FITS AND STARTS: PILIPINAS HANDFAN

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

When I feel like I've had enough spending on various technology screens and would like to unwind, I always revert to creating personalised pieces. This is where my attention would be drawn more to gathering relevant stationery supplies, repurposed decorative rivets, and additional decorative accessories. 

Weeks ago, I started another analogue time project where I bravely transformed an old fan into an additional decorative wall piece. 

The above old fan was once something I kept and never bothered to pin on my “Wall of Fans”. I would say that I do not like it as it was too dull, uninspiring and lacked the vibrant spirit of my beloved birth country, Pilipinas. 

LEAF AND HORSE- DRAWN CARRIAGE 

I tore away the cloth from its guard and inner sticks (fan sticks) to give it a new lease of energy. Then, I cut out the only exciting image and embellished it with decorative buttons, upcycled stones, and painted tiny sticks. 

GUARD AND INNER STICKS (FAN STICKS) 

After removing the cloth (leaf), I was left with its original fan stick. I carefully pulled out, though it did damage in the process, its original pivot pin where I was left with loose individual sticks. Then, I painted each fan stick a few times with the colours available to me. Luckily, I had most of the colours, except the green, that depict the Philippine flag. 

PIVOT PIN AND HEAD 

When all the fan sticks were completely dry, I made a new pivot pin by straightening and twisting a paper clip. This served as a replacement where it holds fan sticks together at the base; it opened and closed smoothly. Then, spruced up its head with a heart button. 

WHITE COTTON STRING

 

I evenly connected each fan stick with strands of white cotton string as a replacement for its original cloth (the leaf). The strings hold the fan sticks together in a smooth arc when the fan opens. I also glued the string as it entwined around each fan stick, and embellished both ends of the strands with upcycled jewellery stones. 

PILIPINAS AND PESO SIGN

I reused the rest of its original cloth to handwrite “Pilipinas” and the “Peso” sign. Then I cut them out and assembled them (glued them together) with my Tboli-inspired remnant cloth. I intentionally frayed the edges of my remnant cloth to give a fringe-like appearance. 

I also added a white rose button to the "Peso" sign, whilst all letters of "Pilipinas" were carefully painted where each letter "i" decorated with a matching pinhead. 

Furthermore, I adorned a couple of rose buttons and a butterfly button above "Pilipinas", and decided to feature my own forgotten label. 

The handfan is no longer functional as it is now a decorative piece on my "Wall of Fans" where the artistry transformation veritably suits my personality. Hence, I am pleased as punch that I pursued personalising it even though it was not a straightforward analogue time project.

PERSONALISED WRISTLET CARDHOLDER

 by: MisS VictoriA DaviD

This personalised accessory was originally a timeworn soft leather long wallet, which was once loved by its original owner. 

I have been searching for a weeny wallet suitable for my essential cards where it could fit into my other handbags. Unfortunately, I had not come across one that I perceived as a reflection of my inner psyche. That is why for a few weeks in March on the fits and starts process I began to dismantle the venerable long wallet where I revamped it into a subjective accessory.

RIVETS AND LINING 

The rivets and lining used in customising this accessory are repurposed materials. In particular, the rivets are fragments of my tattered handbags whilst the lining is a surplus material of my unsuitable dress. On the other hand, I also sewed a new pair of crystal heart buttons to compliment the red shade around my custom-made engraved label. 

STITCHING 

I glued the cut-out outer shells and then, used an electric sewing machine to create even gaps for the holes of the thread. This means that there was no inserted thread in the needle whilst I ran through the shells on the feed dogs of the machine. Thereafter, I hand-sewn the shells carefully and neatly. 

This accessory is neither a desirable collection piece nor will hold its value like the iconic designer brands as time goes by. However, the process of meticulously creating it to be worn again is one of my several ways to reduce the harmful disruption and damage being done to the natural world. Thus, I consider this personalised wristlet cardholder a priceless piece.