Nervous jitters, colorful prints, and a table full of dreams, that’s how Estesyonaryo’s very first pop-up began. On August 2, 2025, Estesyonaryo joined TheMARTS: Kakkoii and Kawaii, the cool and cute art and merch market held at Riverbanks Center, Marikina.
The night before the event was a blur. The artist behind Estesyonaryo stayed up late, still packing products to make sure everything was ready for ingress. As a one-person business, it meant so much that the whole family gave their full support. A sister helped record all the stocks to be brought, while the artist’s father and cousin drove both the creator and her mother, the on-call assistant, to the venue around 7 a.m. Fortunately, Riverbanks was just a few minutes away from their home—one of the main reasons they signed up for this event in the first place.
Estesyonaryo secured a half table, testing the waters of the pop-up scene. The table was shared with Telrms, another artist from Rizal, Philippines. Their neighboring booth was Gawangkamaybyangel, who showcased beautiful crochet handcrafts.
The booth was designed to reflect the heart of Estesyonaryo: playful and creative. The artist had been practicing the setup since July, but it was still a challenge. Unlike the usual displays in artist alleys, Estesyonaryo’s products leaned more toward die cuts and sticker flakes than sticker sheets, making the display a puzzle that required trial and error.
Seeing people stop, smile, and pick up the work was an unforgettable feeling. Each interaction was a reminder of why Estesyonaryo creates: to connect, to inspire, and to share joy. That very first customer who made a purchase will always hold a special place in their journey—it was the moment they realized, “Yes, we can do this.”
Beyond sales, the most rewarding part was meeting people who resonated with the art. Some shared their own creative journeys, while others simply expressed their love for the style. A highlight of the day was a group of teens who kept returning to the booth to buy again, a heartwarming show of support.
TheMARTS, a new organizer catering to artists around Marikina and Rizal, gathered over 60 exhibitors and creators from different places. It was a lively and inspiring community, and being part of it gave Estesyonaryo the chance to meet more artists and feel truly welcomed.
Of course, not everything went perfectly. Lessons were learned about booth layout, inventory management, and pacing during long event hours. But every challenge became a steppingstone, leaving the team with more confidence and clarity for the next time.
Estesyonaryo is deeply thankful to the organizers of TheMARTS for giving small creators a platform. Gratitude also goes to fellow artists for their warm welcome, and to everyone who stopped by the booth—whether they bought something, took a photo, or simply said hello. Each one made this first pop-up unforgettable.
This is just the beginning. Estesyonaryo’s debut at TheMARTS was more than an event; it was a reminder that dreams grow when shared. With excitement, the artist looks forward to creating more, connecting more, and showing up again—whether online or at future events. Here’s to more booths, more art, and more stories to tell.
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