Finding Your Glow: A Slow Craft Story with Sloglo
One of the best parts of being part of the crafting community is seeing how our papers take on a new life once they leave the studio. Recently, we connected with John Lee on Instagram after spotting his unique, glowing creations.
John is a Singapore-based creative with a background that spans opera, conducting, and architectural art. His latest project, Sloglo, is a thoughtful exploration of handmade home decor. We’re excited to share a bit about his process and how he uses Kozo papers to bring his "light creatures" to life.
Sloglo semi-geometric, hand-crafted lamp is made from a mulberry paper featuring unique terrazzo-like flecks, which diffuse a warm, inviting glow from within.
Making Things "Slo"
In a world of 3D printing and mass production, John’s approach is a breath of fresh air. Sloglo is built on the philosophy of being deliberate and taking one's time.
"Sloglo came out of a desire to make things slowly and deliberately. Everything is done by hand, one piece at a time. The name is very intentional. In a world where everything is mass-produced and fast (e.g., a lot of lamps are now 3D printed), I wanted to do the opposite. I literally craft each piece from wire, then layer tape over them to get a really organic form. Afterwards, I use various types of sealant and adhesive to layer paper over the form."
A behind-the-scenes look at a deliberate and "slo" creative process.
Finding the Right Glow
For John, the goal isn't just to make a lamp, but to create a specific atmosphere. He describes his pieces as having a personality of their own organic, slightly imperfect, and calming.
"I'm obsessed with soft, warm, diffused light. Not harsh white light—I want the kind of glow that makes a space feel calm and alive. That's always the goal with every piece I make."
Banana fiber paper lampshade resting on whimsical, spindly wire legs, the piece takes on the charming personality of a "light creature," radiating a sense of calm and a deliberate.
"Even when I set out to make something geometric, I find myself working against straight lines. I want the forms to feel organic, imperfect, a little unkempt. The lamps end up looking creature-like—like something between a UFO, a mushroom, and a little glowing animal. There's something about that at night that I find deeply calming. They feel like happy little light creatures."
A mushroom-shaped lamp. The piece is crafted using a unique Party Popper mulberry paper, featuring playful cotton flecks of teal, orange, and blue that give the organic form a playful vibe.
Layering with Kozo Paper
John uses a variety of our mulberry papers to achieve the textures that make his lamps so distinct. Because mulberry paper is both unique and translucent, it allows for a beautiful transformation between day and night.
"Kozo papers are genuinely some of the best I've worked with. What I keep coming back to are the papers you can't easily find elsewhere—the confetti papers, the terrazzo-look ones, the natural inclusion papers. The lighter-weight papers are perfect for layering over wire structures; the heavier ones let me do something more sculptural. Some of the papers have this wonderful dual quality—they look one way in daylight, and completely different when the lamp is on. It's almost like having two different lamps."
Highlighting the "dual quality" of the mulberry paper—where the intricate, natural fibers awaken and glow once the light is switched on.
A Creative Spark
Beyond the technical craft, Sloglo is a way for John to model a creative life for his family. It’s a reminder that we never really "grow out" of the need to make things with our hands.
"I have two young daughters whom I love very much, and part of why I do this is to show them that even as an adult, you can pick up something new and make it your own. I don't want the creative parts of us to go dormant just because we grow up."
Connect with Sloglo
We want to thank John for sharing his story and his work with us. If you’re interested in his process or would like to commission a piece, you can find him online:
Instagram: @sloglo.studio
Art Portfolio: @tiongbahruartist
Music & Education: https://www.johnleebassbaritone.com
Sloglo pieces are available by commission and made-to-order. We can't wait to see what "light creature" John creates next!
