Today we’d like to introduce you to Linda Trinidad.
Hi Linda, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Ever since I was little, I had a strong desire to make art. I recognized that through art, I could express myself more clearly and confidently. I remember getting into discussions with my teachers because the way I took notes in school were through illustrations and they couldn’t understand me.
Growing up I used to participate in the school events making handmade decorations and I fell in love with making art. I continued to learn more about art, its history, the different methods, prominent artists, and basically anything that I could find.
Once I graduated High School, I decided to get my college degree in Teather Arts but later on, I realized that the thought of other people criticizing my work, doing plays to please other people or even dealing with a crowd gave me anxiety. Then I decided to become an Art Teacher because I love kids their thoughts are straightforward and their desire to learn more was motivating “that’s the kind of audience that I can be myself”. During and after college, I worked as an Art Teacher in Puerto Rico and the United States.
Many years after that, I got married and had my first daughter. When I hold her in my arms, I made a promise to dedicate my time to her and give her the best education that she can have. That’s when I decided to homeschool my daughter. It is something I am passionate about. With the art skills that I have, I am able to make learning fun, interactive, inspiring and creative.
But there was something inside of me that wanted more, a bigger desire to create art and show it to the world. I then decided to start making paper art because it was something I was comfortable with. I started making paper flowers that were used on nurseries, baby showers and birthday parties. It was a success. I felt that fire inside me burning once again and I continued on to explore a different paper art method, paper quilling. Although it is a tedious art process and very time-consuming, this was a time where I created some of my more memorable pieces. After this, I felt that I needed to go beyond paper art and reach a bigger crowd. So I looked inward and found the inspiration that I needed, my own style! The fashion I pursued and pieces that I wore were always, as I like to say, “earthy but fun”. I basically went back to my roots, to the culture of Puerto Rico, and realized I have always been a little bohemian. I remembered that, at the time when I was little, it was all about the ocean and exploring the forestry mountains, discovering fossils and the beauty of decorating with natural things that washed up shore. I found that my busy mind was at peace and happy, passionate about art and God exploring the beauty of how things become so lovely is definitely my thing. That’s when the idea of creating Macrame art came to mind.
Once that idea got stuck in my head, I quickly began to study the art of Macrame (through books and online classes), its history, the many different knot variations and patterns that can be created. After that, a short few days after, I made my first Pipa Knot and sold it through the online market. After selling my first, I couldn’t stop. I continued making beautiful macrame knots and even expanded into plant hangers and wall hanger shelves. I fell in love with the art. At the same time, I was getting plenty of positive feedback from different customers of how much they loved the art pieces I had created. I remember one customer that believed in me and just said “make me something with these colors”. And so I did! In the next few days, I was able to deliver a beautiful macrame wall hanger shelf that she loves and has it on display at her living room. This, and many other opportunities that have come from local and online customers make me forever thankful and grateful to God.
After a while, I found myself looking for something more to add into my set of skills, a new challenge. That when a good neighbor of mine, that had bought a macrame piece a few days before, talked to me about her small business and how she got started. Her story was inspiring and what I liked more about her is that she wanted to share her talent and even encouraged others to try polymer clay earrings. After looking more into this, seeing the endless possibilities that could be done with polymer clay, and the fact that I had already previous experience working with clay as one of my majors in college, I decided to dedicate my work into clay earrings.
A few weeks after, I was making many different pairs of clary earrings and finally felt confident to make a name for myself and my small business. That’s when Artsyloveydovey came into existence.
Shortly after, l I continued selling wearable art and home decor through online market, family and friends. I also decided to grow my business, so I considered attending local popup markets. The first one I attended was with the Alamo Ranch Pop Up Market. After attending the event for a few weekends, a customer approached my booth and complimented my artwork and the display. A month later, I got an email invite to work on another market event at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts for a holiday market. I was nervous and excited, so I applied and got in! I prepared for it for months in advance and with the grace of God, it went spectacular. After that, I got invited to many different markets and made a name for my small business.
Today, I continue to create art for my small business but I spend most of my time being a teacher and a mom to my girls because they are the most important persons in the world to me. God comes first, my family comes second and Artsyloveydovey comes after.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Starting a small business while being a mom, a homemaker and a teacher of a kindergartner and a preschooler is not an easy task, especially when you are very invested in good education and are traveling to many different places in San Antonio or other cities for alternative learning. It takes a lot of time to be able to keep my small business afloat. I do find small amounts of time, when my husband takes care of the kids or when they are sleeping, then I can indulge on my art.
It is difficult to keep organized when your office is your home, and your home is the school of your kids. All of my tools and materials end up getting mixed or misplaced on a daily basis so I spend a good amount of time just remembering where I put the last piece. I try my best to keep everything in its place but sometimes my ADHD kicks in.
Another struggle is keeping up with my social account on Instagram and Facebook, Artsyloveydovey. Although it’s very fun, creating reels, stories and content take a lot of time. I can’t lie that it’s a little disappointing when you spend time on content and it does not get the likes or shares you were hoping for.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
All of my life, I have been involved with creating art. I entered college to have a liberal arts degree and graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art Education from the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus.
