Both my parents are immigrants from Zacatecas, Mexico. I was born in Santa Clara, California and raised in Los Angeles, the oldest of 6 children. As a child I was both creative and introverted. I was always curious about my surroundings, about architecture, shapes, colors and textures. The only artist in my family, I was influenced by my mother and grandmother who taught me and encouraged me to sew, to make things for myself and embellish my clothes. Every afternoon we would crochet together, an old Mexican tradition passed down through generations to teach the girls how to be handy around the home. It’s a tradition that is rare in this new technological era.
“Let yourself be silently drawn by the strange pull of what you really love. It will not lead you astray.”
– Rumi
I have fond memories of these traditions as they encouraged fun, creativity and the value of family. I graduated from The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles and have a degree in Visual Presentation/Visual Communication. I consider myself very fortunate to live a bi-national life, experiencing the best of both Mexico and the U.S. and speaking both Spanish and English. I split my time between my home and studio in Rosarito, Baja California, Mexico, and in Los Angeles.
Leather crafting started as a hobby, as a way of relieving stress. I never dreamed that I would become a leather artist. Before this I worked as a visual specialist in the retail industry and wardrobe stylist in the Latino music industry in Los Angeles. My last “real” job was as a Vice President/CEO of a publicity/audio recording studio in Baja California, Mexico. I regularly worked sixteen-hour days, seven days a week. It was very stressful. I would look for any chance I had to make leather things, even hiding in my office to do so. I find it funny how we can create plans for our lives, but life often has a way of directing you towards your real path, IF we’re willing to listen, and to follow.
I am self-taught and have been crafting leather ly’s upholstery shop. After that, my life was forever changed. I made myself a rustic looking cuff bracelet that day, then asked for more leather scraps with which to create and experiment. When I first started working with leather I was all over the place experimenting, making everything that I could think of. I was like a child in a new playground.
I had no previous training in leather crafting, didn’t know any techniques, and didn’t have any skills or even the basic tools for the craft. It took me many years to figure out what worked best for me, to learn about leather, which leathers can be shaped in certain ways and which can be used for each piece. The process continues and each piece is unique. I still don’t use any fancy equipment, just very basic tools. In fact, my favorite item is an old, handmade hammer I found at a flea market in Mexico. It’s the first tool I purchased to use in my leather craft and one that led me to become a collector of antique hammers and tools.
My process is very organic and a fairly simple routine. Most of the time I don’t know what I will make that day. I follow my intuition, the first idea that comes to my mind, the first piece of leather that catches my eye, the first color that calls to me–I follow those cues. I find ideas in nature, in everyday life. I’m a little bit folkloric and rugged, with delicate and nostalgic details. I consider it a fusion of rustic and feminine.
“I want people not only to appreciate the richness of my culture but also the art of the handmade.”
I love what I do. I’ve been fortunate to have many opportunities to sell my work in a wide variety of places and venues. I’m also very proud of my leather shaping skills, which I’m continually developing. I’m always growing and learning. The times that I’ve been the most stressed and looking for direction have been the times that I’ve been the most creative. I’m currently putting a line together, focusing on making more inventory, and teaching workshops in San Diego, California. I have so many dreams and I’m open for the universe to lead the way!
I want to expand my wearable art into other areas, including designing and making shoes in the near future. I’ve let go of control and perfectionism to give way to honest creativity. I stopped judging my work and started trusting my inspiration. I let my work speak for itself; the rest will follow naturally in perfect timing.
“I have so many dreams and I’m open for the universe to lead the way!”
Favorite tool
My favorite item is an old, handmade hammer I found at a flea market in Mexico. It’s the first tool I purchased to use in my leather craft and one that led me to become a collector of antique hammers and tools.
“At the end of the day I’m always surprised by the way the piece turns out.”
