Teacher Isa at our kiddie craft party.
Teacher Isa is 1/2 of Artesanias Divertidas (Spanish for fun crafts), a dynamic duo (with Catherine Kahn as the other half) of kiddie craft teachers. You can find some schedules of their kiddie craft classes at CraftMNL here. If you’re interested to have a kiddie session of your own, just let us know. With a group of five kids, we can prepare a kiddie craft party tailor-fitted to your little one’s creative inclinations. Just email Yelle at yelle[at]craftmnl[dot]com.
Isa will also be giving the DIY journals session during our 13 Days of Christmas handmade sessions! If you’d like to give personalized, embellished journals this Christmas, this is a must-join for you. You can sign up for this session at Briggy Hall (Kapitolyo, Pasig City) here.
How long have you been crafting? What got you started?
I’ve been into the arts early on, if I remember right. I remember my mom teaching me how to sketch and write calligraphy as early as 5. I also learned how to use pliers at 6 — my dad taught me how to fix broken wires! My sister and I also received our first craft kit when we were little, but my sister didn’t want to touch it kasi sayang daw. But I remember sneaking in and stealing bits and pieces and making something.
What’s your favorite medium? Why?
I’ve been introducing myself as someone who has craft ADD. I’m a very emotional crafter (i.e., I knit, crochet, paint when I want to relax or I make journals and bang the spine when I need to let of some steam) so technically, I have no favorite medium. But if you ask me what my constant crafts are, they would be painting, knitting and notebook/journal making. But ask me again next month, I might have a different answer.
Tell us about your favorite projects.
My favorite projects are the ones that I finish and give away (I haven’t gone around to selling my crafts). The downside of having too much crafts/ being an emotional crafter (for me) is I hardly finishing anything. Right now I have a few knitting and crocheting projects lying around. I’ve also been making journals and a lot of friendship bracelets for my kids. I recently rediscovered the joys of making stamps and I’m hooked on that now.
Isa binds these journals and embellishes them with watercolor washes.
What’s the one crafting skill you’ve always wanted to master/learn?
I’ve always wanted to work with power tools, so if I can master that skill, I’d be really happy.
What are you currently working on?
I’m currently working on the following: (Or at least my IOUs)
Scarves and beanies for friends, Journals for the workshop, personal art projects and design projects for work.
What’s your dream project? What have you done to make it happen so far?
I have a photo collaboration with some photographers, make up artists and models. I’ve done test shoots. Hopefully, time permitting, we can get that series up and running. Fingers crossed we get to exhibit our work soon!
Teacher Isa at one of the kiddie craft sessions at the workshop.
Aside from crafting what else do you do?
I’m a print and video producer by trade, and I work with a lot of creatives. I also illustrate and do graphic design.
How does creativity influence the other areas in your life?
Being creative is great with lateral thinking. Lateral thinking makes the route from point A to point B a lithe shorter and a lot faster. 🙂
Any advice for other aspiring crafters?
Just do and make! Materials are getting cheaper and are readily available nowadays. Feeling bad for wasting materials is a big no no.
More colorful journals!
What do you do to beat a ‘creative block’?
I “dumbify” myself — I doodle or knit or do projects that don’t require thinking. My favorite is to play video games. I drain out the creativity and wait for the creative juices to fill up again.
Give us 3 crafting essentials you must have in your toolbox at all times.
Oh this is a tough one. Notebook, pens and pencils and a pair of scissors.
Why should people get their hands busy (and start crafting)?
Crafting is therapy. And crafting is fun. 🙂
Where can we find your work?
http://www.isabelsilva.com