Showing posts with label Keycap Series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Keycap Series. Show all posts

Monday, July 22, 2024

Keycap Series: July Artist Featuring peache_atelier

July 22, 2024 0 Comments


For the month of July, the artist of the month is peache_atelier, also known as Trish, who is located in Singapore! She is relatively new to the scene but her design aesthetics are uniquely adorable with her attention to details for her creations inspired from food to animals. She mainly focuses on clay creations such as charms, trinkets and has expanded to artisan keycaps. She might be starting out her (adventure) but the designs and detail on her creations are simply worth it.


Shipping (within Singapore) is S$2


International shipping is also reasonable:

  1. Malaysia & Brunei: S$7.10
  2. Countries in Asia & the Pacific (except Australia, Japan, New Zealand): S$9.30
  3. Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the rest of the world: S$11.90


Her keycap creations range from an average of S$13 to S$22+. The price range is appreciated along with the unique and good quality designs. 😆 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]


I first came across peache_atelier on Instagram, and went to check out her creations. 😍


What caught my attention was the delicious looking Capybara Butter Toast. It was simply too cute to resist, and the pricing made it even more irresistible!  Totoro was a little bonus. 


Unlike the artists featured so far who have an Etsy store or their own online store, she offers her creations via her Ko-Fi Page and Instagram account. If you are accessing via the Ko-Fi page, just click on the design you want and follow the instructions to check out your latest addition. If it is via Instagram, simply DM her. It is simple and easy (especially for Singaporean buyers since PayNow is also accepted). 😊


peache_atelier  was really fast and responsive, sending out the keycap within 3 working days. In total, it took 5 working days to receive the parcel. 


Packaging was sufficient: Capybara Butter Toast and Totoro were snuggly encased with soft cotton and arrived in pristine condition. The cat stickers that came along were super cute too! 




The overall experience was fantastic. Aren't the creations adorable and so detailed? 😀

Artist Info

  • Style:  📺 Anime / Animals / Food 🍞
  • Pricing(per keycap)an average of S$13 to S$22+ (US$20  to US$30+
    • Pricing for commission pieces might vary so always reach out and clarify. 
  • Shipping to Singapore: less than $2 (US$2.50)
  • Shipping Internationally: 
    • Malaysia & Brunei: S$7.10
    • Countries in Asia & the Pacific (except Australia, Japan, New Zealand): S$9.30
    • Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the rest of the world: S$11.90
  • Wait Time: My order took a total of 3 working days to get processed and another 2 working days to reach me. However, it is always best to check with  peache_atelier on when you can receive your little cutie.
  • Material: Resin / Polymer Clay
  • Social Media: 

💗 Loves

💗 Unique designs and aesthetics.
💗 Light weight and easy to install caps. 
💗 The evenness and smoothness of the end product. 
💗 The attention to detail is impeccable, especially on Totoro!
💗 Good quality and amicable, responsive artist (to address and concerns or questions). 
💗 Reasonable and affordable shipping price.
💗 Reasonable pricing and aesthetically pleasing designs.



Remember to compare prices and shipping costs across different artisans and platforms to find the best fit for your budget!


Have you gotten any keycaps from peache_atelier? If the answer is yes, let me know in the comments below what you loved and what did you get! 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]




Saturday, June 29, 2024

Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

June 29, 2024 0 Comments

Enjoying art and fun shouldn't come with a hefty price tag; it can be both high-quality and affordable.


Welcome to this monthly new series where I will be spotlighting talented keycap artists whose work I have come across and purchased from them as I love their designs. With reasonable pricing and shipping options that have proven worthwhile to me, here I am sharing them with you. Whether you're in search of intricacy, uniqueness, or affordability in artisan keycaps, I hope you find inspiration and the opportunity to support these creators.


Getting into the hobby and into the rabbit hole of artisan keycaps can be a bit overwhelming for the pocket as one artisan keycap can cost as much as a whole set, with some costing more than S$80 (not including shipping fees yet). And let's not get started on shipping... If you are in Singapore or South East Asia, sometimes shipping from overseas sellers are more than S$20-40+!😵


[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]


Hopefully this list helps you as it did me (especially if you are from South East Asia) and support the lovely artists who are doing a wonderful job, and making it a little bit more easier for you and your wallet in personalizing your mechanical keyboard!


