Winner: Handmade Musical Instrument

A couple of months ago, my handmade instrument called "Mochikalimba" was announced as the winner for Mochiko Mochi's first handmade contest.  I joined the contest because I like Mochiko Mochi's handmade advocacy, and also because my wife Shey loves Mochi. In the Philippines, Mochiko Mochi sells creative cream and ice cream-filled mocha (Japanese creative dessert). Incidentally, Shey was also celebrating her birthday at that time. I thought it would be a nice gift for her if I win the contest.

By the way, I got to know the contest through Pergy, one of my favorite artists, who was commissioned to create the poster for Mochiko Mochi's "Handmade with Love" campaign. You can also check out her blog and Behance artist page - http://www.behance.net/pergyacuna.

For my entry, I made a mochiko-inspired handmade lamellaphone using recycled coconut shell and steel spring. Lamellophones are instruments which have little tines, or "lamellae", which are played by plucking like thumb piano, mbira, kalimba (Africa) and mbiraski (Japan). "It was thought in ancient times that the thumb piano was able to project its sound into the heavens (Wiki)."

I used a coconut shell because of its circular shape and texture. I also want to create a recyclable material which is abundant in our country. We have a lot of coconut trees here considering Philippines is a tropical country.

Mochiko Mochi said that my submission looks a bit like a mochi. Here are the photos when Mochiko announced via their facebook page that my handmade musical instrument won the contest. :-)   

            
                                              
Here is a photo of Dylan at the stall of Mochiko Mochi at Southmall when we received the prize from Mochiko.  He was pointing at the heart in Mochiko Mochi's logo. Handmade with love indeed! :-)

Here are the different flavors of Mochiko. Our current favorites are the Straberry and Mango Flavors.

(Photo from Mochiko Mochi's FB page)

Thanks again Mochiko Mochi! It was fun! I am inspired to make create more handmade musical instruments.

Truly yours,

Cris Garcimo
For Gentle Universe

www.twitter.com/gentleuniverse