Common Room PH is one store that surely has inspired me to pursue my passions. I’ll be sharing the reasons why I love them. Here’s to being common!

Reasons Why I Love Common Room PH

It has been more than a year since I first volunteered for Common Room PH and Type Kita. If you’re a frequent visitor or knows of my creative side, I always mention them. But, if this is the first time you’ve visited this tiny space, let me tell you how I met them in the first place.

How I Met Them

It was around October or November of 2015 when I saw an announcement from Type Kita looking for volunteers. By this time, it has only been months since I started exploring calligraphy. Little as you know, I have been in love with letters since I was little. I’ve been hoarding pens since I was still in elementary and honestly, I came to realize that just last 2015.

It was almost finals season by then at school. Currently pursuing a post-grad degree. So when I saw the post, I immediately checked my calendar to see if there will be conflicts of some sort. Luckily, there was no conflict whatsoever!

It seemed like the universe and G conspired so I could participate in the event. Then, I found myself signing up as a volunteer for two (2) days! If I remember it correctly, the event was December 13-14, 2015. What I know that it was a weekend and it sure was a lot of fun!

From then on, I have been communicating with Ate Roma, Bestie Geli (Balcruz), and Teacher Ella (Lama) since then.

Moreover, I have been more exposed to artists and enthusiasts alike and I so love it!

Whenever I would have questions about the craft, I would consult them. Honestly, I’m happy that they are nurturing and always there when you need a big sister or cousin to run to.

Now, onto the reasons.

#1 Their branch is a safe haven for creatives like me

Why?

When I first visited their shop for the volunteers’ meeting, it was the first time I ever laid eyes on the place. One of the most remarkable things about it was the paper crane installation they have. I guess, it’s their trademark.

The time I entered the shop from alighting a tricycle, it was like a dream come true. Products of various industries, sizes and made by various artists were there. Oh what a lovely sight!

With the fellow volunteers

From the photo, the paper cranes may not be easily seen. It seems that my other photos are missing and this is the only one I found. Btw, this is in their Katipunan branch.

#2 The store owners are passion driven beings

What is truly magnificent about Common Room is that, the sisters who brought Pop Junk Love to life are the ones responsible for it as well!

It has been almost a decade since PJL was brought into this world. Making handmade stuff for everyone. Some of my bookmarks are bought from PJL. They have a lot of choices for plush toys!

Anyway, passion can really push people to do great things. The story of how Common Room came to be isn’t a fairy tale. They did not have a fairy godmother to just swish something up through a wand. Struggles were fought and they eventually overcame it!

Other than that, I love them because they are always there whenever we need pieces of advice about having a pop-up or passion pursuit. It may be close to having big sisters from another mother. Or in another sense, sisters by passion or craft. Whenever they would have pop-ups, I always try my best to visit and buy some to show my support for local businesses selling there and for them as well.

Last but not the least.

#3 Pass on the Passion

There are creatives out there trying to figure out what to do with their skills. Wondering if they will be able to make the cut in this vicious world.

Vicious because most people would undermine artists because their belief is that there’s no money or income in doing art. And honestly, I love how they have debunked that.

Pursuing your passion takes a leap of faith. Trusting the universe and its Creator is one thing but the process of creating is really another topic to discuss.

It’s simply this way, I love that they showed us how they pursued their passion and how they did it. From their strong hearts to strong hands, they really did it!

It really makes me happy that I have helped them in one way or another. Maybe through volunteering or purchasing items from their store or from another way.

Realizations

This post has been sitting down for almost 3 weeks before I got to finish it. Why? Life happened. It’s so timely that I got to finish this after exams and just about when we’re onto the second month of having our pop-up. Whenever I see their posts, I get that creative energy and I start creating. From listing down ideas or merely scribbling, I just do it.

I hope to the enthusiasts and dreamers out there, muster up that courage and just start doing!

I just wish you learned something from my post! Don’t forget to share this because sharing is caring!

Are you willing to take a risk for doing what you love?