Friday, October 9, 2015

Braving Divisoria for Craft Supplies

I was finally able to convince my husband to accompany me to Divisoria a.k.a Divi, the bargain shopping capital of the Philippines, last weekend. It was my daughter's schedule to stay at her grandpa and grandma's place, my inlaws', for the day so we're free to brave the jungle that is Divi. 

We hate driving there because of the heavy traffic but commute wasn't an option since it's too hard to carry heavy bags of our purchases when inside a crowded jeepney or train. So we went and drove to Divi, prepared to endure the congested roads of Manila, and as expected there were traffic jams everywhere and it took us almost three hours to get there. We parked at Tutuban Center where we also spent about 30 minutes roaming around just to get a parking space. 

I wasn't at all surprised that Divi's much more crowded now since it's already October and people are going about their Christmas shopping already. We went straight to Tabora St. which is where the shops selling craft supplies are located.


Several shops along Tabora St. sell yarns and crochet threads of different brands. I always use crochet thread for my projects instead of chunky yarns so I bought three boxes of Monaco crochet thread balls in solid colors and one box of multicolor ones, there are twelve balls per box. Checking out a few shops, their prices for a ball of this brand range from Php 30-33 for solid colors and Php 32-36 for multicolor balls and discounts are given if you buy by the dozen. I got mine for Php 315 per box of the solid colors and Php 350 for the multicolor. Even without discounts, the prices are so much cheaper compared to those sold at craft stores in the mall with prices ranging from Php 50-60.


I have this cross stitch project in progress that still requires about thirty more embroidery floss skeins so I brought with me a list of the colors I needed and searched for a shop selling DMC. I didn't look around much to compare prices among the shops there since I only needed a few, I bought all these from the first shop I saw with a DMC sign. Each skein costs Php 14 and only Php 13.50 if you buy twelve pieces or more. 

Now, comparing again to mall prices, the craft stores I frequent for embroidery floss are DMC Creative World in Megamall which sells for Php 16.75 each skein and Heavenly Stitchin' Moments in SM North Edsa selling each skein for Php 19, the price difference isn't much. So I would just prefer going to the mall for my cross stitch needs, it's not worth it going to Divi for this.


Still along Tabora St., I got these different sized wooden hoops and feathers. I think you can guess what these are for. You're right, dreamcatchers! I'm planning to make lots of dreamcatchers for Christmas, nothing says "love" like a handcrafted gift.

I haven't checked the diameter of each hoop yet but I have three sizes and I think the biggest one is 6 inches in diameter. The smallest one costs Php 7 each, next one is Php 8, and the biggest is Php 10 apiece. I bought ten pieces for each size.

The feathers are connected to a string like a feather boa which is around 1 meter long and costs Php 70. There were other colors available but I just chose white since I'm still not sure about the color combinations I'll be doing for my project and I think white would work for all. 


These pebbles are for my wire tree projects. Each pack is Php 30 but you can buy four packs for Php 100. I got these from a shop on the second level of 168 Mall. 


These bonsai pots are also for my wire trees. They're still wrapped in newspaper and kept safe since I won't be using them yet. I'll start making wire trees next month, also for Christmas gifts. These pots I bought range from Php 50 - Php 80 and I got them from Anding's Toy Store at Tutuban Center. 


Lastly, I got these lovely papers from Geppco Paper Supply. I bought a 250-sheet pack of colored paper for only Php 150, 100-sheet pack of card stock for Php 165, and two packs of colored paper with patterns, there are 120 sheets in each pack which costs Php 125. 

That big roll in the photo is a roll of five chipboards, of course they don't come in rolls, I just asked the sales assistant there what is the thickest chipboard that we could roll up so it would be easy for us to carry. The boards are priced according to thickness or weight, prices range from Php 5 - 30, I think they have about ten different groups, the one I got is Php 13 each board. The size of the board is 26" x 38".

