Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Carmina Veras. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Carmina, appreciate you joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
Currently, a couple of friends and I have been growing a traveling thrift pop-up named ‘Save n’ Trade’ (@saventrade_clothing)
It’s a group that has come together after a Roller Skate Fashion Show earlier this summer, called “Stitch & Skate”, where we styled a group of our friends/ Roller Skaters.
From Skate Park style to Street Skaters, Competitive Figure Skaters, they each were styled perfectly in all Handmade, sustainable designs by local Artists and Designers. My best friend since Middle School, Pricilla Quiocho, styled the Skaters beautifully to works by Johnathan Crowfield, creator of the Stitch & Skate idea, Ezra Messer, Marifer Gomez, Lisette Solis, and Anisah Ullah. Accessories by Kait of K8Creates
I continued to work on several projects after this, including Art Shows and Pop-Ups / Music Events, with these Designers, a lot of them are for very similar causes in these fields and are proactive in their respective communities.
Our traveling Pop-Up, Save n’ Trade, is now going on its 4th event, Kait Trenton’s @K8Creates_ and Marifer Gomez’s @Fer.Collections_ have their handmade accessories and Fer’s crochet designs to shop from, along with our clothing to thrift, or swap from. It’s a group of us that came together and the event has been growing so nicely.
We invite anyone who would like to come join, and we’ve had local boutique thrift shops like Long Beach’s Trunk Shop Apparel join us in Downtown Long Beach off The Bluff.
At our last event we had a larger turnout than ever, alongside other local vendors and Artists in Long Beach, from clothing set ups, free and under $5 piles, handmade accessories, crafts, and now Roller Skating lessons with Abbey Saul, a great friend that I had recently met and started doing Roller Skate events all throughout last year, they included Pop-Up’s with Brunch and Skating, a Roller Skater’s Artist exhibition during an open skate session, and the Fashion Show.
At the start of the year we outlined so many things that we wanted to see come to life, and throughout 2024 we saw so many of these, and much more manifest. With so many more Artists and Designers, Roller Skaters- we’ve created a beautiful community that is growing, centered around Roller Skating, the Arts, Music, and Sustainable Fashion. These things all mesh so well together with the people in the community, new friends, Small-Business owners, and Artists we’ve met along the way. I’m really excited to see how much more of this will grow in the coming years
Carmina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
I grew up in different parts of So-Cal, but Long Beach has been home for a long time. I have a background in a variety of creative fields like Writing, Set Design, Video Production, and now Event Production / Art Shows / Fashion Shows.
These different avenues have come to form the current community that is growing, and it’s been great to see how it all keeps coming together.
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
To create spaces, communities, and events that are welcoming and nurturing for other Artists, Creatives, or people who have interest in these things and want to learn more, to be inspired and welcomed into a Community.
Creativity, Art, Roller Skating, Music, and Fashion are some of the topics or spaces that have really been there for me through healing journeys, life. I’ve felt/seen what it does when everyone involved really feels included, seen, and appreciated. Even more when you get to create and get into your own flow.
Artistic Expression is healing in general, it gives us a time to reflect, to express, with or without words, and to interpret what others are putting out there, experiencing, it gets you in tune with your inner workings and your own perspective, then it opens up other perspectives and creates conversation, communities, and areas that really focus on us thriving in general.
Currently the projects and events that I’ve curated, collaborated or been a part of in each touch on these in some way, I’ve been introduced to beautiful communities, and seen a side of some that I’ve been able to learn from through experience.
It’s been about getting people together, creating together, and making lasting, meaningful memories while acknowledging several areas needed, sometimes it changes, and giving back. I’d like to keep giving back, donating, and raising awareness in the projects I’m a part of.
Growing up, I experienced homelessness, I’ve lived through unhealthy periods in relationships, and had moments in life where I felt that I could not genuinely express myself, the things I was going through, or feel empowered in my own choices. Getting to create and touch on these subjects, through the events and collaborations has been special.
