05.10.08
My Interview with Nichole, Owner of Mucha-Muchacha
Please meet Nichole Moraila, Owner of www.Mucha-Muchacha.com.
Where are you located? In the sunny city of Los Angeles, California. I live in a cool little neighborhood on the northeast side of the city called Atwater Village.
What do you design? I design fused glass jewelry that is sleek, fun and colorful with a Modern aesthetic.
Where/How did you learn this? I think I’ve always had a connection to glass and I’d always wanted to learn to blow glass and decided to research what I needed to get started. My research led to glass forums, which led me to a local glass supply store, which I decided to visit. Have you ever been to a stained glass supply store? It’s incredible! Needless to say, I fell in love with all of the huge sheets of colorful glass and decided on the spot that I’d like to try my hand at glass fusing.
Favorite Artist who inspires you? There are too many to just name one, so I’ll just say Colors.
Where does your inspiration come from? It comes from everywhere, but I do find that I am particularly inspired by other chicano artists. Probably because of their passion for art and free use of color. There’s no fear there, they just embrace it and I love that.
What do you do to combat creative block? I go to a lot of galleries and indie craft shows. Also, just seeing lots of color at once helps me a lot.
Where do you design your creations? I feel so lucky that I have a garage in the city. That’s where my studio is.
What does your work space look like right now? I keep things pretty tidy. You sort of need to keep things neat when you work with glass or it could get hazardous very quickly!
How does your family feel about what you do? They absolutely love it. I feel lucky that my family is so supportive.
Do you have any advice for someone looking to make their own creations using this method? For glass designers? Keep it clean. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Follow your bliss.
Best advice you received when starting your business venture? I actually didn’t know anyone else who was selling what they created when I started out. I just sort of felt my way through it. In retrospect, I’m glad that it worked out that way for me because it forced me to take chances and develop business instincts. Of course now, most of my friends are artists and designers and I do give them advice if they ask for it.
Favorite part of owning your own business? Being able to sell what I design and create. I love when people see my designs and get really excited. That fuels my love and excitement for what I do.
Least favorite? Taxes.
How do you relax? My husband and I are both beer brewers and fabulous cooks, so we enjoy hanging out with friends, drinking homebrew and eating yummy food at home or friends houses. I’m definitely a backyard party kind of chick!
Favorite color? Turquoise and Red.
Does this color show up in a lot of your work? Definitely, it’s all over.
If there were more hours in the day, what would you be doing? Creating more!
A sample of Mucha-Muchacha products. For all products, please visit Nichole’s website.
