By: Bernadette Magoncia
“Revealing yourself through your art is more worthy than any money you receive.”
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| Photo: Sheryl’s Exotic Obra Face |
Those are the words said by a teacher-artist from Ibajay, Aklan, as she proudly endorses her handmade earrings made from Nito — a climbing glossy fern used for weaving baskets, jars, and other crafts — to her fellow teachers and Akeanons.
Among the thousands of pages in Facebook that promote their own diverse products, Sheryl’s Exotic Obra is indeed worthy of praise. It may not have a physical shop, but the impact of the crafts made by the owner gives the bearer a rare confidence that dwells within her masterpiece.
Miss Sheryl Rose V. Panday, 30, of Maloco, Ibajay Aklan, owns this two-faced shop while also working as a full-time Teacher III at Balabag Elementary School in Balabag, Boracay Island, Malay. During an interview with Explained PH - Aklan, she mentions that Sheryl's Exotic Obra only makes earrings, as opposed to other local shops that produce a variety of products.
The Blossoming of Sheryl’s Exotic Obra
Photo: Sheryl’s Exotic Obra Face
The idea for the shop arose in the summertime of June 2021, a perfect month for beaches and relaxation. She was selecting an earring made in Nito which she had made herself to match her summer outfit. "It all started with a simple desire to have a rare, one-of-a-kind, and eco-friendly pair of earrings to match my outfit. My love of handcrafted things inspires me to exercise and show my artfulness by being eco-friendly." This is what inspired her to start her own business, Sheryl's Exotic Obra.
Her shop uses Nito not only as a base material, but also as a sort of fashion that gives unknown confidence to the wearer of her work of art. "Nakakadagdag siya sa natural na kagandahan at pwede mong pagkakitaan and guilt-free ka kasi you're not ruining the environment," she said.
Photo: Sheryl’s Exotic Obra Face
She admits that before starting her small business, she treated the comments of her colleagues and family as a joke, saying, "Akala ko laro-laro lang noong una, [I] just [needed] to have a pair to wear. I didn't expect a good result, so I came up with different shapes and designs. I was also surprised at how I managed to create all of these masterpieces."
On top of all of this, Miss Sheryl balances her time for career and family. This is why her shop is sometimes referred to as a "two-faced" shop because — in addition to being a DIY artist — she is also a full-time elementary teacher. Her shop's name, 'Sheryl,' is derived from her first name because she wishes to be remembered for her crafts; while 'exotic' is included, for she defines her products as unusual or extremely rare types of earrings. This is all to promote the use of local products found in our own province.
Similar to all business endeavors, Sheryl’s Exotic Obra did not grow to its current size in the blink of an eye.
Facing the Challenges
Managing a DIY shop while being the artist comes with its fair share of obstacles, such as the issue of exposure and growth. Her solution to dealing with them was to expand her networks in order to promote her crafts. "You must also cater to your client’s requests. Be open to suggestions in order to have room for improvement in your crafts," she advised. She also gives away freebies to her first-time customers.
When asked about if there is no money in art, she laughed. "As for me, choice mo [yun] as an artist if you're making money from your art or otherwise gagamitin mo siya para maappreciate at magpasaya ng mga tao.” For her, no matter the reason behind starting your business, there is only one pure intention in art: to reveal yourself through it.
Aside from that, she sees her customers as a source of motivation. "Our products are created with a human touch and passion. I'm grateful to everyone who supports me and sees the beauty in my work. After all, they are my 'pushers,'” she explained.
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Sheryl's Exotic Obra is just one of the hundreds of local shops in Aklan that sell and promote indigenous products. Teacher Sheryl may not have a physical store, but the emotions she invests in her masterpieces are worth enough to keep her awake at night. If you're looking for a creative pair of earrings to go with your outfit, consider Sheryl's Exotic Obra, which is as simple as it appears, but embodies a glamorous charm.