As a small budding business and creative community, Mia and I of Craft Party PH get to experience a lot of firsts. We’re like funny little toddlers learning to walk more steadily, giddy and excited as we cross milestones.
The last month has been about firsts — our first mall event and our first time to share our story as passion pursuers — and oh what a ride it has been! Please spend another minute or two with me and let me tell you how we’ve been partying during last two weeks of November…
Craft Festival at UP Town Center
UP Town Center and Ayala Malls invited us, through Karla Pasion of Kraft Kart to hold a pop up event in the mall that’s craft-centered. They wanted to have something that encouraged creativity and love for the arts. So we designed an event where many different things were happening simultaneously throughout the day, all of which promoted making and creating.
We called on our favorite brands who often support our craft parties to set up booths and sell their lovely products. We asked some of our crafty and handmade loving friends to do live art demos, which happened hourly throughout the day. In the afternoon, we opened a rubber stamping workshop by Kraft Kart and there were also different craft stations (Leather clutch sewing, Chunky Chewelry making and fabric banner decorating) open to anybody who would like to DIY something on the spot.
Art Demos: Chunky Chewelry Making by Chunky Chewelries, Basic Modern Calligraphy by Prim & Paper, Paper Flower Making by Mabby Makes, Fabric Pen Keeper Sewing by Amber Folkman, Woven Wall Hanging by I Try DIY. Leather Clutch Sewing by Niqua and Brass Jewelry Stamping by Pulseras by Kim.
Art Whale PH, Kate Baked Cookies, Spotless Online, Shophouse Coffee Co and Kayo with his nameless slow bar were among those who set up booths and stayed with us all day to sell. We were also thrilled to have Boqueria Lifestyle Market create such a colorful and whimsical set up for us! Did you see the paper hot air balloon table decor?!
It was a bit chaotic but a whole lot of fun and crafty mess that day at UP Town! I think what really surprised me about the entire experience was how people came out to support us. People who have attended our past events came to say hi and sit in a demo or two, some brought friends and family along, and there was a good number who really stayed all day participating in almost every one of the activities, even helping us out with whatever needs to get done (helping me watch my kids, for one!). I mean, WOW. Just thinking about it makes me tear up… I just really love our little Craft Party community! I truly am overflowing with thanks to all those who came to support our festival!
This opportunity came to us like a thief in the night (haha!) — quick and unexpected! But instead of loss, this experience allowed us to gain new friends and a lot more confidence. So even if it took a lot of hard work and sleepless nights, I’m quite thankful we siezed the opportunity. We proved to ourselves we could do it and we discovered what a precious thing we have — a strong support system to back us up in our creative pursuits. So again…you know who you are…from the bottom of our hearts, we THANK YOU!
The Blissmakerie: Pursuing our Passion
In one way or another, I always get to be part of Martine’s Blissmakeries. Sometimes I’m a supplier, sometimes a layout artist, sometimes a media partner. So I was quite surprised when, a few months ago, Martine asked me and Mia if we could give a brief story telling of Craft Party PH’s beginnings and vision at the November Blissmakerie. Of course I said yes, but just a few seconds after doing so, I all of a sudden questioned if there was anything profound or of value we could really share! I mean, we just started out! We’re just babies!
But after the Craft Festival, we somehow gained a surge of confidence and realized what a really good thing we have going for us. Come November 21 at Earth Kitchen in White Plains, Mia and I shared our simple story and we expressed how grateful we are to the people who believe in us and support us. We told everyone how Craft Party PH is not about us two, it’s not merely about arts and crafts, it’s about the community. It’s about building strong friendships and partnerships with crafts as our main tool.
Afterwards, we have the Blissmakerie guests a taste of what we do by conducting a simple craft activity — clay plate painting! Big thanks to Marvy Uchida PH and Valiant Paper Co for providing everyone with colorful paint pens to decorate their plates. I love what they all made and it seemed like they all had a good, even relaxing time, painting.
Having been given the chance to share what we’re all about just made us even more excited for the future of Craft Party PH. It has been really good so far, we hope for better, brighter, more blissful things to come. Thank you, Martine and Make it Blissful, for the opportunity!
Of course, the Blissful Box. Special mention to the amazing brands and artists who contributed their products and works of art:
Round wristlet purse from L’Indochine, designed by Camy, the Origami Dreamer
Customized framed “Grateful” print by Frame Game PH
Handpainted floral card set by Louie Garcia
Assorted Card Sets from Heima
Cosmetics from Benefit
“Make Things Happen” to-do list pads printed by Novel Kreationz Print Shop and designed by me, Nica Cosio
Bliss Apple Keychain by Peachy Crafts
Accessory from Little Black Box
We’re at the last leg of events this year and we’re oh so excited for the holidays — to be able to slow down, enjoy our victories, spend more time with family and celebrate the season. But of course, we’re cooking up many fun things for next year. We hope to make more friends and throw more crafty parties in the months and even years to come! 😀
Everything looks so pretty! I see the heart and passion behind the event, Nica. Galing galing!
Thank you, Toni! So happy to hear that 😀