August Arts and Crafts Workshop

I used to teach pre-school and I'd say that it was one of the most enjoyable experiences of my life. Since I have, and will always, love the idea of creating I incorporated arts and crafts in every subject; whether it's science, math or english. I handled a class of 4-5 year olds who had so much energy and curiosity, which I channeled to creative activities. Being with children reacquaints my adult self with the child inside me. Participating in art projects can be a form of self reflection; a way for a person to pause and be in the moment.  Even as an adult, I recommend that you still participate in arts and crafts activities. Here are some interesting Arts and Crafts Activities organized by  CRAFT MNL, TWEED AND TWINE  and SOUL FLOWER this August. 

CRAFT MNL ARTS AND CRAFTS WORKSHOPS 

Please check their website for the full list. 

TWEED AND TWINE WORKSHOPS 

Please check their website for the full list. 

SOUL FLOWER WORKSHOPS 

Please check their website for the full list. 

Keeping it real. -PJV 

Palamuti's Journey to El Nido, Palawan

El Nido, Palawan is perhaps one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines in terms of natural beauty. Rated as “the best beach and island destination” in the country, El Nido is home to picturesque limestone cliffs, diverse endemic wildlife, and a rich marine ecosystem. A top tourist destination, most notably during the months of December through May, residents of El Nido have geared towards satisfying the demands of travelers from all over the world, who have come to bask in their tropical paradise.

Sadly, once the massive swell of tourists trickles down during the off-peak monsoon season, so do the opportunities for employment and earning money. With Palamuti’s advocacy for helping women artisans, it was a perfect place to discover and develop new talent. The Philippines is a country which does not lack for artistic talent. However, most of this talent remains untapped, simply because those blessed with the abilities rarely have the chance to nurture them, as they are pressed with more immediate needs, such as a stable and reliable income to care for their families.

We decided to target a small group of women; namely mothers and young women under the poverty alleviation group “Gawad Kalinga”, in Brgy. Masagana, El Nido, Palawan. Dubbed as the “GK” community, families residing there earn their income through working for tourist establishments, run small to medium scale businesses in the form of stores and touring groups, or catch fish in the sea to sell or eat. However, they too are greatly affected during the tourist lean season, and must find other ways to support themselves. Additionally, women in the rural Philippines are tasked with caring for the needs of the home and her children while the men are out working.

" Novie is from Ilocos Norte and was not able to pursue a college degree for her family’s lack of finances. However, this does not stop her from being able to help her family in the province. As a Palamuti artisan and designer, she is supporting her two younger siblings in finishing their studies.
As part of our goal in developing and educating our Palamuti in-house artisans, Novie became the first apprentice to take a vocational course in Fashion Accessory Making. For the past few years we have been invited to conduct small scale workshops, mostly for participants from poor communities, on how to make handmade accessories. As our chief apprentice, she has played a significant role as an instructor for these workshops, most especially during the 3-week training in El Nido, Palawan. Despite her modest education, she has become capable of passing on knowledge to other women. Training to become an artisan has given her a sense of direction, fulfillment, and dignity."

So as not to interfere with their daily routine, we held an informal Palamuti three-week skills development workshop on bead embroidery in their community. Throughout this period of teaching and training, the women who had the skill, patience, and commitment needed for a Palamuti artisan, were thinned out from the herd. This process helps us to find the people we value; those who believe in our vision of beauty and hope, translated into wearable, unique and exquisitely handcrafted art pieces.

It is our hope to give these budding new artisans a helping hand by giving them new avenues to channel and improve their artistic gifts, while helping to support their families in a way that doesn't separate them from home or disrupt their day-to-day lives. A mother can still care for her children and watch over the family store, while working on her latest design. A student can still go to school and complete her studies, while spending her free time creatively instead succumbing to idle pastimes and vice. All they need to devote is a little bit of time, and the willingness to become a little bit better, one step at a time, not just artistically, but as a person as well.

The workshop was also able to generate a buzz among some business owners in El Nido, Palawan. The handmade creations of these artisans will soon be displayed in a hotel souvenir shop, a dive shop, a beach bar, and a few independent souvenirs shops. In line with our vision to give Filipino women artisans a global platform to sell their craft, Palamuti will also be selling their creations on our website.

 With a bit of work, hope, and meeting the right people, we were able to plant the seeds of our vision in El Nido. We plan on coming back next year to teach new techniques, and to hopefully find more promising women artisans.

Keeping it real. - PJV

                    

Bead Jewelry Party Workshop

GET CRAFTY! A great addition to your daughter's birthday party is a mini workshop on making handmade bead jewelry! Amaya Accents, together with our Palamuti beaders, had a fun time teaching moms and daughters on how to make simple one-strand faux pearl necklaces. This mini-workshop is a great activity for hyperactive kids, since it challenges their creativity and sense of accomplishment, while being fun and interactive at the same time.

