started bringing in the wax seal stamps.
At Bamboo1619, you can purchase a boxed set of wax sticks, a seal, a metal spoon and candles for RM80. Most importantly, you can customise the seal to your requirement, giving your correspondence a personal distinction.
It’s simple to create a wax seal for your letter or any document. The first thing you do is light the candle. Place a little piece of wax on the metal spoon and hold it over the flame. It takes a couple of minutes before the wax melts. You can pour it on the document and place the seal to stamp out your mark.
“We have different designs... not just round. If you want triangle, pentagon, hexagon, heart, rectangular and square shapes, they are also available. Basically it comes in any shape,” said Lee.
Customers are required to send their designs to Lee for her to customise the seals. It can be the initials of a couple for their wedding invitations or even business owners who want to package their products with their company logo.
Sometimes it is just for those who value this vintage art. The customisation for the seal can even be in Chinese characters, animal faces and company logos.
The customisation also extends to the type of handles for the seal. “You can choose the handles. We offer 12 different types of handles and we have 26 colours. For example if you want green, there are three to four shades of green to select from,” said Lee.
Traditionally the colour red was used for the wax. Nowadays, the current trend is to mix the colours which gives you a lovely ombre-like look.
You’ll be surprised to know that most customers who buy from Lee already know how to use a wax seal stamp since it has a vintage appeal. Most of them look up tutorials online.
Bamboo1619 started out on Instagram, then Facebook and eventually Lee launched her own website and also a Shopee account. With over 6,000 followers on Instagram, Lee has amassed a number of customers over the past three years.
Bamboo1619 also offers international shipping.
She added pet accessories to her online shop since she’s an animal lover who keeps two cats. What she found when she was searching for a collar for her cats was there was a gap in the market for affordable and customisable pet collars. Pet owners can purchase a collar from Bamboo1619 and engrave the pet’s name and their contact details in case their pet goes missing.
Bamboo1619’s customisation services for the wax seal stamps and pet collars are done overseas so it takes about a week for it to be completed. Sometimes, customers want to feel the items in real life so Lee offers cash on delivery (COD) services where they will meet up before they buy.
Bamboo1619 also offers planners with creative inserts and covers with a reasonable price tag. “My best-sellers are still my planners because of the benefits such as time management – you remember more and forget less,” said Lee.
She also brings in inspired Traveler’s Notebooks, made of real leather for people who prefer a cheaper option. Lee prefers to work with suppliers within the Asian region since the goods can be delivered faster which is important for an online business.
Next year, Lee has plans to launch her own products. One day, she would also want to open her own brick-and-mortar store in KL and slowly expand to other states like Penang and Johor.
“We have plans to also have a factory to produce our own products,” said Lee. Despite being established for around three years, Lee has not participated in a bazaar before because she is busy helping out her dad with his business. “Maybe one day I will consider joining bazaars so that customers can touch and feel the products,” said Lee.
In the meantime, you can check out Bamboo1619 (www.bamboo1619.com) on their Facebook www.facebook.com/bamboo1619 and Instagram www.instagram.com/bamboo1619
