Which Craft?

Marilen Espiritu has always been into crafts. Carmita Francisco has always loved the arts. And together these two enterprising ladies set up The Craft Studio.

It was launched last Christmas in two bazaars at the Cuenco Park in Ayala Alabang where an attractive marquee in the soccer field became the venue for inspiration and creativity. On display was a wide array of mostly tableware bisques – once fired objects – to paint on. They provided non-toxic paints from a palette of colors to choose from. Flyers with easy to follow instructions were shared and distributed.

Underneath trees, villagers and their families trooped towards the innovative booth to do ceramic painting – creating personalized gifts for the season. Children as young as four to ladies and yes, even gentlemen found the experience quite refreshing.

We recall seeing then three-year-old Pico Guingona happily designing a mug for his lolo Peping Cojuangco and top jeweler Hans Brumann and wife Maria who spent the morning doing a pitcher and a chesse platter. "This is truly delightful," said Hans. Also seen were Margie Moran Floirendo and her two daughters, Monica and Gabby, who equally loved their painting session together. It was an instant hit with the bazaar-goers.

The Craft Studio made another appearance at the family day bazaar at Woodrose where a tent was pitched in the school’s campus this time. It was enjoyed by students, parents and teachers alike, so much so that the school started conducting some of their art classes at the studio’s home located at 122 Sarangani Street in Ayala Alabang.

It has an idyllic setting – in the beautifully-landscaped gardens recently featured in a coffee table book of Lily Gamboa O’Boyle’s In The Gardens of the Philippines. Situated on a pond of a waterfall with the lush greenery surrounding you, the inspiration comes easy and charms everyone who visits.

It is interesting to note, however, that quite a number express their frustration at painting. "I really don’t know how to paint," a newcomer exclaims, or "I wouldn’t know where to start!" cries another. Marilen and Carmita are quick to reassure any distressed artist-in-the-making that one does not have to be a Van Gogh to create a masterpiece because there are numerous stencils, stamps and sponges to help in the designing process. The concept is similar to a child working on a coloring book – all you have to do is paint with wild abandon! Try to forget all the rules and structures that may restrict and limit your creativity.

The process is easy enough – as easy as 1-2-3 and correspondingly there are indeed only three essential steps. Step one: Pick your own materials from the bisque – the unglazed object like a mug, tile, bowl, plate, pitcher – you want to work in. Then you decide on the design and the color scheme. Once you have chosen everything you need to complete your personalized piece, you are given an apron and escorted to a table where brushes, sponges and other tools are provided. Step two: This is the step that may take a whole morning or afternoon of fun. It all depends on how inspired you are to create your own obra maestra. A word of caution though for those passionate in nature – ceramic painting is one of the more addictive pastimes! Once you start, you will simply want to paint more and more. Lastly, step three: After you have painted and signed your pieces, The Craft Studio will glaze and fire them for that refined, professional finish. It takes approximately a maximum of 10 days for the finished product to be picked up.

"It is particularly satisfying to use a ceramic piece that you have painted and decorated yourself. Pottery that is your creation becomes an extension of yourself," declares Marilen. "To a child, it is particularly thrilling," adds Carmita. "Mothers tell me that their children eat better when they use spaghetti bowls made by them – although they are just splashes of bright colors."

Many diverse groups have found a lot of pleasurable hours at The Craft Stuio. The wives of the Peninsula Manila Hotel’s top accounts, foreign ladies associations, groups of balikbayans, families and friends have bonded together during painting sessions. The Palms Country Club invited their members to four sessions and each one was a huge success.

"It’s therapeutic," some ladies announce while they paint their residence street numbers or the vacation home names on tiles. The family coat-of-arms has also been done on ceramics.

Birthday parties are becoming ceramic painting sessions and a bridal shower was once held at the studio where guests painted different plates to gift the bride. The possibilities are endless. It’s a lovely and creative medium that is easy to master and enjoy.

With Christmas just around the corner, the quest for what to give finds the perfect answer at The Craft Studio. Nothing pleases a member of the family or a friend more than to receive an object that is personalized – designed and painted by you.

Note : The costs at The Craft Studio are reasonable. It ranges from P100 for a tile, P20 for mugs, P250 to P350 for plates and P500 and above for pitchers. A P50 service charge fee covers the costs of paints, glazing and firing. For reservations, call 842-32-79.