Calado Oh Na Na

I have recently shared with you my favorite handmade hoop earrings from homegrown brand Calado. My Mirasol spiral hoops were handmade in Dauis, Bohol by artisans who have inherited their skills in filigree and silversmithing from their ancestors. Their artistry can be traced back to the Spanish colonial times, and Calado is committed to preserving their craft through their handmade jewelry line. 

I am impressed with the quality of my earrings, and I feel pretty whenever I wear them. I think one of the reasons why I feel confident whenever I wear brands like Calado is because I am a strong supporter of the local handmade movement. Becoming a conscious consumer has also let me be naturally drawn to goods which were ethically and fairly made.

I am happy that my earrings, just like many of my belongings, adhere to my handmade lifestyle. It is my hope that more people will discover the joys of conscious consumerism and the beauty of each handmade object. I will continue to share my handmade finds here on my blog, so watch out for my lifestyle posts! Together, we can all discover that hands will always be better than machines in terms of quality and heart. 

Common Room Katipunan Trip

I went to Common Room Katipunan after my event at the Ateneo Art Gallery to buy some handmade trinkets. I have always advocated  conscious consumerism by buying handmade and supporting local. So whenever I feel like shopping, I prioritize those that fall under these categories. 

Common Room is a shrine for those who love the handmaid lifestyle. 

They have a swing! 

Feast your eyes with all the handmade goodies inside the shop. 

I even saw some Knitting Expedition plushies!

The store also has a respectable leather goods section. 

I ended up with a coin purse, monogrammed cord ties, and a couple of pairs of basic stainless steel earrings. 

The store has an ongoing recycling campaign, so I donated the labels that came with my goodies. 

Buying handmade always makes me happy. There is a sense of fulfillment in buying from small, independent brands. I hope Common Room will have more successful years in business. And I look forward to going back to shop for more handmade goodness someday!

Hope in a Necklace

I bought a new necklace for myself. My love for jewelry is quite obvious based on my frequent purchases, but I am now a conscious consumer. I focus on bling that is handmade, bought from a social enterprise, and is local. 

Good thing Tayo Collective has a minimalist necklace collection that suits all of the above criteria. Their gold-filled necklaces are classy, barely-there, and ideal for layering with other jewelry. Each piece is crafted by a woman rescued from the sex trade. 

As a woman and a fan of handmade jewelry, I find this cause amazing and transformative. And since their necklaces are sold through social enterprise collective Things That Matter, it was easy and convenient for me to make that purchase. 

I received my necklace via same-day delivery, and I was thrilled with how pretty and minimalist it is. I feel strongest after a workout, so here I was wearing it after an hour of cardio. It is empowering to wear the creation of another empowered woman. This will definitely be a conversation starter, and a wardrobe staple that will remind me that beautiful things happen if I will yearn for those that matter. 

Nawa

When was the last time you wore something that inspired you to be a fighter?

I experienced that when I purchased my Nawa bangles and rings. I received it the other day, and it honestly felt like Christmas all over again.  

My bling was packaged in eco-conscious materials and the rings were housed in this adorable woven pouch. 

I ordered three bangles because I already have ten Natalya Lagdameo ones, and I needed to make it a stack of thirteen (it is my lucky number). I also got rings, because I thought it was cool to have stacks on both my wrist and finger. 

Nawa donates to the Lake Sebu School of Living Traditions (SLT) with every purchase. 

I feel thankful that I selected these bangles and rings for my Valentine’s gift to self this 2018. It is a gift that gives back to the T’boli tribe in South Cotabato who created these bling. Also, their culture and traditions are preserved and kept alive through the efforts of SLT.  

Also, the girlbosses behind the brand (Timmy Potenciano and Jopie Sanchez) are rad and they are totally supportive of the community and their customers. I personally like how Timmy designed the jewelry to have rounded ends for comfort and ease of wear. Putting them on is a breeze and the quality is superb. The bangles and rings are lightweight and they have a modern look (Read: they are not your usual tribal jewelry!).

They sell individually too if you prefer ordering just one ring or bangle. If you want a full wrist of bangles, they sell stacks of ten as well! 

Nawa is your go-to brand for boho to boardroom jewelry- with a story to tell.

Not to mention that these babies are still minimalist enough to join a stack or blend with your existing jewelry without making you look tacky.  

Whenever I feel challenged or troubled, all I have to do is look at my warrior bangles and rings. I immediately feel empowered with my North to South stack, but I am more partial towards my Nawa pieces because they are social enterprise-made (handmade by Filipino craftspeople) and inspired by centuries of rich T’boli heritage. 

It is my turn now to go further in life and continue being a fighter, with meaningful bling to boot! 

Day 8: Become a Conscious Consumer

Check out these cute local and handmade stuff at The Craft Central! 

More from The Craft Central SM North branch

I have recently shared with you how I design my life with intention. A huge part of my lifestyle is my choice to be a conscious consumer. I always prioritize goods which are not from a chain store or mass market enterprise. Are you curious about being a conscious consumer?

Let me teach you how! 

1. Support a social enterprise.  I always bring at least one social enterprise-made item with me. The easiest way to do this is by using toiletries from social enterprises since they are basic, everyday needs. I have shared how Human Nature has positively impacted their employees in Gawad Kalinga communities, and how the brand has given my life meaning through the years. Do give it a try and you will also notice that most social enterprise beauty products are natural and organic.
2.  Buy handmade. Handmade and artisan-made products have soul. They carry with them the dream of micro-entrepreneurs to establish themselves in a largely manufactured market. Plus, they have charm which a factory-made item can never replicate. My favourite handbags are from Rags 2 Riches (which is also a social enterprise) and BagsByRubbertree. 
3. Go local. Support local brands and help our economy along the way. It is already 2017! We should stop believing that imported goods are better than locally-made items. We should be proud of our own products, and share this pride with every purchase made.

Becoming a conscious consumer begins with these three steps. You might have to spend a little bit more, but I promise you that buying items from businesses with a heart will be good for your soul. It will definitely spark joy and uplift people’s lives, especially in the case of social enterprises. Do yourself a favour and become a conscious consumer today! 

 ***Comments are welcome at speakoutsam@gmail.com***