Today we’d like to introduce you to Celeste Rodriguez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Celeste. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been creative. There was always lots of drawing when I was a kid (my crayons were my prized possessions), taking local art classes, took Art as an elective in High School, Photography in college and finally landing at The Art Institute of Houston and studying Graphic Design. When I was 21, I landed my first full-time job. Then when I was 25, I got married and at about 27 years old I had my son Maddox and 21 months later I had my daughter Ava.
My husband and I realized I would be working just to pay for daycare and I also couldn’t bear to leave those cute faces to go to work. So easy decision…I quit my job. Going from working full-time and having a social life to being a stay at home Mom was somewhat of a shock. I did adjust, but everything was so different. I know was a mom on two babies, living in the sub-burbs and had no family around. It was totally isolating. All my energy went into taking care of my kids. As my kids got older I realized, like a lot of mothers, I had lost myself a little bit. My whole world became about my kids. At first, my creative outlet was to teach them, create with them and show them. I sincerely loved being with them. Years went by before I realized I need a creative outlet that didn’t involve my kids.
Because I was home most of the time, Pinterest became that creative outlet for me. It was a place I could escape and be inspired. I don’t remember the exact moment when I found Pinterest, but I immediately fell in love. There were so many inspiring photos. It was a portal of endless ideas. For the most part, I was using Pinterest for Birthday ideas, crafts ideas for the kids, recipes, but then I found DYI jewelry ideas. I’m not sure why, but I was totally drawn to creating through jewelry. I started playing around with basic tutorials and I just couldn’t stop.
Needless to say, Pinterest saved me. I was drawn to learn more about all types of jewelry and artists. There were images of unconventional jewelry, the type of jewelry I had never seen before. I couldn’t stop pinning! Jewelry Design was a new medium I wanted to explore, but it was something I knew nothing about, but I was determined. I found a couple of tutorials and the rest is history. If it weren’t for Pinterest I would have never known that I love creating through jewelry. I’ve learned on my own and have since been able to take a couple of metal-smithing classes which have just reinforced the love I have for jewelry design.
Has it been a smooth road?
Although I’ve been making jewelry for awhile now I am just now concentrating on Marketing and getting my work out into the world. I am in the very early stages of starting my small business. I’m still learning and I’m sure that’ll never stop. There’s always something to learn and something to get better at. The only obstacle is time, but if it’s something you love you learn to make time.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Ray of Morning Sunshine – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I’m a Graphic Designer, Mixed Media Jewelry Maker and Floral Painter.
There’s nothing that is as satisfying as creating something with my bare hands.
In my jewelry, I use a variety of elements like paper, hand stamped metals, flea market finds, and hand crafted beads to create jewelry. Each piece is one of a kind.
Why would I pick such a long name? I know…I know. Ray of Morning Sunshine is a long name, but a name that has a ton of meaning to me. After I heard the lyrics to “Rayito de Sol” (Ray of Sun) I knew I had to use one of the lyrics as the name for my little shop. “Rayito de Sol” was one of the songs my grandparents used to sing together. My Grandpa would play the guitar and they would sit and sing together. Music was always a big presence in their lives. I can still hear their voices.
The first line in the lyrics is “Un rayito de sol por la mañana” which translates to Little Ray of Morning Sunshine. My grandparents were such an inspiration to me. Now as an adult, I realize how much influence they had on my life.
My grandfather was a woodworker, he could build anything anyone would ask him. Growing up he made all his grandchildren toys like wooded sailboats, rubber band guns, dollhouses with the tiny furniture, rocking horses and even jewelry. He used to sit all of us cousins down and put on puppet shows for us and would get pure delight just to make us laugh. My grandmother sewed just about every outfit for any special occasion I had. To this day, I still have the tiny outfits she sewed for my dolls from scraps of fabric.
They were the kind of grandparents that made everything special so naming my creative outlet after a song they sang together is my little way of saying “thank you” to them.
They have both passed on now, but I think of them every day.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love the amount of creative events and culture in our city, but really dislike how spread out the city is.
Contact Info:
- Address: You can find my jewelry available at KTX Home.
5809 Hwy Boulevard
Katy, Texas 77494(281) 391-5865 - Website: rayofmorningsunshine.com
- Phone: 8326568215
- Email: celestegogo61@gmail.com
- Instagram: @rayofmorningsunshine
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/rayofmorningsunshine
- Yelp: https://www.etsy.com/shop/rayofmorningsunshine
- Other: https://www.behance.net/rodriguezceleste
Image Credit:
All photos taken by me.
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
