Siem Reap Diaries 1: Welcome To Siem Reap!

One day, Erika and I decided to go to Cambodia. Our last trip together was back in 2006 or 2007 in Cebu. We didn't even take a single picture of that trip because we thought we were too cool for pictures. Yes, we regret that decision. We had no proof of the epicness of our experience. This time around though, we made sure we had pictures. Well, we didn't have much but we took just enough to document our experience.

Just to let you know, we had no solid agenda or schedule up to the minute we boarded our plane for Siem Reap. We only knew we wanted to visit Angkor Wat and to watch the live airing of the Oscars while we were in Cambodia (because we believe the Oscars is an important life event). Sure, we got some ideas from the net but we wanted the spontaneity of the moment to take over our trip.

Our home in Siem Reap was Viroth's Hotel. It's a boutique hotel with only 7 rooms! Very quaint indeed. It's quite near the Old French Quarter, so we only walked if we wanted to go to the Old Market or Pub Street.

This is where we had our breakfast. This is the roof deck of the hotel and it also serves as its lounge area. Lounge-y indeed! 

Our breakfasts in Siem Reap always had baguettes and croissants. Yum! Their baguettes were so yummy that Erika brought 12 pieces with her on the plane ride back to Manila (yes, it's possible). It's quite obvious that the French had a big influence in this country. 

We asked the hotel manager what else we can visit in Siem Reap apart from Angkor Wat. He told us we can visit the Chong Kneas floating village in Tonle Sap lake, which is the largest freshwater lake in Southeast Asia. It sounded interesting so we got into a tuktuk and a boat and headed over there. This is me and Erika at the beginning of the boat ride. We really had no idea what we're going to see, but we noticed there were several boats with tourists so we assumed it was a "tourist destination."

I didn't want to miss this opportunity to try to crochet on a boat! I just wanted to show how convenient crochet is. I had my yarn and hook inside my travel bag the entire time!

Erika and I had mixed feelings about our experience at the floating village. We felt a bit guilty being "tourists" in the area and we chose not to take so much touristy pictures. To give you a better idea of this village from an account of a fellow tourist, check out this blog entry by Jollice Tan.

We returned to the city in the afternoon and explored the shops and the area of the Old French Quarter.

Check out the crocheted clothes being sold in the market! I wasn't sure if they were made of cotton or acrylic yarn (or maybe a hybrid of both). Below is a view of the Siem Reap River adjacent to the commercial areas where most tourists are. The river's pretty shallow because of the dry season.

Watch out for another blog entry on our visit to one of the workshop areas of Artisans Angkor! 

Gantsilyo in Global Entrepreneurship Week at Miriam College

I got invited by the Society of Junior Entrepreneurs of Miriam College to give a small talk in a forum on entrepreneurship. It took place last November 18. I was surprised by the invitation, to be honest, because I've only been in business for less than a year. Part of me wanted to also share my experience so far so that my audience can be "inspired" to be young entrepreneurs.

I told them my crochet story and how I got here from being a corporate gal.

I was so nervous before going in front of the students. It's like presenting and being graded for something in front of your class and teachers :p Surprisingly, the nerves left when I started to talk.

There were other speakers as well. A short Q & A portion took place after all the talks.

Cheers to more young entrepreneurs and thank you for inviting me!

The Traveling Yarn Cabinet

It will be my first time this Nov. 23 (Sat.) to go out there and sell yarn and other crochet and knitting supplies. I'm quite nervous but really excited! I've been trying to figure out how to display my merchandise, especially the different kinds of yarn that I have in my store.

I got lucky when I found this cabinet in an antique shop. It's solid wood (I'm a sucker for real wood antique furniture). It was tucked at the back corner of the display area. I was told by the store attendant that nobody really noticed this cabinet. I'm glad nobody did before :p  I didn't have plans of getting a cabinet, or anything actually, when I entered the shop. It's a one-of-a-kind piece though, so I had to have it for myself. I also love that this cabinet has wheels!

Its mobility gave me the idea that this can actually be my yarn stall. It's compact but it has enough storage to display yarn. I did some experimenting on how to display my yarn and also some crocheted shawls and scarves I will be selling during my pop-up events.

