You Can Help Other People By Buying From These Stores
Shopping for your home is a very personal experience, especially with the rise of Pinterest and handcrafted items paving the way for people to get creative and express themselves more. But aside from focusing on aesthetic, another way to bring good energy and local flavor into your space is by choosing pieces that come with a story.
From championing environmental causes and supporting local communities to overcoming personal struggles, below are 10 stores where you can buy items that serve a special purpose. Hopefully, you’ll find one with passions and advocacies that mirror yours:
1. YakangYaka Barter
YakangYaka Barter, founded by Filipina-American Kelly Mortensen, promotes sustainable and ethically made products by partnering with local weaving communities from different indigenous groups. (The founder herself is from Zamboanga, and was exposed to Basilan’s Yakan weavers early on.)
Aside from helping the communities sell products, they also find ways to teach weavers how to sustain their source of livelihood, be it by learning how to utilize social media or even the basics of starting and running a business. Spruce up your guest room with their pillow collection, and choose from their many nature-inspired designs.
Follow YakangYaka Barter on Facebook and Instagram. For inquiries, get in touch with them through mobile at 0927-852-6955 or email yakangyaka123[at]hotmail.com. You can also visit their website.
2. Domesticity
If you’re looking to redesign your entire home, look no further than Domesticity, as their products range from kitchen and dining to bed and bath—even storage! The products are handcrafted from Negros Occidental, and a portion of their sales go to Gawad Kalinga San Agustin Village.
The Lila sets for chips and dip, condiments, and cheese (in collaboration with LANAI) are perfect if you love hosting dinner parties at home.
Learn more about Domesticity by following them on Facebook and visiting their website.
3. Hacienda Crafts
Hacienda Crafts already has several award-winning pieces under its belt, but is best known for their vision-mission, which is to “offer farmers an alternative way of life, one that provides better economic returns and pride as self-reliant, micro-entrepreneurs.”
Aside from furniture, you can also purchase home accessories and fixtures like hanging lamps, leaf trays, baskets and candle holders.
Follow Hacienda Crafts on Facebook or visit their website for more details.
4. Macramom
Macramom is Macramé Against Cancer, which was launched by Nini Bote and her two daughters just this year. Nini is a full-time mom who has been battling cancer since 2012, and has turned to macramé to relax herself and stay productive on “good days.”
She handcrafts the items in between her chemo sessions, and all proceeds go to her treatments. You can order their on-hand items via Instagram, but they can also tweak the designs for custom orders. Since Nini works on the designs herself, the duration of the production period depends on the schedule of her treatments, but takes about a week on average.
Follow Macramom on Instagram or email macramom[at]gmail.com for inquiries.
5. WVN Home Textiles
They say empowered women empower women, and this clearly holds true for WVN Home Textiles. This women-owned business supports women in weaving communities around the Philippines by making the craft relevant (and sustainable) to younger generations.
Aim for a colorful and fresh summer with their Silay Sunset and Palaui blanket towels, and avoid single-use plastics by availing of their La Union-woven produce bags (made from scrap fabric), available via their collaboration with Mesa ni Misis.
Follow WVN Home Textiles on Facebook or email hello.wvn[at]gmail.com for inquiries.
6. CustomMade Crafts Center
Aside from coffee, food, and fashion finds, CustomMade Crafts Center also offers unique handmade indigenous products like Mangyan baskets from Mindoro.
CustomMade partners with indigenous groups as well as sources products from rural communities and advocate natural resource sustainability. Be sure to also check out their calling card cases for your office table.
For more details, visit their website or follow CustomMade on Facebook.
7. Gifts and Graces
Whether it’s their napkin rings and prayer bells or coasters and potholders, Gifts and Graces makes use of fair trading practices to make sure the communities they work with get the money that they deserve.
The pieces are upcycled and made using traditional techniques, so rest assured that you're getting high-quality items that are proudly local.
For more details, visit Gifts and Graces at Unit 323 LRI Design Plaza, N. Garcia St., Makati City. You can also follow them on Facebook.
8. Loudbasstard
Hailing from Cebu, Loudbasstard provides natural and handmade amplifiers which eliminates the need for electric-powered speakers.
They also have a 1 Basstard 1 Tree campaign, with their first planting scheduled in June. Check out the Bamboo Amplifier if you live in a cozy apartment, but opt for the Megabasstard if you own a bigger space.
Follow Loudbasstard on Instagram.
9. Philippine Artisan Trade Gallery
If you’re not sure what you want but are open to exploring options (and getting a little tipsy while you’re at it), visit the Philippine Artisan Trade Gallery ([email protected] Gallery) in Makati, which is also home of the exclusively local Batala Bar. This multifaceted space features works and crafts by various local artisans with different causes. The lineup changes often, but some interesting finds to watch for are cord clips and lighter holders of PWD advocate Handcrafted by Harl's, and the Bambikes of gallery and bar partner Bryan McClelland.
Learn more about Philippine Artisan Trade Gallery by visiting their website. You can also follow them on Facebook.
10. Habitat for Humanity ReStore
If you’re looking for major appliances and furniture but are on a tight budget, be sure to check out Habitat for Humanity ReStore.
Most of the products are 30 to 70 percent cheaper than market value, and proceeds go to Habitat for Humanity Philippines to help build homes for Filipino families who live in substandard conditions. If you’re also decluttering, check this list to see if you can donate some items—just make sure they’re in good condition.
Visit Habitat for Humanity ReStore's website or follow them on Facebook for more details.
