crochet bag

Ginantsilyo – a brand in the making

I have long wanted to create my own brand. A brand that offers unique and elegant designs as well as delicate and high-quality craftmanship.

Before I opened my facebook page at http://facebook.com/ginantsilyo, my plan was to start with a line of bags I personally designed but the plan was sidetracked with so many things that pushed me to just have the site up.

Now that my first bag has found a client, I am very keen to reawaken my dream. I started searching for customized labels but deemed them too much for my need then I rediscovered my clay-molding skills.

The first reverse-mold was a bit ragged. It’s not easy molding the letters, the clay breaks when folded and does not really follow the form i want it to do. But I gave it a try and created my first mold and cast as well

I liked how the label in my bag looks. The endeavor looks promising enough that I took the courage to create another much better push mold, creating the first one gave me enough experience on how the letters should fold and curve. This is my second push mold:

Now this looked smoother and more polished. No more jagged sides and broken fonts. :) I cured another mold for it and created my first cast:

This looks more promising than the first one. So I baked my first cast. My only worry is that since the whole thing seemed like it was glued on a base layer. I noticed that most of my bags has an “engraved” label. That would mean I have to make a stamp instead of a mold. But creating a reversed “image” of my logo seemed not easy, until I gave in and tried to make one:

And yes! I loved the way I was able to render this last image. Because the spacing of the fonts are right and I was able to bend and mold the letters without showing the breaks in between.

I had to mix in colors because I do not have the right shade that is needed. I mixed in gold powder so that the clay would have shimmer.. I tried my first stamp :) Eeek!!! I can repeat the designs!!!

And finally! My final output! :) I had to put the holes so I can sew the label into the bag.

I took my unfinished bag out and placed the label to see the effect :) I loved it :) I think all the effort I put through was worth it. Triple worth it :)

I have a friend named Gina

I have a friend named Gina. We were working in the same company, three years back. I sometimes hang out with her group of friends during lunch and merienda, but we were never really close as we are now. Maybe because the time when I was new in the company, she was on a maternity leave. When she got back, there were never enough time to be really close, but according to her, I was able to influence her into crocheting. Hence, the story of friendship begun.

Me and Gina Three years back

Me and Gina Three years back

Me and gina now

Me and gina now

This is one of the few good stories that crafting really brings people together. Most of the similarities, besides the passion for the craft comes from having “bigger than life” son, and a recently married life, which becomes our everyday topic as we share frustrations over missed stitch and lost hooks and delight over recently finished projects.

Gina loves crocheting. I think, more than crocheting itself, she likes the joy it brings to his son, who she adores so much that almost all her works are attributed to him. My most favorite one, a crocheted vest made from silk-cashmere blend.

Crochet Pullover for Thor

Crochet Pullover for Thor

Look at the facce of her kid!

I also love the bag she made. It’s an owl! And yes, it is for this sweet little kiddo again!

Crochet owl bag

Crochet owl bag

She also made a pair of socks, some toys and hats and scarves and so many more for this lucky child. I do wish I could make something for my baby too. But as selfish as I am, almost all my works are for me, and me and me. Besides, my son hates socks, hats, scarves and jackets. He only likes to wear very thin shirts.

Hehe, now back to Gina. I am telling this because we recently shared eagerness to earn something from crochet. As she was really very prudent in pricing her creations, I am encouraging her to take more value in what she can do, hence you might see some of her creations in my facebook page as well. :) Hopefully, our venture would be profitable :) Goodluck to us!!!

 

 

 

 

 

A promising new year

This year is very promising. I launched my new facebook page, in lieu of a message sent by my friend, Ms. Meikah, who bought earrings from me last year.

Happy Customer! Happy Seller!

Happy Customer! Happy Seller!

A friend of hers saw my earrings and are interested to sell these items abroad. Yipee!!!! Just good enough reason for me to launch my facebook page, which I did plan last year. I just told myself, I have to finish the bags I am crocheting before launching it, but due to this news, I have to! So that I could share the excitement and thrill and yes, so that I can showcase some products. :)

Hence another good news, a friend of my husband from Saudi Arabia placed an advanced order for this white little blouse,

White Crocheted Blouse

White Crocheted Blouse

This is very good news as I have a reason to write down the pattern as well.

Another big deal is that I am crocheting a new bag design I created myself:

Bag Handle

Bag Handle

The bag handle is my favorite part of the bag. It’s textured and very tightly crocheted that it hurts. My nanay(mother-in-law) liked it too. She likes a lot of expensive bags and she said that it looks “tutyal” or very high-end. I really like being praised (for my works) because it makes me want to finish the items I am doing despite the pain and numbness of my fingers and joints.

I hope you are having a very good new year too!

Crocheted Bag Hack From Miu-Miu

I want to crochet a bag and I have been eyeing this bag (randomly found on google):

Miu Miu Crochet Bag

Miu Miu Crochet Bag – image courtesy of http://eudelpng.org/miu-miu-crochet-bag.html

Then last night, I found out that today is a holiday. It means I am not required to work (Though I work even though I am not required) This led me into crocheting to my heart’s content.
Come morning, I promised Id render some work on the afternoon (tentatively, after lunch). It was my husband who bath my kiddo because I was still hooking up:

Front Design

Front Design

I am excited on how this will turn up so after lunch i still crocheted some more:

Back and FrontBack and Front

I am slave to my crochet hook. I cannot stop.

Back and Front

Close up Detail

I have some leather yarn (or cord) that I have been keeping for the longest time now, and finally I have some good use for it.

Almost done!

Almost done!

Look! It’s almost done now. the only reason why i stopped is because my hands are literally shaking. I just have to stop.z But I want to finish this. I will attach a plastic canvas into a cloth as lining to make a sturdy frame. I am planning to include this bag into a lot of stuffs I am planning to sell. I hope it will click. :)