I can't wait for people to see my glorious traveling yarn cabinet! Check out when and where you can get your yarn from this little store:

Nov. 23 (Sat)

Designer Blooms Cafe: Molito Lifestyle Center, Alabang

Dec. 7-8 (Sat-Sun)

Zonta Alabang Christmas Carnivale Bazaar: Cuenca Community Center, Ayala Alabang

Dec. 14-15 (Sat-Sun)

Makers' Trunk Show: 39 Malingap St. Teachers' Village, Quezon City

Back In Cebu! There's Crochet, Of Course!

Halloooooo, Cebu!

This "font string" was made with a chain and slip stitches on both sides of the chain to make it thick

I was in Cebu with friends this past weekend to celebrate the marriage of our friends, Charles and Grace.

Their reception was held in an islet in Maribago Bluewater Resort. We were transported by this big raft to get to this place. The venue was a reflection of this couple's quirky and creative personalities. The tables were adorned by painted flowers and salt rocks! Don't even ask how we figured out if these were indeed salt rocks - it was a toss up between salt or allum ("tawas" in Tagalog). See the neon lights by the shore forming CBGB? That's the couple's initials! I love it! It's like fate! CBGB was this rad music club in New York City that featured a lot of punk institutions like the Ramones and Patti Smith when they were still starting. It fits the couple's good taste in music :p

We "took advantage" of this time in Cebu to get some break. It was my first time to stay in Mactan.

Of course, what would a vacation be without crochet?!?

Even in the airport, I had crochet in mind! The picture on the left shows my relief when my aluminum Hamanaka crochet hook got through the final security check for our flight to Cebu. The one on the right is me crocheting while waiting for our flight back to Manila. I am working on a chevron afghan right now. I'm super excited to show the finished product soon!

Before leaving Cebu, I visited ANTHILL Fabric Gallery. ANTHILL is a creative social enterprise and a lifestyle store. They showcase indigenous fabrics from all over the Philippines and Asia. There's also something brewing between Gantsilyo Guru and ANTHILL :) Watch out for this!

Check out my other crochet adventures in Moalboal (Cebu) and Bohol.

My Crochet Haven in Cosmopolitan Magazine's May 2013 Issue!

Remember the do-over my old brother's room went through so it can be the awesome room I wanted to have for my crochet? It got featured in Cosmopolitan Magazine's (Philippines) May 2013 issue, for their Cosmo Life segment, "At Your Place." Thanks for the feature, Cosmo!

Text and sittings by Camyl Besinga. Photos by Miguel Nacianceno. Makeup and hair by Carmel Villongco.

You can see the full-page feature (with more pictures of my updated room) in this latest issue of Cosmo Philippines. It's Solenn Heussaff on the cover for their 16th Anniversary Special!

Photo grabbed from Cosmopolitan Philippines' official site.

Check out the do-over of this room in my old blog entry here.

Yummy Kit For My Workshop This May!

I started to assemble a sample kit for my 2-Part Beginners' Crochet Workshop on May 4 & 11.

And I must say...it's looking pretty good!

Apart from the awesome yarn you will be getting from Red Heart® and Cannon®, you will be getting a pompom and tassel maker, a set of 12 hooks (see below), and important notions for every crocheter - like scissors and stitch markers (plus others). See that pretty case in the box? That's a special case for all your hooks and notions. Now that should make every crocheter giddy :) See the dangling crocheted earrings on the box? Yep, every participant also gets a special gift from me - a pair of crocheted earrings (well, if I get a guy participant, he can give it as a gift)!

Apart from also getting a set of patterns and crochet guides for beginners, participants also get to choose their own vintage "Stitch by Stitch" magazine. This magazine was published in the 70s and 80s (pretty much vintage, and rare!). Each issue has 1 or 2 crochet patterns plus other patterns in knitting and sewing. What's good about their crochet segment in each issue is that they have visual guides on how certain crochet stitches are made for the featured crochet project.

Now imagine yourself crocheting here.

As of today, I only have a few slots, in the AM and PM, remaining for this workshop. If you are bringing a friend (or friends), you both get P250 off from your individual workshop fee. If you're interested to join, please fill out this registration form:

Hale Manna: The House Of Good Energy

My Moalboal getaway with friends last weekend is one for the books for me when it comes to crochet. We stayed in Hale Manna. "Hale" is the Hawaiian word for "house" or "home," while "Manna" means "good energy." Isn't it obvious that I am totally filled with good energy in this picture? :p Who wouldn't smile on a hammock by the beach with fresh air while holding a ball of yarn and hook? Gosh :p

This is where we stayed. This house is separate from the main house. It can actually fit 10+ people. Great for a barkada.