They also have piles and piles of gift wrapping paper and there were so many different designs to choose from. They sell for a minimum of twenty-five sheets per design for Php 70, that's only Php 2.80 per sheet. I only bought two designs which I'm not sure where to use yet. 

I found out about this store from a blog called Life as Eu Know It, it has a picture of Geppco along with other shops in Divi that you might find helpful if you're planning to go there. Another blog that's a great guide when it comes to Divisoria bargain hunting is Ang Istorya Ng Divisoria which has lots of helpful photos and information that you can use.

So if you're planning to visit Divisoria, you gotta do it soon, it's starting to get crazy in there since Christmas is just around the corner. This would be my first and last visit there this year, anyway, my craft supplies are good for the next few months. 

Thanks for reading. Bye!





55 comments:

  1. I plan to do my shopping on November. I'm very much sure that the place would be packed by then T_T

    ReplyDelete
  2. Now that I have a toddler and I'm breastfeeding him (can't leave him for a long time), I can't go (or even think of going) to Divisoria. lol!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel you. It was a no-no for me, too, when I still couldn't leave my baby for hours.

      Delete
  3. I dont think I have enougjlh strength to brave Divi traffic this time of the year. Those are real good finds.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's not really for the faint of heart, but for the sake of my crafts, I said go, haha. It was really for those wooden hoops and pebbles, I couldn't find them anywhere in the malls.

      Delete
  4. worth it naman magdivi every once in awhile.. :) anlayo lng ng parking at matraffic, mas ok p minsan commute! ingat lang s mga modus. tsk.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. yup, lalo na kasi dun lang available yung ibang kelangan ko.

      Delete
  5. Excited na ko magdivi for my son's first birthday party on january. We need to start shopping as early as this month.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wow, I love diy stuff for parties. Enjoy your shopping and take care.

      Delete
  6. Daming deals doon, hirap lang kasi talaga puntahan XD

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correct! So kelangan timbangin kung sulit ba yung effort sa kung ano bibilhin mo dun.

      Delete
  7. DMC cost PhP13.50 (thanks for sharing!)... I have a pending cross stitch project which I never had the time to finish, plus I also lost its pattern. =(

    I wish to find a copy of its pattern, soon!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sayang naman, I hope you get to finish it. DMC people at Megamall would know the pattern if they have it, you can take a picture of your unfinished project and show them.

      Delete
  8. DMC cost PhP13.50 (thanks for sharing!)... I have a pending cross stitch project which I never had the time to finish, plus I also lost its pattern. =(

    I wish to find a copy of its pattern, soon!

    ReplyDelete
  9. DMC cost PhP13.50 (thanks for sharing!)... I have a pending cross stitch project which I never had the time to finish, plus I also lost its pattern. =(

    I wish to find a copy of its pattern, soon!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the finds! I'm excited to see your nee crafts, especially the dreamcatchers. Grabe lang, a 3-hour drive to Divi!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oo, tagal talaga, yung pauwi, medyo ok na. I'm excited to start, too, hihi.

      Delete
  11. Dyan talaga puntahan pag fusto mo ng bargain price! Ingat lang sa mandurukot hehe

    xoxo
    MrsMartinez

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, tsaka yung mga hard to find na mga kung ano ano, dun lang meron, haha. Sinabi mo pa, merong nadukutan nung andun kami, katakot.

      Delete
  12. I miss Divisoria madami ka talaga makikita na half of the price. Hope I can vist before December

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Correct. Naku, oo, mahirap na pag December na.

      Delete
  13. i need to divi din, afraid of the crowds lang :((

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yup, it was hard to move around, sobrang siksikan na.

      Delete
  14. I missed DiVi! It is truly a haven for affordable things and you can discover a lot of stuff.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed, and those discoveries would even result to buying things we don't really need at the time, guilty here, haha.