*Do note that these are based on my own experiences and thoughts, so remember to always check the reviews before committing to anything.

Think an artist (who is not on this list and fits the bill) should be added, do let me know in the comments below on where are they and why they should be added! 😆

Artists Featured:

  • 2024
    • April: 🍎 wildapplestudio
      • Pricing (per keycap): an average of S$15 to S$80+ (US$11 to US$60+)
      • Shipping to Singapore: less than S$10 (US$8)
      • Shipping Internationally: depends on your location but should be reasonable
      • Wait Time: Orders usually are shipped out within 7-10 working days, then about 11-14 business days for international shipping (to reach you). 
      • Style: 🧚 Whimsical / Fantasy / Sweet 🍬
      • Material: Polymer clay, protected with UV resin
    • May: 🐶 shopqwerkycaps
      • Pricing (per keycap): an average of S$35 to S$65+ (US$25 to US$50+)
      • Shipping to Singapore:  S$3 (US$2.50)
      • Shipping Internationally: around S$10+ (US$8+)
      • Shipping to US: Free shipping for the first order for over US$35
      • Wait Time: Orders usually are shipped out within 7-10 working days, then about 11-14 business days for international shipping (to reach you). Do ask to confirm for the shipment details. For Singaporeans, once it's been shipped out you should get it within 2 working days.
      • Style:  🍬 Fantasy / Gaming / Pop Culture / Nature Inspired / Anime 📺
      • Material: Polymer clay, PBT keycap, Matte glaze or UV resin glaze
    • June: 🍵 teas_factory
      • Pricing (per keycap): an average of S$26 to S$36+ (US$20  to US$30+
        • Pricing for commission pieces might vary so always reach out and clarify. 
      • Shipping to Singapore: less than $2 (US$2.50)
      • Shipping Internationally: an average of S$9.30 to S$11.90+ (US$7 to US$10+)
      • Wait Time: My order via Google Forms took a total of 2 working days to get processed and another 4 working days to reach me. Also best to check with teas_factory  on when you can receive your little cutie.
      • Style:  📺 Pop Culture / Nature Inspired / Gaming / Anime
      • Material: Resin / Polymer Clay
    • July: ???
    • August: ???
    • September: ???
    • October: ???
    • November: ???
    • December: ???

Monday, June 24, 2024

Keycap Series: June Artist Featuring teas_factory

June 24, 2024 0 Comments



For the month of June, the artist of the month is teas_factory who is located in Singapore! Her aim to make affordable keycaps that everyone can enjoy really resonated with me, and her design aesthetics definitely caught my eye. Her design aesthetics are uniquely adorable with creations inspired from cartoon series to animals. She mainly focuses on custom keycaps, but does come up with designs of her own as well. 


Shipping (within Singapore) is the cheapest yet at S$2


International shipping is also reasonable:

  1. Malaysia & Brunei: S$7.10
  2. Countries in Asia & the Pacific (except Australia, Japan, New Zealand): S$9.30
  3. Australia, Japan, New Zealand and the rest of the world: S$11.90


Her keycap creations range from an average of S$26 to S$36+. The price range is appreciated along with the unique and good quality designs. 😆 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]


I first came across teas_factory  on Instagram and went to check out her creations. 😍


What caught my attention was the adorable Sakura Cow. It was simply too cute to resist, and the pricing made it even more irresistible!


Unlike the artists featured so far who have an Etsy or online store, she takes orders via Google Forms and promotes them via her Instagram and Carousell account. The process was really simple: the link to the form is on her accounts and when you've completed it, she will send the invoice over to the email you provided. Simple and easy (especially for Singaporean buyers since PayNow is also accepted). You can even commission designs from her. 😊


teas_factory  was really fast and responsive, even making sure that my address was correct. The invoice was sent shortly after. It took about 6 working days to reach me, which is not too bad considering it was made upon order, and having to wait a bit for the new batch of resin to arrive.


Packaging was on point: little Sakura the Cow was encased in a little cute box with a lovely wax seal affixed on the top; adding a nice touch. She arrived with some cute stickers and notes!


