Thank you, 2012

We won't let the last day of 2012 pass without saying thank you to you, fellow washi lovers, crafters, and makers for sharing a crafty, messy, and happy year with us!

Just like what we told the participants of the Hey Kessy Messy Washi Party, one year ago during this same month, we were preparing for our very first arts and crafts fair. Back then, we only had 20 or so designs and most of our buyers were just our friends. ;) Our first buyer got just one roll. It was a white measuring washi tape she thought was the cutest "scotch tape" she had ever seen!

Now, Hey Kessy has 200+ designs and a lot of washi friends - more than we've asked for! In just a span of 1 year, we've met a lot of creative and supportive folks who always share to us their washi projects, visit our booth at fairs, and collaborate with us.

In 2013, you can count on us that we'll keep the promise we've made a year ago when we started - that Hey Kessy is not just about selling washi tapes, but rather about helping foster an encouraging, happy community for crafters and makers.

We've got a lot in store for you guys in the coming year, so here's to more Hey Kessy washi designs, collaboration, parties, and projects in 2013! ♡

 

 

Merry Merry Christmas!

Merry Merry Christmas everyone! :)

It is not our birthday but we are so lucky to have received one of the best gifts in the world - crafty and supportive friends like you!

S'mores for the 23rd

Today, I made s'mores. Like what I have said countless of times before, I don't cook.

For Christmas, my friend at work, Angela, gave me a DIY S'mores kit. This morning, I opened it and prepared the ingredients inside my package. I was happily surprised because 1) I found myself excited not to take photos  but to actually eat something I had prepared and 2) I realized it was the first time I'd be using my December stoneware plates.

Originally posted on Mansilliana Sunday :)

Drea and Her Unique Washi Tape Art

One of the very first crafter friends we made this year is Drea, maker of the awesome encanta stickers. A true crafter, she also paints, creates ceramic jewelry, and carves rubber stamps during her free time. Another cool thing about her is that she always shares! Her magazine stash, materials, and projects!

And now here she is, sharing with us how she makes her beautiful and unique washi art!

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Hello! My name's Andrea and  I'm a washi addict. Because of the loveliness and versatility of washi tape, I've made it my goal to use washi to prettify everything--our house walls, glass bottles, notebook covers, upcycled jewelry-even my camera!

This time, I'm going to share how you can add washi embellishments to your drawings to make it extra special. I like using reference photos from magazines that inspire me like Lula, Frankie, Vogue and Nylon. I tend to choose fashion editorials with lots of color because it's more fun to washi. You don't have to follow the color scheme of the reference photo though, it's up to you.

You can start with a rough sketch of the image using a pencil, but I do it the messier way, using a calligraphy pen. I like the squiggly, unpredictable lines from the calligraphy pen, even if it is hard to
erase mistakes (tip: cover errors with washi).

There's no need to be detailed with the drawing, since you'll becovering most of it with the washi tape anyway.

I then tear up washi tape and add it to areas that have the same color. Sometimes I have the whiteness of the paper show through, sometimes I add layers of washi tape to the base to make the colors more vibrant.

You can also crumple the washi tape while you'rae sticking it to give it that extra texture.

I also added some gold paint around it afterwards to add sparkle. You can use Hey Kessy's gold washi tape for this too.

Here are other sketches I embellished with washi tape:

You can use this technique to washi drawn portraits, still life drawings, drawings of landscapes, photographs--the possibilities are endless! Have fun! :)

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PS You can see more of her works here and here :)
PPS All photos belong to Drea Dela Cruz

PhilStar Lifetyle: Handmade Love

Thank you, J. Vincent Sarabia Ong and Craft MNL, for the mention!

You can find the article here :)

December Pots

"We have to create, it is the only thing louder than destruction."

Though I got to choose the colors when I was glazing these plates, I didn’t know how they would turn out after getting fired in the kiln twice. I wasn’t even sure if they would survive. After several days of waiting, my December Plates are finally here, earthen and thankful :)

More photos here :)

PS Originally posted on Mansilliana Sunday. 

Craft MNL Feature

Folks from Craft MNL asked our very own Mansilliana Sunday a few questions about crafting, Hey Kessy washi tapes, and her handwriting (kidding! ;p). She answered them all here.

Thanks Craft MNL! :)

Merry Merry Mail Swap Update

Christmas is almost here! What better way to wait for it than receiving a special Christmas parcel from a new-found crafter friend, right? I'm so excited to get what my mail swap partner has prepared for me :)

Thanks to the following ladies who have joined our Merry Merry Mail Swap:

1. Sheh
2. Tarik
3. Airees
4. Elisa
5. Richelle
6. Liz
7. Alanis
8. Kathleen
9. Tippy
10. Cabbie
11. Daniel Kaity
12. Aya
13. Eula
14. Gn
15. Joycee
16. Corene
17. Mikko
18. Ea
19. Jeanie
20. Geli
21. Isobelle
22. Paulina
23. Patricia
24. Pat
25. Helga
26. Abegail
27. Kaye
28. Fidji
29. Raielene
30. Joy Ann
31. Nike
32. Stephanie
33. Kathleya
34. Trisha
35. Katrina
36. Zhayne
37. Maan
38. Jed
39. Lisane
40. Lady Spring
41. Amour
42. Jessica  43. Mansy

PS  To those who haven't sent their parcels yet, please do so. I am sure your package will make the day of a kindred soul out there :) Send it, send it!

PPS Last day of sending is tomorrow, December 17.

Project for the 3rd Craft Soirée

Went to Pino/Pipino, Jupiter last Saturday morning to attend the 3rd Craft Soirée. The night before that, I was able to make washi jewelry and clay gift tags. I used the stamps I hand-carved to make the tags unique.

I can’t believe it had been almost 8 months already when I attended the first Craft Soirée at Pipino, Malingap. Back then, I knew it was a happy day because of the good food and beautiful craft goodies each of us received. Little did I know that the event would have a great impact on my life as an artist, a maker. I was immersed to different types of arts and crafts there. More importantly, I’ve gained new friends I can share new craft ideas and collaborate with.

PS Originally posted on Mansilliana Sunday :)

Christmas Surprise!

Wow! It's already December and only 24 days before Christmas! :)

And since our 1st anniversary is just a few days away, we have simple but useful treats for you, washi lovers!

Make sure you check your Hey Kessy packages carefully this Christmas season because there might be free gift tags, kraft wrapping paper, and rose tea inside!

PS Since we are shipping the kraft paper along with your order, folds and creases are inevitable. Hope that's fine with you :)

PPS The freebie for each order will be randomly chosen from rose tea, Kraft paper, and gift tags. This mini giveaway is until supply lasts so place your orders now!

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