“Handbuilding almost feels primitive; it takes time,” notes Felicia. “This whole past year really taught me that sometimes you have to slow down, so when I started this new line, it was about taking our time and taking in where we’re at. It reflects how we feel right now, in this time in our lives.”
Felicia Kang | Co-Founder Fei Goods
When you peruse the housewares and home fragrances of Fei Goods, it’s more than a visit to the home studios of Felicia and Fiona Kang, who make every piece by hand. It’s a view into their creative journeys, in real time.
The sisters—originally from Singapore and moved to Portland by way of the Bay Area in their youth—have loved crafting and creating things since they were young.
“We are both makers at heart,” says Felicia. “In 2016 or so, my boyfriend brought me to a candle making workshop for Valentine’s Day. Fei technically started there. I still have it actually—it’s my favorite candle because it was my first.”
Felicia enjoyed the process, so she made more. She started playing with scent, blending different formulations for family and friends, and Fiona got into it as well. In 2017, the non-profit Felicia was working for hosted an event for local makers to raise funds for a fellow organization, and a coworker recommended she bring a bunch of her candles. They decided to name the candles something, going with Felicia’s Chinese name to coin this the first collection from Fei Goods.
Although the candles were fun—and they were selling—it wasn’t long before the sisters started experimenting with a new medium: clay. “We started taking classes on throwing pots, how to hand build—getting to know how clay works and behaves,” says Felicia.
“We’re very organic about the way we produce things,” says Fiona. “Personally, we’d gotten into ceramics and had design ideas, and thus we started selling ceramics. It’s always about starting with ‘wouldn’t X be cool?” And if it works out, it works out. The collections are very reflective of us as people.”
The latest collection speaks volumes. Ceramic offering plates and sake cups pay homage to their heritage in a more personal way than ever before, reflecting the uniquely reflective year that passed while they developed those pieces.
“We grew up in a culturally Buddhist family where mom always had fruits on the offering plate; incense smoking in the burner,” recalls Fiona.
“Handbuilding almost feels primitive; it takes time,” notes Felicia. “This whole past year really taught me that sometimes you have to slow down, so when I started this new line, it was about taking our time and taking in where we’re at. It reflects how we feel right now, in this time in our lives.”
So, what’s next for the creative endeavors of the Kang sisters? Time will tell. Fiona’s gotten into rug-tufting over the past few months, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll end up in Fei’s offerings. The core to their process is the mutual satisfaction with every product—a true collaboration between the two of them. “Until we both hold a piece in our hands and it feels right, it’s not ready,” says Felicia. “We have to love every part of it.”
“Also, we have to actually love using it. My kitchen looks like it’s sponsored by Fei,” laughs Fiona.
Storytellers
Author: Lauren Yoshiko
Photos: Justin Katigbak
Published: June 2021
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This story is sponsored by the City of Beaverton
