Today we’d like to introduce you to Cristine Tenfen.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Cristine. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
It all started when I was a child. I used to borrow my parents’ magazines and draw models and landscapes.
My father is a born artist. he has a lot of skill in crafts besides being an excellent lawyer. He makes beautiful woodwork such as furniture, boats, houses… and I think that my brothers and I inherited this artistic ability.
I took oil painting classes. and when it was time to start college, I decided to study Visual Arts.
After receiving my bachelor’s degree in Visual Arts, I worked as an interior designer.
After a couple of years, I was a little dissatisfied and my boyfriend and I decided to move to San Diego. What a big change!! Direct from Brazil to California.
Well, here I worked in many different jobs, like a baby sitter, waitress, bartender, barista, baker…
I thought I would never have the opportunity to work in the field I had studied. English is my second language and (in my mind) that put me a little behind.
Well, life goes around. I became a mom and promised myself that I would find a fulfilling job that I could do from home.
So, this chalkboard lettering work started incidentally when my husband and I were at our favorite brunch restaurant for many years “The Old Townhouse” and Ted, the owner needed some chalkboard menus done. I guess I was in the right place at the right time. He told us about his need and my husband Bony and I had the same thought. I told Ted that I could do it for him. And since then, I wanted more and my path opened up.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
For me, the biggest obstacle has always been shyness. Selling my work, promoting my business. Sales and advertising are my weak points. But I’m looking for tools to improve myself. I always have in mind the following saying: “when you do something, do your best,” and that became my mantra. That would be my advice.
Please tell us about Tenfen Creations – what should we know?
I’m known in my neighborhood for the menus I’ve designed in restaurants that have been open for decades and which are opinion makers.
What makes me most proud of my job is to see the satisfaction and smile on my customers’ faces.
I think that my degree in Visual Arts in Brazil and also my ability with handicrafts is my differential.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
I think I owe it all to the support of my family.
Because if it weren’t for them, my dreams wouldn’t come true. Having had the opportunity to get to know and live in other countries, learning other cultures naturally made for a cultural enrichment that changed my artistic perception.
Pricing:
- Chalkboard lettering 30″ x 40″ ………………………………..$ 180.00
- Chalkboard lettering + illustration 30″ x 40″ ……..$ 250.00
Contact Info:
- Phone: 619 381 4155
- Email: tenfencreations@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tenfencreations/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TenfenCreations/?ref=aymt_homepage_panel&eid=ARAmqjAg5aiBOFPrV51ifwn6Q1Hi42VZem0TyUtCDSl_sBPGw17r95hDHge2Dk2Kpr33FzJ0vJksx5OD
Image Credit:
Cristine Tenfen
Suggest a story: SDVoyager is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
