Exploring Life & Business with Sophie Anzaldo of Crystal Coated, Inc.

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sophie Anzaldo

Hi Sophie, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I came to LA from the Bay Area when I was 21, then graduated with a Visual Communications degree from FIDM, without fully knowing exactly what I wanted to do other than being in entertainment. It was Damian Sullivan who gave me my first shot in the industry by hiring me as a Production Assistant on “Couple’s Therapy with Dr. Jenn.” From there, I made as many connections as I could and focused on meeting the people in the art and props departments. I became very fortunate when I got hired soon after on “Lip Sync Battle” because that is where my bedazzling career found me.
Looking back, I don’t think I was intended to be a permanent crew member, but Prop Master’s Baza Novic and Damian Hattori took me under their wing and fed me with so much knowledge to absorb, and I ran with it. This was a show that required many props to be bedazzled, including their winner’s belts and microphones, which everyone on our team worked on. Without ever knowing about this niche craft, it just so happened that I took to it very quickly and found it therapeutic. I was also the only person on our team who enjoyed the tediousness, which didn’t hurt either. From that point on, Baza and Damian made me their go-to bedazzler, and word eventually spread throughout our business.
Nearly eight years later… I embellish microphones, trophies, clothing and accessories for TV shows like “The Masked Singer,” “Dancing with the Stars,” “The Voice,” “America’s Got Talent,” and many others. You might also see my work out on the road with artists like P!nk, Ava Max, or Shenseea.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I really had no idea the amount of work I was about to embark on when I decided to turn bedazzling into a business. I think it’s relevant to note that embellishing one football with individual crystals can take 18 hours. I was born a perfectionist and am very intentional about the way I mix different sizes and colors, making every crystal that I pick up a decision (so roughly 11,000 decisions on a football).
That being said, there are only so many hours in a day. There are periods of times when I’ll work 14 hours on set, just to go home and work on a bedazzling job for another 5 hours, to sleep for maybe 3-4, then do it all over again. Also take in account the expense, the social media of it all, photographs, keeping up with commissions, building a website, promoting yourself, everything that it takes to keep a business afloat while working full-time and I do it all myself.
I bit off way more than I can chew in the beginning which creates many struggles when your personal limits are not actually limitless. I admit that’s still an ongoing practice for me to learn.

We’ve been impressed with Crystal Coated, Inc., but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
After bedazzling for the entertainment industry for a few years, I decided to finally start my business in April 2020. I knew there was going to be nothing else I would love doing more, so I dedicated my time in quarantine to build Crystal Coated.
I specialize in crystal embellishment using either Swarovski® or Preciosa® crystals. Whether it’s creating all the custom microphones on “The Masked Singer” to bedazzling pieces for P!nk’s tour, to making a beaded crystal chandelier basketball net from scratch for the NBA Finals, or even if it’s a jacket or a wine glass you want personalized, I can do it all.
I mentioned my technique in how I mix various sizes in crystals to create density, which I believe is also what makes my work stand out. There is a lot more time that goes into a project this way and it insures that it cannot be replicated. I’m also very passionate about color matching, which I don’t think is something people would think about unless you saw the difference. If you hand me a pair of white cowboy boots but want them bedazzled in red and blue crystals, I’m painting them red and blue first (shout-out Tara Davis-Woodhall!) — the boots would lack the richness otherwise.
I take a lot of pride into my approach for my work and it’s meaningful to me to exceed any expectations and make a deadline. With that, it’s tough to pick a single thing that I am most proud of because I have really had some incredible opportunities. I’m just proud that my phone continues to ring, that I am thought about in my industry, and Crystal Coated is moving forward.

Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
The thrill I get by receiving a website order to getting to bedazzle something for TV is exactly the same.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crystalcoated.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crystal.coated/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crystal.coated/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmj4uY3cQlk&t=4s

Image Credits
Melissa McCarthy – Photo by Karwai Tang/WireImage
Saweetie/Champion – Photo by Champion/Leeoor Wild
McDonalds – @mcdonalds instagram
Nick Cannon – @wildnout instagram
Masked Singer / P!nk / LSB Belt / Basketball Net – Self