Today we’d like to introduce you to Malorie Delgadillo.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Malorie Delgadillo. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
The evolution of Love Alumni Art & Design began back in 2012, I always made jewelry and painted as a source of therapy (my zen place) from mental health issues that I have from traumatic experiences growing up, but my husband really believed in my work and designs and urged me to sell my finished artwork and jewelry pieces. So, I began selling my work here and there to friends, family, and acquaintances. People really liked my designs, but even then at the time, it wasn’t my primary focus until 2016 when I actually decided to pursue my art and jewelry as a legitimate business and brand. I knew I wanted to be a brand with a heart, a pulse, and a brand that helps its community. I decided then to donate $1 from every sale to different programs that fight against the issue of domestic violence since I grew up in a home of domestic violence (and suffered a lot of trauma due to this) I knew I wanted to help as an individual and as a brand.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Lord no! 🙂 It definitely has not been a smooth road at all, but I’m thankful for my struggles because without trial, error, and temporary setbacks, we don’t learn lessons or become resilient. I’ve had many struggles along the way, from funding to juggling work, life, and my business, it’s chaotic sometimes but I’m able. I’m a mother of 4 INCREDIBLE kids so making enough time for all 4 of them, work, the business, and life’s surprise pop-ups were VERY difficult at first. I had hit a point where I felt I had to choose my family over my business, but luckily I’m blessed with an incredibly supportive husband that wouldn’t let me give up no matter what and reassured me that I was strong enough to do it. Especially now, now more than ever Love Alumni keeps me busy, but I have a good support system. My kids are between the ages of 5 to 14, 3 girls and 1 boy, and they have all expressed that they look up to me for everything I juggle, they watch every move I make as a mother and a business woman, so they keep me on my toes and on top of my game. As for funding and assistance with my business, I couldn’t have done it without Accion, they’re a phenomenal organization and a wealth of resources!
My advice to young women starting out in the creative industry is to never limit yourself or deny ANY creative idea or creative concept. I feel people care too much these days on what the next person is going to say about their art, their design, their work period that many, many creative ideas that are fresh, innovative, and NEEDED to get swept under the rug by the creator themselves in fear of people’s opinions. I say the hell with that. I carry a pen with me no matter what. I get flooded with so many ideas and inspiration throughout my day that I immediately jot them down on my hand and write/draw them in my notebook first chance I get! If you ever meet me, most likely, I have some sort of notes written on my hand, parezco loca. 🙂 But that’s my advice, run with your ideas, welcome and explore your creativity, and no matter what the hell happens or what you’ve been thru in the past, or will go thru in the future, KEEP GOING! Make time for yourself to heal, rest, think, yell, draw, write, dance, whatever you need to do, then KEEP GOING.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Love Alumni Art & Design story. Tell us more about the business.
Well, I am a Xicana artist, jewelry designer and overall creative that was originally born and raised in the border town of El Paso, TX. So, I am most known for my colorful cactus art pieces because although I love San Diego, my heart will always be back home in the beautiful desert. You can always find an array of different cactus art in many of my designs, as well as colorful fruit, tasteful paint splatter, and miniature pieces of art painted on tiny pieces of wood that I then convert into fun, colorful, and style savvy accessories for that creative take on fashion that many people crave. I am proud that my designs are influenced by my culture and heritage, and that they are all carefully hand painted and handcrafted by my own 2 hands. I’m proud to have created a brand that allows me to recycle my pain and trauma from past experiences to create beautiful pieces of art and jewelry that now raise money for others trying to remove themselves from the circle of domestic violence.
I don’t like to think Love Alumni has something that “sets our brand apart” from others because nobody is in my lane as I am not in theirs. I feel every creative brings something different, new, and exciting to the table. Some people crave salt, while others crave pepper when they sit at the table, so they compliment each other… just as do I and the other creatives, artists, and designers in this beautiful city do.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
What stands out the most to advise young individuals starting their careers is to keep going despite what may feel like a setback or a wall, climb over it, knock it down, blow it up, crawl over the rubble and keep going. Your mind and your thoughts are a POWERFUL force! Write down your goals, write down and repeat affirmations about your goals and future, close your eyes and visualize yourself meeting and exceeding those goals as many times a day as you can, and put in the equal amount of work to affirm and strengthen those thoughts and meditations.
Also, carry a pen! Never turn down your creative juices, not even a notch. Write down every creative idea or concept and come back to it later, even if it sounds crazy to you, don’t deny it, give it life.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.LoveAlumni.com
- Email: luvalumni@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovealumni/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoveAlumniArt/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/LoveAlumni
Image Credit:
Model Amaris D. Tenorio, Photographer Miss Kenya Photos
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