Future Market at Escolta, Manila

There is a growing appreciation for handmade goodies, crafters and artists all throughout the world. I, for one, am a fan because I know there is much love woven on each piece.

Last June 15, I was able to check the Future Market in First United Building — thanks to the local organizer 98B COLLABoratory! Thanks for the fun-filled day! I was glad to interact with crafters and artists — couldn’t do that in malls with mass produced items. And so I am day dreaming to be part of Future Market — not only as buyer but as seller as well!

It was cool checking the cool stuff created by the cool crafters and artists. Yes, too much coolness – and warmth too with the pre-loved and vintage items!

Here are the few that I captured with my phone…

What immediately came to mind was ‘gates to hell’ — Dan Brown’s reference to Manila in his novel Inferno. And I laughed for so many reasons, including thoughts about Dan Brown 🙂

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The artist is a retiree from the corporate world — and so I bought two for my two girlfriends.

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Button magnets by cool ladies — and so I bought ten for my crafty daughter.

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Still from the cool ladies — we have live spider though at home.

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Handy cloth bags — I bought one not only to contain my purchases for the day; not only because I know it’s not easy to sit all day waiting for a customer but because…

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it’s a happy picture 🙂

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Art in the map — I bought the one with ‘imagine’  on the hat because I like the old map, the ink, and the word!

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Cool robotins from UVLA but I didn’t bring one home with me — my boys only say cooooool for Ironman and Transformers.

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This tray is what I took from UVLA — aside from the bits of rust I gave in for ‘Raindrops on roses…’ and other simple things.

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There were collector’s items such as old magazines, old coins…

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old bottles…

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vintage radio and I’m not sure what…

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Vintage books — I bought Jose Rizal (His Exile) copyright 1958 for Php20.00 (half dollar). And bought too Huling Hudhud with interesting photos and poems written in Filipino.

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And there were pre-loved books and these two at Php49.00 and Php99.00 were good reasons enough to bring home. And to share some nuggets (not the mc nuggets because Michael Pollan won’t like it):

“It’s not food if it arrived through the window of your car.” – from Food Rules.

“The wearer best knows where the shoe pinches.” – from The Quotable Walker.

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Framed black and white photos of everything Manila. I was tempted to buy the photo of City Hall’s clock because I passed by it every day of my college years going to Intramuros but instead decided to take the shot myself — getting personal.

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Hey Kessy (seller of washi tapes) was there but unfortunately the ‘tape measure’ print I’m looking for is not available — it should be my little surprise for my fashionista daughter who tries her hand on sewing machine.

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And so I bought this spiked cloth bag for my daughter. How each cone was formed, stitched, and attached to the bag is awesome — I know it is awesome because my daughter shrieked when she saw it!

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Cool spiked bags in different colors by Clint of W.O.R.M.S. – Wearing One Really Makes Sense.

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Artwheel has sculptures and accessories made of wires. The yoga man came home with me — he can do sun salutation and other poses because he is wired to do so 🙂

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Wrecked shorts — no need to bring one home. My daughter has wrecked more than enough. I think it’s about time that she sells too 🙂

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The best part of the day was when I joined this group by Project Manila and made something of my own to be part of…

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this labyrinth. It was good. Walking around here. Connecting to oneself. Even for a few moments.

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You are perfect! Believe me, perfect does not necessarily equate to flawless 🙂

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She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. – Proverbs 31:13

🙂