Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Valdez.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
During the summer of 2018, I worked the graveyard shift as a forklift driver. All summer, five days a week, I would go to work at midnight and not get home until 8 AM. I figured I would treat myself and splurge on a really cool meteorite ring. That winter, I went on a trip to Big Bear where I lost the ring. I was bummed out and couldn’t just buy another one because it was a little expensive. A few months later, I found out that the place I initially bought the ring from sold the raw materials that they use. I decided to try and make a new ring for myself using the bare minimum equipment I needed. Admittedly, it wasn’t as easy as I anticipated it would be, but I was determined enough to try. I had to remake it three times just to get it to look decent. The only way to get better was to practice by making other rings. I would wear them and get compliments from my friends asking where I got them from. After telling them I made it myself, they encouraged me to sell them. I contemplated about whether or not this hobby can turn into an actual business. I originally wanted to make myself something that I thought was cool. It turns out other people liked what I was making and wanted one too. Cosmic Rings is my way of sharing my work with them.
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?
Starting off, I didn’t have the money to invest in all the best tools or equipment. I would work outside, using the sun as lighting. There were days when if I didn’t want to stop making rings, I would have to use a small headlight to see what I was doing. I do everything from making the rings to photographing them. I’ve had to learn the ins and outs of what it takes to run a small business. Even today, I am working on ways to make the process more efficient while maintaining the high quality. I am still learning new techniques and bettering my skills.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I will work with you to make a one of a kind ring that you will love. I emphasize customization, where you have a hand in making a high-quality ring just for you that won’t break the bank. I am able to incorporate gemstones such as opal or sapphire into my work. The thing I’m most proud of is that I’ve managed to turn my hobby of making myself rings into being able to make rings for others. I didn’t learn how to make rings with the initial intention to be able to sell them, I learned because I wanted to save some money. Now I’m able to help other people who were in my situation, those who want a nice quality ring and don’t want to spend a ton of money.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I am so thankful the people I have been able to meet. There is no other area as diverse as LA County. I’ve been lucky enough to find friends who support me and have similar interests in. One of my best memories is seeing Saturn’s rings for the first time with my best friend. This leads me to one of the things I dislike about LA… the pollution. A dream of mine is to own a telescope so I can give that experience to more people, but sometimes it’s difficult to look to the sky and see these celestial objects without a strong telescope worth thousands.
Pricing:
- Galaxy Ring: $110
- Cosmic Ring: $130
- Glacier Ring: $140
- Eclipse Ring: $150
- Gold Rush Ring: $150
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: CosmicRingsDesigns.Etsy.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/cosmic.rings
- Other: Cosmic-rings.com
