Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Ortega.
Hi Danielle, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My first-generation identity is one that I carry with me daily. It is one of my invisible identities that remind me where I come from and that the lens by which I view the world is valuable. I am a daughter of immigrant parents who made brave decisions so that I may have choices in my lifetime. I am proud that I represent them and my community as a woman of color, a Latina, with a graduate degree. Native to the beautiful Santa Maria Valley where we are known for our agriculture community and our delicious strawberries, I was raised to value supporting others. I am a servant and transformational leader. Through a cycle of mentorship, I returned to my Alma Mater to serve as the first Latina Directora for my department. Beyond this role, I leaned into a newer identity as a maker and a mama to our rainbow baby.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
My life’s journey has never been smooth or easy. As soon as I acknowledged it, I was able to feel a degree of understanding. I am a believer that things happen for a reason, even when we never know the reason why. Throughout my life, there have been many instances of navigating systems that were not created for someone like me. Similar to some folks reading this, I have experienced the revolving pain of loss, classism, sexism, racism, and other forms of discrimination. I keep my head held high and approach each situation with courage. My life’s journey isn’t just me walking alone. I do everything I can for the family I am growing.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
I am a self-taught jewelry maker and the artist behind Sol + Luna.
Sol + Luna is elegant, simple, and chic. “sol” represents the gold-toned pieces in my shop that bring life, energy, power, positivity, and clarity. “luna” is the silver-toned pieces in my shop that represent rhythm of time as it embodies a cycle.
Each item is carefully hand-assembled by me, con amor, from my California home studio. Similar to many more of the shops on Etsy, your purchase supports a dream… and makes me do a literal happy dance. *cue the beat*
I’m a Chingona. I have an amazing husband who supports my dreams, two rescue pups who make life so much more fulfilling, and a little one who is teaching me how to live life with courage and vulnerability.
I can remember being drawn to crafting since I was a child. It wasn’t until 2018 that I returned to this hobby to small business and a way to create a mode of happiness through my creativity.
I am a hard worker and for that reason wanted to create opportunities to celebrate other hard workers. Full-time, I serve as an educational administrator at a university, part-time I am an independent consultant, which means I also am a maker part-time.
Each artist I know pours so much of themselves into their work. I am no different. With each piece I make, I imagine the person wearing it in their corporate conference room, at home raising their children, shopping around their local remate, and I smile when I do run into folks in the community who have supported me by making a purchase.
SHOP SOL + LUNA JEWELRY: https://www.etsy.com/shop/solandlunajewelry805
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Because of the many hats I wear, I have a brief insight in each. Higher education will be required to shift to adequately support students of color and those considered “non-traditional” students. I am excitedly anticipating the growth of transfer students, parents, and more experienced students in the near future. Leadership consulting isn’t going away and I believe will increase over time. And finally, this era belongs to the creatives. Makers and artists, like my jewelry-making craft, will also increase. I genuinely believe people want to help people and celebrate their loved ones in a unique way. Handcrafted goods are a special way to do that.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Pictures taken my me: Danielle Ortega
