Anyway I wasn’t really sure what to do with it at the time, I just liked the color and design. A friend suggested a skirt, and I thought that was a good idea. I just didn’t get around to doing it until now. Plus, I was busy with some other sewing project (and work, which I started just this week). I had quite a lot of this fabric so I figured I had enough to make this circle skirt which was simple enough. When I had bought some wide elastic, I went to work on it right away.

…

actually, no. I still played around a bit.

But seriously, with a smaller neck hole, this could be a viable blouse project.

After that I went to work right away and ended up with this:

It’s a bit short for my taste, so I might add a ruffle or something at the hem someday. It’s good, though ^___^

I’m considering sealing the whole thing in some sort of varnish or glaze because the paper will be exposed to moisture if used as a pendant. But if I do that all the glorious photocopied text would be hidden. What do you think?

I’ll make more of these when I scrounge up more leather. ^___^

In other news, I’ve been thinking a lot about product packaging and I decided to make as stamp of my website to use on tags, cards and other packaging material. I carved out letters on the side of a Maped Technic eraser (12 pesos only!). I began using the lino cutter, but the nibs were to large for the tiny letters so I used my Xacto knife instead.

I accidentally cut out the [dot] at the dotcom so I’ll just draw it on. I don’t want to repeat this! It’s too difficult!

I also made an “Ang Craftista” one on the other side of the same eraser. Here it is on an envelope. Somebody will receive this package soon

I don’t have chains. I’ve always used nylon string for the accessories I make, and the only metal I use are the clasps and jump rings. I do have a supply of wire, but based on my previous experiment, I’ve concluded I need a thicker gauge. So for me to make this bubbly bracelet I saw a tutorial of, I had to make one by connecting these short chains meant for adjustable clasp things. Anyway, after a full morning of twisting and wrestling with various pliers, I eventually ended up with these:

1. Bubble bauble — pearly, shimmery, bronze-y plastic beads attached to a makeshift chain bracelet.

PhP 100 (Bird and branch not included)

2. Cluster pendants — Leftover beads from the bracelet ended up as pendants because I love the color combination so much Suspended on coated wire thingies (Yeah I don’t know what they’re called). The second one is smaller, but has a small metal flower accompanying it.

PhP 80 each

Candidate #1 is an orange blouse from Apple & Eve. One of the most expensive articles of clothing I’ve bought! I got a medium because the chub on my arms prevented me from buying the smaller size. So I have nice fitting sleeves but it was extra-poofy around the waist. The front wasn’t very different in the before and after, though. But it feels better now.

The buttons are old stock I rummaged in my dad’s sewing kit. I painted them with acrylic (I only had green, white and black. LOL) and gave it a gloss finish with clear nail polish. I also dipped two extra buttons and made those into earrings! They look like green m&ms.

Candidate #2 is a thrifted blouse that I absolutely love but I always pin a crocheted thin belt on it so I could tie it at the back. When I first bought this it had green buttons on the sleeves which I promptly removed. Thankfully I rediscovered them while looking for buttons to use on the previous blouse, and attached them to the back. I made loops out of braided embroidery thread/floss and attached those to the sides of the blouse. I saw this style while I was queued at the bank one day on a lady a few spots in front of me.

Ugh, sorry, blurry photo. Here’s a detail of the button and loop.

The great thing about this is that I could still thread the crocheted belt through the loops whenever I liked! YAY!

If you haven’t noticed, I’m actually a Philippine-licensed Architect (hence, “Arkitek Sara”) and Interior Design student. I have a love for bright, clean, contemporary yet homey design which–top of my head–can be best exemplified by Scandinavian and mid-century modern American styles (i.e. my favorites). I’ve always wished there would be a store in the Philippines that would have the look and feel and design sensibilities of the (numerous) blogs and shops I’ve been following online and Heima perfectly fit the bill.

Aside from the new furniture line they launched this Saturday, they also launched Paper Club, which is a collection of paper products and accessories catering to the DIY and papercraft market (people like me). Notebooks, storage boxes, note pads, washi tape, vinyl decals, pencils, archival prints and a bunch of other pretty items which are a mix of foreign, local, in-house designed and collaboration products.

Marketing director Bong Rojales introducing Paper Club

The greatest thing about Heima is that despite the foreign inspiration, their products are locally designed and made. And they aim to promote it further through events like Design Discussions, the first set of which were held during their collection launch.

Here’s some more photos of their Makati shop and new collection:

A lovely blend of masculine and feminine

They also offer scents for your home like Pink Pomelo, Cinnamon and Caffe Mocha in the form of sprays and candles

Not for sale! Stamps of a postal motif

“Three hundred sixty five days of summer”

When I arrived the interns were setting up these paper chains

Drool-worthy bicycle and dark-and-light color scheme

Beautiful words in beautiful forms

My boots approve of this rug and daily chalkboard planner

Oh, indeed

collage postcard art

Washi tape and cameras

Suddenly, a plushie!

and leather bags!

View their website and online catalogs at heimastore.com

[Some] photos courtesy of the Heima press release package, which also includes a catalog and mini button pins and embellished clothespins in a cute canvas clutch! <3

P.S. I’m trying to put watermarks on my images… feedback, anyone?

PhP 130

After a bit of research, here’s my first attempt using some paper ripped from an old photocopied handout I was using as scratch paper. Since it was tiny, I made holes with a needle and used normal sewing thread to bind the signatures.

Isn’t it awesome? It was nighttime (which explains the grainy, blurry photos) and I didn’t have leather sheets on hand so I’ll have to save that part for another day.

Here’s the 2-part video tutorial I followed:

I was supposed to just do some stuff on my laptop this afternoon but when I realized there was still some daylight, I figured I could make a quick craft. I’ve been seeing a lot of fabric-covered bead necklaces around so I started making that. When I turned the fabric I sewed inside-out, I forced it a bit and popped some of the seams. My craft momentum slowed to a halt so I just sat back in front of my laptop and tied the thingy I made around my neck.

After a few hours, the look kinda grew on me. I like it.

See my bandaged finger. I cut myself while ripping out thread on another craft this morning. <sarcastic YAY>

oh, and that’s a safety pin hanging from one end.

After poking around the internet a bit, I figured out that Structure gel is like a thick kind of Acrylic Medium. Of course my cheapskate instincts kick in and I started looking for an alternative. Besides, I didn’t have acrylic medium on hand and I wanted to try this project asap. A friend suggested I use white glue and that’s what I did.

So far so good, I guess. I’d still have to finish this with some kind of sealant or varnish because it will disintegrate if it gets wet. I’ll save that for another day.

inspirations/sources: [1] [2] [3]

Also, I saw these lovely pincushions and realized how pitiful my makeshift pincushion was. So I pulled out an old sponge and wrapped it with cloth.

Finally, a necklace from a bracelet and a pinecone-ish pendant made of ribbon. Yes, I am wearing a restaurant shirt.

I’m planning to do this next, similar to the yellow-and-green triangle things up top. Let’s see how far my patience takes me.