Welcome to Hale Manna :)

So many spots in the main house where people can just hangout. I can imagine having crochet gatherings here. There are even rocking chairs!!! Woot!

This place is a sanctuary. Just look at what you can see when you step outside.

I wasn't able to count how many huts there were outside. The garden is so spacious. There were times when we just slept on these outdoor beds because of the breeze and the sound of the waves. This is the place if you want to be lazy...like a sloth :p I even had an outdoor massage in one of the huts.

This is Inspiration Point. The name speaks for this spot. I was told this is a favorite spot for proposals. Well, it's quite obvious why.

And now, some parting crocheting pics taken in Hale Manna :p I was able to finish crocheting the shawl a day before we left Cebu for Manila.

Inspiration Point.

On a bench facing the sea.

On a hammock. I just had to try it.

Here's a pretentious "I-fell-asleep-while-crocheting-on-a-hammock" pic. Of course I was just faking it :p Most likely, I would look like this if it actually happened.

I would like to thank my boyfriend, Rob, for taking these pics (and for not getting sick of taking pictures of me crocheting).

Hale Manna Beach Resort & Coastal Gardens
Saavedra, Moalboal, Cebu 6032
L: (032) 316-2603
E: stay@halemanna.com
http://www.halemanna.com
http://www.facebook.com/halemanna

Crocheting. More Fun in the Philippines!

I couldn't help but have this on my beachy crocheting pic :) Proud to be Pinoy! I love my country!

Yarn Store 7: Maning's in Farmers Plaza Cubao

When I featured VC Trading (my very first yarn store feature), I mentioned that there is another yarn store in Farmers Plaza. This is Maning's. It is also located on the same floor as VC Trading.

Maning's is a crafts store. You can find ribbons, buttons, beads, sewing materials and other notions in this store. They even do electric pleating and have a corner where someone does portraits. Of course, I went here for the yarn.

Want to see what they have? Click the link below to continue reading! Click click click!

Ate Fely: The Craft World Rockstar

I made this pink shawl for a very special lady.

She's the infamous Ate Fely of the Craft World garage sale! Ever since I featured the garage sale on my blog, she has been receiving a gazillion texts from crafters wanting to go to Craft World. She's that small lady, with the loud voice, who answers your questions on all the items for sale - what this thing is for or what this tool does. I enjoy her stories of crafting adventures back in the day when Craft World used to have branches in different locations. When they would conduct many workshops. When they would assemble all those kits so people can easily learn a new craft.  I learned a lot from her stories and I always enjoy her company every time I visit the garage sale. I usually stay longer (and spend much more) than planned just because she has something to say for every item I ask about.

I gave this shawl as a thank you gift to her. It just so happened that I gave this a day after her birthday.

When I came to this place last October, the garage was overflowing with stuff.

October 2012

It's been almost 3 months since I discovered this store and you can see now how much has been sold.

January 2013

The difference might not be noticeable in the pictures above, because all the items stored in the other room were already moved up front. Check out the room I'm talking about.

See the difference?!?! So many have gone to this store since then. I'm glad a lot benefited from this sale. I hope the legacy of crafting from Craft World continues to thrive in all of us! There are still a number of items for sale. They still have so many of those kits. They will only close until supplies last or until the place itself is sold in the market. Find time to visit this place if you haven't been!

Check out my feature on the Craft World garage sale here.

Yarn Store 7: Dreams Yarnshoppe

Dreams Yarnshoppe is a yarn institution in Manila (if not, the entire Philippines!). If you haven't been to this store, then you're not a legit crocheter! Just kidding! :p

I remember coming to this store for the first time back in 2004, I think - back when they had their store in Glorietta 2 or 3. I almost fell to my knees when I discovered this store. My heart beat so fast at the sight of so much yarn. It opened me up to a new world of yarn. Because up until then, I think, I thought you can only use the commercially available mercerized cotton for crochet. Dreams Yarnshoppe introduced me to mohair, silk, wool, acrylic, and so much more! 

At this age of sprawling online yarn stores, there is NOTHING like entering a store full of different kinds of yarn and actually seeing and feeling them for yourself. There's nothing like asking the store attendant about what you can do with the yarn you're holding and imagining it becoming real while you're holding it. And of course, there's nothing like standing in front of that amazing wall full of yarn and being confused where to look first. You just don't know how to process the sight of those skeins and balls!

Want to see more yarn!?!? Click the link below for more!