Handmade Holiday

Handmade Holiday

metryk workshop

Craft MNL is the place to go if you want to learn a new craft. Here, their co-founder Marielle Nadal gives us a list of local makers we should be looking to for gifts this holiday season and beyond.

 

For those of us who will be missing the warmth of family and dear friends this year, we look to expressions of love to speak for us. What better way of putting more love into gifting, than with selecting items that are thoughtfully handmade?

Check out our list of local makers whose craftsmanship speak volumes of the love and care they put into their work.

Saan Saan Candles (https://saansaanph.com/) Chandler Mark Zavalla created his scents based on memories of places he’s been. You can just imagine the scent of memory, bottled, and lit with munimuni.

The Soap Story PH (https://www.thesoapstoryph.com/) Maan Jizmundo started out making castile soaps for her son. Now her little one’s grown up quite a bit, but she continues crafting artisan soap that are thoughtfully and lovingly made.

Saan saan

Bijin Craft (https://www.instagram.com/bijincraft/) Multi-talented maker Jeng Cabrera’s love of greenery pushed her to make picturesque pottery vessels to hold them. Now she not only creates containers for her plants, she also makes ceramic mugs, coffee drips, and plates.

Metryk PH (https://www.instagram.com/metrykph/) Form meets function in the pencil holders, phone holders, and pen organizers that Miguel Habito makes in his workshop in Los Banos, Laguna.

Hocus Manila (https://www.instagram.com/hocusmanila/) The duo of Andrei Salud and Sheina Tobias have been producing locally designed, hand-printed fabrics and paper prints for about a decade now. They’ve applied their prints to charmingly rustic tea towels, pillows, and organizers. We’re especially excited for their new tea towel prints.

Zapateria

Bags by Rubbertree (https://www.bagsbyrubbertree.com/) Ruben and Trina Flores are designers who fell in love with leather craft. Their bags and leather accessories are not only thoughtfully and intentionally designed, they’re handmade in a variety of classic styles.

Zapateria (https://www.instagram.com/zapateriahub/) What happens when you bring together decades of shoemaking tradition and innovative young designers? Founders Rico and Unyx Sta. Ana, a father-daughter team, have created a hub that’s been instrumental in bringing more designers into shoe-making. Coming from a family that’s been in the shoe business for five generations, their brand offers both classic and modern styles, as well as options for customizing. 

Alunsina Handbound Journals (https://www.alunsinahandboundbooks.com/) Nadja Castillo and Enan Juniosa have been constantly working on their journals. They innovate, but never abandon their proud craftsmanship—the kind that develops a patina over time. Their journals are keepsakes in themselves.  

Alunsina

Knitting Expedition (https://knitting-expedition.myshopify.com/) Candy Reyes Alipio guides the skilled community of women who knits toys and décor from the mountainside rice fields in Ifugao. Any kid would love to have one of their knitted plushies.  We’re also super crushing on their knitted clutches and colorful coasters.

Philippine Forest Blooms Planner (https://cynthiabauzonarre.com/) Artist and designer Cynthia Bauzon Arre has been cultivating an appreciation for endemic trees, blooms, and birds—creating undated planners, notebooks, postcards, note cards, and even washi tape inspired by our local flora and fauna. We’re especially excited for her Forest Reflections Nature Appreciation Journal.

 

Suggested Reads:

gift guide

how we embroider

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