Kaleidoscope of Memoirs: Our First Chapter in Shanghai, China

Our little journey took a new turn and this time, to the bustling heart of Shanghai. It was Elsiewithlove’s very first time setting up a booth at an art market here, and everything felt both new and familiar all at once. Mandarin certainly wasn’t our strong suit, and the thought of navigating a new country was daunting, yet somehow, excitement outweighed all worries.

We feel honoured to be among the Malaysian artists invited to the market, proudly representing the spirit of Penang, Malaysia. We embraced the challenge and accepted the invitation, even though we couldn’t read a single word of Chinese. With heads held high, we made our way to Shanghai, carrying our dreams, our creations, and the hope that our little brand could leave a mark far from home. Our hearts were full of excitement and a touch of nervous anticipation for what awaited us at our very first art market in China.

Setting up our booth at Yogurcraft Market (鱼糕市集 yú gāo shì jí), held at WYSH Emerald Lane (上海WYSH翡悦里) on November 8–9, 2025, brought exactly that. The market ran from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with the cheerful theme of ‘Horse’ (马马呼呼 mǎ mǎ hū hū) setting a playful tone throughout the event, galloping everyone to end the year on a high note and welcoming the Year of the Horse in 2026.

This was our first ever visit to China, and honestly, it went beyond our expectations. The vibe was so warm, the people so kind and patient, and the energy around the market was simply contagious. Visitors wandered through the market with curiosity, stopping to admire each booth, and we were deeply touched by the smiles and encouragement of everyone who visited ours.

We met so many wonderful new people, and their smiles, encouragement, and curiosity made us feel right at home. All our doubts and worries melted away as we realized how welcoming everyone was. From the hosts to the visitors, every interaction was filled with patience and kindness.

By the end of Day 1, we were buzzing with gratitude and excitement for what was still to come. Day 2 promised more smiles, more stories, and more moments of connection, and we couldn’t wait to continue sharing our little world of Elsiewithlove with everyone. Many moments brought laughter, from Kakpoot being mistaken for a chick or a radish, to customers falling in love with the painted beads and buying our samples. I was thrilled that they appreciated my creativity and found it amusing at the same time.

Time flew, and the two days at the art market felt like the blink of an eye. By the end of it, our hearts were full and warm, brimming with gratitude and joy from every smile, every conversation, and every moment shared. We felt a gentle kind of wonder, that despite being so far from home, we could connect, laugh, and create memories together with so many new friends. As we packed up, we looked forward to many more adventures in the future. It was a true pleasure to meet new friends, share our little brand, and soak in the vibrant energy of the market.

A big, heartfelt thank you to Yogurcraft and everyone who worked tirelessly to make the event possible. And to all who have supported our little brand, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts! We hope you enjoy your purchases and feel the love we put into each piece.

Shanghai, you have our hearts and we can’t wait to meet again. Our first chapter here is now written, and one thing is clear: our first will definitely not be the last. Each experience, each smile, each connection adds another vibrant tile to our Kaleidoscope of Memoirs, and we look forward to adding many more. Til we meet again. Cheers~

~Elsiewithlove