The overall experience was fantastic. I would definitely be getting more keycaps from her in future, espcially for my low profile keyboard. Don't you think it just vibes with the little cutie just perfectly? 😀


Artist Info

  • Style:  📺 Pop Culture / Nature Inspired / Gaming / Anime
  • Pricing(per keycap)an average of S$26 to S$36+ (US$20  to US$30+
    • Pricing for commission pieces might vary so always reach out and clarify. 
  • Shipping to Singapore: less than $2 (US$2.50)
  • Shipping Internationally: an average of S$9.30 to S$11.90+ (US$7 to US$10+)
  • Wait Time: My order via Google Forms took a total of 2 working days to get processed and another 4 working days to reach me. Also best to check with teas_factory  on when you can receive your little cutie.
  • Material: Resin / Polymer Clay
  • Social Media: 

💗 Loves

💗 Unique designs, and offers customization.
💗 Light weight and easy to install caps. It fit my low profile keyboard switch perfectly and easily.
💗 The evenness and smoothness of the end product. 
💗 The attention to detail on Sakura the Cow was immaculate (did you see that behind?!).
💗 Does not look mass manufactured and has personality.
💗 Good quality and amicable, responsive artist (to address and concerns or questions). 
💗 Reasonable and affordable shipping price.
💗 Reasonable pricing and aesthetically pleasing designs.



Remember to compare prices and shipping costs across different artisans and platforms to find the best fit for your budget!

Have you gotten any keycaps from teas_factory ? If the answer is yes, let me know in the comments below what you loved and what did you get! 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month]

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]


Monday, June 17, 2024

Exploring Artisan Keycap Artists: teeny.snug

June 17, 2024 0 Comments



teeny.snug is located in sunny Singapore and embarked on her creation journey since March 2022. She started out with many interests from keebs, clay and vtubers, ultimately deciding to focus on clay creations. She has the most adorable series of artisan cat keycaps called “Potted Pets” on her online store. 


Of course, her creations are not limited to just keycaps. She  recently introduced a deskbud series where potted cats and dogs were up for purchase to keep you company while you work, adding that something special to your desk setup.


Can you guess? Yes, I got them cute deskbuds - the cat and dog dark brown version. Little did I know they were so popular and were sold out quite fast after I got them. Thankfully I got them and they are happily on my desk now. 😆


The packaging was super adorable with a sticker each for the cat and dog deskbuds. I love the little paw print details which are peppered throughout the package! 😍




Purchase Experience

Experience purchasing from the shop was good and straight forward. Navigation was also easy as everything you would want to know from the backstory, how long delivery takes, terms and conditions, adding to cart and check out was straight-forward. 


There are a few ways she offers her creations via her online store:

  • New pre-orders are on her store for 1-2 months before being retired; always added something new.
  • In-stock keycaps are already created and ready top be packed and sent out with a 2-5 day processing time).
  • Raffle: with limited quantity but ready-made keycaps.
  • For more you should check out the FAQ for the latest must updated information.

How to Buy

Head over to the online store and make your purchase. It really is that simple. There is no need to create an account. Just add to cart and checkout. She recently updated her site so it accepts PayPal, but when I was getting my deskbuds payment was via Stripe - so credit (or debit) card or ApplePay of your choice. Either way to process was simple and straight forward.


teeny.snug  announces the creations or updates on her Instagram. She also is working an interesting keycap edition short reel series, so do check her page out! 😍

Artist Info

  • Style:  🐱Animals🐶
  • Pricing (per keycap)an average of US$58 to US$98+ (S$78-S$132+)
  • Shipping (Singapore): Depends on whether there are keycaps in the order and ranges from USD$2.5-$4 (S$3.50-S$6)
  • Shipping Internationally: Depends on your country and if the order has keycaps or not. For non-keycaps orders it ranges from USD$7-$11 (S$20-S$50). For orders with keycaps it ranges from USD$11-$14 (S$20-S$50). However, it is alway best to check the shipping & delivery page to get the latest pricing for shipping.
  • Wait Time: In general, about 2-5 working days for ready stock orders and 3-5 week processing time for pre-orders. Do check out the FAQ  and T&C sections for the latest updates.
  • Material: Clay (Hand sculpted)
  • Location:  Singapore
  • Payment Method: PayPal, Stripe or ApplePay 
  • Social Media: 

💗 Loves

💗 The variety of products and ease of navigating the online store. 
💗 Adorable and sweet designs for keycaps, deskbuds and other upcoming products.
💗Auto currency conversion, making it easier to know the final cost while adding items into the cart in local currency.
💗 Has personality and unique. 
💗 Love the backstory of the origin story for teeny.snug  and her little kitty mascots! 
💗 Responsiveness with any questions and really nice.

