For many who love artisan crafts and local products—or even for those who are just getting into it—ArteFino, now showcasing over a hundred local makers, is the best and easiest place to get a glimpse of and actually try these products from all over the country. Likewise, for many of the artisans themselves, being included in the ArteFino lineup comes as a badge of recognition—that their products are now part of the top tier of the country’s best.
If you haven’t checked out this year’s ArteFino yet, or if you’re overwhelmed by the sheer number of booths to visit (a hundred is no joke!), here’s a handy guide to the best and most popular products at the fair that you need to check out before they get sold out.
Lara
Gold patterned bag (right), P7,500
Gold basket bag (center), P8,000
Small clutch bags, P3,500 to P4,000
Art of Gold
P495 for two
If you’re already preparing for all the holiday dinners you’ll be hosting, make this one of your stops.
C&C
Sinag baskets made of rattan poles
Small for P1,900
Big for P3,900
Alon statement basket (right) made of wicker and rattan
P6,800
Made in Pampanga. The statement basket design can only be made by one weaver, so there are limited quantities
Casa San Pablo Clay Storytellers
Paper mache horse figures
P350
Holicow PH (Holistic Coalition of the Willing)
Banana earrings
P2,200
Jeepney pin/pendant
P2,750
These are “zero-waste” accessories, as the stones used in the designs of the accessories are the bits and pieces that come from putting the same stones in bigger pieces. The jewelry and accessories are designed by Cebu-based jewelry designer, Strozzi.
Lokal Home
P42,000
Aside from these quirky chairs, they also have hand-painted denim jackets which feature faces of well-known personalities such as Frida Kahlo, Audrey Hepburn, and more.
Micki Olaguer
P7,000 to P9,000
Micki Olaguer, a certified Gemological Institute of America (GIA) Accredited Jewellery Professional, has won awards from the LOOK of Style Awards by Inquirer Lifestyle, Red Box Design Competition at Manila FAME 2015, and she also represented the country as one of the exhibitors at the International Fashion Showcase at London Fashion Week in 2016.
Abra Ethnic Art
P25,000
Features images of the “Am-amma” or the culture of Abra. The hand-embroidery, called kinamayan, show images of Abra myths and other famous sights in Abra, such as the caves and tunnels, as well as the Gabriela Silang statue. Each piece takes more than 2 months to create.
Hacienda Crafts
P400 each for small tray
P465 each for large tray
Anthill Fabric Gallery
Reversible kapa
P4,999
The jacket, which they call the “kapa” can be worn at least eight different ways.
Weaved/Modern Filipiniana
P6,999
Featuring weaves from local communities, the dress comes in the shape of a Filipiniana, complete with butterfly sleeves.
Bidibidi
Woven bags from Baao, Camarines Sur. With quirky designs like the “Yayoi,” (P1,400) which has colorful knitted balls all over (inspired by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama), and the Garden of Eden (P2,800), which looks like a flower basket.
ArteFino runs until Sept. 2, Sunday, at 8 Rockwell.
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