Mothers and daughters tap into their creative side

Surprisingly, we attracted guests from different age groups, and even some dads and big brothers too! Participants took home their faux pearl necklaces as a souvenir of bead jewelry mini-workshop.

Book a Bead Jewelry Party with Amaya Accents by emailing amayaaccents@gmail.com.

Here's a similar story on the benefits of crafting:

Creation Story: 10 Reasons to Craft with Kids by Jackie Ashton
http://www.remodelista.com/posts/10-reasons-to-craft-with-children-diy-project-with-kids-holiday-diy-projects-happier-at-home 
For inquiries please email amayaaccents@gmail.com.

Meet our Artisans

With mommy and the birthday girl

Make your own birthday souvenir!

Mini-workshop buzzing with moms and daughters

Goodie Bags!

Setting up before the big event

Big sisters and little sisters concentrating on their necklaces

Judy Ann teaching guests fun techniques on making accessories

Everyone had a great time at the party!

There's More to Costume Jewelry

As a rule costume jewelry, strictly speaking, was meant to be a cost-effective alternative to the real thing. Losing or damaging pieces made with real gems and precious metals over synthetic byproducts is almost never preferable. But what if the costume jewelry you possessed was a one-of-a-kind creation; exclusively designed to fit your tastes, and by a master artisan no less? Wouldn’t you feel just as miserable? 

The genesis of costume jewelry is a subject that can be debated at great length. However, one thing is for certain; technology, techniques, and the materials available have advanced in such ways that, it can also be argued that capturing the essence of beauty is where the true value of a costume jewelry piece lies.  

With the coming of progress, there also come certain cautions. The earth, man, or nature, in one way or another, may provide the clay from which we shape our statues and sculptures. But it is the artisans' hand that guides its form, shape, and most importantly: message. The same goes for costume jewelry. 

When it comes to choosing the correct costume jewelry piece to compliment your ensemble or to add to your collection, there are a few things that you should keep in mind. Firstly, inspect the quality of your chosen trinket. Items of exceptional quality tend to stand out almost immediately. However, some products with inferior are slightly more difficult to discern.  Does the piece seem to have certain rough edges like it was churned out of a factory line? Or was it constructed masterfully, with an artisan’s eye, and a craftsman’s touch?  

  As a form of art, a costume jewelry piece should not be judged on the merits of the materials used to make it. But it should be judged based on its beauty, artistic design, and most importantly of all: it should make you feel happy. 

Wear It Proud, Wear Imelda

A girl must have one of our Imelda pieces! These handmade necklaces are made of seed beads stitched on a black felt cloth formed into a cylindrical strand. It's a wearable simple statement neck piece with topnotch workmanship by our craftswomen. You can wear it anywhere and anytime of the day.  

 Outfit #1: Still sporting your white Keds sneakers? For a casual fresh and dainty look  pair your Imelda necklace with a fun and vibrant skirt lined with tribal prints together with a raw edged tank with racer back detail. Wear your whites and off you go frolicking with an aura of sunshine.

Outfit # 2: Preppy-licious. Bring out your classic v-neck collar blouse then wear a cropped  peg trouser in light brown. Pull off the look with a charming oxford menswear inspired pairs. Wear your Imelda for an ambiance of opulence.

Outfit # 3: Feeling mysterious, sultry and hot? Be not the damsel in distress but coveted.  Bring out your high heel suede booties, black stretched denim and a chiffon top. Break black by wearing this royal blue Imelda necklace.

Outfit # 4: Still living in a summer state-of-mind? Pick a maxi dress, your favorite sandals then wear it with Imelda during one of your visits to your tropical paradise.

One-strand Imelda necklace (short): PhP450.00

Convert Philippine Peso into other currency here: http://www.xe.com/ucc

Sources:

http://www.zappos.com/keds-champion-leather-cvo-white-leather?zlfid=2

http://www.monsoon.co.uk/tako-skirt/invt/11303172/?siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-WOo74gu.rL5OLizdOFL82A&cm_mmc=linkshare-_-linkbuilder-_-linkbuilder-_-linkbuilder

http://www.lespommettes.com/product_info.php?products_id=4975&name=Black%20Crane%20Raw%20Edge%20White%20Tank

http://www.zappos.com/keds-champion-leather-cvo-white-leather?zlfid=2

http://www.mexx.eu/women/blouses/blouse-tailored-uni-v-neck-blouse-in-supple-stretch/p-n1me4475/?ColourCode=623

http://www.farfetch.com/shopping/women/item10078554.aspx

http://www.net-a-porter.com/product/177474?cm_mmc=LinkshareUS-_-Custom-_-Link-_-Builder&siteID=Hy3bqNL2jtQ-hBWhN5Jy.L5tTGILsqCLxg

http://www.romwe.com/sleeveless-black-longline-tshirt-p-33603.html

http://www.sirenshoes.com.au/damsel.html

http://www.calypsostbarth.com/Bloussant-Full-Maxi-Dress-p-19954.html