For the Ones Told They Weren’t Enough: Learn How the Dreamer Collection Honors You

“...we all must deal with labels and prejudices others impose on us, and to struggle against self-hatred, to resist the cowardly desire to conform, to realize that our parents also have their own stories, to find how to fit our own story into all the stories out there, to grow in wisdom and strength until we are worthy of the love we’re given.” —Ken Liu

Part 1: For the Dreamers Who Feel Lost

You’ve probably heard it before. The “well-meaning” advice to “be realistic,” “stop dreaming,” “stick to what works,” or “be normal.” Maybe it was from a teacher, a relative, or even a friend who thought they were helping you out.

It’s funny, isn’t it? Some people are so quick to tell you that your dreams are too naive or ridiculous. That you should settle down and just try to fit in “properly.” And yet, sometimes those same people might turn around and praise others who dare to chase their dreams. It’s as if pursuing dreams is something other people can do, but not you.

I’ve always felt this tension and hypocrisy and maybe you have too. That push and pull between what’s expected of you and what you long to be. It’s as if society draws an invisible line around you, telling you that you can be anything you want while also warning you about what you should be if you want to earn society’s approval. And if you dare to step beyond that line, you're met with criticism and judgement or even hostility and violence.

Learning to Dream Without Permission

During my formative years, I spent a lot of time alone. I was the quiet, awkward kid who never quite fit in. The one who got laughed at, who dreaded going to school, and who felt like an outsider no matter where I was. I didn’t fit the “smart Asian” model minority stereotype, and despite being born here, I was constantly told I wasn’t American enough. For a long time, I struggled to understand where I belonged, feeling like I was both invisible and somehow too much of all the “wrong” things.

By the time I reached adulthood, I still didn’t fit the mold society expected. Peers, relatives, and even strangers would make unsolicited comments about my life they knew nothing about, as if I was failing to meet some unspoken deadline. For years, the judgment felt relentless…until my work started gaining some publicity. Suddenly, the same people who once mocked or criticized me began offering praise, as if my value had only now been validated by success. But that praise was about what I had produced, not about who I was. It became clear that for some, acceptance was conditional, granted only when I had something to offset their judgement of me.

If recognition can so easily shift people’s perceptions, then their approval was never a reliable measure of my worth to begin with. Over time, I’ve learned that I don’t need anyone’s permission to exist as I am or to pursue what feels true to me. Of course, this realization didn’t come without risks.

Finding Strength in Those Who Lift You Up

If it weren’t for my sister Fiona, I honestly don’t know how I would have survived. We spent so much of our life together. Our imagination and stories were full of magic, adventure, and the hope that things could be different. In those dreams, we found our strength and our way forward together.

That’s what this collection is about. It’s about honoring that resilience, finding those who uplift you, and reclaiming the power to dream against the pressures to conform. It’s for those who have been told they’re never enough or that their dreams are too big and impossible. 

This is for you. 

Now, let’s dive into the details of this collection...

About the Dreamer Collection

"The world needs dreamers and the world needs doers. But above all, the world needs dreamers who do." — Sarah Ban Breathnach

Dreams are fragile things. They are often dismissed, silenced or laughed at. Brushed aside as too ambitious, crazy or impractical. And at some point in life, many of us have had to hide parts of ourselves just to survive or bury our dreams just to fit in. But the world needs dreamers who refuse to disappear. Dreamers who dare to shine despite the pressures to conform and forge new paths where none existed.

The Dreamer Collection is a tribute to those who refuse to let the world define their limits. Inspired by Chinese opera heroes, mythology, armor, and the resilience of dreamers, this collection embodies protection, courage, and the journey of self-discovery.

From the Sovereign Dreamer brooch and pendant to the Helping Hands and Vessels of Hope pendants, each piece is more than an adornment. They are talismans of perseverance, quiet strength, and the dreams still waiting to be realized.

For this first collection, I chose bronze, which is a metal with a deep and storied history. From the ritual vessels of China’s Bronze Age to heirlooms passed down through generations, bronze has long been valued for its ability to preserve history, carry meaning, and withstand the test of time. I also love bronze for its rich tones, patina potential and its ability to evolve, much like our stories and dreams.

