We were lucky to catch up with Jazmin Gutierrez- Wrisley recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jazmin, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.

It’s extremely important to me to always donate a percentage of my sales. Sometimes it’s 10%, sometimes it’s 50%, at times it’s even been 100%. It honestly depends on how that month looks sales wise. It can be overwhelming when deciding on who to donate to because you just want to give to everyone! I decided on changing it up every month. Refugee and immigrant services hold a really special place in my heart. Raices Texas is a great organization.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Jazmin Gutierrez Wrisley and I am a Musician and Handwoven Textile artist in the Mojave Desert

The High Desert is woven into every piece i make.

I was born and spent my first couple of years in North Hollywood but grew up in the Mojave Desert. As a kid and teenager I didn’t feel like i fit in (I suppose most of us didn’t, right?). I wanted to play music instead of soccer, I’d rather die than go to a school dance and preferred to spend most of my waking time day dreaming (still do).
I never saw the beauty of being surrounded by mountains and Joshua Trees. I couldn’t wait to get out of the desert.
The second I turned 18 I packed up some belongings and moved the fuck out! Throughout my early 20’s I lived out of my backpack with my trumpet strapped around my neck and slept on friends couches all for the love of music. I was lucky enough to tour the country while tooting my horn, strumming my mandolin, and scratching my washboard.
I met my husband, Finn, playing shows around LA and we fell in love touring the Pacific North West.

Spring of 2015 Finn and I packed up all of our belongings, stuffed our little blue car to its brim, and drove our happy hearts to Michigan.
I came across my first loom that winter in the basement of a Detroit home and immediately fell in love. Weaving helped bring back a piece of me that I felt I lost when my band broke up.
My loom is my best friend.

The Wild Wild West.

Michigan was lovely but ultimately we realized that it never felt like home. In 2019, after our Vegas wedding, we honeymooned in Joshua Tree and Palm Springs. My eyes and heart finally saw how magical the desert really is and how lucky I was to grow up exploring it.
It was decided. California is home.

Summer 2021 we once again found ourselves getting ready to move across the country, back west.
Weaving in the desert brings a comfort I can’t yet put into words. Finally being surrounded by the colors of the fiber I use is a breath of fresh air.
I’m happy I can proudly declare, every piece is made with love in the Mojave Desert.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

I had my personal Instagram account for years before I started my business. I slowly started sharing my weaving journey and eventually it just took over my whole feed. I felt like it was a very organic transition. Finding my business name took years. I didn’t want to force it. One day I was driving down a lonesome desert road and it just hit me. Wool + Stone. I said it to myself over and over so I wouldn’t forget it haha. My advice on building a strong social media presence is to just be yourself. Don’t over think it. People are more into authenticity and vulnerability. Connecting with others through your art is so fucking beautiful.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Although I don’t share too much about my personal life on my Instagram, I’ll never shy away from posting what I believe in. We’re always told to not be political, to be neutral, in order to gain more of a following. That’s not me. I’m not a fan of silence from those I follow with large influence. Black Lives Matter. Support Trans Kids. Love is Love. God Bless Abortion.
Although I’m sure it’s made some people unfollow me, it’s made me a lot closer with so many more. I have incredible clients who share my work and have helped slowly grow my clientele. I credit that to being kind, honest, and unapologetically sharing my beliefs.

Contact Info:

• Website: Etsy.com/shop/woolstone
• Instagram: @wool.and.stone

Image Credits
All photos taken by me, Jazmin Gutierrez- Wrisley.