Have you gotten any keycaps from teeny.snug ? If the answer is yes, let me know in the comments below what you loved and what did you get! 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]


Monday, May 20, 2024

Keycap Series: May Artist Featuring shopqwerkycaps

May 20, 2024 0 Comments


For the month of May we have R who owns shopqwerkycaps and makes artisan keycaps & digital stickers! She is based in Singapore which makes shipping so much more affordable at S$3. Her keycap creations range from an average of S$35 to S$65+, which was a draw along with the unique designs. 😆 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]


I first came across R works on Carousell and went to check it out. Etsy, again won as there were discounts being offered at that time. There were so many adorable designs, but ultimately I decided on 3 Pokemon themed keycaps - Minunm, Plusle and Litwick. 😍


R was responsive and so nice to help time the delivery for me so that I would be able to receive them at a period convenient to me. Packaging was on point: each keycap was bubble wrapped and placed in their own little bag, along with their "birth certificate" which added that special touch. They arrived in a good condition along with 3 adorable stickers! 




was really responsive when arranging for the delivery. It was an overall good experience and I would definitely be getting more caps from her in future.  👍


R also has the occasional Raffles Sales where she releases one of a kind limited editions of various designs. So don’t forget to check out her Instagram page for updates and exciting news! 

Artist Info

  • Style: 🍬 Fantasy / Gaming / Pop Culture / Nature Inspired / Anime 📺
  • Pricing (per keycap)an average of S$35 to S$65+ (US$25 to US$50+)
  • Shipping to Singapore: S$3 (US$2.50)
  • Shipping Internationally: around S$10+ (US$8+)
  • Shipping to US: Free shipping for the first order for over US$35
  • Wait TimeMy order via Etsy took about 5 working days to get processed. Once was dispatched (the benefits of being in the same country 😀), it only took 2 working days to reach me.
  • Material: Polymer clay, PBT keycap, Matte glaze or UV resin glaze.
  • Social Media: 

💗 Loves

💗 Animal & Pokemon Themed Keycaps.
💗 Light weight and easy to install the keycaps. It fit my switch perfectly.
💗 The evenness and smoothness of the end product.
💗 Does not look mass manufactured and has individualism.
💗 Good quality and amicable, responsive artist (to address and concerns or questions). 
💗 Reasonable shipping price and overall pricing.

Remember to compare prices and shipping costs across different artisans and platforms to find the best fit for your budget!

Have you gotten any keycaps from shopqwerkycaps ? If the answer is yes, let me know in the comments below what you loved and what did you get! 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]



Wednesday, May 8, 2024

Exploring Artisan Keycap Artists: A Review of O_OOHKey

May 08, 2024 0 Comments


O_OOHKey
, is located in South Korea, specializing in resin artisan keycaps and loves cats! The process of creating the little creations is fascinating: the artist posts sneak peaks of the process and it is mesmerizing to watch. So do check out their Instagram (or Discord if you have the app)!

There's actually an interesting backstory behind the artist's online persona: in Korean the word 음애 means the cry of a baby, and when re-interpreted it was born as 'O__OOH ' in English.


I have not yet bought from O_OOHKey, so I am not able to put them in my Featured Artists List (yet). But I did win a giveaway from them and appreciated that the shipping cost was covered (not every artist does this), so here is this post to share about good things. 😍 


[Keycap Series: Featuring Artists of the Month

[Beginner's Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know]


The quality of the keycap and my interactions with O_OOHKey got me thinking to start another series, "Exploring Artisan Keycaps" where I curate (and possibly in the future purchase from as well) keycap artists with unique designs, good quality and interesting backstories for their keycaps, along with shipping which is not more than S$25


Doesn't little Ninku look so adorable?

