Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Vanessa Irino. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Vanessa, thanks for joining us today. Do you feel you or your work has ever been misunderstood or mischaracterized? If so, tell us the story and how/why it happened and if there are any interesting learnings or insights you took from the experience?

Growing up I’ve always been misunderstood. The black sheep in many ways including my creativity. Still in this society being different is taboo. But if your lucky, praised. Living in San Antonio the city praises small businesses and artists. And has yet to take notice of a different member of it’s city. It prioritizes art in the Mexican culture of sorts. I’ve tried it but it’s just didn’t work for me and it wasn’t successful. So I keep to being myself and what makes me happy to create. Going antiquing growing up is my favorite past time. I’ve always felt at home amongst the antiques. An old soul as some call it. I now dress in victorian wardrobe and collect antique pieces to create one of a kind art and jewelry.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I have been creating since early childhood. My grandmother taught me to sew. My grandfather was a carpenter. So creativity is in my blood. My name is Vanessa Irino, and I’m excited to share a bit about myself and my journey in the world of art and jewelry. I specialize in repurposing antique pieces to create one-of-a-kind art and jewelry. My passion for antiques and creativity led me to this unique craft, where I find joy in giving new life to items that might otherwise be forgotten.

My services include fixing antique jewelry and repurposing unwanted items, transforming them into beautiful, bespoke pieces. I take great pride in preserving the history and charm of each piece while infusing it with a fresh, modern twist. This process not only creates stunning, unique items but also promotes sustainability by recycling and reimagining materials.

What sets me apart from others in the industry is my dedication to preserving the stories and heritage of the antique pieces I work with. Each item I create is a blend of history and contemporary artistry, making it truly unique. I believe in the importance of craftsmanship, attention to detail, and the value of breathing new life into forgotten treasures.

One of the problems I solve for my clients is helping them preserve their cherished heirlooms and sentimental items. Whether it’s a broken piece of jewelry or an antique item that no longer serves its original purpose, I can transform it into something new and beautiful that can be enjoyed for years to come. For example, I’ve taken old family brooches and turned them into modern necklaces, allowing my clients to carry a piece of their history with them in a stylish and wearable way.

I’m most proud of the satisfaction and joy my work brings to my clients. Seeing their reactions when they receive a repurposed piece that holds personal significance is incredibly rewarding. It’s this connection and the stories behind each item that drive my passion for what I do.
I also create memorial peices to honor passed loved ones.

For potential clients and followers, I want you to know that every piece I create is made with love, care, and a deep appreciation for its history. My work is not just about making beautiful items but about preserving memories and creating new ones. If you have an antique piece or an unwanted item that you would like to see transformed, I would be honored to help bring your vision to life.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

For a good while when I got into the fashion industry my dream was to do fashion and designs in Japan. My style was definitely different than you see in the American runways because my models were covered more. My designs were more colorful and elaborate and covered the body modestly. Also what set me apart was trying to design for more of the plus sized audience that was more and still is in more need of recognition. In Japan they have specialty plus sized is not available everywhere in Japan and I was aiming to change that. Thankfully I was able to be featured in New York fashion week when I was 5 months pregnant and I have done many little fashion shows in Las Vegas Texas and one in Hollywood. Last year I came to Japan and had 2 models model some of my clothing designs and did photo shoots. And I was featured in a very popular famous TV show in Japan. So my dreams or part of them had happened. But seeing as how I live in America it’s more difficult to make that happen at the moment. But I still made myself known out In Japan and it’s still not too late to make it happen. But I also enjoy my jewelry business of making one of a kind art from antiques. Even though I struggle with recognition in my town, I’m seen by the paranormal community. Which is amazing since I’m the Guinness world record holder of the largest Casper the Friendly Ghost Memorabilia collection.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Please keep an open mind to artists of all kinds. Many have different tastes in art but to truly love art is to have an open mind for all creativity. Though many known famous artists were denied at 1st, they finally got rhier time to shine.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/vantique95
• Instagram: vantique_curios
• Facebook: Vantiqueバネッサ・イリノJrockGinger
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thefriendlyghost95
• Other: Tiktok…
  Jewelry and fashion: Vantique_curios
  Casper collection: Vintage_apparition

Image Credits

All images taken and edited by my husband and myself.