Creative Philosophy: Poopoopidoo
The philosophy behind the Poopoopidoo workshop goes beyond the scope of traditional lutherie to touch the deep harmony of the living world. My history with the kalimba was not born from a career plan, but from an absolute necessity for physical and psychological survival, right in the heart of my home.
The Crack and the Birth of a Sensory Sanctuary
In 2020, the world came to a halt, and my daily life became a domestic pressure cooker of extreme intensity. Locked down at home with two very young children, one of whom is neuroatypical, I felt as though I was carrying the entire weight of the world on my shoulders. Facing the denial and deep suffering of my husband—who was navigating his own challenges with disability—I found myself completely alone in managing everything. It was at this exact moment that my body said "stop": health issues emerged, and medical diagnoses came crashing down.
Amidst this storm, while chronic physical agony and mental exhaustion threatened to pull me under, I discovered the kalimba. This small thumb piano became my lifeline. Its gentle vibrations, resonating directly through my hands, up my arms, and into my core, acted as an anxiety regulator and a grounding anchor for a body saturated with pain. Yet, these commercial kalimbas still lacked a certain depth, a true sense of "life." Unable to find instruments tailored to my needs on a market where quality came at prohibitive prices, I decided to become the artisan of my own recovery.
The Connection with Geppetto: Absolute Obedience to the Material
Like an echo of my first life as a clothing designer and costume jeweler, my workshop found its place at the heart of my home — in an almost magical resemblance to Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio, where a broken craftsman carves wood to mend his own soul.
Gepetto imposes nothing on his log: he hears the piece of wood speak, laugh, and cry before he ever sets chisel to it. That's exactly my relationship with the material. When I pick up a piece of olive or walnut wood, I don't try to tame it: I listen to its resonance, I respect its knots, and I let the instrument be born.
My kalimbas aren't made to sit inert on a shelf. They leave my home to enter yours as a vibrant, visual presence, ready to awaken under your hands.
From Timbre to Resin: Synesthesia and the Wonder of the Senses
Having always strived to make my creations feel "alive," I draw upon my background in fashion and jewelry to sculpt the visual identity of each instrument. The emotions, images, and mental universes evoked by the unique timbre of the wood during the tuning process trigger a genuine phenomenon of creative synesthesia: I paint and pour the resin, finding the exact visual concept to materialize that specific sonic personality.
This graphic work plays with light, reflections, textures, and depth. The kalimba, harpika, or pianimba are no longer just cold, technical tools: they become vibrant works of art that one takes pure pleasure in looking at, touching, and possessing. This feast for the eyes provides a moment of total detachment—a cognitive "switch"—allowing the mind to disconnect from the reality of pain or anxiety, to marvel visually, and then to slide serenely into pure vibration.
Therapeutic Lutherie Validated by Healthcare Professionals
Because I know exactly what it feels like to be in distress or to be a caregiver, I designed my instruments to be true extensions of the musician—friends and pillars of daily support. This lived expertise has allowed Poopoopidoo to transcend the boundaries of musical enthusiasts and enter the medical field:
- For neurodivergent profiles (autism, ADHD, dyslexia and other DYS disorders), the instrument offers exceptional sensory grounding that can help regulate moments of emotional overwhelm, thanks to the steadiness of its vibrations.
- My kalimbas are now used by care teams, in hospital and medico-social settings, notably as part of music therapy workshops, as well as in Snoezelen (multi-sensory) therapy. The feedback I receive points to eased anxiety, gentle handling that engages fine motor skills without strain, a mediation tool around premature babies, and even a moment of decompression for care teams themselves under pressure.
Technical Excellence: The Choice of Virtuosos and Collectors
Beyond its therapeutic purpose, this constant quest to honor the material has propelled the workshop onto the international stage of fine lutherie. Today, Poopoopidoo offers the most extensive range worldwide in terms of distinct timbres, wood species, Major scales and musical ranges. With instruments pushing technical boundaries (up to 42-key chromatic models and pianimbas), the workshop attracts demanding amateur musicians and professional artists from all corners of the globe. They come seeking Poopoopidoo's unique sound signatures, neat timbre and exceptional depth. Because every single piece is a unique work of synesthetic art, passionate players collect them as heirloom treasures.
An Engaged, Solidary, and Accessible Art
Art and health should never be a luxury reserved for an elite. Looking at the staggering, dizzying prices of simple resin artwork and custom lutherie on the market, I have made a conscious, ethical choice to reduce my margins to the absolute minimum. My dearest wish is that any tired mother, any person in pain or otherwise, any healthcare worker, or any artist can afford a unique companion, handcrafted at home, to help them navigate their own daily storms, elevate their music, and rediscover the capacity to wonder.
