Listed here are some tried-and-tested strategies for the crafters and anik-anik girlies so as to add to your Seoul itinerary
Previous to my newest journey to Seoul early this Might, my Instagram and TikTok algorithms had been feeding me and my associates limitless movies about the place to buy and eat within the nation.
Whereas there was an abundance of Olive Younger product hauls, magnificence therapy walkthroughs, and pop-up retailer guides, it appeared like there wasn’t a lot details about craft-centered/DIY locations that would scratch our itch for cute issues.
Koreans love their knick-knacks—a truth evidenced by all of the fluffy character keyrings hanging from their baggage and the abundance of massive and small novelty outlets promoting the cutest stationery, equipment, and homeware in choose neighborhoods.
Since my first journey over in 2018, I’ve not often gone residence with no new sticker sheet, pen, keyring, or washi tape roll so as to add to my assortment. My favourite factor to do on chill itinerary days is stroll across the smaller neighborhoods and discover the random shops within the space.
This time, my associates and I made a decision to be extra intentional with the spots we hit up, designating a day particularly for DIY-related actions. Under are some tried-and-tested strategies for the anik-anik girlie (and anybody out there for customized souvenirs) so as to add to your itinerary.
Make your personal attraction bracelets and necklaces at Dongdaemun Procuring Complicated
Simply 10 minutes away from the famed Dongdaemun Design Plaza and proper throughout a portion of Cheonggyecheon Stream is a constructing that’s largely recognized for its many material shops and low-cost clothes. Dongdaemun Procuring Complicated consists of 4 buildings full of rows upon rows of stalls promoting wholesale supplies for clothes-making and material—already overwhelming for anybody who likes to stitch. However take the elevator in constructing B as much as the fifth ground to search out the famed bead market the place you possibly can store for all types of charms, beads, pliers, and just about something you’ll want for jewellery, keyring, decoden, and resin initiatives. The draw of the place is that every one the choices are already unfold out in entrance of you, in contrast to should you had been to purchase the supplies on-line and maintain clicking to search out the charms you want.
Whereas many of the shops promote uncooked supplies (lots of that are what they use for the equipment bought for triple the worth in roadside outlets in Hongdae and Myeongdong), some additionally promote completed merchandise like these fashionable fluffy keyrings in addition to unofficial Sanrio and Studio Ghibli merch. If you happen to, like me, have already got jewelry-making instruments at residence, the advanced offers a easy (and budget-friendly) option to make customized souvenirs from the journey. I used to be in a position to purchase a number of elements to make a attraction bracelet and two pairs of earrings.
Tip: For the reason that choice is so large, purchasing there is usually a bit intimidating. Be ready with pegs for initiatives you’d wish to make to keep away from determination fatigue.
Dongdaemun Design Complicated is situated at 266, Jong-ro, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Store for yarn at Banul Story
Banul means “needle” in Korean, and this retailer has the whole lot you should use knitting needles (and crochet hooks!) for. The retailer shares a number of yarn and wool from China, the UK, and Korea (amongst different locations). Pure cotton yarn skeins go for 3,600KRW or P153 (at sale worth) to eight,000 KRW or P342, whereas the extra premium sorts like alpaca yarn, mohair yarn, and merino wool go for a a lot increased worth.
If you happen to’re a newbie seeking to decide up some provides, fear not since they’ve signage displaying what to do and labels for the issue degree of every kind of yarn, although they’re in Korean. Those that haven’t but dipped their toes in yarn-craft can avail of their newbie kits, which present you the way to make mini pouches, scarves, and different easy issues.
Whereas the product names and costs have English translations, all the educational indicators are in Korean, so it will nonetheless be useful to have your Papago app able to translate issues. Aside from the yarn, they’ve many sizes of knitting needles and crochet hooks, sew markers, buttons, clasps, and different supplies you may want for yarn-based crafts. Banul additionally has its personal line of merchandise and merch—get a whiff of their particular knit shampoo and knit softener when you’re there. In case you have the time, you possibly can even drop by the cafe on the second ground to start out on a mission whereas snacking on their signature crimson bean or custard-filled button bread.
Tip: To see the sale choices, go to the cabinets on the fitting aspect of the shop by the doorway. They provide patterns for every yarn buy, however you’ll have to ask the workers for them.
Banul Story is situated at 15 Yeonhui-ro 11 ga-gil, Yeonhui-dong, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul
Decide up DIY kits at Artwork Field
Artwork Field may already be a well-known model for the stationery-obsessed, having had some shops within the Philippines up till 2017. With a number of branches in South Korea, they provide the cutest workplace/faculty provides, stationery, gadget equipment (suppose: keyboards, mouses, chargers, and extra in cute designs) in addition to a wide selection of character gadgets from Sanrio and different common character manufacturers.
That is the cease for collectors seeking to purchase blind packing containers for collectible figurines like Smiskis and Sonny Angels or random plushies for Nintendo characters like Kirby. Additionally they carry a beneficiant number of DIY starter kits which have the whole lot it’s essential to make primary crafts. My favourite picks from the store had been the guts keyring resin package and picture body decoden package.
Artwork Field has a number of places round Seoul
Make your personal keychains and photocards at AK&
AK& is a shopping mall aimed primarily at youthful customers by the identical individuals who run the AK Plaza chain of malls in South Korea.
Positioned in Hongdae close to Hongik College, the mall is residence to a number of shops like Butter (a way of life and stationery chain with their very own character strains), the Cinnamoroll Cafe (self-explanatory), and even an entire ground devoted to anime and manga.
On the second ground, you’ll discover the Okay-pop retailer withMuuu, which has a reasonably full number of the newest Okay-pop releases and merch (lightsticks included). The spotlight for me, although, had been the customized keyring and photocard stations. For the previous, you possibly can select your personal images to place within the keychain of your alternative, and for the latter, you may make your personal PVC photocard with the picture of your alternative.
AK Plaza Hongdae is situated at 188 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul
Go to KT&G Sangsangmadang Artwork House for a one-stop anik-anik purchasing expertise
Strolling round small neighborhoods like Yeonnam and Mangwon, you’re more likely to come throughout many owner-run novelty shops with specific themes. These locations often provide gadgets designed by impartial Korean artists, and the choice actually is dependent upon what kind of retailer you go into.
If you happen to’re trying to buy most of these gadgets however are quick on time, KT&G Sangsangmadang in Hongdae is the place to go to as a result of it carries quite a lot of these smaller stationery manufacturers alongside larger ones. The constructing has 11 flooring, together with a cinema and a basement the place they maintain reveals for indie bands.
The primary ground is residence to stationery and different small issues, whereas the second ground carries homeware and textile-based gadgets. I ended up with some sticker sheets from Korean photographer @ming_kit_ and a washi tape by Prelude Studio in addition to extra sticker sheets from larger manufacturers Suatelier and Iconic Story. Be certain that to spend a beneficiant period of time right here—I assure that you will want greater than an hour to undergo all of the issues it has to supply.
KT&G Sangsangmadang is situated at 65 Eoulmadang-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul, South Korea
Images by Gaby Gloria