Designs

O_OOHKey's current works (in 2024) revolve on different variations of the below:


  1.  O_OOH CAT: Kitten looking like suspenders but wearing a diaper. 😸
  2.  Ho-Raeng: In Korea, there is a culture called '12 gods'. To celebrate the Year of the Black Tiger, we made a tiger character by hand sculpting.💖
  3. SneakInKitty: Introducing SneakInKitty, our adorable new character! Watch as this lovable kitten playfully sneaks inside a stylish sneaker, bringing a burst of charm to your day. Shower lots of love on this little feline companion – a delightful addition to your world of whimsy and style! 
  4. Ryong-E: Dive into the mythical charm of the Year of the Blue Dragon with our exquisite Blue Dragon, Ryong-E! This blue dragon keycap created in celebration of 2024 boasts a captivating azure hue symbolizing strength and prosperity. Embrace the upcoming year with Ryong-E, whose horns will ward off all your hardships! Meet Ryong-E at Raffle!
  5. NinKu: A cute kid who dreams of becoming a ninja

There are also other occasional designs such as the Cloud Keycaps and Stingray which are priced at US$20-25. So definitely something to look forward to!

The Cloud & Stingray Series which are always available 

How to Buy

The mode of which the keycaps are sold is via Raffle Sales with Google Forms: where you sign up to win a chance to buy the keycaps. The form is usually open for a week and sales are conducted on a first come first serve basis. If payment is not made within 24 hours, then it gets cancelled and you would not be able to particulate in the next raffle. 


O_OOHKey announces the latest sales and posts about past creations on their Instagram. They also occasionally have giveaways, so do check them out! 😍

Artist Info

  • Style: 🐯 Fantasy 🐉⛅
  • Pricing (per keycap)an average of US$20 to US$60 (S$26-S$80+)
  • Shipping Internationally: Depends on your country and ranges from USD$15-$30 (S$20-S$50)
  • Wait Time: Not including the time it took to be processed / made, it took within 5 business days (total was 8 days if you count the weekends) to receive my adorable keycap from South Korea.
  • Material: Resin (Hand sculpted)
  • Location: South Korea
  • Payment Method: Paypal
  • Social Media: 

💗 Loves

💗 Fantasy / Animal Themes keycaps which are cool and adorable looking.
💗 Light weight and easy to install. It fit my switch seamlessly.
💗 Quality for coloring of the resin and the detail. The little detail where the artist has their logo behind the keycap is genius!
💗 Has personality and unique.
💗 Reasonable shipping price and overall pricing (coming from South Korea and in USD$). 

Monday, May 6, 2024

Beginners Guide to Artisan Keycaps: Everything You Need to Know

May 06, 2024 0 Comments


You just got your very first mechanical keyboard and discovered a whole new whole of  keycap sets and artisan keycaps. There are just so many options that you do not know where to start and what to do to get those adorable or fancy keycaps you see people posting about. 


If you're seeking guidance on purchasing keycaps without the hassle of scouring Reddit, forums, and endless Google searches (or Discord groups), then this comprehensive guide is just what you need!


Styles of Keycaps

  • Keycap sets: Perfect if you want to change out your old keycaps or simply want to give your mechanical keyboard a new look without having to buy a new one. Any design you can think of as long as it is not the "normal" looking keycaps and comes in enough pieces to fit your keyboard. 
  • Accent Pieces: Usually used on a lesser used key like "Escape" or simply a center piece(s) for your keyboard.
    • Custom: Anything you can imagine is probably able to be turned into a keycap based on your imagination and vision, along with the skills of the artist.
    • Resin/Polymer Clay/Blanks/Novelty - Based on the artists interpretation and inspiration they create their keycaps and you buy them if you like them from their store or google forms (via raffle sales) etc...

Price

If you are looking for value then getting keycap sets for more keys might be more worthwhile instead of an individual keycap which can cost about the same. 

In general, retail prices can range from S$10-90+ for a single keycap (depending on its detail, the price set by the artist and what you really think it's worth).


