[dropcap]I[/dropcap] always find that you don’t need any reason to give someone a bundle of joy. That might be the base line on why I love to give gifts. If I’m feeling a little down, I also love to give myself some gifts. Ordered something nice online, asked for a wrapping service, and get the excitement to have it on the mail :P
I already wrote about Maken, a local brand in Yogyakarta here. Before focusing on wall decoration, Maken once released some DIY kits collection. I bought one. A DIY stitch tote bag that allows me to put any color thread in any pattern stitch. Too bad the DIY kits collection don’t last very long. But I always have great interest on producing that kind of product line. Since I haven’t got time to do that, I listed some of the kits that I thought will be great for a gift. Either for yourself or a loved one :3
I think giving someone a new activity is a good form of giving. You’ll never know if someday it will become their hobby. If not, it’s still great to have an activity together. Not to mention, that it feels good to make something from scratch.
Since the local business has its moment now (creating more jobs and more options on the market), you’ll find some local brands here. Some of these brands also carries foreign brands, allowing us to try many variation of products that we can only hear before. But if you want to DIY your own kit, go to a craft supplier near you. It’s a cheaper option and you can buy in bulk if you feel like throwing a DIY party. I listed also some simple options you can choose.
What You Get:
A Pen Holder
Zebra G Nib
A Pot of Black Ink
Practice Notebook
Alphabet Guide
Price: IDR 249.000
Get it here.
I bought it weeks before and I find it enjoyable. It’s handy when you want to send someone a special notes, writing your own name, or even make your own logo.
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What You Get:
1 painting brush
10 painting colors
2 wooden dolls
Price: IDR 110.000
Get it here.
I love KayaKayu kokeshi-doll-like. I think it will make a great activity for kids and also friends. I would love to paint my doll like a French pantomime or maybe a sad clown :))
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What You Get:
1 loom (approx. 28×34 cm)
1 shuttle
1 heddle
1 comb
1 shed stick
1 rod
1 roll of warping thread
1 Needle
Simple instruction
Price: IDR 550.000
Get it here.
Since Living Loving introduced Weaving into their daily post, I’ve always wanted to try this on. Above is the link to the medium weaving kit available in their newly open shop. Maybe it seems a little big for beginner like us, but watch the space often because they might open some pre-order or hold a weaving class very soon. Here is the link for Weaving Basic on ABM ‘s blog and here are the archive for all posts on Living Loving’s blog about Weaving.
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(image from here)
What You Need:
Washi Tape
Paper / Patterned Paper (any kind)
Pen / Ink
Price: IDR 10.000 – IDR 60.000 for washi tape
Since my first encounter with washi tape, I have fallen in love with it easily. It is my go-to tools to decorate almost anything. In fact, I always carry it everywhere (true story). There are a lot of online shop selling washi tape right now, but my usual place to buy washi tape are Gudily (which carries almost all version of MT Tape), Papeldelarte (which carries many brand of washi tape), and Art See (which carries many variation of other cute things). You can also go to local stationary shop, like Gramedia, and buy some Scotch tape. It’s a great way to decorate letter and gifts. Try mix it up with some hand written lettering, instant magic. Here and here are some example of creative ways of using washi tape (BuzzFeed links alert :P).
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(image from here)
What You Need:
Embroidery Hoop
Embroidery Thread
Needles
Calico Fabric (Kain Blacu)
Pattern
Price: Embroidery Hoop (approx. IDR 5.000 – IDR 8.000), Embroidery Thread (approx. IDR 1.500), Needles (approx. IDR 1000), Calico Fabric (approx. IDR 10.000)
When I was in Junior High, the craft teacher asked us to make an embroidery cover table for our final project at the end of the semester. I ended up making under water life with some crabs, squid, and fish :)) Lately, my mom is freshen up our kitchen towel collection and making simple hand embroidery based on one of Kawung Living‘s floral pattern! Embroidery is simple, though it needs a little patient and time. Why not do it together with some friends over rom-com movie at weekend? My go-to online shop when it goes to craft supply is Tokokainflanel, it provides almost anything you need. Try making above wall decoration.
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(image from here)
What You Need:
Plain Coated Mug
Sharpie Pen
Nail polish
Oven / Microwave
Price: Mug IDR 7.000 – IDR 15.000; Sharpie Pen: IDR 20.000 – IDR 25.000;
This is one of the simplest way to do activities together. All you need is grab a Sharpie pen and start writing lines or paint some doodles. Do not forget to bake it on an oven for a finished look. I once use a microwave with an acrylic paint, and you could achieve the same result with longer time. If you don’t feel to write, use some nail paint leftover. This tutorial is just a nice way to make a marble and also watercolor effect on your mug. Here is also a nice one from one of my favorite family which always seems to have fun and really really creative (do check out The BabyBirds blog and prepared to be fall in love with all their whimsical creations).
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If you read so many quotes on Tumblr or Instagram, chances are you’ll find this quote:
When was the last time, you do something for the first time?
Though I’m not completely agree with the words (I always thought everything you do is always a first time for a brand new day), I get why this quote got really popular. When you caught up with routines and getting comfortable with it, you become resistant to whatever new things at the table. You want to do stuffs but you’re hiding behind the ‘busy’ shield. I experienced it too. But then again getting new activities is like getting brand new colors to our watercolor set. You might land yourself some new colors like Green Android, Chili Pepper, or a Harvest Gold :3