Monday, November 14, 2016

The One About Creative Contemplation (Or What Will Happen to LMPC and Joujoux)




Recently, my husband and I said “yes” to an adventure.

An adventure quite awfully big and of it-wasn’t-even-in-our-bucket-list proportions.

Last summer I was feeling quite unsure in my teaching job.  To make the long story short, on one lazy summer day, I sent an application to teach in another school.  The next thing I knew, I was being interviewed, hired on the spot, and was sorting out all the visa and paperwork required in order for me to make the transfer to my new job.

It’s amazing how things can fall serendipitously into place when you let God take the reins.  One moment your nerves are shackled by uncertainty and restlessness and the next moment, by God’s grace, your soul is filled with strength, purpose, and calmness.  If you recall, my word for 2016 is GRACE and how I was intentional about allowing a lot of it to thrive in my life.  Last summer, I was only praying for enough strength and patience to endure the big changes taking place in my workplace.  But through grace, I was blessed with more than an answered prayer.

Two months since the lazy summer day, here I am.  In Japan.  With my husband.  Where a new adventure awaits.

This is where we will be based while I teach here.  We’re hoping to become very happy here.  To give you an idea, we’ve just found an apartment that we are absolutely in love with, are slowly purchasing items to fill our home, opening bank accounts, applying for a phone line, etc.  It’s been delightfully crazy and the past week has had our heads in a whirl.  We miss our families and the Philippines terribly but we are happy, nonetheless.  For the sake of designing the kind of life that we love, we know we are where we need to be for now.

I am not certain how long the adjustment will take before I can sew a new play food set or a new skirt again.  Or knit.  Or cook.  Or continue with my calligraphy drills.  It might take months or a year.  So here’s a little announcement - two, actually:

What will happen to the blog?  The blog will be quiet for now.  The graceful thing to do for now is to cut myself some slack and allow time to do its thing as far as adjustment is concerned.  I want my blog content to be purposeful and intentional and while it is gratifying to be able to post regularly, I don’t want to post only for the sake of doing so.

When I am fully adjusted, I shall post more regularly, possibly with expat living undertones in my post (Don’t you want to see snippets of living in Japan?).  Don’t worry, it will still be crafty!

Now, what will happen to Joujoux Playthings & Teachables?  The fascinating thing about doing business nowadays is that it is possible to run one from anywhere in the world — well, as far as online businesses are concerned.  Our lean start-up has been gaining a following and we are over-the-moon delighted with the way people have been responding to it.  So, your toysmiths will continue to create playthings and teachables and ship it to anywhere in the world where someone can give a child the gift of meaningful play…

…after the adjustment period, of course.  :)  C’mon, give us time.  Give us grace.  Give me a sewing machine manual in English, please.  Haha.  They’re all in Japanese!  We still have so many product ideas in our heads and we simply cannot wait to get started on making.  When we do, Joujoux Playthings & Teachables will have more handmade product offerings. 

I like to think of this time off from the blog and the startup as “creative contemplation" until I cross over to a better and bright Little Miss Pinay Crafter and Joujoux.

And so for now, I shall “trust the wait.  Embrace the uncertainty.  Enjoy the beauty of becoming.  When nothing is certain, anything is possible.” (Beautifully penned by Mandy Hale)


Attraversiamo.

Monday, September 12, 2016

The One About Pinto Art Museum

One bright, sunny day in June, my friends and I took on a long drive to Antipolo.  Antipolo is quite far from my residence but I have been wanting to go there for the longest time.

You see, Pinto Art Museum beckons.

Whether or not one lives nearby, Pinto Art Museum feels like it’s worlds away.  You’d feel transported to another realm with its white-washed walls, lush greenery, abundance of natural light, and fresh air.  The entire place is peaceful and inviting.







































Nestled in a huge property in the mountains of Antipolo, the place is divided into several galleries, gardens, and a lovely cafĂ©, with sculptures ranging from pretty to cute to bizarre dotting the greenery.  The galleries are home to works by various artists.  I have noticed that the artists use every medium imaginable to create their masterpieces – yes, there ‘s every kind of paint, clay, and textile but there is also x-ray film, wire, and other found objects.  A visual treat awaits at every nook and cranny of the place.







 











































It’s not everyday that I come across a thing of beauty.  Pinto Art Museum has an abundance of beautiful things – and it’s not just the art.  The wooden doors, the flowers that sweep the staircase, the inviting outdoor couch, the al fresco dining sets…everything just comes so beautifully put together, making Pinto Art Museum truly a place for creativity and inspiration.


Tuesday, April 19, 2016

100 Days of Calligraphy: Day 5

Day 5 of my 100 Days of Calligraphy Challenge had me laboring over the o-form.  Now, it's my first so-called complete figure that had me writing the entire form in one stroke.  The challenge was to perfectly time when I had to exert pressure on my nib and when to release while making certain that my o's were a series of equal widths.






Not so bad, if I may say so myself.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

The One About FIDA Sewing and Arts School

I have always declared that the Philippines needs more creative spaces.  With malls and commercial establishments being built one after another, a quaint craft supply store or a small workshop venue always appears to be a breath of fresh air for artistic souls.  Just think of it:  a space when creative juices can freely flow, where untapped potential can redeem itself, where there are no mistakes, just artsy opportunities.

FIDA (Fashion Institute of Design and Arts) Sewing and Arts School is the (relatively) new kid on the creative block.  Founded in 2009 with schools in Davao and Cebu, their new branch is located in Silang, Cavite.   It is owned by Christine Munda who served as the academic director of the School for Fashion and the Arts (SOFA) at its inception.  Armed with her business degree and advanced fashion design education, she put up her own businesses in apparel, arts and crafts, and interior design.  Her vast experience in fashion and the arts ultimately led her to putting up FIDA.

The new FIDA location in Silang, Cavite promises to be a haven for individuals seeking to pursue inspired hobbies and artistic endeavors.  The school will be having its Open House and Soft Launch this week with a bevy of craft classes and sewing workshops.


 






Check out the classes that are offered this summer!



Naturally, the sewing classes caught my eye!  And hey, they even have workshops for crafty kiddies and young sewing enthusiasts!

As a creative, I cannot stress enough that one should allow herself the gift of inspired creativity.  FIDA Sewing and Arts School sounds like the perfect place for such gift. :)






Follow FIDA Sewing and Arts School on Facebook and Instagram or their website.