Cats in the bags and other stories

IF THERE’S one thing Piangkhwuan Kumrune doesn’t lack, it’s imagination. A fine arts graduate from Silpakorn University, she has created illustrations for leading magazines like Nylon Thailand and Happy Plus and today works mainly from home designing handicrafts for her online business Kamjai. 

Inspired by the cats and dogs she has rescued from the streets, her bags, cushions and other accessories have attracted thousands of fellow pet lovers and she now has more than 2,000 followers on Facebook and Instagram.

“I enjoy making things by hand and wanted to create my own signature line. I started by screening my watercolours on t-shirts but they looked too regular. So I moved to make key rings and multipurpose bags in animal prints. I thought these would make creative souvenirs for foreign customers who could take them back home. Fortunately, I got good feedback from my fans and other pet lovers and now have customers from Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong,” she says.

Today she’s offering more than 40 designs covering everything from iPad pouches and multipurpose bags to dolls, t-shirts, pillows, key rings, pins and postcards. Prices range from Bt80 to Bt590. 

She uses only good-quality canvas and silk from China and India to guarantee quality and uses die-cutting techniques for her pillows in cat and dog shapes. 

“Silk is the best material and 

 ideal for printing because it has a glossy texture that perfectly shows bright shades and sharp lines, she explains.

Piangkhwuan has also designed a selection of smartphone cases, scarves and bags for such local brands as Casy Chef and Lapine Scarf.

She is currently working on new designs featuring a kitten and puppy dressed in traditional Thai costumes. 

Check out the latest collection at “KamijnStore” page on Facebook or call (096) 789 5895.