SEWshi

I'm a crazy crafter. I hoard all sorts of craft materials and tools. I jump form one craft to another.

There was a time when I went gaga over bento making. I would go to different branches of Japanese stores here in Manila and buy bento boxes, sushi moulds, cutters and other tools that would create cute food. I would wake up at 5am to prepare my bento box.
Here's what I did.

Now I'm shifting again to a different craft. My current fixation is my Sewshi, a sushi playset for kids and kids at heart. I started making sushi out of felt when my friend asked me to make a set for her daughter. I had too much fun making it...

...and playing with it.

For a more interesting pretend play, I made a menu and I made some parts detachable so they can mix-and-match and assemble the nigiri. Nigiri is a specific type of sushi comprised by a slice of raw fish over pressed vinegared rice. 

Each SEWshi set is wrapped in furoshiki, a Japanese wrapping cloth traditionally used to transport clothes, gifts and other goods. It's eco-friendly too!

If you want to have your own SEWshi Playset, just send me a private message on my facebook page.

MEDIA

PRINT:
Manila Bulletin, "Made with Love" / April 4, 2014
View Magazine, "Succulent Dish Garden workshop" / March 2014
Working Mom Magazine, "Handmade Revolution" / September 2013
Malaya Business Insight, "It Pays to be Cute" / July 15, 2013
GFC Magazine (Japan Edition), "Online Selling" / March 2013
Craft Time Magazine, "10a Alabama: A Crafting Fair" / May 2012

TV:
Kabuhayang Swak na Swak / November 2012
Net25 "Tribe" Show / August 2012
Myx TV, "Wer U At" / October 2010


ONLINE  SITES/MAGAZINES:
WhenInManila.com, "Clay Planter Workshop" / August 2014     
CraftMNL.com, "Maker Profiles" / May 2014
Katha Magazine, "Crafterpreneur" / March 2014  
Coconuts Manila, "Workshop: Make Your Own Succulent Dish Garden" / May 2014 
Spot.ph "10 Things We're Loving Now" / April 2014 
Loqal.ph, "Show Your Quirky Side" / Aug 2013
Malaya.com.ph, "It pays to be cute" /  July 2013
Abs-CBNnews.com/Lifestyle "Unique Handmade Gifts from 10aAlabama" / November 2012


BLOGS:
GooglyGooeys.com, "Handmade Weekend at the 10aAlabama" / August 2014
Superwomom.net, "Crafternoon Party" , May 2014
TheHappyLab.com "Handmade Finds at 10aAlabama Arts & Crafts Fair" / April 2014 
ThePinkDoormat.blogspot.com, "Good Finds at 10aAlabama", July 2013
Bettinabacani.com, "10a Alabama Arts & Crafts Fair", July 2013
Thephenomenalmama.blogspot.com, "Saturdate Agenda" July 2013
TheHappyLab.com.ph "Owl Fever", April 2013
DollhouseDiary.com, "10a Alabama Arts & Crafts Fair" , November 2012
HandyDandyStudio.wordpress.com, "10a Alabama" , November 2012
ArtistMadhouse.com "Bunch of Craft", July 2012
Hoshilandia.com, November 2011
NomadManager.com, "10a Alabama Arts & Crafts Fair" /  November 2011

Pocket Garden

Weekends are never long enough and I really enjoyed this one. I decided to stay at home and work on my pocket garden. As Annie Lennox would say: "Here comes the rain again... So I moved my succulent plants here. Too much water is bad for these drought resistant plants.

I'm glad I checked my cacti because I was able to save this little fellow. It was beginning to rot around the base.  It was sitting in water-logged soil -the soil that came with it when I bought it.  I replaced it with my personal cactus soil mix. This cactus is going to be fine in no time.

Finally, I was able to plant the cactus seeds Arvin gave me. I was expecting more seeds from this pack. The packaging was too big for the amount of seeds it contained. Although I shouldn't complain, I got it for free. :)

These are all the seed from one pack. They're so tiny! They look like black sesame seeds. I planted them in a small  2-inch-deep pot.

I can't wait to see them germinate! There's a saying: To plant a seed is an act of optimism.

So, Aja! I'll give you an update with photos of cacti seedlings soon.

If you want to learn more about growing, propagating and planting succulents in dish gardens, join our workshop on August 10, 2014.

It's a 2-in-one workshop. Mansy of Hey Kessy will teach you how to make your very own planter using clay. After that, I will teach you about planting succulents and making your own dish garden. Join us!

