Photo by Jeana Sohn
It’s funny how you run across artists and makers in the modern day. I stumbled upon Beatrice Valenzuela yesterday through an Instagram post on Ace & Jig‘s account. The photo was meant to show off a brilliant duster jacket by Ace & Jig and while that caught my attention, I couldn’t look away from the sandals the model was wearing. I asked who they were made by and before A & J responded, I had already tracked down the maker — Ms. Valenzuela.
Conder Valenzuela Sandals in black, sand and brown
Handcrafting jewelry and shoes is her forte, but Valenzuela also owns an online shop and flagship store in Los Angeles that sells other goods, such as bags, candles, and curated items (accessories, basketry, housewares and pottery). The shoes I spotted on IG are the Conder Valenzuela Sandals, a collaboration between Valenzuela and Ramsey Conder. I love the simple style, big brass buckle, pebbled leather and color selections.
Shoe and jewelry designer Beatrice Valenzuela was born in Los Angeles, raised in Mexico City and lived all over the world before settling back in Los Angeles twelve years ago. Her eponymous line of handmade shoes for men, women and children takes its inspiration from the ancient traditional styles of Mexico, Morocco and the Native America Indians.
In 2013 Valenzuela opened her flagship store in Echo Park, carrying her shoes and jewelry as well as unique handcrafted objects made by artisans throughout Mexico. ‘There are so many crafts I respect and love from my culture, they’re dying because people aren’t buying them anymore. This is my small way of ensuring they continue. Buying from artisans, mostly women supporting their families by doing crafts which have been passed down generations, and then bringing them here, I get to support the crafts and it keeps growing small economies for the artists.’
Check out some of my picks from the shop…
Tenate Pouch
Teal Sandalia
Talavera Jarra Larga
Bucket Bag
Alcatraz Necklace
Kalon Backcountry Stool
*All photos courtesy of Beatrice Valenzuela website
Shop this post: Conder Valenzuela Sandals (black, sand, brown), Tenate Pouch, Sandalia – teal (other colors available), Talavera Jarra Larga – black (other colors available), Bucket Bag – blue (other colors available), Alcatraz Necklace, Kalon Backcountry Stool
What do you think? See anything you like in this post or the online shop? Tell me in the comments!