Where to Buy

For those of you who are in Singapore (or South East Asia) and are on a budget but still want an accent piece (or two), then Shopee is a good place to look for keycap sets and artisan keycaps which can typically range from S$10-60+. 

If you are wondering what is Shopee, it’s basically a shopping platform like Amazon but with pricing closer to Temu. They have an app for Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, mostly for the South East Asian countries. Besides the (probably) more affordable (cheaper) pricing, shipping is either free or less than SGD$2 (for majority of the sellers). The only downside is that you need a local number and address for each of the country app. 

 If you have not signed up for Shopee and want to get S$5 off your first order, sign up 🠊here🠈😊




For everything else, the keycaps can range from S$35-100+ for just one little keycap, and that does not include shipping yet:

  1. Raffle Sales: Usually, the artists will promote and open raffles sales on their limited designs on Discord, Reddit and/or Instagram. Interested buyers try their hand and sign up  for a chance to win the opportunity to buy those keycaps. Google forms are the usually methods for signing up and PayPal a very common payment method. No one knows how many actually sign up and only the artists knows how many pieces they really have for sale. If you get an invoice, you've "won" else try again the next time. These might be pre-orders or fulfilment orders where they just sell the limited amount they have made/will make.
    • ✅Pro: 
      • Most of the time the designs are limited and one of a kind. So perfect if you are looking for that perfect keycap.
      • Payment via PayPal is always good for buyers (buyer's protection).
    • ❌Con: 
      • For Raffle Sales, you cannot buy it even if you want to, you have to be "lucky" to win a chance to purchase the marketed one of a kind creations.
      • Depends on what the artist is selling so designs may be limited or no longer available once its run its course.
      • Usually in USD$ and can be pricey (that’s not even including the shipping yet). 
      • Tax is not included (explicitly), so there might be a chance for it to get stuck at customs.
      • The use of Google Forms and collecting your address might be a privacy concern for some.
      • As they are mostly made upon order, it might take a month or so for you to receive your keycap.


  2. Online Shops: Some artists choose to create their own online shop using Shopify, Wordpress or similar to sell their creations. Paypal should always be the preferred choice of payment as that would offer buyers a little more protection and getting their money back (just in case since they do have Buyer's Protection).   
    • ✅Pro: 
      • Sellers can provide better discounts or cheaper shipping due to (probably) lesser platform fees.
      • Some designs are only available on the online shops. 
      • Mostly ready stock, you might not have to wait so long to receive the keycaps as they are usually already made and ready for a new home.
      • Other than the above, there is no other benefit for buyers per se. But more so the freedom and flexibility for the sellers as they are not restricted by platform rules and fees etc...
    • ❌Con: 
      • Depending on the artist / sellers IT savviness, your data might be compromised if security fixes are not taken care of and breaches occur.
      • Not all online shops convert the currency for you. So make sure you check the final price and currency before check out to make sure you know the amount you are paying for.
      • Usually in USD$ and can be pricey (not even including the shipping yet). 
      • Tax may or may not be included, already so there might be a chance for it to get stuck at customs if it’s not included. 
      • Anyone can create their online shop and fulfilment of those orders can be a tad sketchy at times given the trend nowadays with online scams and security breaches. They can close shop and disappear with little to no avenue for any recourse if things go wrong.


  3. Amazon: You'd be surprised that Amazon also has keycaps for sale, but I rather go to Shopee instead as they are more reasonable in pricing and have greater variety. 
      • ✅Pro: 
        • Assurance and ease for refunds if things go wrong (most of the time). At least they have a contact us / support section should the seller go missing in action or the delivery did not reach you.
        • As a platform, it has a reputation to uphold and should have a higher sense to stay updated for security breaches.
        • Free shipping (for most sellers).
        • Tax is already included, so it definitely saves the hassle of calculation and payment.
      • ❌Con: 
        • Limited variety.
        • Expensive (overpriced most of the time on Amazon)
        • There’s always a chance if things going wrong when you buy things online. 


