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LIKE any teenage girls, Charo Lyn “Tschai” Roncesvalles was fond of recording her daily life's events in diaries and journals.
Little did she knew this simple hobby would turn into a rewarding business enterprise that would enable her to reach fellow journal enthusiasts in other parts of the globe.
In 2003, Roncesvalles created her own brand of handcrafted journals under the name, papersandtschai.
“I've seen handcrafted journals online and I thought, “Why not make my own line for personal use?” Later on, I gave them as gifts then many people said they like it,” said Roncesvalles, an architecture graduate of the University of San Carlos.
When inquiries on where to buy these journals poured in, Roncesvalles found herself researching for ways on how to improve its look, gather good materials and study stitching.
Her first clients were fellow hobbyists.
In 2006, she found a better way to market the journals and create an international clientele through Etsy, an online account where people can buy and sell handmade items.
Today, her journals are exported to the United States and some Middle East countries. Local clients include those who need guestbooks for weddings, anniversaries and other special occasions.
Roncesvalles said selling these journals in the mainstream, local market remains a challenge as most people find them expensive.
A leatherbound journal costs from P850 to P3,000 each. The typical, hardbound journal is at P150 to P350.
“All these journals are personalized and they (customers) can decide and choose which design they want to place in their journals,” said Roncesvalles.
Roncescalles is also taking advantage of the Internet in making her products known to a wider public. Her products are posted in www.flickr.com/photos/papersandtschai.