      Delete
  15. Hi! I just want to ask, ano ang landmark para makita agad yung geppco store? I went to divi last week and spent hours and hours walking just looking for that store but i can't find it. :(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi. Wala talagang landmark pero kung craft supplies hanap mo malamang first stop mo Tabora di ba, so once nasa Tabora ka na, tanong ka lang sa mga vendors dun saan ang M. De Santos, street din yun, ituturo nila saan yung kanto para lumiko ka, medyo hindi halata yung corner sa dami ng vendors sa daan pero wag ka mahiya magtanong, pag sure ka na na nasa M. De Santos ka na hanapin mo na lang yung 623, yan mismo number ng Geppco. Look up ka lang sa mga signange ng malalaking tindahan, hindi lahat may number at yung iba natatakpan ng mga street vendors pero marami pa ring visible na signages, konting lakad lang, hindi na nga kami nagtanong nung nasa M. De Santos na kami, nakita na lang namin, pero sa banda dyan maluwag na ang daan unlike Tabora so mas madali mahanap at syempre pwede rin magtanong tanong, for sure alam na nila yan. May mga vendors na hindi alam ang Geppco, try mo Golden Era, yun ata tawag ng iba dun o basta bilihan ng mga gift wrapper na wholesale kamo, hahaha, basta ganun. I hope you get to find this place on your next visit, basta yun, nung nagpunta ako dun, nasa papel lang yung address na 623 M. De Santos, mga helpful naman mga tao dun basta yung hindi ganong busy. Good luck!

      Delete
  16. Hi Ms. Kat! Sang store nyo po nabili yung yarns and DMC threads? Plan ko po kasing mag put up ng business on cross stitch. Tia po sa reply!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi! Unfortunately hindi ko nakuha yung name ng mga shops pero it's along Tabora street, sa Divi, marami sila doon halos magkakatabi, compare na lang yung prices kung may enough time ka naman, minsan kasi may difference na tig 1-3 pesos, malaki din yung kung madami kang bibilhin. Yung mga nagtitinda ng dmc usually may sign na malaki, yung logo ng DMC mismo. Basta sadyain mo dun at you allocate time to explore, for sure uuwi kang nabili yung mga kelangan mo. Good luck sa plan mo. Have a nice day.

      Delete
  17. Hi Ms. Kat, I was wondering kung yung shops along Tabora St. ay nagtitinda din ng cross stitch patterns? Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meron po pero konti lang, and hindi rin po ganun kalaki ang difference sa price sa DMC Megamall. Dun po madami pong choices. Pero kung nasa manila kayo, sa Villalobos Street sa Quiapo meron din pong mga stores ng pang cross stitch, medyo madami din po doon.

      Delete
  18. Hi. Pwede po ba manghingi ng way papunta sa geppco if manggagaling ako sa tutuban mall?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi po! Naku hindi ko rin po kabisado, puro tanong lang po ako sa mga tao doon. Basta po ang itanong nyo kung saan yung M.De Santos street. Kung yung mapagtatanungan nyo sa Tutuban hindi alam yung M.De Santos, Tabora itanong nyo po, yun alam ng lahat kasi sikat sa bilihan ng craft supplies, tapos sa Tabora naman alam ng mga nagtitinda dun yung M.De Santos, perpendicular po sila. 623 M. De Santos po mismo yung Geppco, madali na lang mahanap pag andun ka na. Sana makatulong, pasensya na kasi ganun lang ginawa ko papunta doon, tanong tanong lang.

      Delete
  19. looking for:
    * embossing folders
    * stamp pads
    * corner punches
    * decorative flowers and buttons
    * stamp and die cuts.
    may alam ba kayong place and location sa divi na avail ang mga ito?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Mga flowers and buttons, madami sa Ylaya and Tabora Street sa divi, check Wellmanson's and other stores around that area, sa mga bilihan ng ribbons and laces may mga buttons din dun. Yung mga stamp pads, stamps, die cut naman, mga maliliit lang nakikita ko, and yung parang pang mga pang scrapbook or pang project project lang sa school, hindi pang mga serious crafters, walang mga tipong Tim Holtz or Stampin' up, meron sa mga shops sa loob ng 168. Try mo tong store na napuntahan ko sa 168, may mga ganyan silag supplies. Check mo tong isa kong blog entry, andyan yung pasilio nila sa 168.
      http://katthecraft.blogspot.com/2016/03/paper-craft-scrapbook-supplies-168-mall.html

      Delete
    2. My nbbili dn b special paper for diy invitation s geppco?

