SSG's Wanderlust collection out tomorrow!

So after the longest wait, Summer Soul Gypsy's Wanderlust collection will finally be out tomorrow! I can't say how excited I am over every piece. Each piece is definitely worth the painstaking process and the wait. The new ones are even better for layering and stacking and you'll find the designs and colors complementing each other. 

The new collection will be made available first through the website but later this week we'll also begin accepting orders thru facebook. Remember, release will be at 1PM at the site, so make sure to be there! 

Alfred Motors: Vintage Car Haven

1. Alfred Motors' signage against an awesome wall of mags. Wish they'd repaint that signage though think it'll look cooler in retro cherry red.

2. A 1918 restored Chevy pick-up. Read somewhere this was found somewhere in Bicol.

3. A restored Minica. Even its engine is teeny cute!

4. & 5.  A restored Chevy pickup. 

6. Ferdinand Marcos's Rolls Royce presidential car.

I know I have always said I love the laidback feel of the South and the almost peaceful atmosphere our place here has but whenever I find myself in a busier city like Quezon City, I admit I can't help thinking if it's nicer to be living there. For one, Quezon City has a significantly larger number of art-inspired establishments compared to the South. And now, I discovered compared to the South, QC also has a bigger number of vintage car owners and collectors, and even these amazing auto restoration shops particularly, Alfred Motors.

Discovering Alfred Motors was actually kind of a sight-for-sore-eyes for us. After a stressing road mishap, we found ourselves in Quezon City, Kamuning particularly, for the second day, to have the car repaired. Thankfully, Mark's friend Derek who lived in the area took the time to help us with the repairs. He's also a vintage car owner and a member of a vintage auto club so he gladly gave us a mini tour of the shops and streets doing restorations of vintage cars. At first look Alfred Motors look like your ordinary auto shop but then you'd notice the brightly painted sleek bodies and the flashing silver grills of some of their vintage cars, some of which are parked just beside the road. The men in the shop were kind enough to let us snap a few photos and even gave us some info on their more popular vehicles. There was probably a dozen or more vintage vehicles there but unfortunately, we didn't really have the luxury of time to do check all of them. Although the shop is still a far cry from Rick's Restoration's yard, I was still pleased knowing that at least there still are shops like these in the country that gives value to the automobiles of yesterday.

Hopefully, we'll be able find the time to visit the shop again or visit one of the car shows they participate in. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing more muscle cars and even coaches and buggies. 

Going back to shooting the pieces for the next collection. Will be doing a sneak peak post on them anytime this week.

Materials shopping and some work inspirations

A little of what's happened this week...

1, 2 & 3. The past 2 days found Mark and I going around Manila materials shopping and doing tasks. 

4. Got some color and design inspiration from stuff lying around 

[bazaar-bought hobo sling bag from Africa, gifted embroidered wallet from Thailand, Quiapo retro sunnies]

5 & 6. A few of the dreamcatcher sketches I worked on plus some new materials I'll be dabbling with.

7. Drilling shells plus a newly-bought tie-dyed wrap 

8. Inspiration from one of my favorite Native American arts and crafts book.

These past few days had Mark and I going around Manila shopping for materials I haven't really been able to take photos for Threads because of this and I guess it will take a couple more days until I can go back to it. 

Just have to do a little work desk and materials organizing then I'll be back to creating the new pieces. Oh, I'm also thinking of holding a sale at the shop real soon. 

Have an awesome weekend everyone! 

                 

Long day today...

I found these wilting flowers tucked among some fresh leaves today. I can't help but think how beautiful they still were and that I had to, at least, be able to capture this moment of passing beauty.  Staring at these photos, I've already had several design ideas come up. I think I'll be printing these photos out to make sure I get reminded of those ideas (and that I should work on them soon).

Busy day today. Studio clean up is almost done. Next is a long list of diy and style posts, and then the designs for the next pieces. Facing a long day today.

Oh, happy 4th of July to friends and folks in the US!

                     

Begin today...