Seeds of Hope: Handmade Accessories Training Workshop

The “Sampaguita” inspired mother and daughter necklaces was made by a collaborative effort between two participants from Barangay Masagana: Lila and RJ. 

Lila, aged 10, is home schooled by her parents. She wanted to join the workshop, together with her mother, because she was eager to learn our style of handcrafting. We allowed her to join the group because we saw the excitement in her eyes upon seeing an array of colorful beads right in front of her. The “Sampaguita” necklace is her first project, and  although it took her a week to finish, she accomplished it with pride. The seeds of a new found interest in creating handmade art was also able to bloom. According to her mother, Lila continues to design new pieces inspired by the local flora in El Nido. Her latest design concepts are: “Wildflower” and “Basil Leaves”.

 

"BASILIA- Basil Leaves"

"I want to try new experiences. I enjoy beading because it fascinates me to visualize and create a beautiful handmade design from simple beads, thread, and fabrics"- Buwan Lila

RJ on the other hand, was the only male participant in our bead embroidery training workshop. He is an 18 year old out-of-school youth.  He accomplished the daughter part of “Sampaguita” necklace, which is his second beadwork project. And although he joined the workshop to pass the time, while awaiting summons from his employers in Aborlan, Palawan, he shows the potential to grow as an handmade artisan, if he is willing to devote himself to it.

After the 3 week training, we were able to come up with a short list of participants who had the right attitude, and exhibited the skills needed to continue training as bead embroidery artisans. To date, they continue to practice techniques and concepts they've learned from the training. Those who wanted to continue to learn more about handmade bead embroidery, have made designing and beading a part of their daily routine. 

Part of our plan is to go back to El Nido to provide further training for women we've selected from our first batch of participants. We hope that by further increasing their skills and knowledge, they will be able to handle the responsibilities of passing on their knowledge to new participants and the next generations of Filipino women artisans.

We hope that we can be able to continue these workshops by forming partnerships with local businesses.  Several souvenir shops have already offered to carry products made by the mothers we've trained in El Nido. In addition, we will also be selling their handmade creations on our website. As fruits of their labors, six of their designs from the training seminar will be showcased in trade shows in Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati, Ohio this coming July and August, through our US partner. 

Through these channels, Palamuti hopes to provide an additional source of livelihood for more Filipino women, namely unemployed mothers,and out of school youth.