Creativity Tell All // Kico at BoxMade Goods

It was so great running into Kico and Jen at Station in South Park. I follow them on Facebook but it's always good to see old friends face-to-face. Their wedding was almost 10 years ago and it still felt like yesterday. We had so much fun. I knew Kico would be up to something exciting and I was stoked to hear about his new project. Here are some clips of inspiration from Kico of Boxmade Goods, a custom artwork and apparel imprinting company based in San Diego.

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?

Mostly from internet archaeology and curating. There's plenty of easily accessible inspiration out there, too much actually. It helps to be selective. I look at Dribbble, Behance and TheDieLine a lot.

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

I wouldn't say it's unique, but my mornings are special because I get to spend time with my daughter; getting her ready for school and dropping her off. Between getting her ready and entertaining our dog, it's a long morning before I get to do anything for myself, but I'm fortunate to be able to have that time with both of them.

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

Find a niche. There's a million screen printers and apparel decorators out there. Specialize in an industry you love and believe in.

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

Nope. I knew I didn't want to be desk bound and I've always enjoyed making things and being creative in general. I also knew I wanted to run my own business someday. Screen printing happened sort of by accident, but was a great fit both on the business and creative fronts.

What season inspires you most?

Fall. I love the anticipation and build-up to the holidays. I also love fall clothing; jackets, blazers, scarves and boots.

What is the best advice you have been given?

"Be the change that you wish to see in the world." - Ghandi. I heard someone repeat this Ghandi quote in a great video podcast I watch regularly called Barbell Shrugged.  It's a simple inspirational quote, but really resonates with me. Be the change. It's become a bit of a mantra.

What is your dream project?

To design and print a logo that transcends it's initial purpose.

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

So many come to mind! "I Ain't No Joke" or "Paid in Full" by Eric B. & Rakim. Also "Home" or "Route 66" by Depeche Mode if I had to narrow it down.

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days? 

Mostly learning more about the art, business and craft of screen printing.  I'm also constantly reading stories about people who completely changed their lives after discovering CrossFit. So many of them not only lose weight and get more fit, but change careers or life paths. I also watch a lot of Barbell Shrugged videos and pretty much everything Aaron Draplin does.

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?

Take my wife and daughter to New York City and Paris. We would stay in nice hotels and spend the rest on phenomenal food in both cities.

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers

Creativity Tell All // Heather Balliet from Amorology

Heather Balliet, owner of Amorology, a luxury event coordination and styling company, is such a good story teller. She dreams up and creates events that are so specific to her couples. I always look forward to what she will dream up next. 

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?

Music greatly inspires me. Turning up the tunes and dancing in the kitchen or singing with my family always stirs something in me. Also, most of my ideas tend to come to me while I'm sleeping or dreaming so a good night's rest can make all the difference.

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

Nothing unusual here! My hubby and I typically get up in the morning, get the older kids off to school, have breakfast together and then jump into a fun day of work. 

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

Start with an internship. It offers a valuable amount of experience and education that you are unable to get without the risk of trying to go at it alone.

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

No, I often say that this career found me. It wasn't until after my own wedding that people began approaching me to ask for assistance with their weddings.  It quickly grew into something I knew I was supposed to be doing and a career that I was deeply passionate about.  

What season inspires you most?

I love spring when everything is fresh and new again, and the flowers tend to offer the most variety. It's peony season after all, which is always my favorite.

What is the best advice you have been given?  

Breathe and take a moment to slow down and step away. It helps to put everything into perspective.

What is your dream project?  

Our dream project is to eventually open our own wedding venue. One day!

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

It's so hard to choose just one song. We have a wide love for music as we mentioned before, and are often inspired by all types of songs.

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days?

I am currently reading The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton and loving it.  I'm in a book club which forces me to take the time to read each month and allow myself some down time which can often be hard to come by.  Also, I am currently obsessed with the TV show Happy Endings and always obsessed with ice cream.

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?  

I would love to go to Sweden and visit the home of my heritage.  I have always wanted to experience Sweden first-hand with my children. I would probably also travel all over Europe for a month experiencing the rich cultures with my family.

Thank you Heather!

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers

Creativity Tell All // Karina Puente

Ever since her beautiful, hand-cut backdrop graced Ashley & Greg's wedding, we have had a total crush on Karina Puente. Her work is unique, delicate and stunning. We were so excited to get the inside scoop behind this artist. 

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?

My creativity and inspiration hinges on self-care. I am my best when I am rejuvenated and centered. I then ask myself questions such as: what epic artwork do I want to see in the world? What excites my inner child? I subscribe to the notion that the inner child is our highest creative power. I make my studio space colorful, fun and full of treats; pleasing and welcoming. 

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

Gratitude and tea. For the month of May, I am a Women's International Study Center (WISC) Fellow-In-Residence. During this residency, I am sharing a Santa Fe historic home with the chief curator of the Tucson Museum of Art, Julie Sasse. We enjoy early morning walks, discuss contemporary Latinx artists, and explore. 

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

I am a visual artist working adjacent to the event and wedding world. My advice for artists looking to break into a new industry is to identify the needs or a space within the industry that can be improved. If an artist can make her work fit that need, photograph it and release it into the world, she will attract the right people. 

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

I always knew that I wanted to help people and that I love making art. Over the past few years, I have fortified my art making practice into a business as a way to help others.  My commissioned artwork makes people feel confident in their brand or proud of their event. My personal artwork amplifies visibility for Latinx artists and people of color in the art world. Both art processes are equally satisfying. 

What season inspires you most?

An east coast winter.

Do you have any funny short stories or embarrassing moments from when you first got started?

Amber Moon Design and I often collaborate and are committed to helping our friends get the perfect photo. A few years back, we crawled hands and knees on the floor of a 400-year-old hacienda in Mexico,  fanning smoke, all so Jose Villa could nail his moody and atmospheric shot!

What is the best advice you have been given?

Do one income producing action daily. 

What is your dream project?

To gather mermaid stories from women around the world and paint a mermaid mural as a reminder that we are brave and magical. 

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

"Caught a Light Sneeze" by Tori Amos. 

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days?

Haute Couture and Netflix. I am currently watching "A Different World" for the first time even though it was popular in the early 90's. The storyline is set against a fictional, historic black college inspired by student life at Howard University.  I appreciate how the show addresses topics like race, gender, and equality. 

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?

I would tell my mom to take three months off of work and get ready to spend the summer in Maui with me!  

Short Biography

Karina Puente is a Mexican-American artist of fine art paintings, charcoal drawings, and modern

Papel Picado installations. Her internationally-recognized work is infused with luminosity and

cultural heritage. Her work has been exhibited in national galleries and institutions such as Miami

MoCA and the Corcoran National Gallery.

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers 

Creativity Tell All // Ashley Noack, Coastyle Events

We love working with amazing vendors. So naturally, we love the ladies at Coastyle Events and their magical weddings. Ashley Noack, the self proclaimed Diva of Details, loves running weddings and also just running as part of her happy and balanced lifestyle.  

How do you continually stay inspired and creative?  

We get the majority of our inspiration from our clients and their style, personality and unique love stories.  We don't like to do the same design twice, so we try and get fresh ideas from places other than just Pinterest and wedding blogs.  Restaurants, stores, home design magazines and travel all inspire and spark creativity that we can translate into something beautiful and special for our couples.

Is there anything special or unique about your morning routine?

I go on a run every morning to clear my head.  It really is my meditative time and gets me centered for the day.

If someone wanted to break into your industry, what advice would you give them?

Find your own unique niche and don't try to do what others are doing.  If you stay true to yourself, you will attract like-minded couples.  When you work with people you truly love, it makes you better at your job and more successful.

Did you always know this career path was ‘the one’?

I always knew I was meant to be an event planner.  When you are doing what you really love and are naturally good at it, everything just feels right.  When I planned my first wedding I knew I had found my passion and calling. 

What season inspires you most?

Fall. This is often when wedding season is coming to an end, and I get to spend more time with family and friends.  I often take a trip this time of year with my husband.

Do you have any funny short stories or embarrassing moments from when you first got started? We did a wedding at the Flower Fields in Carlsbad while it was still open to the public. Tourists began to gather on the hill right behind the bride and groom's ceremony arch so they were in all the pictures and distracting the guests.  I literally went way off to the side where I thought no guests would see me, hiked up the steep hill and hopped the picket fence in my dress and heels to tell the tourists to move out of the way.  Afterwards, the bride's parents came up to me and said they saw me and couldn't believe I did that but were so grateful that I had!

What is the best advice you have been given?

Come from a place of gratitude for everything in your life and it will bring you more blessings.

What is your dream project?

I would love to plan a destination wedding in another country.

If there was a song that played every time you worked on your craft, what would it be?

"I Choose You" by Sarah Bareilles makes our heart so happy.  Jill and I play this in the office all the time. We are obviously sappy romantics. ;)

Is there anything in particular you are obsessed with these days?

Game of Thrones and Mexican food.  I am also a huge movie buff and LOVE going to the movies, especially the luxury theatre!

What would you do if you had $40,900 for a vacation?

I would spend several months traveling throughout my favorite cities in Europe. 

Thank you, Ashley, for giving us a spoonful of insight into your bright world. 

xoxo

Suzanne, Mike and the Wanderers