Get all your accessories and put them in a pile. Think you could have spent all that money on more important things?
Here’s a discovery that will give you your kikay fix but won’t put a dent in your wallet. For guys, pay attention. This is a sure way to serious pogi points from your sweetheart. For balikbayans, here’s where you get unique pasalubongs and trinkets that will not cost a fortune.
Still in Quiapo, walk down Villalobos street from Plaza Miranda and look for a shop called Wellmanson on your right side. Hobbyists and jewelry-makers get their materials from this place. When you get in, make sure you have a shopping list or else our frugal tip will be suspect because believe me, you won’t be able to resist buying the eye candies in this store.
(Headbands for P55.)
Prices are a fraction of the cost compared to malls. Some kikay bracelets for everyday wear (no precious stones) that sell for P250 in Market! Market! stalls are sold there for P85. That’s the average price differential on their goods.
(Bracelets for P85 and little rocking horse for P35. I saw some of these at Hobbes and Landes EDSA Shangrila with a P150 price tag)
You can also opt to make your own accessories, as they sell everything from beads, South Sea Pearls and Swarovski pearls, stones, pendants, Mother of Pearl… the options will make your head spin. You can make an accessory today and give it away tomorrow and think nothing of it because you bought them at low, low prices.
For accessories with precious stones like Swarovski crystals, I recommend the NBI mall, where I bought these nice designs.
(The pink one cost P500 wholesale price and the pearl and silver one cost P800.)
I discovered these places two years ago through my friend Janet Dorotheo, who started to make jewelry as a hobby but who is now receiving orders for them regularly. So yeah, you can even add to your stash of moolah by doing this as a sideline! It’s a good place for buying wedding favors too. I think of my periodical trips to Wellmanson to buy Christmas gifts, birthdays gifts, etc. as a stress-busting experience heh. I have a small stash of little trinkets at home just in case I need to give a gift and forgot to buy one (gasp). That way, I can still give something of good quality but don’t have to buy in the malls where the same items sell for three times the cost.
Some out-of-the-way shopping places may be crowded and jologs to some, but they hold a lot of treasures that attract those who are trying to be money-smart. And it’s amazing how simple and inexpensive gifts can give big statements and warm the heart of even those who are used to receiving real diamonds.
Planning, really, is the one of the secrets of frugality.
P.S. I neither know the owners of these stores nor am I being paid to recommend them. I just like them, period.
March 27th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
i live in cebu and there are also places that sell kikay stuff (and jewelry making stuff) cheap in manalili. i have not bought anything yet there though.
i also have a tip for other shoppers: buy before stalls close. there are stalls in robinson’s cebu where i buy gifts for american friends (native necklaces, earrings, bracelets etc) and they give you a discount “sira gana” is what they call it, if you buy during (or right before) closing hours. A necklace which normally costs P150 could be sold for P75….
share ko lang… hehehe