Daily Inspiration: Meet Viviana Unda

Today we’d like to introduce you to Viviana Unda.

Hi Viviana, 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?
It all started during a time of professional uncertainty. Back in 2018, I was working remotely, and it became clear that my department was on the verge of closing. My entire team was laid off, and while I was fortunate to transfer to another area and keep my job, that transition left me feeling deeply unsettled. I needed something that would help me stay grounded. Crafting became that refuge, a quiet, creative space where I could step outside my thoughts and find peace.
At first, I explored all kinds of creative projects, just following what brought me joy. But over time, I found myself gravitating toward wall decor. It offered both creative expression and tangible purpose. I began researching trends and discovered that demand for wall art had remained steady, even in uncertain times. Around then, I stumbled upon the work of Jess Van Den, an Australian jewelry maker and former school teacher, who had turned her creative passion into a full-time business. Her story made me believe it was possible. I enrolled in her 30-day online craft business course, and that experience opened my eyes to how much more there is behind a creative business: understanding your customer, crafting your brand, writing product descriptions, navigating shipping, pricing, SEO, and more.

After that course, I began to treat my creative work with more intention. I developed a detailed customer persona to help guide my decisions, and after a lot of research and experimentation, I opened an Etsy store. Building the store was intense: I was crafting and learning simultaneously, developing a name, a logo, a color palette, and a style that would resonate with my ideal customers. That part took time. I realized early on that my taste — very colorful and eclectic — didn’t fully align with my target audience, so I adjusted. I created mood boards, studied interior design styles, and crafted pieces that felt calming, balanced, and texturally rich.

Even with all that work and learning from people like Starla Moore, after a year on Etsy, I had only sold one item. I also learned a lot from Louise Stigell (The Calm Creative), and it became clear that Etsy wasn’t the right fit for me. I wanted more control over my brand, so I started building my own website on Squarespace. I didn’t know how to code, so ChatGPT became a constant companion during that process. What prompted the shift was actually a local craft fair that required vendors to have a functioning website. That pushed me to build something of my own, from the ground up.

At this stage, I’m focused on growing my presence locally and connecting with people who are looking for one-of-a-kind wall decor that brings a sense of calm and texture to their homes. My work is available on my website, www.fullofginger.com, where visitors can explore current collections, learn more about the creative process, and get a feel for the materials and styles I use.

While I’m not actively posting at the moment, you can find me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Those platforms hold a visual archive of my pieces and inspiration. For direct communication, the best way to reach me is through support@fullofginger.com. Whether you’re interested in a particular piece, have ideas for a made-to-order request, or simply want to share feedback, I’d love to hear from you.

Right now, my focus is on steady, thoughtful growth, building visibility through my website, and eventually participating in local craft fairs and events across the South Bay. I believe that when people see the texture and detail of my work in person, it will add a whole new layer of connection. In the meantime, I’m continuing to refine and expand my collections, piece by piece, from my small home workshop.

In the future, I’d love to be known as a trusted local maker, someone whose pieces bring joy, beauty, and quietness into people’s homes. And eventually, I’d love to create more made-to-order pieces that reflect the specific energy and intention of each customer. There’s so much noise in the world. If my work can offer a small sense of stillness, then I’ve done what I set out to do.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Like anything you do seriously and with intention, the journey has had its ups and downs. At one point, I had to pause everything. I was in the middle of a demanding job search and needed to focus on that. But through conversations with a career coach, I realized that crafting wasn’t just a hobby for me, it was a vital part of my wellbeing. It helped me focus, breathe, and feel like myself again. So I returned to it, not from a business mindset at first, but simply to reconnect with the joy of making.

Since then, I’ve continued to grow slowly and intentionally. I discovered that the college where I work has a small business center that offers free support. I’ve worked with marketing consultants, web experts, and general advisors, and I truly believe that’s part of the reason I’m here now, being interviewed. One of their suggestions helped improve my site indexing, and more people started finding me.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I create small-scale, one-of-a-kind wall decor pieces that are tactile, serene, and handcrafted. My work is rooted in the idea that art can bring calmness and grounding to everyday spaces. I specialize in creating textured compositions using fabric, jute, rope, yarn, felt, decoupaged napkins, among other materials that offer both visual interest and a soothing presence. Every piece is made with intention, designed to spark a quiet moment of stillness within the home.

My creative process always begins with a feeling, a vague idea for a color or shape that I saw somewhere or I dreamed of. Then I go to my materials and start experimenting. Composition is the most challenging and rewarding part. Some pieces come together right away, while others take days of stepping away and returning with fresh eyes. I always strive for visual and textural balance. I want the piece to feel peaceful, intentional, and clean, the kind of art that brings stillness and harmony to a space.

I work on an intimate scale, typically between 8×10 and 14×11 inches. That size choice is intentional — it allows the artwork to blend effortlessly into a shelf, nook, or wall, without overpowering the room. It also makes the tactile nature of the work feel more personal and approachable.

What sets my work apart is its balance of simplicity and complexity. I limit color palettes to maintain calmness, but layer multiple textures to bring depth. The result is wall decor that doesn’t compete with a space. It enhances it. I’m most proud of how people respond to the texture and feeling of my pieces. There’s something quietly powerful about hearing someone say, “This makes me feel at peace.”

Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I wanted to detail here the names of the pieces I included in the photos, the pricing, and the specific urls in case you would like to include this in the interview:

Romantic Beige Wall Art: Sublime Peace: $127.00 https://shorturl.at/TiGnl

Vibrant Circle and Stripe Wall Art Piece: $66.00 https://shorturl.at/ff3or

Boho Wall Art: Create Free Living: $156.00 https://shorturl.at/eESzT

Turquoise Wall Art: Perfect for Tranquil Vibes: $156.00 https://shorturl.at/sSh8O

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fullofginger.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fullofgingershop/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fullofgingershop
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/fullofgingershop/