I chose to launch this on March 20, 2025, the first day of spring, because of its association with a sense of renewal and hope. It felt like the perfect date to celebrate and uplift the dreamers who continue to grow, transform, and carve their own paths. Though this collection is small for now, I hope you’ll join me in watching it grow.

About the Designs

The Sovereign Dreamer brooch is the heart of this collection. An evolution of my Sovereign Armor mask, it is inspired by Chinese Cantonese opera heroes, deities / guardian statues, and the Chinese carvings / furniture I grew up seeing at home.

The back of the brooch is adorned with the pattern from my Sovereign Armor breastplate, a symbol of protection that shields you.

But this brooch is more than a statement piece. It is a guardian for your hopes and dreams. Hidden within the mask is a space to hold personal messages or memories close to your heart as you continue on your journey.

Click here to see more of the inspirations.

The Sovereign Dreamer pendant carries this same meaning and hidden space in a more intimate form, but is framed by flowing auspicious ribbons. The back of the pendant is inspired by a cherished jade pendant my mother gave me as a child, which always gave me strength and comfort when life got rough.

In Chinese art, ribbons usually signify an auspicious message and often embellish divine beings or precious objects.

The Helping Hands pendant extends this concept by offering support, connection, and the reminder that no dream is realized alone. This pendant symbolizes the power of support, connection, and the hands that uplift us. Wrapped with the same auspicious ribbons, it is a reminder that strength can be found in the bonds we forge with others on our journeys.

The Vessels of Hope pendants (small and large versions) draw inspiration from intricately designed Chinese snuff bottles, once symbols of status and masterful craftsmanship. These vessels embody the strength found in what we choose to carry with us. They may be called “Vessels of Hope,” but perhaps the greatest vessel of hope is you. Designed with the same flowing auspicious ribbons, they safely cradle your dreams while giving them room to grow. These are just the first of many more vessels to come.

Click here to see more of the inspirations.

Additional Dreamer Accessories

Not everyone could acquire my bespoke art and larger jewelry designs over the years, so I wanted to create pieces that feel just as meaningful and powerful while being more accessible.

I’m also excited to share that these accessories were created in collaboration with my sister, Fiona Ng, who has become an integral part of Lumecluster. From adventuring, creating, imagining entire worlds side by side, we grew up doing everything together. Now, we’re expanding our dreams to bring you new wonderlands, each infused with our shared love for storytelling, history, and craftsmanship:

The Breathing Room sticker (middle image below) features one of my earliest Dreamer ink drawings from 2012, a time when I first started exploring the idea of the Dreamer. This design is a reminder to give yourself the space to breathe, to dream, and to grow. Perfect for journals, books, or anywhere you need a quiet moment of encouragement.

The Phoenix Gauntlet pin and bookmark (left and right images above) are inspired by my modular Phoenix Gauntlets, which symbolize resilience and transformation. The Phoenix Gauntlet was also the inspiration for my Descendants of the Dragon Armor rings, which will be redesigned in the future. These pieces serve as small but powerful symbols of endurance and renewal.

The Pianoverse bookmarks (stainless steel) hint at what’s coming next. And although there’s a lot to love about pianos, it’s not just about pianos. Let’s just say that if you’re an avid reader, music lover, and love imagining new worlds, you’ll probably enjoy the next collection in the works. Here’s another hint: you’ve already seen sneak peeks of some of those designs in recent social media videos.

 

 

 

Join the Journey. Launching March 20, 2025.

Subscribe for early access, exclusive offers, and more behind-the-scenes I won’t share anywhere else. As this collection grows, I hope it will remind you that dreams, no matter how small or ambitious, deserve to exist.

Wear your dream close. Protect it, nurture it, and most importantly, keep dreaming.

<3 Melissa

P.S. I’d love to hear from you. Have you ever been told that your dreams were unrealistic or that you should 'be more practical'? How did you respond and what kept you going?

NOTE: In my previous post, I mentioned sharing the full blog post on the Dreamer Collection the day before launch, but I’m sharing it earlier instead! This post will be updated with any additional photos and videos before March 20th, so you’ll have everything in one place to explore at your own pace.