Today we’d like to introduce you to Rose Vargas.
Rose , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi! I’m Rose Vargas, owner of The House of Roses. I started my shop and participating in San Antonio markets in the Fall of 2023. I’ve just celebrated my shop’s 3 year anniversary and am still very grateful for the opportunities, new customers, and people I’ve met along the way.
The House of Roses is a love letter to the pretty things that floated in my mind as a child to now. It’s a celebration of gathering with family and friends, by providing a vibrant, aesthetically pleasing vibe to the home. I design and create practical, washable soft accessories like bowl cozies, tortilla warmers, to-go cup cozies, and more. I also design throw quilts that can be hung as wall pieces.
I consistently draw inspiration from my upbringing and the people who’ve fostered my appreciation of color. I designed a quilted heart tote dedicated to my mom – Belinda. The Belinda Heart Tote is a continuing staple piece to my shop. I recently debuted another textured design – Alocasia Leaf Tote. It’s a dedication to my newly found awe in the organic flow in the finer details of plants. Nature and nurture has given so much to how I’ve shaped my shop’s direction. For that, I am forever grateful to the beauty around me – in my family and surroundings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has been a combination of both smooth and bumpy, of course as all roads go.
There are so many new designs moving in and out of my brain. I want to do it all. I want to sew newer things and introduce more art based structures to my work, but as soon as the practice comes into play, I immediately feel stuck and paralyzed. I’ll take a break so I can regroup and work properly, but then the break turns into procrastination.
The struggle of wanting it all, making everything, feeling ecstatic in the creation, and then doubting everything is such a mind and body boggling experience.
But! If there’s one thing I ‘m consistent at, it’s finishing the work (albeit to the detriment of my mental capacity). If anything, I love a good dramatic moment in the everyday! What’s a little stress to the artist?
Jokes aside, the struggle is still a struggle for me. I’m finding that asking for help is necessary to seeing all of this come to fruition. Again, I’m grateful to the community I’ve found because we share the same up and downs. From all that sharing, I find solace and try to refocus on why I do what I do.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Professionally, I am known for my structured, quilted Belinda Heart Totes and Alocasia Leaf Totes. It sets me apart because I want everyday objects to be carried as an art piece. I love a good tote. Who doesn’t own a stack of them haphazardly stashed in your hallway closet?
I want my Heart and Alocasia Totes to be part of your everyday adventures. I want them to be a staple piece to your errands, to your brunch outings, to your dates, to your market excursions and more. We all like the pretty things, so why not carry a pretty structured thing on your shoulder?
I love ALL the prints. I’m in awe of the fabric designers who envision a piece of cloth to be more than cloth. I choose the brighter prints in flora and fauna for my home goods and Heart Totes. For the Alocasia Totes, the best sellers are the verdant hues. In the Alocasia totes, I prefer the richer and darker tones of reds. Color is overwhelmingly beautiful.
You can buy my work at The Witte Museum Store and upcoming San Antonio markets:
The Pearl Evening Fall Market Series
Booked for Fall Fest with Booked SATX (10/31)
Tobin Center Holiday Art Market (11/28)
San Antonio Museum of Art Holiday Market (12/5)
The Gathered Market (12/13)
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
More things to share with the readers? Of course!
2026 has highlighted delving more into my appreciation and paying homage to my Filipina heritage. I participated in LEAD Filipino’s Fly Pinay’s Leadership Summit in May 2026. I led a workshop titled, “Gawa sa Puso: A Filipina Maker’s Story”. I spoke about the beginnings of my art, my Filipina American ties to the culture, why The House of Roses focuses so much on gatherings and food, why the Belinda Heart Tote is so special to me, and overall introspection of how I choose to continue my family’s cultural legacy.
I encourage people to ask themselves questions that might be hard to answer when it comes to their being. You don’t have to go deep into existential crisis (maybe a smidge) but I think it’s worth the ask.
When I was writing for the workshop, I asked myself why my work was important. I asked why I made excuses for not claiming a space. We’re all worthy of sharing pieces of ourselves in art, words, skills, and activism. I think we restrain ourselves from saying and doing the things we wish we could out of self preservation.
I know that it’s important to set boundaries and maintain the safeguard to our hearts. But sometimes we do ourselves a disservice when we don’t share our passions and skills. When we perform that outreach, we find others who share the same sentiment and action. The community we build can be built if we make the first step for ourselves.
That in mind, I welcome you to share your art. Share your voice. Share your mind. Don’t ask for permission to claim a space that has always been yours.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @thehouseofroses.shop
