We were lucky to catch up with Ileana Arias recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ileana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What did your parents do right and how has that impacted you in your life and career?

In my journey after moving to MA from the Dominican Republic, I have been lucky enough to find so many wonderful people in my path. People that have shape my journey and have given me wonderful opportunities. I have built friendships that will last a lifetime and created a support network I can truly rely on. I am also raising a beautiful girl who has also benefited from the love and support of families and friends around us. My parents teach me to be kind, reliable, to value people’s time, to be creative, fun and to be joyful. And because of all those lessons, and many more, my journey has been a pretty good one.

Ileana, 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 am a mother of a wonderful 10 year old girl, HR project manager by day, and a beginner potter by night and some weekends. I love taking my kid to enjoy experiences and trips, have conversations with her and see her develop her personality. I work at an organization were I’ve been given the opportunity to work with an amazing group of HR professionals. I also enjoy creating, and since I was a kid I explored with different crafts. In more recent times I’ve learned to make candles, soaps, bath salts and also pottery. I created a small Gift Box company named Cayena Gift Box with products I make that can be purchased and shipped all over the US for any occasion. I am exploring making pottery and what I love the most is not knowing what I want to create, but letting it flow in the moment. I am currently working on sharing my creations under my Cayena Handmade brand on social media and my new website.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I think artistic or creative people always have an interesting way of showing what is in their hearts and mind. I truly admire people that are naturally creative, that can see thins in nature and build from it is truly inspiring. I have learned various forms of art and in each I have enjoyed bringing pieces to life. It is also my safe space, where I don’t think about my day to day work, my social media or any other distraction. I value my creative time and I wish I had more of it

Is there a mission driving your creative journey?

My goal is to always see it as something fun that I like to do for myself and show others, without pressure or expectations. I just want to create and be happy while doing it.

Contact Info:

• Website: cayenagiftbox.com
• Instagram: @cayena.handmade & @cayenagiftbox