Celebrating our Makers during Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, from September 15 to October 15, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates and uplifts Latinx, Central, South Americans and people of Spanish descent for their achievements, culture, and contributions to the community and society.
NY Handmade Collective is proud to have members from all over and this month we’re celebrating our Hispanic small business owners. From jewelry to linens, candles to vintage inspired gifts, get to know these Latine small business owners and shop their brands all month long and beyond.
Melissa Panszi-Riebe from A D’Zine
A D'Zine began after a full career as an oncology social worker. What began as a stress reliever transformed into a full-time second career as a jewelry maker. Because I believe that everyone has a story, that belief is carried to the jewelry that we wear. I use vintage, new, and global pieces to make one-of-kind sustainable jewelry. Many of the vintage pieces are from donated jewelry from loved ones that don't want to see it go into the trash. I believe that the re-purpose of these pieces is a symbol of the legacy that their loved one. As a female Latine, I am inspired by the mujeres fuertes (strong women) in my family and who I meet. My hope is that I can make my family proud by what I create, how I treat others, and being a positive representation of our family.
Migelly Tavarez from FOUR LOVE CANDLE CO.
I started in November 2020. I was on childcare leave from my full time job and was inspired to create something from home. I’ve always loved candles, so that’s where my path led me. I started selling locally, working a few markets and then finally created a website. I have now returned to my full time job as a school counselor and still keep my candle business because I love it too much.
www.fourlovecandleco.com
www.instagram.com/four_love_candle_co
Alejandra Remijio from Copper Colored Gal Designs
Copper Colored Gal Designs, a one-of-a-kind and limited-edition table linen and accessory business, was started by Alejandra Remijio in 2009. With a few yards of fabric and an opportunity to showcase her designs in a Brooklyn kitchen store, her first ten tablecloths sold out immediately. Alejandra also utilizes remnants through upcycling beautiful textiles to create other product categories. My inspiration comes from the fabric. I curate the textiles and let them speak to me. My design process is spiritual and organic. I don’t chase the market or jump on trends. I take my time designing the right piece for each print. I know right away what I want to make with a fabric when I see it, or I hold onto it sometimes for years until it’s the time is right to cut it.
Carla Verenzuela from Kura Tida Jewelry
My name is Carla Verenzuela; I am the designer and maker behind Kura Tida. I am a jewelry artist born in California and raised in Venezuela. For as long as I can remember, I have been a maker and obsessed with small shapes; I started working with beads early and have worked with metal for 20 years. I studied jewelry in South America, Barcelona, and NYC, where I have lived for the past 12 years. My style juxtaposes techniques, shapes, and colors inspired by the majestic forms of art and nature, looking to retain a raw elegance that can complement women's and men's looks for every occasion. I find inspiration in the fibers, the textures, the volumes, and the colors of natural and manmade materials and seek ways to blend those ideas in combinations that showcase their unique identity through small-scale objects that can be worn. I founded Kura Tida to celebrate my passion for handcrafted jewelry, to make jewelry that can be worn every day and easily not take off for weeks at a time—hoping that each piece becomes part of people's expression and narrative. Kura Tida (Pronounce Kura Tee-da) means the woman of space, time, and stars in Warao - an indigenous language from South America. It is my way of celebrating my roots and background, empowering women, and guiding my creativity.
www.etsy.com/shop/KURATIDAJEWELRY
www.instagram.com/kuratidajewelry
Loella Peralta from Loella Medina Jewelry
In the late 80s, my father who had just immigrated to NYC from the Dominican Republic, found an abandoned toolbox in a construction site. The box contained pliers and beads which sparked an idea in his head that would help provide for our family back in DR. His bold designs with chandelier drops and large geometric clip-on earrings, soon became all the rage in my mother's beauty salon. I soon noticed the ladies who got their hair done with my mother would swoon over the jewels and exclaimed triumphantly how sophisticated they felt wearing them. These moments stayed with me as I too, immigrated with the rest of my family to New York City. Years later, I was inspired to create a line of jewelry of my own. Since starting my jewelry line 11 years ago, I have always strived to create jewelry that evokes the same feelings of beauty and sophistication. As a jewelry artist, I am motivated by the desire to create memorable accessories that allow you to express your personal charm. I take pride in designing all components, using hand-picked semi precious stones and metals, to create high-quality, timeless jewelry that's artisan-made, not mass produced.
Diana Maria Benigno from The BookTree House
I started my bookish business to share my love of calligraphy, theatre and poetry with others through thoughtful vintage inspired gifts or handwritten letters. I wanted to create art using sustainable materials like the old books I found scouring shelves and stoops, recycled paper, and the inspirational words of those I'd read, performed or admired. I am influenced by my family and our history, classic literature, nostalgia and antiquity, and words chiseled into walls. Come to me to make your favorite poem into a timeless gift, or celebrate your favorite film, play, novel or your wedding vows. The BookTree House creates custom gifts.
www.thebooktreehouse.etsy.com
www.instagram.com/thebooktreefairy