Today we’d like to introduce you to Gema Martinez.
Hi Gema, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Gemmybat (hemmy-bat) started as an experimental, cathartic project that allowed me to explore my interests in the macabre and explore the world of candle making, that is quickly becoming a growing side business. Like many people during the pandemic, I was faced with the loss of a job, too much time on my hands and a need to find an outlet for my creativity/energy. I have always loved to create I was mainly enveloped in the food and culinary industry and I wanted to dive into something different. Being a fan of the macabre and the fact that I lost my job in the fall, I started experimenting with different Halloween crafts. I bought an orange glass jack-o-lantern and decided to create an orange citrus-scented candle out of it because I really wanted one for my home, and I instantly fell in love. I created a handful of candles and really put thought into them, I created videos, I took the best pictures my phone would take and uploaded them onto my profile with my fingers crossed, I created/create candles as a way to escape and see my energy materialized. Its been an exciting journey so far as I have a very amazing and kind customer base with many of them owning multiple items of mine, I am beyond grateful and excited to continue creating.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Something I didn’t necessarily consider when I created my shop is the amount of work, discipline, drive and attention it requires. I am the artist, researcher, photographer, marketing director, shipping department, etc. I definitely struggle with finding a daily balance along with being a mother and wife. With everything new in life there can be a learning curve, an uncertain time where all you have to do is take risks, learn from errors and continue to grow and do better, it has been well worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I have always been intrigued with the macabre, the occult, dark conspiracies, etc. and I want to give the viewer a glimpse into how my mind interprets these sinister ideas. I also want to introduce perhaps new concepts that people haven’t necessarily heard of or really looked into. For example one of my first candles “Sky Burial” is based on Tibetan funerary practices in which the family member’s corpse is placed on a mountaintop to be exposed to the elements and eaten by scavenging vultures. My topics can sometimes be intense or triggering but sticking to my true and sometimes peculiar interests is the essence of the products that I create.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I love podcasts and you can regularly catch me listening to “The Joe Rogan Experience”, “Minds of Madness” and various “Ted Talks”, aside from the classic true crime podcast I like to delve into topics about humanity, the mind, improving yourself, why people do the things they do, different points of views, etc. I like to learn, I love researching and dissecting a topic until I know all of the facts and see all of the sides. I’m also a big fan of Reddit and will consistently be researching and reading about obscure topics. I have a need to constantly learn and go down the rabbit hole exploring outlandish concepts and ideas.
Pricing:
- Candles range from $10-$20
- Earrings Range from $10-$15
- Anklets Range from $10-$15
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.gemmybat.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/gemmybat