The projects I’ve worked on throughout the last couple of years have raised money and had cell phones for the Women’s Shelter, donated Clothing and supplies to Homeless Communities, promoted and celebrated Small Businesses, Artists and Skaters in similar positions, who have been a part of these events. Showcasing the minds of the Creatives who are creating, connecting, and making spaces for others who want to be a part of something, regardless of the situations we grow through in life.
Right now the events I’m collaborating on bring these people together, we meet more likeminded Artists, make these connections and motivate each other in our pursuits and unique, creative backgrounds.
I’d love to provide a space that fosters creativity, provides resources, and donates whenever we’re able to. Somewhere that supports you throughout the different moments and allows you to create what you truly want, while expressing who you are – no judgment, setbacks, or feeling hopeless in the midst of it all.
I like to give perspective on the places I’ve been and situations I’ve been through, to show that it’s not the end, and that even better grows from it. Currently I am creating online spaces to show appreciation and support to the Artists/Creatives I’ve met along the way and anyone else who is interested.
I’m grateful to have met friends and creatives on this journey with similar mindsets, resilience and compassion.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
To transmute and express the feelings, moments, and places in life that I’ve made it through. Projects that can raise awareness, give back, and provide resources. It’s been great whenever we’ve been able to raise money for fellow Artists and Curators of these Events/Projects. A lot of the events have been people coming together on their own and bringing what we can.
For Stitch & Skate, in June, 2024, we showcased Handmade Designers, Skaters, and gave back a portion to the Skaters and Artists who had put the show together, I look forward to the growth and to be able to provide good support whenever able to. Connecting the people who need connecting, and showcasing more great Artists, Skaters, Designers, just Creatives in general.
Spaces and Events that are genuinely welcoming and appreciate the people involved are important.
I’ve met some great friends and collaborators over the past couple of years, lately a lot of the things that we want to do have been meshing together so beautifully. We’re able to host events and introduce ourselves to each other, finding that we have lots of similarities and differences, so creatively and when planning more things- it fits nicely.
After a couple of Roller Skate Meet ups, Art Shows, Fashion Shows and Pop-Up’s throughout the years, we’ve made a traveling Clothing Swap called “Save n Trade” where we’ve invited others to bring out their clothing, Art, Skate Gear, and creations to sell or trade.
At the end of our pop-up’s we gather a couple of donations to give to local Homeless Communities, and currently we’re spreading the word for attendees to bring items to donate like clothing, bags, snacks, hygiene products, toiletries, etc.
This is something in the Roller Skating scene that has always been something I admired, we’re not always in the position to buy brand new, or to pay for classes and new gear, sometimes we trade clothes and items between friends. I’ve worked with some skaters where we’d all bring in bags of clothes we no longer fit, or wanted, and would each go through together, finding a new home for them and loving how it fit with the next person differently, but perfectly. It’s a theme in sustainable fashion that I think we’ll be seeing a lot more of. We’re aware of waste, fast-fashion downfalls, and the healthier upsides of buying/trading used, upcycled, or handmade and sustainable fashion choices.
The pop-up’s allow us to meet other skaters and make a fun experience out of it, while getting together and even teaching others how to skate, or why we all are a part of the community.
After the Pandemic, a lot of us creatives have found ways to bring our Art into a Small Business of some sort, and to meet and support other Artists in various ways. Whether we support and buy from them personally, share their Art with others, or keep in touch, updated, and keep inviting each other out.
It’s been special to connect with all of these Creatives, Artists, and Designers. Curating other projects afterwards and seeing the growth is motivating, it’s more than just for monetary gain. It’s a community and a movement, and that is Art.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://instabio.cc/Carmina?utm_media=biolink&utm_source=instabio
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carminami_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carminaaj
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmina-veras-118114b7
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@carminaaj
- Other: https://www.tumblr.com/communities/lone-wolfpack
icecreamfoxes.blog
https://www.instagram.com/universe.citymag/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=461e7472-1ff1-439c-94f9-4aff217790fc
Image Credits
Fido Wu,
Sienna Lucero,
Nick The Medic