How Demi Akin is living her dream online

And what we can learn from her.

Your thoughts (20)

Do you like the picture below? It’s a phone on a phone holder made from tissue paper roll!

demi_2.jpg

We think it’s very cool and we think that the young lady who makes things like this is very cool too. That’s why we decided to chat to her!

Her name is Demi Akin and she has a blog where we can learn about useful skill and tips including how to make all kinds of crafts for ourselves, our loved ones or even to sell. Let’s read on to learn more about her.

Please tell us a bit about you
My name is Demi Akin and I am a Fashion and DIY (do it yourself) Blogger. I have a degree in Chemical Engineering. I live in Abuja with my family. I’m the only girl of 3 and I am the first born child. The one thing that makes me tick is Fashion and anything craft related. I love using my hands to create things from nothing. That’s why I bought myself a sewing machine even when I had zero experience in tailoring.

demi_3.jpg

Tell us more about your blog

I started my blog about 3 years ago with a completely different vision. Initially it was meant to be a strictly fashion blog. But over the years I realized that although I love Fashion, I love Crafts and Fashion DIYs more. So I started DIY blogging full time mid-2016 and since then, I’ve come to love blogging even more.
So right now, in a single sentence, my blog is about my personal style and DIY projects.


Did you need a lot of money to start your blog?
No. You actually need Zero Naira to start a blog (except for internet connection of course). You can easily start a blog on wordpress.com just by registering the same way you would for Facebook or Instagram. That was how I started my blog.

When did you first realize that you like being creative and trying out new things?
I realized at a very, very young age. In fact, only my parents can tell you exactly when I started showing my creative side. I used to be that child that always has a pair of scissors in hand, cutting and gluing XYZ together. When I was about 11/12 I started my first business which was card making using embossed (designed) paper. Wherever I find myself, I tend to be the person that everyone calls on to do something creative or make something out of nothing. I guess being creative is something that’s always been within me.

DEMI4.jpg DEMI_5.jpg

How do you get your ideas for new projects?
I follow quite a few other DIY bloggers so I get inspired by them sometimes. I might see an object or piece of fabric and the idea will come to mind. I might see something I really want but isn’t within my reach for some reason and I’ll figure a way to make it. One example is the DIY Ankara Fan Project I posted last year. I saw another blogger with it at Lagos Fashion and Design week but she told me she got it in Ghana. So I spent a few minutes studying the design of the fan and made one for myself a few weeks later. Ideas and inspiration comes in various ways.

demi_6.jpg

Can you think of people who supported your creativity?
Mainly my family. My dad used to fund a lot of my projects as a little girl. He’ll buy me books on paper craft and buy supplies as well. My mum used to drive me to this art shop every single time I wanted to visit and get something. They’ll also always suggest projects I could do. My blog readers and followers are also very supportive. Believe it or not, some of them tag me on other Instagram posts or send me items made by designers and say “Demi, I think you can make this” or “This will be a good project for you to work on”.

I think the support has always been there but at first, I didn’t really make my intentions known to anyone. I’m the sort of person that doesn’t like to put my idea out there until it is clear in my mind. This is because I don’t want any discouragement. However, now I know that support is very important in anything you do. So I’m teaching myself to learn to tell people even when I think my idea might be a ‘stupid’ one because you actually never know.

demi7.jpg

Did anyone ever tell you anything that discouraged you from being creative?
I had a friend who once discouraged me from starting my blog in 2014. I felt a bit sad because I was made to feel like I had nothing to offer because there were already many other blogs. We’re not close anymore. We stopped being friends mid-2015 and by the end of the year I had started blogging.

What advice can you give Springsters with big dreams and their lives ahead of them?
Don’t let anyone discourage your dreams but also listen to advice as you go along the path to achieving those dreams. Not all advice should be taken but every word spoken is useful. Bad advice sometimes makes for EXCELLENT motivation to prove the person wrong.
Also never tell yourself you’re too young to start. I remember being 16 and thinking I still had a long way to go before I grow up – I was so wrong and wish I had started a lot of the things I am currently working on earlier and I’m only 23 now.

demi8.jpg

Well, we are definitely inspired to follow our dreams and our talent after reading this. And we hope you are more inspired too.

Want to read more inspiring stories like this one? Then head to our Springster Facebook page and connect with a community of girls just like you! - https://www.facebook.com/heyspringster

Share your feedback

Your thoughts

Big sis i always wanted to own a shopping mall and bakery and be a ballerina bt my parent won't allow that not to talk of been a ballerina

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Big sis i always wanted to own a shopping mall and bakery and be a ballerina bt my parent won't allow that not to talk of been a ballerina wat can i do

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Latest Reply

Hey Misty! Thanks for the comment. Your dreams are valid. What you need to do is to find out why they are not in support of these. Also, you need to know that the fact that you have big dreams does not mean that you should abandon your growth process. If your parents want you to go to school or learn another skill, you should not abandon all of these because you want to own a shopping mall and bakery. If you refuse to follow these process, you will miss out on certain skills and things you can learn. Also, it can make your parents think that you are just being plain stubborn and so, they can prevent you from doing what you want. We hope you understand this. We hope this helps

I love pages and stories like yours 🖒💃🏽

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

I like dat...pls keep it up

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

I absolutely love this article. I'm so inspired now :-). I too want to be a blogger, and Demi has just shown me its super easy. Thanks a lot !

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Latest Reply

Yea man

Hey Purification! We are glad you like it and we are so happy that this has inspired you. Go and do big things and make us proud. Thanks for sharing this

Demi I want to start my own blog but how do i go about it??

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Hi big sis, i have a blog but i dont knw how to make money with it, what i mean is i heard that whenever people visit the site it generates money. Can Springster give us an articule on blogging. Am sure i'm not the only one who needs it.

March 20, 2022, 7:58 p.m.

Latest Reply

yes pls, I know big sis will do something for us

wow. I actually learnt something. I planned on opening my own blog after high school.

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

I love writing stories,i really want to start my own blog,but i dont know how to.Pls how can i?

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

cool, I'm greatly inspired by your story

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

Let's do business 💰✅😁👌

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

An inspiring story

March 20, 2022, 7:57 p.m.

thanks, this group encourage me when I feel discouraged.

March 20, 2022, 7:56 p.m.

Latest Reply

Yaaaay! We are glad we did peace. Thanks for sharing.

This is so inspiring,keep the good work going😍😍

March 20, 2022, 7:55 p.m.

Pls big sis can u pls teach us aw to make that phone holder

March 20, 2022, 7:53 p.m.