One of the things I hated back in freshman year in high school was cross stitching. I didn’t like the little threads and the patterns. The only reason why I did our cross stitch projects back then was because it needed to be submitted. After that, I resigned to the fact that I didn’t like doing arts and crafts.
When I was in third year, we had a crochet project. It was one of the projects I enjoyed doing even though I wasn’t that good in it because I felt more free and I can move my hands. It was then that I realized that there is a certain kind of arts and craft that a person will enjoy doing.
So no, I do not believe in the saying that Arts and Crafts is not for everyone. I believe that everyone has her own creativity all bottled up inside. One just needs to discover how to unleash it and what medium to use to do so.
When I attended the DMC Handcrafted Event, I discovered that there are lots of other craft options to choose from like embroidery, knotting, dreamcatchers, string art, knitting, crochet and cross-stitch.
With these, DMC challenges everybody to think outside of the box and to create something beautiful.
The event was held at The Early Bird Breakfast Club at Century City Mall where in we had a delightful meal while listening to stories and words of encouragement by seven amazing people who have incorporated crafting into their lives.
Each of them does something different but they are bound by their creativity and the desire to share their craft with others.
They are Alessa Lanot, Candy Reyes-Alipio, Karla Quimsing, Len Cabili, Marielle Nadal-Reyes, Mikko Sumulong and Trey Ajusto. Get to know them and their craft below.
Alessandra Lanot
Alessa is designer, a crafter and an owner of various organic and vegetarian restaurants around Metro Manila. In her website, Life After Breakfast, she writes about her crafts and adventures with fellow crafters. She facilitates workshops for other crafts, not just Needlecraft.
Advice: Take something ordinary, pair it with something unexpected to create something extraordinary.
Blog: lifeafterbreakfast.ph
Facebook: LifeAfterBreakfastph
Instagram: lifeafterbreakfastph
Candy Reyes-Alipio
Candy is a production designer. On the side, she enjoys knitting. She is the creative mind behind Knitting Expedition which aims to make knitted products by locals of Mt. Pulag. She also works with Ricefield Collective which is a group of women farmers from Uhaj, Banaue.
Advice: Don’t be afraid to try something new. You can make anything with your hands as long as you put your mind to it.
Website: candyreyes.com
Facebook: Knitting Expedition
Instagram: candyvreyes
Karla Quimsing
Karla is based in Cebu. She used to be a teacher. She is now a copy writer for Life At Caresharing. She also owns Damgo, which in Bisaya means dream, an online store where she sells her dreamcatchers. She’s a mother to 2 adorable kids – Isla and Kanta.
Advice: Go for it. Be Adventurous. Create something that you love.
Blog: klaylalay.com
Facebook: Damgocebu
Instagram: damgocebu; klalalay
Lenora Cabili
Len owns the fashion line called Filip+Inna, where her clothes are designed with traditional Filipino patterns from indigenous tribes which are cross stitched onto the clothes. Her brand gained global recognition as featured in Elle magazine and worn by Tory Burch and Amanda Hearts. Recently, she collaborated with Bayo, another clothing brand, and her collection was exhibited in Ayala Museum as part of indigenous textiles exhibition, “Art and the Order of Nature”.
Advice: Start small. Don’t go for big projects and you discouraged halfway through cause it’s taking so long.
Website: filipinna.com
Facebook: Filip Inna
Instagram: filipinna
Marielle Nadal-Reyes
Marielle is the founder of CraftMNL, a studio in Makati where crafters meet and do workshops together. They also organize small craft fairs for others to sell the own handcrafted items. Marielle also owns Yellow Bug Love, an online store where she sells hand crafted wedding decors.
Advice: See the potential in things.
Blog: yellowbuglove.com
Facebook: Yellowbuglove
Instagram: yellowbuglove
Michelle Karla Sumulong
Mikko took up journalism. She used to practice Human Resources in a company in the States. Now, she is a full time crafter. She makes and writes about crafts. She grew up crafting with her mother. In her website, I Try DIY, she posts tutorials, and blogs about new discoveries.
Advice: Never be afraid to make mistakes.
Blog: www.itrydiy.me
Facebook: itrydiy
Instagram: itrydiy
Trey Ajusto
Trey is an entrepreneur. She sells her own line of crochet yarn and craft supplies called Gantsilyo Guru. She’s also a full time crafter. She takes her tools of trade (her handy case of crochet hooks and yarns), everywhere she goes. She usually writes about her travels, discoveries and crafting.
Advice: Know the basics. Don’t be limited by the misconceptions about the craft.
Blog: gantsilyoguru.com
Facebook: Gantsilyoguru
Instagram: @yarnsph
Each of them gave us one piece of craft that they did! I am very much interested in knitting because it uses thick cotton threads instead of small, thin threads.
To reach out to those who wants to start crafting (like me) and those who are already crafting, DMC is holding 3-day weekend craft fair on January 30 to February 1 at Century City Mall Event Center.
Partner crafters will be at the fair to hold workshops for those who want to learn new skills or those who want to start making their own projects. You can also buy handmade pieces if you’re pressed for time.
Slots is on a first come, first serve basis and you can sign up through Facebook or Instagram.
Are you ready to unleash your creativity? Sign Up today!
cross-stitching is cool again 😛 hahaha really like the new designs they come up w esp the monograms. 🙂
True! But I still don’t think I can finish one.
