I’m always thankful for opportunities to teach arts and crafts, specially when it’s rubber-stamp carving. It’s not a very popular thing people want to learn, unlike calligraphy or pottery, so whenever I come across a bunch of people who are eager to learn and willingly set aside time for a class, I’m ecstatic!
The last few months I’ve had the chance to partner with a festival, some friends and an events studio in Makati to hold Basic Rubberstamp Carving Workshops.
KATIPUNAN ART FESTIVAL 2017
Last October 21, I took part in Katipunan Arts Festival which is a much awaited, multi-event weekend centered on the arts, community-building and creative expression. For two whole days they had art fairs, creative talks and workshops, exhibits, live painting and art demos happening in different places around Katipunan. And I was so fortunate to have been given a slot to hold a workshop!
We held it at Chocolate Kiss Cafe in U.P. Town Center, which was one of their official venue sponsors. Six lovely ladies joined me. Most of them were shy at first but to my surprise, picked it up quite fast and were making their second round of stamps before I even knew it!
What’s great about being part of the festival was that there was so much going on and there was this certain atmosphere of celebration, passion and creativity that made me feel so proud to be part of this thriving community of Filipino makers and artists. It was just such a joy to be there. Even my kids had a wonderful time!
For event updates and the latest in the Katipunan art scene, follow @katipunanartfestival
PRIVATE CLASS AT KENDO
I like holding small classes cause I really feel like I’m able to teach better and connect more with my students. Specially now that we have our own art space, it has become a lot easier for me to hold private workshops.
So when an old friend who I have not seen in ages (except on Instagram) contacted me asking about a private class, I did not hesitate. We just had to go back and forth about the schedule because she is a doctor but we finally nailed a date and pushed through with it!
She and her other doctor friend — both of them very much into tactile arts and crafts — joined me that quiet afternoon at Kendo.
I was glad to see they had the patience for it. You see carving stamps can be very frustrating for some. But these two did a great job considering their first stamp designs were pretty complex.
I also found it so cute that the patterns they went for were very “medical.” Aren’t they just so awesome??
Kendo is an open art space located inside Cubao Expo. Follow us at @kendocreative.
MAARTSY
Tucked inside an office building along Salcedo Street in Legaspi Village is a bright and sunny events and workshop space called Maartsy. I love what they’ve done with the space and how they’ve dressed it up in a way that makes you want to make things and be productive. Well that’s what they’re there for after all!
Maartsy partners with different artists to hold several workshops at their studio on a weekly basis. They’ve done plushie making, jewelery making, air plant 101, doodling, lettering and more. They got in touch with me to teach stamp carving which we held at the last weekend of November.
It was so so much fun! This batch of students was just so lively and excited to learn. I cannot help but enjoy watching them discover the craft and fall in love with it.
Their stamp design ideas were pretty awesome too! There was a postage stamp set, a collection of tiny stamps (made out of everyone’s scrap rubber!), Frida Khalo, puppies, fruits, travel themed stamps, signature stamps and more!
It was obvious that they had a great time and that’s all I could ask for! Thanks again to the Maartsy team for having me 🙂
Pick up a new skill with Maartsy. Follow their updates on @_maartsy.
I’m happy to have shared my love for stamp carving with all these people. I do hope they keep at it and turn their designs into reusable stamps. Christmas is a season when they come in real handy — for gift-wrapping, sending out greetings, decorating — so I do hope they pick up their tools once again and carve for the holidays! Put in that extra TLC in gift-giving and merry-making!
If you are interested in learning how to carve your own stamps and don’t know where or how, drop me a message. I can arrange small private workshops or classes for bigger groups. I am also open to collaboration. Email me at carlosandveronicacosio@gmail.com
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