02.19.08
My Interview with Cristina, Owner of Cabisuteria
Please meet Cristina Amador, Owner of www.cabisuteria.com and www.cabisuteria.etsy.com.
Where are you located? In Guayaquil, Ecuador, down in South America 
What do you design? I design jewelry and sometimes hair accessories with wire, semiprecious stones, pearls and crystals. I’ve recently started making tutorials.
Where/How did you learn this? I’m self taught, I’ve learned most by just looking at things and experimenting as to how they were made. Also with some online tutorials by Eni Oken.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? Eni Oken was my first inspiration, although recently I’ve found other artists that inspire me daily: Scott David Plumlee, Iza Malczyk and Magdalena Borejko.
Where does your inspiration come from? Everywhere! I love looking at my fancy dresses and using shapes from their fabric, patterns in nature (such as leaves), architecture, etc.
What do you do to combat creative block? When I feel as if I don’t know what to do, I look at a journal I keep of my design drawings. If that doesn’t help, I look at fashion magazines or surf the web. And if that doesn’t help me, I grab one of my bead mags or books and follow instructions to do something I like. Even if it’s something simple, making something (even if I didn’t create it), gets my creative juices flowing and usually before I finish the piece, I already know what I want to do next.
Where do you design your creations? I used to do it in my bedroom, you can imagine how messy it was! Beads everywhere! My father called it a “Natural Disaster” area. 
But now I have a small room in the garage (my Dad gave up his tool room) where I have all my things.
What does your work space look like right now? It is organized in my own way . The table looks messy, there are a few things on the floor, but I know exactly where everything is!
How does your family feel about what you do? They’re very supportive, they gave me financial help to get started and a special place in the house to work and they always help me out whenever I make home shows.
Do you have any advice for somone looking to make their own creations using this method? Practice is everything! The more things you make, the better you will become. Invest in good instruction, you will save money (and wire!) in the long run.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? Good customer service and a smile go a looooong way!
Favorite part of owning your own business? Being able to do what I am passionate about and the flexible hours.
Least favorite? Paperwork.
How do you relax? I like to go wakeboarding, my other passion.
Favorite color? Blue
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Not really, but I think it’s because I don’t have enough blue stones.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? I’d use them to go to the gym!
A sample of Cabisuteria products. For all products, please visit Cristina’s websites.
