Life & Work with Gina Robledo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Robledo.

Hi Gina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
NantliMade was an idea I had when I became a new mother. I have always been creative and enjoy learning how to make new things. When my son was still a newborn, I came across some polymer clay earring tutorials and I thought that it would be something great that I could also do from home, that way I could stay home with my son. It took me a while to get it started. I would watch and read many tutorials to get familiar with the process. I finally, in the summer of 2020, bought myself a small kit with basics and decided to start making earrings while my son napped. I finally started selling them at a virtual art and craft fair that I organized, and in the spring of 2021, I opened my Etsy shop. When I was thinking of a name and what this process meant to me, I wanted to make sure that me being a mother was included with it. I am a first-generation Mexican American, fluent in Spanish, so that is also important to me. I thought about my culture also being represented. I then thought of the native language of some regions of Mexico, Nahuatl, and although I don’t speak it, it still represents my ancestors. Nantli is the word for mother in Nahuatl and since the earrings are made by me, I came with the name NantliMade. 

You can find my earrings on my Etsy shop and local craft fairs as well. I’d love to one day expand to local stores and boutiques so that more people can have direct access to the earrings. 

Before I made earrings, I worked at several salons and as a freelance artist, doing hair and make-up. Creativity has always been something that fills me with joy. When I’m not making earrings, you can find me doing all the mom things: studying for my degree in early childhood education, playing video games with my family, going on walks around town, and subbing at a local preschool. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a self- made business comes with challenges, I do everything on my own…creating, making, social media, and looking for craft fairs. When I first looked at polymer clay earrings, I set my mind to it. However, I did not realize that it was a part of the jewelry-making business that a lot of people are currently doing. This can be a good and difficult thing at the same time. The good thing to it is that I have found a community of polymer clay artists online where we can all give advice to each other and find inspiration from. The difficult part is that there is so much competition because there are so many people creating polymer clay earrings right now. I try my best to make unique pieces that will catch people’s attention. While some craft fairs may be successful, I have also found some of them to be difficult because of logistical reasons, so it’s all a learning process! 

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 specialize in making colorful polymer clay earrings that stand out and are unique. I plan to add some neutrals and more simple pieces that can be used more elegantly, or that can be worn in the office. My current pieces I would describe as statement pieces. 

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
I am honest, reliable, and I like to help people. If someone lives close by, I am willing to work with them so I can get the earrings to them in a more sustainable way. If someone loves a certain color and style, I will create a line of earrings for them. 

Pricing:

• $15-$30

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/NantliMade
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nantlimade/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NantliMade
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgina-robledo-71684734?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
• Other: TikTok @NantliMade