I remember using DMC for cross-stitching and making friendship bracelets back in high school…
Yeah, I got crazy with friendship bracelets too.
I cross-stitched once..and almost finished the pattern, too! But I wanted bigger designs with bigger squares…those cute patterns, not the intricate ones. I didn’t get to go back again, sayang.
I don’t think I’ll ever finish a pattern..hahaha
I’m a pseudo-crafter. I love to DIY things but sometimes they don’t turn out as nice as I had planned it in my head! Haha!
I think we all do that.
This makes me reminiscence the time when I do friendship bonds using DMC. And my teacher confiscated all of it kasi nga ginagawa ko while on class. 🙁
yeah! I remember being crazy about friendship bracelets too..
This post makes me reminisce about the time in the past when my mom got into cross stitch as well, and I helped her to finish the 3 angels that she did. she said that it was representative of me and my sisters(we were only 3 then, ngayon medyo marami na hehe), and I remember how much I liked it, although I know that I won’t be able to finish a set like what she did cause I am not a woman of patience. hahaha!
Same here Nicole. I don’t think I’d be able to finish a frame..
I’m not much of a cross stitch fan either. I’ve tried crocheting last year but didn’t get far. I have yet to find my artsy crafty side. Hehe 🙂
Same here, MaMeMiMommy
I love cross stitch, way back when I was in grade school. My mom had my works framed pa nga. Hehehe. Sadly, hanggang ganun na lang ako. I know nothing about arts and crafts since I don’t have the genes. Hehehe
I’m more into food arts and crafts..hahaha
I’m one of those whose creativity is still all bottled up inside. Does singing and dancing count though? Hehe. But seriously, I’d love to find some crafting activity that I will be good at. I wonder if there is one. 🙂
I’m sure there is. Oh I am not good at dancing and singing…
I think I also prefer knitting over stitching. This reminds me of my mother’s SAHM days 20 something years back when all she did was cross stitch!
Knitting uses bigger threads kasi.
I remember getting crazy into cross stitching when I was younger and I love this different approach of DMC to crafting. I think I want to learn how to knit now hehehehe.
My gosh! I really didn’t want cross-stitching back then
After attending this event, I made a DIY gift for a friend’s wedding and now starting to learn how to knit!
Really? How nice!
Send this really makes me feel bad I wasn’t able to attend
Awww, sayang you weren’t bale to make it.
Since I became a member of MBH, I’m glad I see so many invitations to any events but I didn’t hear about this. Although had I known about this, I may still not able to attend as I’m breastfeeding my baby and can’t leave him behind. I think this is a great time for moms and DIY people to get together.
I do hope I get to see you in some of the events one of these days.
wow.. sounds awesome. I agree that everyone has creativity in them. Sometimes we just express it in different form. I love cross stitching. I was in cross stitching craze when I was in High School. Love your blog btw,
Thank you so much Mayen!
I want to learn cross stitching! I am really amazed about this especially kapag nakaframe na. 😉
Same here..
I have never gotten into knitting or cross stitching or anything with tahi tahi or sinulid or tela, hehe! It’s really my waterloo. The dreamcatcher is interesting, though!
hahaha.. apir tayo ceemee!
same herr, not a fan of cross stitching. wala pa ata akong natapos na ganito. on e other hand, love ko rin ang paggantsilyo. though mga simple cellphone holders and doily lang nagagawa ko out of it..heheh
I like crafting because it sort of relieves stress. But it takes time to do it. And once I start something, I would like to finish it right away. It somehow gets me distracted if I need to do some other thing.
Cool event! I think the cross-stitch mania will return soon! 🙂
And more.
I like art and crafts. I learned cross stitching when I was in elementary and it was one of our projects too. hehehe! I gave it to my mom and she framed it. 🙂
Is it a big pattern?
I think high school ruined cross stitching for me. haha I respect the art but I much prefer other forms of arts and craft. I kinda wish they allowed the girls to do woodworking instead of cross stitching :3
Same here. I didn’t like cross stitching.
That’s really interesting a craft fair and workshop to attend. I’m not really that good in crafts and so far have been doing hama bead crafting only.
Hama bead crafting is interesting.
i enjoy arts and crafts when during my student days.. I remember when i love to go to crossstich shop to buy dmc treads with different codes hehehe
Do you still do cross-stitch now?
This is amazing! to be able to meet and greet with fellow crafters and listen to their advice and give that boost of inspiration. The venue is pleasant and the food looks great.
http://www.sweetcuisinera.com
Just looking at the photos make me feel creative. I wish there are workshops like this in my area.
I’m sure there are somewhere.
What craft are you interested in? I would love to try creating friendship bracelets.
I’d love to try Knitting.
Its always nice to meet other crafters and share creation with each other. Thanks for sharing their information Sis. I’ll be checking it soon.
You’re welcome.
I love crafts and I have many DMC at home. Those are left over from our crossstitching hobby. Now, we are on crocheting naman.
I don’t think I could do crochet…LOL!
Just like you, I hated cross-stitching too. But, when I had to help my daughter finish her cross-stitch project, I found it so relaxing. Parang stress-reliever hehe..;)
Wala pa namang project si daughter na ganyan.. baka ma-stress ako..LOL!
When I speak of DMC, I always thought of cross-stitches. I used to have lots of DMCs at home for my crafts.
Really? My brother used to love cross-stitching too!