Craft Party PH turned one last May 16! Can you believe it?! It’s only been a year and it feels like we’ve been doing this much longer. Mia and I are always full of gratitude for all the good this little business of ours has brought into our lives, so to celebrate, we organized a Craft Swap with fellow craft-loving friends.
We held it at Kendo on the 7th of May and there were eight of us that lovely morning! The theme of the swap was “Summer fun” and the only rule in joining was to bring items that participants themselves had made. It could be anything as long as inspired by the season.
I decided to keep my project simple and easy, using stuff I already had (always the case!). I also kept it small and manageable. What I ended up making where dangling earrings using air-dry clay, acrylic paint and earring hooks given by a friend who had done a craft supply destash some months ago. I was lucky enough to have just the right amount I needed.
To be honest, I had other, more complicated, craft projects in mind but I had been really busy so I had to be more realistic and so I came up with something fairly easy. I just added a little humor in the themes and poured extra TLC in the packaging! Each pair of earrings was inspired by specific things and elements I find fun or wonderful about the season. I named them as follows: Ice Cream, Watermelon, Halo-Halo, Sunsets at the Beach, You’re Coconuts, Tropical and Into the Blue.
I made little folders with plain black brush pen illustrations unique to the pair of earrings each contains. Yes, you do see it, right? I particularly enjoyed making the packaging hehe.
The other ladies who joined the Swap had made really pretty things too! Kirt made gorgeous himmelis with little air plants in them as well as painted paper weight rocks. Diane made cute googly eyed felt popsicle magnets, which my kids snagged right away! Kim, of course, created lovely necklaces with handstamped brass charms and I got the one that says “beach hair.” Mia and Fhely made beautiful paper flowers which, impressively, they only learned to do two nights before the Swap with the help of another dear friend and paper florist, Mabs (great job, ladies! Now teach me? Haha). Meg, a Craft Party newbie who we were happy to hang out with that day created these origami lotus flowers which are perfect for adding color to our desks and flatlays. Though she didn’t make it, Twinkle sent pretty fruit inspired crocheted coasters, perfect for cold summer drinks! And then there was Audrey who blew us away with her collection of different craft projects which she had worked on over a period of time. She made place mats with cutlery pockets, Abaca coasters, a decorative wall banner, homemade soaps, a leather clutch, a painted canvas tote and a sailor-themed handstamped pouch with matching gift cards which I got! It was so amazing!
I was really impressed by the effort and creativity these ladies brought out for our little craft exchange. I loved the stories behind every project and I also loved seeing the joy they have about making. Everything was done with much thought and with a good dose of love. So of course, everyone was happy to receive each handmade piece.
Like I always always say, the greatest thing this endeavour has given to me is the gift of friendships. I guess that’s why Mia and I, no matter how busy we are with our lives, try to find ways to get together with our little community of craft lovers. It’s always a good time being around these ladies, whether we’re working on crafts together, out on a playdate (with our kids of course!) or simply having coffee. It’s always refreshing. And there could be no better way to celebrate our first birthday than be in the company of the people who share our love for crafts and support us through and through.
Thanks ladies, for celebrating with us, and to those who didn’t make but really wanted to, you were with us in spirit…let’s hang out soon!
Remember our first ever workshop? Check it out HERE!
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