    1. Shopee:  For those of us in South East Asia (and Singapore), Shopee should not be unfamiliar to us. They do have a wide range of keycaps at affordable prices.  
        • ✅Pro: 
          • Assurance and ease for refunds if things go wrong (most of the time). At least they have a contact us / support section should the seller go missing in action or the delivery did not reach you.
          • You can search and look at different designs from various sellers all from one place without have to leave.
          • As a platform, it has a reputation to uphold and should have a higher sense to stay updated for security breaches. If anything goes wrong, they should be responsible. 
          • Free shipping (for most sellers).
          • Tax is already included, so it definitely saves the hassle of calculation and payment.
        • ❌Con: 
          • Long delivery times (sometimes 6 to 12 or more working days)
          • Taking a risk on sellers or listings which do not have any reviews. 
          • There’s always a chance if things going wrong when you buy things online. 


      1. Etsy: Some artists open their store on Etsy, a site which is essentially a platform for sellers to sell their handcrafted items (for a Singapore context, it's like Shopee and Carousell combined).
        • ✅Pro: 
          • Tax is already included, so it definitely saves the hassle of calculation and payment can also be via PayPal. 
          • The cool thing is there are occasional discounts which make it more friendly on the pocket. Discounts can be very worth it sometimes.
          • Unique keycap designs that you cannot find elsewhere, all in one place. 
          • Makes it easier to search across sellers all in one platform. Not having to look and search for individual seller's shop one by one.
          • Assurance and ease for refunds if things go wrong (most of the time). At least they have a contact us / support section should the seller go missing in action.
          • As a platform, it has a reputation to uphold and should have a higher sense to stay updated for security breaches.  If anything goes wrong, they should be responsible. 
        • ❌Con: 
          • Some sellers have really ridiculous international shipping fees probably due to the additional fees the platform imposes(?).
          • Some listings are really overpriced markups from Aliexpress or Taobao. So check with caution before you check out.
          • Lack of consistency -  Each store has different shipping pricing and policies. 

      Artists

      Enjoying art and fun shouldn't come with a hefty price tag; it can be both high-quality and affordable (as much as possible)!

      That said, I will be featuring keycap artists whom I have come across and bought from them as I love their designs. Their pricing and shipping options are also reasonable and worth it (to me), so here I am sharing them with you so you can support them too if you are looking for intricate, unique and reasonably priced artisan keycaps and shipping. 




      Remember to compare prices and shipping costs across different artisans and platforms to find the best fit for your budget!



      Sunday, April 7, 2024

      Keycap Series: A Shopee Guide to Affordable and Good Quality Artisan Keycaps

      April 07, 2024 0 Comments

      This guide will be about sellers on Shopee selling reasonably priced and quality keycaps for Singapore buyers. The best part about Shopee is that there are vouchers which could be used to discount the final price and the best part is delivery is free (just ensure you remember to download the vouchers). 


      If you are wondering what is Shopee, it’s basically a shopping platform like Amazon but with pricing closer to Temu. They have an app for Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, mostly for the South East Asian countries. Besides the (probably) more affordable (cheaper) pricing, shipping is either free or less than SGD$2 (for majority of the sellers). The only downside is that you need a local number and address for each of the Shopee country app. 

       If you have not signed up for Shopee and want to get S$5 off your first order, sign up 🠊here🠈😊 Alternatively, if you already have an account but have not bought anything yet, you can still get S$5 off your first order with this code 7L6EM9H
      Do note that if you are viewing it on mobile it will check if you have the app first, if you do it opens in the app, just click ok and you would get to the listing page. Happy Shopping!


      Styles of Keycaps

      • Keycap sets: Perfect if you want to change out your old keycaps or simply want to give your mechanical keyboard a new look without having to buy a new one. Any design you can think of as long as it is not the "normal" looking keycaps and comes in enough pieces to fit your keyboard. 
      • Accent Pieces: Usually used on a lesser used key like "Escape" or simply a center piece(s) for your keyboard.
        • Custom: Anything you can imagine is probably able to be turned into a keycap based on your imagination and vision, along with the skills of the artist.
        • Resin/Blanks/Novelty - Based on the artists interpretation and inspiration they create their keycaps and you buy them if you like them from their store or google forms (via raffle sales).


