Vietnamese woman uses art to create jobs for Saigon’s disabled community

Phuong never expected that her first experiments twisting and turning copper wire nearly a decade ago would lead to a career as an artist and social entrepreneur.

“I only began bending copper wire to fill my free time, but my art actually turned out to be way cooler than I had expected. I really became drawn to copper wire. It’s a medium that really pushes my creativity,” she shared.

For several years, bending copper wire into intricate designs remained little more than a hobby for Phuong, but when a respiratory condition forced her to quit her job as a pre-school teacher in 2016, she began focusing on her art full-time.

Her artistic pursuits eventually led her to create Uma, a handicraft brand dedicated to art items made from copper wire.

As a young entrepreneur with no industry knowledge, she found little support from family and friends. 

“I didn’t really know anything about the rules of art. I simply made what I liked,” Phuong said.

Now, just a few short years later, it seems those doubts were misplaced.

Uma’s products currently garner attention in both domestic and foreign markets, with export deals inked between the company and retailers in both New Zealand and the U.S.

Phuong has also been recognized by Guinness Vietnam as the first copper wire art maker in the country.

Aside from her entrepreneurial ambitions, Phuong also runs a copper wire art workshop for the local disabled community and volunteers with several charitable organizations based in Vietnam.

She hopes to empower those with special needs by giving them confidence and providing them an outlet to earn a living.

She has no current plans to expand her business, despite receiving the droves of acquisition and investment proposals which come her way.

She wants to remain independent and help lift the spirits of those around her.

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