What happens when you mix K-pop with the growing craze for cute trinkets? If you’ve spent time online recently, you’ve probably come across photos of bags decorated with photocards in colorful holders. Then there’s the anik-anik—button pins, keyrings, 10-centimeter dolls, and other decorative items—that have become a huge hit in the K-pop community. Fans bring them along on their travels or even just casual outings.
This trend has given artists opportunities to express their creativity by making their own merchandise, eventually finding a sense of community through their craft.
Check out these three artists for your next K-pop merchandise addition.
Idols and yarns
Bringing your favorite K-pop idol with you is a fun way to express your love for them, and Cyrille Rose Sumadia makes that possible through her handmade crochet dolls. Her page Cydoescraft (Instagram: cydoescraft) feels like flipping through a diary—her dolls are all personalized, featuring loved ones, anime characters, and, of course, K-pop idols.
In December 2020, Cyrille, feeling bored, searched for a new hobby. She found her aunt’s old stash of yarn, and since she had some crocheting experience from elementary school, she decided to pick it up again. The pandemic allowed her time to refine her skills. When she posted her creations on Instagram, a stranger inquired about purchasing them, marking the beginning of her business.
Now, she accepts commissions for crochet dolls and flowers via Facebook and Instagram. Her shop grew through online exposure, with people discovering her posts and past clients recommending her work. Like any business, she faces challenges—shipping delays, minor adjustments, and late payments—but she resolves them with clear communication.
Since then, Cyrille’s shop has gained recognition, with celebrities like Alexa Ilacad availing her services. Her persistence has been key to her shop’s success. “I just kept making crochet dolls. I never aimed for popularity or hundreds of likes. Crochet is therapeutic for me, and realizing I can earn from something I love made me happy and motivated me to keep improving my skills,” she shared.
Many artists lose passion when they monetize their hobbies, but Cyrille sees it differently. Her customers’ satisfaction fuels her confidence and deepens her love for her craft.
“The spark doesn’t go away; rather, it bolsters and sustains my passion for crocheting,” Cyrille said. She enjoys running her shop because she gets to do what she loves while being her own boss.
Cyrille has crafted crochet dolls of Red Velvet, D.O. of EXO, Jungwon and Jay of Enhypen, IU, and many more K-pop idols, showcasing her versatility. Her crochet dolls range from P500 to P1,600, depending on size, while her crochet flowers are priced between P50 and P350 per piece.
Keychains
Making your belongings uniquely yours with sparkly stickers and beaded keychains is always a fun form of self-expression. Deokuden offers a wide array of handmade merchandise for anik-anik lovers and K-pop fans, with prices ranging from P30 to P550. Nicole Emmanuelle Yalung, based in Pampanga, creates eye-catching trinkets inspired by groups like NCT, Riize, Enhypen, and NewJeans.
Nicole sells her items online through Shopee and TikTok Shop (@deokuden), as well as in-store through partner shops Sonata’s After School Club and Moody Club. She also participates in pop-up events and art conventions.
Her passion for K-pop led her to explore her creative side in 2019. Wanting to connect with fellow fans, she started her business, eventually growing her brand through collaborations, giveaways, and engaging with the community. She also designs beaded items that appeal beyond K-pop spaces, welcoming a wider audience.
Nicole struggles with balancing authenticity and sales because she must find a middle ground between making what’s popular and staying true to her personal artistic style.
“As a full-time artist running a business centered around my art, it’s been tough to step back and focus on creating personal pieces that feel most authentic to me. This year, I want to overcome this by prioritizing my personal growth and staying connected with those who genuinely resonate with my work, rather than creating solely for a broader audience or to follow trends,” she said.
Nicole constantly seeks to innovate, keeping her art relevant while reaching new people. This approach has kept Deokuden thriving and allowed her to earn through her vibrant designs. Her favorite part of running a small business is seeing her work manifest in tangible ways. “It’s so rewarding when I see people and friends using my work in their daily lives!” she shared.
Seventeen-themed
Heartjasm (https://heartjasm.shopboxo.io/heartjasm) creates stickers to personalize your belongings or acrylic keychains to collect. Jasmine Masalta started selling her art in 2019 at Elbikon, an annual comic convention in Laguna. With a fellow Carat friend, she built a brand called “College Scars” for fun, but when the pandemic hit, she decided to officially launch her own brand and pursue art full-time.
She sells her items online through e-commerce platforms Shopboxo and Enstack, making social media marketing crucial. However, adapting to constant algorithm changes and producing consistent content while creating art remains a challenge.
“That’s when I realized how important time management is. I had to develop a system for myself. It’s tough when I handle everything alone. To maintain my peace, I try to limit my social media screen time and only stay updated on Seventeen’s latest comebacks. I don’t need to know everything to prove my Carat-ness,” Jasmine shared.
Beyond online platforms, she also sells at art markets, where she found the support of customers who have since become friends. She believes that being genuine is key—forming sincere connections beyond just making sales has helped her business thrive. It has also connected her with fellow artists, fostering a network of mutual support.
Most of Jasmine’s merchandise is Seventeen-themed, priced between P30 and P350. Her authenticity as an artist shines through as she explains why she creates art about Seventeen. “They provided me comfort during hard times, and I try to incorporate that into my art, spreading the same comfort to others who need it,” she said.
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