Homemade Soap

I tried making soap the other weekend, and liked it! Being surrounded with kindred spirits, learning about a new craft in a lovely house in Antipolo - if you know me well, you'd know that I'm most calm and at ease whenever I'm surrounded by trees, plants, and leaves - and making soap over delish food our teacher Ana Gutch of Body Food All-Natural and his brother, Vitty, served made my Saturday morning perfect.

I was amazed with Ana's huge collection of additives for her handmade soaps - dried orange peels, hibiscus powder, tea leaves, flowers, cinnamon, lavender, essential oils, cocoa butter, and many other she bought locally and from her travels abroad. I admire how dedicated she is to her chosen craft. She's always trying new combinations, experimenting with new soap recipes.

Here are the things I used for my first bar of soap:
Essential Oils: Lavender + Sweet Orange + Thyme
Additives: Apple + Cocoa + Hibiscus + Green Tea Leaves + Cinnamon + Chrysanthemum + Charcoal + Sweet Pea




I gave sample slices to my friends Tippy and Abbey, and my interns. I hope they like it. :)

*Crafter Mansy, l Text Mansy l Photos Mansy  

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PS If you want to make your own soap, you can join Ana's workshop at the studio on August 8, 9am-12nn. Sign up: Soap Making Workshop

Getting Crafty in Japan

Hello! Intern Cara here writing for the Hey Kessy blog! I went on vacation in Japan, and I got to scout for crafty destinations in Osaka and Kyoto, and here are my three favorite spots:

1. Kamogawa-jinja Shrine Handmade Arts Fair
Kamogawa, Kyoto

The Kamogawa-jinja shrine located on the outskirts of Kyoto holds a regular arts and crafts fair every month on the beautiful temple grounds. It's a lovely atmosphere where crafters from all around Japan come together and showcase all their unique works - and it's a great place to scout for some inspiration, talk to other makers, and maybe grab a couple of great buys while you're at it.

How to go: Take either the Hankyu or JR line to Kyoto and take Kyoto City Bus 4 to the last stop at Kamogawa-jinja. Only happens on the fourth Sunday of every month.

2. Richoche+  

Minoh-shi , Osaka

If you love gardening, terrarium making, and getting down and dirty with your crafts, this little shop is absolute heaven. Aside from a wide assortment of plants to take home, Ricoche+ also has a variety of upcycled materials like boat wood and antique tiles tiles that would look amazing in any home decor DIY. If you’re able to speak and understand Japanese, they also offer workshops every now and then!

How to go: From Osaka station take the Midosuji subway line to Senri-Chuo, then take the Q’s Mall bus to get to where Richoche+ is located.

3. U-Arts  

Namba, Osaka

This place is a must if you love cats just as much as crafting! U-Arts offers a huge variety of cat-themed supplies, and it's also a great place to stock up on things like Copic markers, paints, and different kinds of papers for all your crafting needs. They also have a amazing collection of washi tapes, cat-inspired and otherwise.

How to go: Take the Midosuji subway line to Namba station, and take the exit going to Doguyabashi.

Whenever I go to Japan, I always find new things to try. It’s where I discovered my favorite craft, needle felting, and  I’m sure anyone who visits these three spots will be able find some amazing things to make as well!

*Text and photos by Cara, Hey Kessy Intern Batch 1