      Delete
    3. Kung yung mga invitation na pangkasal at debut, yung mga pangformal na events, wala. Meron silang card stock for less elegant invites, also mga vellum board pero tulad lang din nung makikita mo sa national bookstore.

      Delete
  20. Meron din kyang 18-28 counts aida clothes dun sa divi ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, dun din po sa mga shops na nagbibenta ng DMC threads along Tabora may mga available na aida cloth of different sizes, may mga kits rin po akong nakita.

      Delete
    2. hi sang store po sis yung may 18 counts how much per yard po?mmay contact number ba kayo....

      Delete
    3. san po yung store na merong 18 counts na aida..may contact number ba kayo....

      Delete
    4. I don't know the specific name of the shops po or their contact number. Once you're on Tabora Street in Divi na rin naman po, magkakalinya lang po yan sila. Madali lang po sila matunton, pwede rin naman po magtanong tanong kung gusto nyo mas madali.

      Delete
  21. Hi po ask ko lng if my malalaki pi ba silang wooden ring.. Ung kasya sa baby body..tnx..

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Meron po doon, may mga nakita akong stores na simula maliit hanggang kasing laki pa ng mga hulahoops po.

      Delete
  22. Hi Ms Kat, do you know any place na bilihan po ng specialty paper for wedding invitations sa divi? Yung medyo hard po yung paper?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kahit hindi po pala sa divi, kung meron ka po nalalaman na store. Sa national bookstore po kasi hindi rin po ganun katigas ung specialty papers dun and limited ung colors. Tia! :)

      Delete
    2. Along Tabora street, mga pagawaan mismo ng invitations, not sure if magientertain sila kung bibili ka lang ng paper. Meron naman po ako dati nakita online, sa FB lang po and I'm not sure if they have physical stores, try nyo po isearch sa FB Fingerprints Enterprises, also Craft Mate PH, nakita ko lang sila dati nung nagsisearch ako, malamang po madami pang ibang tulad nila. I'm not affiliated with any of those po kaya di ako makapagsabi kung ano mismo meron sila, try to contact them po sa FB page nila. Thank you for dropping by.

      Delete
  23. Hello ms Kat,ask ko lng sana kung paano mo tinitwist ung yarn n nabili mo s Baguio? My nabii din kc ako same s yarn mo...plan ko kc gumawa ng mga bonnet.sana matulungan mo ako..thank you

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yung mga cotton yarns po kahit yung galing Baguio, minsan nagtitwist sila ng kusa habang nahihila from the cake, yung mga acrylic yarns naman po tinutulungan kong ikutin as I crochet, habang nagaadjust ako sa left hand ko kapag kukuha ako more yarn from the cake. Pero kahit hindi po sila twisted, nakakumpol naman lahat ng strands, yung nabili ko may 5-ply at may 4-ply, okay naman po sila kahit hindi tinitwist, gamit lang ako ng malaking hook para sasama lahat.

      Delete
  24. Hello ms Kat,ask ko lng sana kung paano mo tinitwist ung yarn n nabili mo s Baguio? My nabii din kc ako same s yarn mo...plan ko kc gumawa ng mga bonnet.sana matulungan mo ako..thank you

    ReplyDelete
  25. Hello Ms. Kat, just wanna ask kung merong 16x20 na cardstock paper sa Geppco? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wala po that time I visited, they only have the letter size ones.

      Delete
  26. Im looking for cross stitch supplier. Would you help me?

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...