Today, we’d like to introduce you to Corienne Delgado. Corienne was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Joanna Revel.
Corienne, can you walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I truly believe that one thing in your life leads you to another. I spent many years living in The Florida Keys where I worked with marine animals that had been harmed by pollution and human disregard for nature. After seeing first hand the harm we have done to the earth and its creatures, I made a conscious effort to always think about reusing or repurposing items in all aspects of my life. My jewelry line is no different. I love the search and rescue that occurs when I am putting a piece together. No one piece is alike, they all have their own past, present and future.
I started Weeping Katsura Designs back in 2012 to showcase my upcycled, mixed media, vintage/antique jewelry designs. While posting pictures of my work online, it was apparent that I was starting to get a large following of fans that loved it. My ultimate goal in selling my jewelry to fans would be that a portion from every sale would go to a non-profit Stepping Stones for Women. This organization assisted single moms and their children in the San Gabriel Area of California. The motivation and inspiration to create my designs came from wanting to raise awareness to single moms and their children. Many women that seek the support from Stepping Stones just need a hand to get back on their feet after being forced to start a new life due to violence, abuse or a divorce. Creating unique pieces and supporting a non-profit that, has helped me along the way, was my passion and mission.
Being a single mom myself, I was not able to spend extra money on items to make jewelry therefore using vintage, antique, used and recycled items that are found or donated to me seemed natural. Some items consist of mixed media, buttons, metals, beads and recycled door pulls, handles, key rings, cuff links, chains, and brooches. Many of my pieces are quite simple in nature, however photograph really well in natural settings and are unique in all sense of the word.
Many of my pieces are inspired by the metal word plates. These words are important for me as a single mom to live by and to believe in. I believe everyone has one or two words that make them who they are. One of my words is Faith. I would not be where I am today without it and I wanted to pass that along to others.
I met Joanna through Stepping Stones for Women. She was my biggest fan and supporter. Stepping stones dissolved and my daughter was diagnosed with life threatening auto immune disease around the same time. I had to stop creating and focused on my daughters health. We remained good friends and always talked about my creativity and that I should get back at it. When Covid hit and I was able to work from home. This gave me more time to work on my jewelry again but no where to do it. So a close friend offered her barn for me create..and hence Twogals and a barn was born.
Please talk to us about your creative work and career. What should we know?
My name is Corinne Delgado and I am a single mom of a 17 year old daughter. We live in Glendora, CA, and I consider myself a polymath or a “Jill of all trades.” I have a diverse background in medical laboratory technology, veterinary science, police science and non-profit management. I am currently the Director of Operations at Western Graphics Inc and enjoy making jewelry for Two gals and a Barn. I like to offer eye catching, ever changing and uncommon beauty in my designs. My dream is to run a successful jewelry business and provide an art studio for others to learn to repurpose, reuse and upcycle.
Joanna Revel and Blue Violet Boutique have been great to us and I know you’ve got a great relationship with them as well. Maybe you can tell our audience a bit about Joanna Revel and Blue Violet Boutique and your experience with them.
Joanna has always been there to support me in my creativity and provided that encouragement that others would enjoy my art just as much as she did. Her boutique is a perfect place for my pieces to be brought to life. She is amazing at marketing, show casing and making an artist feel appreciated. All of my designs are one of a kind and not many boutiques like that concept. With Blue violet boutique I believe customers like that sense of exclusivity “ that they are the only one with the design”
Image Credits
Corinne Delgado