I am very excited today to feature a fellow pitbull and bully breed lover : ) …and not only is the an advocate for the breed, she gives back to the rescue community by donating a portion of her handmade jewelry sales back to a local rescue. Why not give her shop a look-see and support TWO great causes at the same time!
From today’s crafter – I would like to mention a necklace that I am currently selling. It is the My Valentine Custom Dog Silhouette Necklace. The necklace features your dogs silhouette all you have to do is get me a profile picture. This necklace is super special because $5 from each sale goes to Marley’s Pit Stop Rescue! A wonderful organization and my Liza’s previous home of 4 years before I found her and brought her to her forever home.
Cristina Areyano
I love to eat pickles wrapped in cheese.
I use to be a pre-school teacher.
I love Billy Crystal
I am a animal lover and whole hearted champion for the pit bull breed and similar dogs.
What got you started crafting?
I have always been creative from a young age. I started off drawing but I didn't really enjoy it and only did it when I was really bored. My parent's would always tell me to take art classes but I never wanted to because I didn't like the idea of someone telling me what to create. I was content to draw when I had nothing better to do. Through out elementary school, middle and high school I dabbled with art. I would draw more and more and as I got older I actually started to enjoy it. I experimented with different mediums from pastel to paints and even clay. When I was 23 I decided that my job as a pre-school teacher was no longer fulfilling enough and although I got to paint and create all day I wasn't able to create for myself. I looked into attending a design school and two years later that is what I did. Since then I have really found my creative voice. I like to think of myself as one part graphic designer and one part maker.
What is your source of inspiration?
Color is the biggest source of Inspiration to me. I absolutely love color. It is probably by far my favorite thing. Second are fairytales, books, and things that I love like my dog Liza.
What have you made recently?
I just finished up making a wonderful assemblage piece from vintage brass, lucite, resin and glass.
The piece is called Win, Place, Show and features a amazing brass horse on top of a vintage open
filigree frame. The bottom has a white dahlia cabochon and two leaves and of course on top is a mint colored bow. I love bows.
The process for this was pretty organic. Sometimes I have a definite idea about what I am going to make and sometimes I don't. When it came to this piece I only new I was going to have it in a setting. The rest just kind of happened. This piece is really special because each horse's coloring is just a little bit different due the the natural aging of the brass. So no two are going to be exactly a like.
Where do you sell your crafts presently?
I sell my sweet goods on etsy.
Why are handmade crafts important to you?
First because I make handmade therefore I try to buy handmade. I understand how important it is to support people in your local community and it feels wonderful to support your fellow artisan.
Secondly handmade pieces have a story to tell and I feel lucky knowing not everyone one is going to know that story because handmade usually tends to be limited in the quantity of the item. It is like being a part of a really awesome club.
Find Me
LocationSunny LaLa land, California
Email Address
Cristina Areyano
Personal Website
http://sparrowandspice.etsy.com
@sparrowandspice
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Sparrow-and-Spice/190441800982560