some WIPs

here are some WIP (work-in-progress) artworks i have posted recently. the colors are a bit dull, i have no idea what happened to the scanner, but i do not like the scanned versions. the colors came out too pale. the second image did not turnout into anything at all and i had to rework the contrast, hues etc. that's a nereid, by the way. 

all artworks done and yet to be finished by EaBrea aka me

i'll be sure to take photos instead the next time i post artworks.

Craftpreneur Files: MQuin

there will be a new section on my blog called Craftpreneur Files, where i will be featuring very talented crafters in interviews. i've discovered that there are a lot of undiscovered talents, both in the Philippines and abroad, and this is a way to spread the word about their beautiful work. As debut of Craftpreneur Files, I've decided to interview one of my team members from Etsy Pilipinas and seasoned sellers on Etsy, Milka of MQuin.

hi, Milka! welcome to PopkinGarb. Please tell us a little about yourself and what you do.

My name is Milka, I am wife to a wonderful husband for 8 years and we have a 2 year old boy. I started fashion design a little bit late than most when i turned 30. Before that I was a banker and also managed operations for a call center. I stopped working and decided to pursue fashion design and studied at Slims Makati.

I now have a one-woman shop in Etsy. I design and make the garments I sell online. I also am trying to go into the wedding clothing business here in the Philippines.

seems like you've been through a lot before crafting. how did you start your crafting business?

I started residence in Madrid, Spain in 2008. My husband was working there at the time. I wanted to start my fashion experience fresh from graduating so I decided to put up an online shop. I chanced upon Etsy from an article I read from a blog and everything started from there.

where do you find inspiration for your work?

My design inspiration comes in every aspect of my everyday life. From interesting pieces of furniture to enticingly arranged meals, I get some ideas. I am also inspired by books I read, and movies I watch.

looks like we share the same muses. how has it been selling on Etsy? how about locally?

It has been and is still a GREAT experience. I am still excited to know that my pieces travel all the way around the globe to a customer I haven't even seen and turns out that the clothes I have designed and sewn for them fit perfectly. I have not tried selling my clothes locally, though.

wow! it does feel good when others appreciate one's work. however, have you encountered drawbacks for your business? any lessons learned from them?

I haven't encountered any major drawbacks when selling on Etsy. Minor ones include time constraints and problems with customs, and like any other problem, we learn our lesson from them. Adjustment is the key.

what has been your most memorable project?

My first designs. I was excited but more nervous when I started making clothes for my shop in Etsy since I do not have a vast experience making clothes for others. I had the notion that no one would buy clothes online since most want to fit the dress before buying. I was ecstatic when I had my first sale!

any tips for aspiring craftpreneurs?  

Optimism!

Do not be afraid to dive into business. Remember that doing the thing you love brings out beautiful work that everybody will appreciate. Welcome criticisms and learn from them.

Thanks for the great insights, Milka! We hope you continue creating more of those wonderful dresses of yours and be known for it.

you can also visit Milka's website, http://www.milkaquin.com/ for her past works, her Etsy shop or become a fan of her Facebook page here.

images from MQuin shop on etsy

huhuhu

i admit i haven't been drawing a lot lately. :( there have been some WIPs but i left them as is, what with my son's exams. i make it a point to create a mock exam for him for his review, and he does love answering questions, which leaves me exhausted at night. but i shall be posting an artwork, hopefully by this week. i just wish i had more time!

Human Nature Read the Label Campaign Part2

image from http://www.readthelabel.ph/

want to know whether ingredients in your favorite shampoo/facial wash is safe? Human Nature now has an app for smart phones/apple derivatives which shows you exactly the effect of these ingredients to our bodies.

log on to http://www.readthelabel.ph/ and download the app for FREE and you may win a trip to El Nido Palawan for two (valid for Philippine residents only)!

Free Shipping in my etsy shop!

the holiday season is just looming around the corner. honestly, i have been scouting for Christmas presents to give to my friends and relatives since July. and i have eyed a few gifts worthy of my budget. i know people will be stressed on what they will be giving out this Christmas what with the Western markets teetering on its toes.

so starting today until the end of October, PopkinGarb will be offering free shipment (to anywhere!) on selected items! drop by PopkinGarb on etsy to check out these items! 

Baby boxes

no, your baby wouldn't come in a box, but think of a goody bag with all your baby's basic needs for a year. and this is what it would look like.

image from theatlantic.com

i chanced upon reading about 'baby boxes' in Finland on etsy. i wish that every country could be able to provide this for their new citizens, especially those who need them most. too bad the Philippines has yet to develop this kind of program, but i hope we'll get there.

you can read more on baby boxes here and here.

Human Nature Read the Label Campaign

i was able to attend the Human Nature magalogue turnover last Saturday. despite the rains, a lot of people still turned up. they are now launching a new campaign, which is very much apt with the times, what with all the sickness and ailments arising from the use of hidden chemicals prominent in commercial personal care products. 

did you know that our skin absorbs 60% of what we put on it? these compounds go straight to our blood vessels and may result in certain cancers, hormonal disorder, and other sickness. but we can all prevent that by simply educating ourselves into what are in the products we use, and by READING THE LABEL. below are some toxic chemicals commonly found in your regular personal care products, risks that may occur from using them, and their natural and safe alternatives. do not be deceived by the word "natural" in commercial products because they can use the term on their products even if they only use 0.99% of a real natural ingredient.

i swear by Human Nature products, as they have a heart for the people who make and use them as well as the environment. their products are 100% natural and free of harmful chemicals, and are safe to use even for babies. i have definitely made a switch to using these products instead of products readily available in the market, and my son and i are enjoying the benefits. and now, i'm sharing them with you! :)

for more information about Human Nature, please ask me. :)

good news

yesterday the Philippines was ravaged by another typhoon, and the winds were indeed howling more than the rain lashed. luckily, electricity wasn't cut off in our area so i caught up on some reading (and some sleeping, perfect weather for this too). i finally finished Powers by Ursula le Guin, and just started Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. it is also a good thing that i was able to watch the last of the series last weekend, so i can make comparisons with the book. and the tv series did justice to the book. thank God George R.R. Martin is co-executive producer to the series, otherwise they may have murdered the plot. i am very much excited for the next season, which would not come until summer of next year.

on another note, i am equally excited about a new short story by one of my favorite authors, Michael Scott. He's already written a short story about Scathach, a vampire (though not your average one as she's vegetarian) from The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel Series, entitled The Death of Joan of Arc. and it was superb. now he's continuing on his promise to write more about her in Billy the Kid and the Vampyres of Vegas. the title is quite exhilarating in itself. the short story will be out on November in ebook format. thank God for ebooks, they're much cheaper than real books, however i prefer the latter.