      These sellers from Shopee below are ones which I have bought from before and find their designs matching my aesthetics. Their pricing is also wallet friendly ranging from S$5-$30+ per keycap. Hence sharing them with you because sharing is caring. So read on with caution (for your wallet). 😛


      If you do find any other artisan keycap sellers with affordable prices on Shopee, let me know in the comments below!

      Seller: wowking|Life Technology Digital

      Looking for adorable and good quality keycap sets for a reasonable price?  Spy x Family, Sanrio Theme or even the cute bear / cat ears keycap sets etc.. The list goes on... 

      Spy x Family Design the purple number keys were a mix and match with the Kuromi set

      I found this seller on Shopee and tried their keycaps. I got the Spy x Family, Pokemon and Kuromi designs and the quality is not too bad for the price.  The delivery experience was not too bad, taking about 8 days to reach me. The keycap sets survived the delivery process and came in bags.

      Seller: Rabbit Keycap Shop

      Cute, affordable and the best part is that it is customizable: you can choose the color of the keycaps! 

      The seller is also pretty responsive to the chat and there are many options to choose from. I've bought from this seller a few times and delivery times are within 6-9 days, which can be considered pretty fast. It is also well packaged and the keycaps came in good condition each and every time. 

      Seller: happykeycap89.sg

      Looking for something more unique and familiar? I stumbled across this seller on Shopee because of the adorable Winnie the Pooh designs! The heart also got my attention.

      Here you can also choose your own keycap color and the type of keycap used is different too, it's XDA which give it a different feeling and profile.

      Delivery time is slightly longer than the other sellers, taking about 8-12 days but each key is bubble wrapped and in a cute bag too.  Their designs are unique and adorable. Workmanship is also good.



      Friday, April 5, 2024

      Crafted Keys: Unveiling the Magic of Artisan Keycaps for Your Mechanical Wonderland

      April 05, 2024 0 Comments

      Artisan keycaps are fascinating in many ways: they represent a fusion of artistry and functionality, adding a unique and personalized touch to mechanical keyboards. The creativity and craftsmanship involved in making artisan keycaps are impressive, with artisans often pouring their passion and skill into creating intricate designs that appeal to a wide range of enthusiasts.


      One of the most appealing aspects of artisan keycaps is their ability to allow keyboard enthusiasts to express their individuality and personality. With an ever-expanding array of designs, colors, and themes, there's something for everyone, whether you're into gaming, pop culture, nature, or abstract art


      Moreover, artisan keycaps contribute to a vibrant and supportive community of keyboard enthusiasts. This community-driven aspect fosters collaboration, creativity, and a sense of camaraderie among artisans and enthusiasts alike,


      However, it's worth noting that artisan keycaps can sometimes be pricey due to their limited availability and handmade nature. Additionally, acquiring certain designs may require patience and persistence, as they often sell out quickly or are traded within enthusiast communities


      Overall, artisan keycaps are a testament to the creativity and passion of both their creators and the enthusiasts who appreciate them. They add a touch of artistry and personality to mechanical keyboards, transforming them from mere tools into objects of admiration and self-expression.


      Let's delve a little more into the enchanting realm of artisan keycaps, where each key tells a story and adds a touch of whimsy to your mechanical keyboard adventure. 


      There are various ways which artisan keycaps are being sold:

      • Promoting via Instagram and having Raffle Sales via Google Forms when a new design is out.
      • Artisan's own website, usually a Shopify, Wordpress or a similar platform
      • Amazon
      • Etsy
      • Shopee  (Both the app and website are relatively easy to navigate and use)
      • Lazada (Use the app and not the website as the website is hard to navigate and use)

      If you are wondering what is Shopee , it’s basically a shopping platform like Amazon but with pricing closer to Temu. They have an app for Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia, mostly for the South East Asian countries. Besides the (probably) more affordable (cheaper) pricing, shipping is either free or less than SGD$2 (for majority of the sellers). The only downside is that you need a local number and address for each of the Shopee country app. 

       If you have not signed up for Shopee and want to get S$5 off your first order, sign up 🠊here🠈😊


      I will be consolidating a list of good quality, unique and reasonably priced artisans which I have tried, and making a more detailed guide for newbies to the world or artisan keycaps.


       So do check out the links below: