Posts

April in Ink: Choosing the Path of the Pen

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April has been a month of returning to my roots while navigating the many paths life offers a creator. From the misty coast of Concón to the discovery of new creative rituals, here is a look behind the scenes at Etch and Ink . The Wisdom of the Body: A Crossroads Recently, I found myself at a surprising crossroads. An opportunity arose to bake my cookies for local sales and events—a passion I have perfected over 30 years. However, after two days of non-stop baking in my home convection oven, which only fits 28 cookies at a time, my body began to speak up. I was reminded of the physical exhaustion that comes with high-volume baking. My body shouted at me that if I chose this path, I would be sacrificing the time and energy I’ve invested into my silversmithing studio and my drawing—crafts I have spent significant time and resources mastering. The moment I decided to say "no" to the baking venture, something beautiful happened: I immediately made sales on Zazzle for wrapping pap...

The Optimism of the Gothic Heart: Finding My "North" in Chile

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The Rich Burgundy Invitation: A study in grounded, intentional love. When I first started exploring the world of Gothic design, I had a bit of a misconception. Like many, I associated "Gothic" with gloom and a certain suffocating darkness. But as I dove deeper into the culture, I discovered something far more beautiful. Gothic isn't about celebrating death; it's about celebrating the endurance of life and the depth of the soul. It’s an optimistic embrace of the human experience—the light and the shadows. From Shamrocks to Skulls My Dark Floral Skull & Rose Wedding Collection was born from this discovery. It started with a specific request for a St. Patrick’s Day wedding—my first gothic suite. It received so much attention that I realized there was a massive craving for a "Light Gothic" style—something moody and elegant, but "clean" and "airy" rather than heavy. (I haven’t shared the full story of that original Irish suite yet—the one...

The Art of the Peacock Garden: A Hand-Drawn Wedding Suite

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This collection didn't start at my drawing desk; it started in the blueberry fields of southern Chile. It is a tribute to my favorite aunt in Chillán. At 80 years old, she still manages her blueberry and raspberry fields from the seat of her black Toyota 4Runner. She’s a woman of fierce respect—the kind of woman who wears the pants (and wears them well), who has stood her ground with a rifle when she had to, and who laughs until her head falls back even when we're practically giving her a wedgie just to hoist her out of her chair. She believes in the power of the peacock, and she is the 'peacock' of our family: regal, fierce, and entirely herself. There is a specific kind of silence I find at my desk here in Chile when I’m working with black ink. It’s a slow, patient work—finding the absolute center of a drawing where the cross-hatching meets the light. But for my Elegant Peacock Garden  Wedding Collection , the inspiration didn't just come from the quiet of my stud...

Breaking the Mold: Why My Zebra Safari Isn't Your Average Baby Shower

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A baby shower is the first real celebration of a new life. As a mother of three, I know that it’s that first big moment with friends and loved ones where the reality of your baby's arrival truly starts to feel real. It is a beautiful occasion, regardless of the theme. Living in Chile has given me a unique perspective on these celebrations. Here, a thematic party is often seen as an "extra" or a "want" rather than a "need." Culturally, there’s less pressure on perfectly matching decor—people might grab blue cups from one store and white napkins from another. But as social media and international travel bridge the gap, I see more moms wanting that special, cohesive "vibe" that reflects who they are. Solving the "Watercolor" Problem When I look at the Zazzle marketplace, I see a sea of soft, cutesy watercolor clipart. It’s everywhere! While that style is sweet, I realized there wasn't enough for the mom who isn't into the ...

Gothic Rock-a-Bye: A Nostalgic Rocking Horse Story

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This collection didn't start at my drawing desk; it started in the dusty basements of my childhood summers. Growing up between the vineyards of Napa and the rugged coast of Chile and the countryside of France, our summers weren't filled with the shiny, plastic toys of the modern world. Instead, we spent three months every year playing with the treasures my parents had played with decades before. I remember dolls with porcelain heads and scratched-off eyes, tiny rattan bassinets, and wooden ducks on wheels. But the centerpiece was always the wooden rocking horse. It was covered in dents, the paint was chipped away in patches, and we’d have to clear away the spiderwebs before it could see the light of day again. Even my piano practice felt like a scene from a gothic film. My grandfather’s upright piano in Cognac hadn't been tuned in half a century; every note struck sounded like something out of a freaky movie. Yet, I’d sit there at ten years old, practicing in that echoing, ...

The Heavy Navy Carriage: Strolls Through French Moss and Moonlight

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The inspiration for this design traces back to a quiet corner of my grandfather’s estate in France. There sat a massive, navy blue Victorian carriage —large, sturdy, and unapologetically old. Coming from an American culture where I was used to seeing new, fancy strollers, I had never been exposed to something so substantial, with its heavy steel frame and sense of permanence. It wasn't just a stroller; it was a carriage . I can still see my mother tucking my sister into its thick mattress for naps under the shade of a giant tree, while the rest of us settled in for those classic, never-ending French outdoor lunches. I’ve reimagined that sturdy steel frame through my hand-drawn illustrations , blending that memory of French heritage with a mossy, "Octobre" whimsigoth aesthetic . Those afternoons were a whirlwind of gravel courtyards and baptism celebrations where long tables stretched across the lawn. I remember being introduced to endless rows of cousins and aunts, their ...

Tropical Chic: The Flamingo Story

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Every new design at my studio starts as a moment of stillness—a simple intention to capture a precise curve or a delicate texture. But this Tropical Flamingo Collection started with a memory. Years ago, I traveled to Kauai with my family, and I’ve been dreaming of those islands ever since. I can still feel Kauai calling my name! I’ve even spent time constructing all my own outdoor furniture from recycled wood left over from a deck I tore up , covering the seating area with sea shells to capture that beachy, tiki feeling every time I step outside. Between that and the hibiscus trees I’ve planted, I do my best to recreate the magic. The reality is that Concón is breezy and cool—I usually have my Uggs on all year round—so this collection is my way of escaping to the warmth. It’s a breath of fresh air that makes me feel alive and dreamy, like I’m back on the island where summer never ends. The Art Behind the Island Glow The soul of the entire collection always traces back to the very firs...