Slots are limited so register HERE. 

Clay Planter + Dish Garden Workshop, P3000

Succulent Dish Garden Workshop at Hey Kessy Studio

A month ago, I had another Succulent Dish Garden Workshop. I was really excited about the venue, Hey Kessy's lovely studio. Everything harmonized with the gardening theme.

 I enjoyed arranging the gardening kits on their tables and preparing the buffet of supplies.

The fun workshop started as soon as the participants arrived.

Here are the happy gardeners with their beautiful creation. Life is too short to always have clean fingernails. Keep planting and enjoy playing in the dirt!

❤lotsalove,

femi

Giant Cactus

I went to my Aunt's house in Marikina and noticed this gigantic cactus.

It grew as tall as their roof.

Being the cactus-addict that I am, I asked for some cuttings. I like arranging my small cacti with bigger ones to create variety and focal point. I found out that this plant is called a Hedge Cactus or Cereus Hildmannianus, originally from Brazil. We were very careful in taking few branches off because the spines were long and thick like a needle.

 I went home happy with my new prickly friends. I can't wait to see them bloom. My aunt said they blossom with lovely white flowers.

❤lotsalove,

femi

Cereus hildmannianus

Brownout? Make Good Art

Two days ago, Typhoon Glenda was ravaging Manila. Of course I didn't go to my day job. It was scary, I could hear the strong wind howling. I prayed for everybody's safety while the windows in my room kept rattling. There was no electricity. Brownout. Boring. So I thought about "Make Good Art". Make Good Art is an inspiring quote from Neil Gaiman. It was one of the best commencement speeches. I got inspired after watching that video years ago, I made this felt-cutout-embroidery immediately.

Here's an excerpt from Neil Gaiman's speech:

Instead of worrying about the weather, I grabbed my tools and pulled a table near a window where a bit of sunlight was still available. I've been wanting to try the Das Air Dry Clay I bought from Hey Kessy. I made some Totoro ornaments and figurines. I looove Totoro! Obvious ba?

I also painted some ceramic pots and little clay houses for my dish garden.

I will be joining the 10aAlabama Art Fair soon and I'm glad that I have lots of new items to sell. It was a day well-spent. So next time work and classes are suspended due to another typhoon... Make good art. No electricity? Make good art. If you haven't seen Neil Gaiman's speech, watch it here. A must watch for any artist or anyone who hopes to live a creative and inspired life.

❤lotsalove,

femi

Succulent Dish Garden Worshop at Craft MNL

I was giddy with delight when CRAFT MNL invited me to facilitate a Succulent Dish Garden Workshop on May 18, 2014. I enjoyed preparing the plants, their gardening kits and the topics I had to discuss. 

I was so excited to share with them one of the things I'm crazy about. With the help of my friend Karen Capino, I made a short video presentation about how awesome succulents are.

I am really glad that the participants were really eager to learn. I like it when they ask questions and share some of their succulent stories.

And then it was time to get dirty!

Succulents come in different shapes, vivid colors and intriguing textures. Choosing the plants that harmonize with each other is part of the fun.

We also did some rock painting to personalize their dish garden.

It was a fun afternoon with these ladies. With pride, they went home with their lovely creations. It feels good when you're able to create something with your own hands. I hope they continue to make more.

❤lotsalove,

femi

She Crafted This Party

I was sooo psyched when my friend She Ramos asked me to host a crafternoon party for her birthday. She wanted this year's celebration to be different. So I came up with fun activities that even newbies at crafting will enjoy.

  Belleville Cafe was the perfect venue. Cozy ambiance, good food and great service.

Craft tools were arranged on the table, waiting for the guests. I painted their names on the heart-shaped wood plate for an added personal touch.

After a brief discussion, giving of instructions and tips, the guests started painting.

Most of them do not consider themselves as artists but they were excited to try! Good!

Not afraid to get their hands dirty.

 It's a party, we have yummy food! I was too preoccupied with their lovely artwork, I didn't
get to take more photos of the food served. Sayang!

She, the birthday celebrant.

Mission accomplished! It was crazy fun! I super enjoyed hosting this party, thank you She. Everyone was so game and willing to learn and experiment. Seeing their smiles here... ahhh makes my heart truly happy. 

lotsalove,
❤femi

Wanna have your own crafternoon party? Email me at gawanifemi@gmail.com
or text 09157808181 for inquiries.