Some creations sparkle, some whisper, and some move your heart —
meet the 4 artists whose work has captured Asia’s imagination in 2025.
POPUPASIA® 2025 Handmade Heroes
The 2025 Asian Handmade Heroes Finals have officially concluded!
After intense competition and careful deliberation from the judges, this year’s champions have finally been chosen. We extend our gratitude to all the finalists who illuminated the stage with creativity, passion, and originality. Whether or not they took home an award, every participant demonstrated extraordinary dedication to their craft — reminding us that when passion becomes part of life, anyone can be their own Handmade Hero.
Now, let’s reveal the winners of the 2025 Asian Handmade Heroes Awards.
⋆ 2025 Asian Handmade Heroes Winners ⋆
🏆 在地製造 Limited Production｜Winner: Jiao Glass Beads (角琉璃)
Corner Glass Beads, founded by artisans Lu Chun and Zheng Chuxuan in Dawu Tribe, Taimali, Taitung, is devoted to reviving and continuing the Paiwan tradition of glass bead craftsmanship.
Using COE104 Murano glass rods from Italy, each bead is handcrafted through a meticulous process involving high-temperature torchwork (800–1000°C), glass layering, continuous rotation, graphite shaping, pattern drawing with glass threads, and slow cooling.
The brand blends traditional Paiwan symbolism with inspirations from nature such as ocean waves, insects, flowers, and daily-life textures, resulting in pieces that carry both cultural depth and modern aesthetic boldness. Known for precise patterning, refined details, and premium materials, Corner Glass Beads positions itself in the high-end collectible market, attracting clients with discerning taste.
Signature works include the Moon Series, black-and-white memory beads, and the Collectors Project — all expressing the brand’s philosophy of storytelling through glass, transforming culture, emotion, and life experiences into wearable art.
Click here to get to know more about 角琉璃
🏆 個性量產 Made by Hand｜Winner: NASHLY
NASHLY is a handcrafted metalwork brand built on the philosophy of “collecting the textures of living.” In a fast-paced world, the brand encourages slowing down, observing subtle details, and transforming these delicate impressions into jewelry through meticulous gold and silver craftsmanship.
Drawing inspiration from the textures, shapes, and feelings found in everyday life, each piece reflects experiences and emotional growth, giving every wearer a personal connection to their jewelry. Through workshops, artist residencies, markets, and exhibitions, NASHLY shares the beauty and meaning of fine details with the public.
Its signature workshop, the Texture Pearl Jewelry Workshop, allows participants to create their own pieces using Baroque pearls, exclusive texture charms, and metal components. To NASHLY, jewelry is more than an accessory — it is a medium for rediscovering one’s inner texture and reconnecting with the subtleties of everyday living.
Click here to get to know more about NASHLY
🏆 親手製作 Local Made｜Winner: M&M Handmade
M&M Handmade is a wire-design jewelry brand that uses natural stones from around the world combined with copper wire and light metalworking techniques to create unique, expressive pieces.
With over a decade of creative evolution since first encountering metalsmithing in 2009–2010, the brand has grown from outdoor markets to curated indoor exhibitions.
Believing that “life itself is the foundation of creation,” M&M Handmade embeds personal emotions, landscapes, and lived experiences into every piece. Representative works include “木直牛勿,” a series inspired by a simple vine wreath paired with wire-sculpted flowers and a symbolic cat motif; “Black & White · 糸,” expressing the tension and clarity of decision-making through monochrome lines and Swarovski elements, born during a period of healing from a hand injury; and “I Am a Cloud,” using faceted white crystal and shell beads to portray emotion through cloud-like forms.
The brand has also expanded into wall art, creating sculptural pieces using iron frames and black wire to express memories turning from color into monochrome. M&M Handmade transforms intuition, emotion, and daily experiences into tactile, wearable line-art.
Click here to get to know more about M&M Handmade
🏆 客製化服務 Customization Service｜Winner: Space Humming Whales
Space Humming Whales is an artistic brand inspired by nature, the cosmos, and the gentle majesty of whales. Working primarily with wool, the brand uses needle-felting techniques to sculpt soft fibers into smooth, structured forms — creating a striking contrast between the softness of wool and the sleek firmness of whale skin.
This unexpected meeting of materials invites visual delight and emotional warmth, expressing themes of empathy, vastness, and tranquility. The brand’s works represent both the expansive universe and the purity of natural life, turning them into soft sculptures that evoke comfort and reflection.
Space Humming Whales has exhibited internationally, including the Hong Kong Illustration and Creative Show, Jeju Island two-person exhibition, Designer Toy Tainan, Pohang Steel Art Festival whale installation, K-handmade Fair, and more — showcasing its poetic, cross-cultural artistic voice.
Click here to get to know more about Space Humming Whales
🎉 Congratulations to all 2025 winners!
Each creator represents a unique facet of Asian craftsmanship — from indigenous glass bead artistry and texture-driven metalwork, to expressive wire creations and cosmic wool sculptures.
Together, they remind us of the limitless possibilities found in creativity, passion, and craftsmanship.
🤝 Want More Brand Stories?
Join POPPASS—our B2B platform connecting you with authentic, creative brands from across Asia. Explore exhibitor profiles, start collaborations, and be part of the POPUPASIA® network.
Join POPPASS ➜ Tutorial on how to register
