Today we’d like to introduce you to Rebecca Santiago.
Hi Rebecca, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My story begins with a love for all things handmade, but first…I have a confession to make.
I’m not a Texan. Well…what I mean to say is that I’ve spent half my life here, but I’m not from here originally.
I’m from New Jersey. I was raised there, and it’s where I went to college, and I visit frequently because my family is there. Although from different cultural backgrounds, my mother and father both grew up in large, low-income families. They worked very hard to keep me and my sisters on the up and up. We always had birthday parties, but only at home, and I can’t remember many vacations outside the 4-hour drive to Grandma’s house in Pennsylvania. My parents never stayed up late on New Year’s Eve; they were just tired. They had the energy to celebrate us and not much else.
My mother celebrated us with lots of handmade gifts. When we were young, she would sew for us, and as we got older, she crocheted stuffed animals, hats, scarves, or blankets for us and her grandchildren every chance she could get, even up until the pain of cancer forbade her from holding her hook any longer. When they get older, my children won’t remember my mother, but they will know her through all of the handmade gifts she gave to them.
Handmade items are a celebration of life. This is what handmade means to me. If you’ve ever made something for anyone, you are leaving behind an object formed with your own hands. What better gift can you give to someone you love? What better use of time than to create for someone else?
When I moved to Texas in 2003, I was just starting my Engineering career. Twenty years later, I am now a wife (to a Houstonian that doesn’t know his way around the city as well as I do), a mother, and an entrepreneur. I embrace humble beginnings and value any opportunity to learn something new. Thank you for the chance to share my story.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I have always wanted to own my own business. I knew that business owners wear many hats, but I really had no idea there would be so many. Some hats fit well, and others do not. My challenge has been in recognizing my strengths and leveraging them to improve and grow. I know that I can’t be good at everything, but I can be great at some things.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I’m a Learner, so it’s no surprise to me that I’ve studied metal smithing, stone setting, and beading; polymer clay is what brought me back to jewelry making after a decade-long break. I think my work will always be dynamic.
My most sought-after earrings are those that mimic precious stones. I make a pair of faux jade earrings that have been my biggest sellers. I’ve also made white-striped agate and rose quartz out of polymer clay. I am most proud of these items because there has been a lot of trial and error and a lot of effort to make them just right.
My latest collection features vibrant-colored seed beads woven into fringe earrings. They are perfect for Summer!
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention my father. He is a true caretaker. I get my love of coffee and plants from him. The name of my business, Jane and July Handcrafted, is derived from my parents’ names, Leota Jane and Julio.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.janeandjuly.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jane.andjuly/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopjaneandjuly
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rebeccasantiagogarza/
