The T'boli Craft of Brass Casting

Gifts and Graces is proud to be supporting the T'bolis of Lake Sebu, South Cotabato. G&G Executive Director Greg Perez first met one of the tribe's leaders Nadeth Ofong at the Social Enterprise Management Training Program of Fundacion Codespa and University of Asia and the Pacific where she and Nadeth were fellow scholars.

We are happy to be part of the effort to share their story, contribute to their livelihood and share their heritage. Last month, Nadeth shared with us their special method of brass casting. While we don't divulge all the details here, we wanted to share part of the story behind the making of the T'boli's beautiful brass items.

1. Prepare the materials

• Yellow brass from scrap material sourced from junk shops
• Beeswax
• Charcoal
• Clay soil with rice hulls
• Cooking/melting pot

2. Prepare the beeswax by melting it, rolling it, and designing it. Note that this is where the intricate designs come in.

3. Prepare the mold by pounding the clay soil with rice hulls, covering the mold with this mixture, melting the wax, leaving the mold out to dry in the sun, and drying it over fire

4. Next, melt the brass in a traditional blower, pour the melted brass into the mold, then allow to cool in a water bath.

5. Break the mold and voila you have your brass bell!

6. Cut and clean the bells. The final stage is cleaning the bells with calamansi

Here are some of the beautiful items made from brass. A brass man, brass bells in regular design and man and women designs, the brass bell with beads from The Learning Center to make our bell charm, and brass pendants which we use with woven retaso for a special line of clutches

Not in the collage is a set of four brass napkin rings in an elegant T'nalak box, bangles, and jewelry made from braided cloth strips and a brass ring. But we can share these in another blog post. 

Here's a photo of Nadeth with her daughter Bon with Fernando Regalado and Jhun Jhun Gementiza of G&G and Mike Panghilason of Heidi's Crafts (weavers of the clutch in the photo) at our Partner's Dinner this year held at the Herald Suites.

Finally, here is a link to further reading on the T'bolis and a link to an online article on loqal.ph

http://lakesebuphilippines.blogspot.com/p/tiboli-tribe.html

http://loqal.ph/home-and-living/2010/08/09/t%E2%80%99boli-women-weave-history-culture-in-t%E2%80%99nalak-cloth/

If you'd like more information or you'd like to order and support this cause, we'd love to hear from you. Please email us at info@giftsandgraces.com or marketing@giftsandgraces.com

Searching for the Perfect Gift this Christmas? Fair Trade Gifts 2013

 

Searching for the perfect gift this Christmas? 

 
Buy Fair Trade gifts and help vote for a better world. 





In the Gifts and Graces 2013 Collection, you'll find something for everyone. These handcrafted products made by marginalized craftsmen and artisans from all over the Philippines make great gifts for family, friends, and colleagues. 

These also make great corporate giveaways for Directors, VIPs, and Senior Management. 

For personal and corporate gifts, ask us today how we can help you - from customizing products to packaging your gifts with a personalized tag. Email us at marketing@giftsandgraces.com or call 7592525.

Thanks for your support!

Woven placemats, brass napkin rings, T'nalak key chains add details to your home that speaks of your values.

Our bestselling bell charm made with a brass bell from the T'bolis and a beautiful bead charm by the students of The Learning Center, Inc. (TLC)

These fun items reflect the spirit of the Filipino. Includes jeeps, calesas, and trikes made out of wood, a fun turtle with bobbing head made from bao, and a collection of lovable lola dolls.

Green is the new black. These pillows are made from excess or reject upholstery materials. These eco bags make you look stylish as you shop green. (Bags subject to availability. Harina sailor bag by special order)

These products for the home make great conversation starters. Includes embroidered pillows, nesting baskets from Sorsogon, replica bahay kubos and Ifugao huts made out of directory pages.

Stylish and functional iPad sleeves and pouches woven from scrap fabric

We love this quirky collection for its vibrant colors. Placemats, coasters, and pot holders for your kitchen, monster luggage tags, one-of-a-kind coffee sleeves, and handmade paper journals brings fun to everyday activities.

Handmade paper cards from cogon grass in the new Cityscape Collection. Made by a women's cooperative in Quezon. Yummy scented cupcake candles made by a cooperative of former inmates