Wellmanson's: Crafter's Haven

If you are a person who enjoys D.I.Y. crafty and bauble projects

and you are in the far flung regions of the Philippines and wondering

where to get those connectors, charms, strings, ropes, ribbons,

and beads it is time to look no further.

This post will surely help you!

As a craft-er [i just made that word up] myself I found my self in that

hey-i-want-to-make-that-thingy-but-i-don't-know-where-to-buy-that-material situation.

For those who felt the same way, this artistic frustration

can really be annoying at times. Where you go to your local craft supplies store and realize how limited the supplies in you area are - in may case my hometown is in Davao City. Then if the thingy you want IS in stock, you get all excited and think 'Oh, yeah!' then when you look at the overpriced value written on the price tag you go 'Oh, shoot!'

I haven't done any D.I.Y.s for a long time though when I was 

in Manila for the six months review for the architecture board examination.

Though, I was able to do a little craft project during that time

but it was a material resourcefulness (using my colored memo pads that i use for making study notes) that allowed me to do so.

But when I got back to Davao last February 2013, a friend of mine, Arch. Elline Algabre [also an avid craft-er herself] asked me if I went to this particular craft supply shop in Quiapo. She sent me a link from this particular website

and I got very excited. I just had to see the place with my own two eyes.

And so, on March 4, 2013, a day after the Oath Taking I marched my way to Quiapo looking for the very promising craft supplies shop.

It was very exciting, because all the while for the past six months I was there in Manila I didn't know about this place. For six long months, I have been frequenting Quiapo Church and all this time this little craft-er's haven was sitting under my nose all along.

How to get there, you ask?

Well, if you know how to get to Quiapo Church 

it is most definitely easy to find Wellmanson's. 

Step 1: When you are in the Church of the Great Nazarene,

have your photo taken at the facade of the church

This picture isn't mine.

Step 2: Don't turn away! Facing away from the church, and do a panorama view of the Plaza Miranda until you catch site of an arch.

This picture isn't mine as well.

Step 3: Lock in on that arch and tread the street of Villalobos.

You will find a lot of other accessories and bead shops in the area, but we are looking for Wellmanson's. From the arch you will find the shop to your right.

Wellmanson's has an adequately sized signage just up front. 

When I entered the shop it was indeed overwhelming.

The shop didn't just meet, but it went beyond my expectation. It was well-lit and air conditioned. It had a huge variety of almost anything a carft-er could need and think of to choose from.

Beads for the bead lovers and craft-ers who prefer to accessorize with their own creations.

 Ready made earrings for the kikay in you.

 Really cute and fun key or cellphone chains to prep up your gadgets and bags.

I also adored their affordable wallets, pouches and purses.

I was amazed by the price! I estimate purses that cost 

around Php 150.00 to Php 200.00 in bazaars, are sold

here for Php 80.00 to Php 120. 

D.I.Y. bracelets and key chains. They have a huge variety of letters and charms to choose from. With straps and chains costing about Php 10.00 to Php 25.00 and letters ranging from Php 5.00 to Php 10.00.

 Some more beads.

 Some strings, leather cords, and ribbons.

Beading supplies!!! 

Charms, charms and more charms 

Ready made arm swag!

I spent around Php 400.00 on my first visit to this shop.

[Yes! I intend to return in the future] I just bought my self ready made bracelets (particularly kidada wraps and leatherette bracelets, i think i was able to buy around 7 bracelets), and a cool animal printed ring.

I didn't buy craft supplies since I still don't have a D.I.Y. project in mind.

Aren't the photos delightful to the eye? I was in the shop for almost two hours, scavenging the delightful and affordable accessories and supplies in the shop. It was amazing because there were I think around 4 or 5 lanes filled with everything you can think of.

Now, as I look back I think it was a good thing that I learned of this shop after passing the board exam. It would have been a total distraction for a craft-er like me!