Currently, I am known for my work in my small business, Artsyloveydovey. After research and getting inspired by current fashion trends, I focus on creating handmade wearable art, macrame home decor and resin trinket trays and coasters. I tend to incorporate natural elements with different shapes and patterns. I make statement polymer clay earrings, macrame plant hangers, shelving and wall hangings. I also make other cute accessories like keychains, headbands and hair clips.
I am most thankful for being invited to big market events like on the Tobin Center of Performing Arts, Boerne Handmade Market, SAMA market and others where I get to meet different people from my community. I love it when someone buys something from me and seeing them excited. That is the moment that makes me prouder, when someone comes, smiles and says “wow, this is so pretty” or “I love your work”. I am proud of how far I’ve gotten throughout the difficulties and realizing that I GET to do this!
I think what sets me apart is the versatility of my work. I am always creating something different. I was told that I can cramp up different styles beautifully and I took that by heart. I also listen to the customer about colors or patterns they want to see and that allows me to better my work. I am proud of the work I put in my art, popup markets and personal customer experience.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up in the north coast of Puerto Rico, I spend most of my time on the beach and exploring the rainforests and nature trails that surrounded the Island. I was always curious about the things I found, like fossils on the mountains or washed-up corals on the coast. I wanted to know how nature turned out to be so beautiful and of course, I saw God’s artwork in nature. So, I often decorated my room with these found objects. Always had the need to research, so you would find me at the library (yes, back then when the internet was only accessible through dial-up connection on bulky computers) and I used to spend hours drawing animals and reading up on curiosities.
My dad had his own business as a Taekwondo teacher and my mom was always with my special needs twin sisters which truly molded our family personalities and perspectives in life. We weren’t rich like most people define rich (money-wise) but in another way we were. In experienced growing up with twin sisters that have special needs. It taught us to be kinder and mindful. However, I was often overlooked by my parents but I understood the situation and the hardships. I didn’t go to Disney trips or have the “power wheels” that the neighbors had but what I did have was adventures. My dad took me often times windsurfing far out into the sea and at a very young age, he taught me how to fish and also how to scuba dive. We took long rides on his motorcycle to caves near the beach and study the hieroglyphs of the “Tanios’ that lived there a long time ago. I remember how in awe I was seeing artwork from long ago. I also remember my mom reciting her poems with deep passion. I was surrounded by creatives. Consequently, I took interest in Art History at a young age.
In school, I did good. But I was always making doodles while the teacher was talking. I actually sold my first paper art in the second grade and got in trouble for it, it was a fortune teller origami paper game that I took the time to decorate, and all my classmates wanted to play. The teachers realized I had the need to create so they allow me to participate in creating backdrops for Teather class and plays. I often finished my busy schoolwork quicker because I had other more interesting extracurricular activities to do in 6th and 7th grade, I made a small dance group and we choreographed dance moves to the Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears and Spice Girls. It was a fun time. Then my mom, me and the twins moved to Florida to escape the family drama and got into acting and soccer. Mom could never be at any sports events or Teather plays. She was trying to do her best with the twins.
Towards to end of High School, I thought I wanted to pursue Teather or Geology. Theater was a disappointment because; let’s say there was no “me-too” movement and well I did not agree with the requirements or asks of being a successful teen actress. I remember auditioning and losing parts because I wanted to keep my integrity. And then Geology was nothing like Indiana Jones. I entered college with a full scholarship through acting but later changed my mind. I did not know what to study so I explored the college life until I enrolled in an introductory class for art and the professor sparked the interest back into me.
I was about to get a full scholarship for soccer and at that time, I had two jobs at a pet shop and as a waitress at a hotel. Working at the hotel, I met celebrities (actors and singers) who shared with me their artistic advice and stories. I was again surrounded by creatives. Puerto Rico is full of creative people that are passionate about life and art. Then, my like took a spin. I remember being so busy working late nights not having the time to eat well. I was having terrible stomach pains which turned out to be a gluten allergy. I hit rock bottom. I almost lost my life in a car accident; I was beat up pretty bad but thankfully I didn’t lose a limb. It was a miracle. After that, I lost my job, lost my soccer scholarship, and lost many of my paintings and artwork in an apartment flood accident. On top of all of that, I lived in the middle of university protests and riots. The University was on a strike, lots of crazy riots and violence with the police and students that was peacefully protesting and got smacked and beat up. It was a sad and ugly time.
To escape it all, I decided to take a month-long trip group backpacking style through Europe. The highlight of my trip was going to the art museums, getting to see in person the Vahn Gogh, Rembrandt and Picasso art. In that trip, we went to Rome and “when in Rome”…. Ha! I started to cry-sob when I visited the Sistine Chapel, looking at “The creation of Adam” by Michelangelo and the story about how he made this artwork and because of his dedication he almost lost his eyesight. It must have been such a challenge, it was the best thing that I’ve heard and seen. It was very inspiring. I then decided to be an Art Educator. It made sense. Art made me happy. I admire creatives and wanted to encourage young people to express and channel their emotions. It’s beautiful. I am a fan of smiles, art expression and God who got me through it all.
Pricing:
- Polymer clay earrings from $10 to $30
- Macrame art from $15 to $150
- Hair accessories from $8 to $15
- Resin coasters and trinkets from $12 to $35
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artsyloveydovey/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/artsyloveydovey/
Image Credits
Linda J. Trinidad Robles (myself)
