Remember the feeling of organising your room as a teenager – having the first opportunity to put your stamp on it and create your own space that reflects you, rather than what your parents had decorated?
Well, it’s a full circle moment for Vivienne Kongvongsa.
She still remembers the feeling that gave her, so much so that she launched a business hoping to help other people create a room that wholly reflects them.
Her business, The Oddative, sells handmade, unique items using Jesmonite. She is so impressed by the material that she’s now signed up to become a Jesmonite ambassador – so welcome to the family Vivienne!
Sustainability, creativity and versatility
“I am so excited to share my journey with the material, share my techniques and learn from others still too,” she said.
“It is an opportunity to represent a material I truly believe in, the sustainability, creativity and versatility of it is just brilliant and I want to inspire others to experiment with it in their work.
“I remember the pride and passion I felt when I renovated my room as a pre-teen, from curating things to make my space. It all started from there. I wanted that feeling built into my brand, the potential an item has to become such a special thing in your room, the way it is able to change your mood and impact it for the better.”
Vivienne, based in Sydney, Australia, worked for global brands in digital marketing but knew she wanted to do something to fuel her creativity more, knowing it was ‘in her blood’.
She launched The Oddative in 2020 and went full time in 2022, with a recognisable minimalist brand focused on white and off white products – she has built up an impressive following online (of customers and fellow creatives) and gained many plaudits for her beautiful creations. Not just from the Jesmonite team!
Wellbeing, calm and relaxation
The Oddative sells dishes, trays, coasters, incense holders, candle holders, vases and much more.
“I am inspired by form and balance and the way objects interact with our surroundings, “ Vivienne added.
“What is in our environment helps our wellbeing and that is what I believe home decor should be – something to evoke calm and relaxation, allowing you to rest and renew before the next day.
“I love organic shapes, sculptural forms and the interaction between light and shadow.
Even the simplest objects can be artistic.”
Vivienne has seen the home decor industry evolve since covid, as customers want to support small businesses making handmade unique items with values that align to their own.
Creativity with morals
And she said Jesmonite fits perfectly into this shift – allowing creatives to make high quality items with low environmental impact, allowing creativity while aligning with the morals of their customers.
In the Australian heat, The Oddative products are sometimes made in just 20 minutes of working time before they start to set and Vivienne has been through trial and error with mastering the curing process, perfect pigmentation and much more – but wants to keep engaged and keep learning.
And she is not only creating products, but completing a full hand made design from start to finish.
“I discovered Jesmonite on YouTube, I was attracted to the eco credentials and ease of using it, and saw people buying moulds and creating styles that align with me,” she said.
3D printing own moulds
“I wanted to sell handmade, beautiful designs made with love but that were accessible in price too, and Jesmonite allowed me to do that.
“I then started 3D printing to create my own moulds and designs. I got more creative than I had been already, having more control over the finished product.”
And now Vivienne is looking to branch out even more – keep a look out for the launch of new styles, products with new textures and perhaps even new colours in the future too!
To check out her impressive range visit her website or follow her on Instagram.
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