Weekend with Fellow Craftpreneurs

I can't believe it's been more than a year since I started crafting full-time and four months since we opened our small craft shop in the laid-back neighborhood of Katipunan. Having fellow crafters and makers come over to host their own workshops, gatherings, and pop ups, and exchanging ideas on the Handmade Movement with customers inspire me to be a better craftpreneur.These are also the reasons why I don't really mind working on a weekend at all!





A couple of weeks back, we hosted a craft festival of sort at the Hey Kessy shop and studio. Several of my crafter friends, who also happen have their own independent brands, came over.

Trey of Gantsilyo Guru had a pop up shop. She's also the reason why I've caught the yarn bug! I've been knitting and arm knitting in the evenings using the super comfy and bulky Chenille yarns I got from her.







Let's hope I finish this infinity scarf before the 25th!

Alexis of Ink Scribbler had a calligraphy workshop! I didn't get to sit in but was really amazed when I saw the works of her participants! All were so beautifully done!

 

Mikko also threw a stationery party for fellow paper lovers. Judging from the amount of crafty envelopes I saw, I knew they had a great time using all her craft punchers, paper, and tools.







Then just last Saturday, Tipsy of Googlygooeys had a watercolor and lettering workshop. The studio was suddenly more colorful and vibrant with their watercolor pieces! I'm also glad we were able to catch up after her month-long trip to Italy, France, and Iceland (Iceland!!!)! :)






Thank you, Trey, Alexis, Mikko, Tippy, and to those who joined their workshops and visited the shop! :)




This weekend is also extra special because we're launching the Make Things Happen washi tape, a collaboration with the letterer Abbey Sy. We're hosting a craft workshop on today to celebrate. Make Things Happen stickers will be given out to the first 35 people who purchase the washi tape at the store today!

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PS We'll have a craft pop up at Commune Cafe on Thursday next week. :)

Crafting with a Canon Pixma Ink Efficient E400 Printer

December isn't here yet but I'm already feeling the gift-giving season! I've started making Christmas gifts and I've also been doing some wrapping (I know, I couldn't get any more excited than that!) using different materials and techniques. How timely that Canon sent us an early Christmas present: a Pixma Ink Efficient E400 printer!



It looks pretty sleek with the white and blue gray matte finish (Polka dots not included! Hehe. I added those in using some washi tape.), it's lightweight - only 3.5kg -  and it doesn't require much space, which is perfect for crafting at the studio, or even when I have workshops in other venues.

And the cool thing is it's multifunction! Aside from printing, it has a built-in scanner for scanning and copying. I couldn't be happier to have it as it's now easy for me to print extra workshop exercise sheets, templates, or name tags.





Another thing I like about Canon Pixma is that it doesn't take too long to print. I'm a crafter who multitasks often - so it's important for me not to spend my time waiting. It takes about 10 seconds for a black and white print to be ready, and about 30 seconds for a full color page. Pretty handy! It's really a big deal that it can shoot out pages in a short amount of time.



I took several of my watercolor studies, then I scanned and printed them using the Pixma E400. Originally, they were for a postcard collection, but they're also cute as envelopes! I like how the colors and detail came out.



I also printed out these little gift tags.





Black and white or colored, the printer delivers.





For my last papercutting workshop, I used the printer to print the handouts and exercises. In papercutting, you want your design to be as intricate and clear as possible, and Pixma gave us just that!

Now, I'm all set for another round of gift wrapping thanks to Canon. In case you're wondering, you can get your own Canon Pixma Ink Efficient E400 printer for only P3,695, and the black and white, and colored ink cartridges are P325 and P780 respectively. It's efficient and affordable. :)

Stamped Poscards and Envelopes

It's now easier to have a pattern stamped on blank postcards using this carvable brayer, which is soft and holds ink really well. Since the gift giving season is almost here, I carved mini Christmas trees and used a black Versacraft ink pad to print on blank notecards and postcards. The washed effect is so nice. I wonder how this would look like on walls. ;)



Here are other stamps I made over the weekend. I didn't throw away the extra rubber carvings from the big stamps, and used them to make these raindrops. The pattern is as relaxing as this rain for me audio. :)



Happy weekend, everyone!

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PS Carvable brayers are available at the Hey Kessy shop along E. Abada in Katipunan.

PPS  We have new workshops in coming months. You can check the schedule HERE. :)

Bring Your Own Benta Fair on October 25!

There'll be another Bring Your Own Benta Fair at the studio this coming Saturday, October 25! The following artists, makers, and crafters will be joining us:

We'll also have a shibori station so if you want to try out the craft, drop by the studio! :)

Let's Be Makers Craft Gathering at the Hey Kessy Studio

In 2011, we joined our very first art fair. With only one product, washi tape, less than 30 designs, and a simple 2ftx2ft table, Paul and I went to 10a Alabama to introduce the product to fellow crafters. That's where it all started. Who would have thought we'd open our own physical shop three years after!

It has only been a month since the opening and yet I've already learned a lot as a craftpreneur. There are new challenges and benefits, but at the end of the day I can't believe how Hey Kessy has grown, and it makes me really happy. As we continue to make more art and craft materials readily available to local crafters and makers, we hope that the Handmade Movement in the country will continue to thrive.

Last weekend, we celebrated by having craft friends and fellow craftpreneurs over and do what we do best - make! Fifteen lovely ladies came over to spend their Sunday afternoon painting clay plates and tags over yummy picnic food at the studio.

I was so excited to see their works knowing these ladies were talented and whose works I personally admired. We also exchanged stories and tips on managing a craft business, dealing with clients, etc. It is always comforting knowing that there are also other people who have the same experiences that we have as craft business owners. I hope that through events like this, we can build an encouraging and supportive community of craftpreneurs.

  

It wouldn't be a gathering without yummy food, right? Thanks to Macy's Fields for the cookies and mini kahlua cupcakes. I also shared with them my favorite snacks from Pipino, veggie triangles and cauliflower pops!

  

  

Again, I can't thank these kindred souls enough for being there - Mikko, Macy, Tippy, Ninna, Nicolette, Abbey, Bernice, Lorra, Kim, Alexis, Mary, Nica, Iona, Dana, and Anina. 'Til the next gathering, ladies!

  

And of course, to our sponsors, A Vanilla Story for the Vanilla alcohol and bug spray giveaways and Teatox Philippines for the tea samplers! You made us all very happy and giddy crafters! Thank you!

♡ Mansy

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PS Here are other posts about the gathering: Abbey, Macy, Nina, and Lorra

PPS The next Bring Your Own Benta Fair on October 25, and the theme is: Flowers & Plants. You may sell artworks, prints, tote bags, books, songs, poems, stickers, temporary tattoos, herbs, succulents, food, or anything that has something to do with the theme. You can register here. :)