Studio updates

(but by studio i mean the attic room in my parents' house)

Six years ago I decided to move out and live solo. I found a well-lit 34 square meter studio space right across my old university. For a year and two months my live revolved around Katipunan Avenue. Bike rides on Tuesdays, runs on Wednesdays, swims on Saturdays. Spontaneous cafe work togethers. The occasional sleepover. 

It was the first time in my life I experienced true solitude for an extended period. Long enough not to hear my own voice for a whole day.

The quiet was disconcerting, but unexpectedly productive. Driven by an addiction to day-in-the-life YouTube videos, I documented my own. I even felt safe enough to photograph myself and experiment with self portraiture.

That prolific era, however, was cut short because of the big P. With my tail behind my legs I packed my things and moved back with my parents. The move brought about its fair share of complicated emotions. But there was a silver lining: I was offered the attic room.

Despite its annoyingly yellow popcorn-textured walls, I’ve come to love this room as my little art studio. And man, has it seen the worst and best parts of me. It’s seen client projects and all my short-lived hobbies and obsessions.

It’s the space that’s embraced the mess of a person I am and the not-so-pretty parts of the creative process.

back to present time

A lot has changed since moving back in. I’m unfortunately 33 now (shocking to me too). At an age where living with my parents has become a strategic move. Because one, the savings. Two, because it allows space for me to grow and experiment creatively.

And my oh my, have I experimented! Peak pandemic years I constantly had photo backdrops set up so I could shoot client work. But with things pretty much back to normal, the studio has become storage for my photo equipment. My lights and stands in their respective bags and boxes, ready for loading into the car.

These days I work with two desks. One exclusively for my sewing machine. Then we have my latest studio toy: a Cricut Maker 3 (swoon).

studio dreams

I could probably make my studio look cuter. Get rid of the textured walls, give it a fresh coat of white paint. But I honestly can’t be bothered. Time renovating would be time taken away from my creative pursuits and I have way too much of those.

Instead I dream and pine away on Pinterest. And occasionally joke with friends about building a shared studio. Dream studio requirements would include:

1. A large working table with wheels. With the correct height so my neck and back don’t hurt from sewing.

2. High ceilings. Or a loft space!

3. Archival file cabinets huhu I drool

MY RECENT DIY

Until then, we persist and make do. Just recently I tried needle turn appliqué inspired by @jiaj.co. My partner needed a ~bespoke polo for a friend’s wedding so I had an excuse (more importantly, a deadline) to finally give it a go. It’s harder than it looks, but also quicker to do than I thought. That said I suffered from severe neck pain after three full days of hand sewing.

The result was janky but charming at best. People said they liked it so I’ll just take their word for it and not overthink!!!

END RAMBLING HERE

All in all March has been quiet in comparison to the hectic first two months of 2025. I’ve been friendship friendmaxxing and taking time to get back into sewing projects. Also, trying to be stricter with my workouts.

The other day I went for a walk and felt summer creeping in. Hot pavement, blooming flowers, and all. I wonder what this next season will bring and what mess I’ll make next.

Until then, hope this heat isn’t as bad wherever you are!