Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am 24 years old and live in Huntington Beach California. For the most part, I have always lived by the beach. Most people think I am a classic beach girl. My friends know differently. Every time I visit the country I day dream how I wish I had grown up a cow girl! I ride horses, I garden, I even do some canning (thanks to grandma). I dream of the day that I can own a few acres where I can raise my family, my vegetable garden, chickens, cows (the mini-sirloin burger kind), pigs, goats and anything else I can come up with!
Apart from creating things, what do you do?
I currently work full time for my family's business. I love why I am doing it, but I don't necessarily love what I do. Don't get me wrong, working for a family business, especially your own family business is amazing. The stress and the pressure can get to you but I leave work every day proud of what I am helping do. The idea is, if the business remains successful, I will one day take it over. Maybe I will, maybe I won't. But I can say that I worked my butt off trying!
Other than my no pressure job, I spend a lot of my time volunteering. Currently I am putting on an event for the Seal Beach Animal Care Center. For those of you who are close to me, I either love my volunteer work or I hate it. It just depends on the mood I am in when you ask! No, in all seriousness, I think volunteering for your community is the best thing you can do. If it is one thing I appreciate from my mother it is that she instilled a sense of pride in me for my community. Volunteering is truly the best.
What would be the title of your memoir? Why?
Struggling to Breath. Which if you knew me growing up is a not so hilarious title, but I think it is! I have had terrible asthma since I was a child. Breathing has always been pretty difficult for me. (Who would have thought, it's suppose to be second nature!) If my day job wasn't stressful and I had time only to create and do what I love... I would probably drive myself crazy! I am in constant need of staying busy. I always start thinking of a new project before I finish the current one. Sitting back, relaxing and taking a breath is by far by biggest struggle.
Where does your inspiration come from?
Everywhere! I tend to see things, especially discarded things and think, "How can I reuse this?" This is another trait I undoubtedly got from my mother. We were always going through alleys as a kid. Not because my family couldn't afford to buy new but because my mother couldn't believe the treasures we could find in someone's trash! We would take these forgotten items home, clean them up and add a fresh coat of paint and BAM! A new piece of art!
What does handmade mean to you?
Love. Anything handmade has had to have had a lot of love, attention and detail put into it. What would you rather have, something mass made in China? OR a one of a kind handmade item made especially for you? If you pick the first..... your not my friend!
Who has been most influential in your craft?
There has been a lot of people who have been inspirational. I have already mentioned my mother. Who I truly attribute most of my craftiness from is my Aunt Teresa. Since I was a little girl she has always encouraged my creative spirit. From taking me to paint pottery whenever I visited, to buying me my first sewing machine, Aunt T has always gotten my creative juices flowing. Even now she send my articles she finds of the latest artist who has done something she thinks I can do better! She too shares my love for upcycling. She always has a new find to talk about and I love bouncing our creative ideas back and forth!
When did you know you were an artist/maker?
Well, I am still kind of struggling with that. As much as I love being creative, I still have not really found my niche. I love reading all these Quit your Day Job articles, Etsy posts. I strive to one day be that person. Someone who can do what you truly love to do and be able to turn a little profit for it!
How would you describe your creative process?
Trial and error! I have started so many projects, because I have an idea in mind and realize.... no wait, that won't work! My boy friend has really helped with this. Discussing my plans with him before I actually create really helps me get a grasp of what I want and how I am going to do it! He really is my biggest fan. He helps me with all my hair brain ideas (even when he doesn't like them) and shows me how not to hurt myself with his tools. Most the time, he prefers to do the power tool work for me, so I can't possibly hurt myself by watching! He even built me a little work bench in our garage with some "approved tools" I owe all my ten fingers to him!
What handmade possession do you most cherish?
The blanket and stitch work that my boy friend's step mom has made. She made these two blankets that are amazing! They should really be hung on the wall! All her stitch work looks like paint! She has made me two horse portraits that look like they have been painted. Her attention to detail is amazing. I hope to one day learn her craft!
Where would you like to be in ten years?
Somewhere in the country with my horses, my family and my creativity! I would love nothing more than be able to create all day every day without interruption. Okay, maybe some interruption!
