Toccata for Etsy

Check out this awesome video created my Pink Lemonade Films. Catch her at etsy.com.

Greenology

I have been bringing my own shopping bag around for years even before being 'green' became fashionable. There are nine billion shopping bags that go to the trash every year!
This is probably why I ended up being offered this opportunity to design a reusable bag with the Ayala Malls. We were asked to choose our NGO to produce the bags for us. I chose Earth Day Network to do this with me, because I totally believe in their passion for educating big corporations to manage their waste wisely. I, alongside five other very talented designers joined forces for this event.
Here is the story of my bag:
"The random wrinkling on this bag symbolizes cracks on Mother Earth caused by our collective abuse. But here's good news: Choose to reuse, reduce and recycle resources today, and we can help reverse the effects in 10 years. Made with love, repurposed cotton canvas and tarpaulin, this reusable tote by Michi Calica works and looks better than any plastic bag."

What's Your Recent Inspiration?

Almost two years ago, was the beginning of my deep love affair with fresh flowers. I was looking for a way to ease my frazzled nerves while constantly meeting antsy brides-to-be. I discovered that arranging flowers was a truly relaxing experience, it was easy to slow down my day while arranging white orchids en masse.
Over the last year, I started arranging wedding bouquets for my brides-to-be. I was still pregnant with my youngest daughter Amanda when I started frequenting the fresh flower market, all the way until the week of my delivery!
This centerpiece is my Parisian bouquet created for a lovely bride and old friend, Myra Arenas. She ordered twenty five of these for her reception held at the quaint Conservatory at The Manila Peninsula Hotel.
Check out more of Michi Calica Fresh Flowers at flowersexpress.com.ph

My First Items Online

When I was very new at etsy.com, it took me two whole months before I made a sale! Right before I started selling wedding boleros and cover-ups, my very first product line was elegant evening bags. I figured bags did not need 'fittings' and it would be easier to sell them. I have since shelved these pieces, but I may decide to release them soon.
This wedding bag is called Something Blue. I was quite taken by Filipino bag designer Bea Valdes' beadwork, hence the adaptation of these medallion like patterns.

Hello Etsy!

I am absolutely tickled pink to kick off this Toccata blog! Why am I so excited about this? I have been designing customized wedding gowns and dresses for more than fifteen years to date. It is an understatement to say that this business is both exhilarating and exasperating at the same time. Trying to please every whim and request of the bride-to-be is no walk in the park. I have done classic weddings (hundreds of them), themed weddings ( including the famed Star Wars wedding of TV host Issa Litton).
One thing rings true: all brides-to-be have very high expectations of their dream wedding dress, and they want to see it NOW. I started looking for a creative venue doing what I do best and enjoy most - minus the high stress of daily having to assure the bride that their dresses will reach their expectations.
Enter Toccata at etsy.com - I started designing wedding cover-ups and wraps here. I thoroughly enjoy how coordinating with brides is silent and as easy as 1,2,3 using the CONVO button at etsy.