Makers & Shakers: Flor de Jade
Flor de Jade
Woman-Owned Business
Minority-Owned Business
Instagram: @flordejadeshop
Facebook: www.facebook.com/flordejadeshop
Website: www.flordejadeshop.com
Current Gum Pop Presents Events: People + Produce at Belleview Station, Downtown Lakewood Farmers Market, Street Food Social, Belleview Station Fall BAZAAR
Location: Lakewood, CO
“Our artisans have been learning their craft from the previous generations of artisans, their families, or their parents. Some are self-taught. We are proud to sell their products as people think they are whimsical.”
Tell us about yourself! What’s your background and what do you do?
Flor de Jade has two owners and creators, Carolyna and Jackie!
Carolyna: I am a Social worker and do workshops for Museo Las Americas. I am Mexican-American from Southern California originally. I am a mother of one, and I am passionate about highlighting our Latin American handmade products created by our fantastic artisans.
Jackie: I am from Venezuela and have lived in various countries in L. America. I am a soon-to-be mother. I have a background in marketing and strategy. I am also passionate about highlighting the abundance of creativity in Latin America and sharing it with others.
How did you learn your craft? Tell us about your first finished product.
Our artisans have been learning their craft from the previous generations of artisans, their families, or their parents. Some are self-taught. For example, our artisan Sumaqlla in Peru hand dyes Peruvian wool yarn and create vibrant pom poms by hand. Patricia, our artisan who creates sweaters, hand knits her cardigans and creates cute motifs such as cherries and flowers to give it that art-pop look. We are proud to sell their products as people think they are whimsical.
Where does the name of your business come from?
It means Jade flower in Spanish. It's a beautiful succulent plant.
How long does it take to make your product and what’s involved in the process?
The Peruvian sweaters can take half a month to be completed. Depending on the style, the pom poms take a few days to a week. Our clay products take a few days to one week, depending on the style.
“ Our products are vibrant, whimsical, and unique!”
Where does your inspiration come from?
Our personalities inspire our selection. We opted from sticking to traditional arts and prefer to showcase the new generations of artisans in Latin America that use traditional methods to create their craft but have a modern twist. For this reason, we are very popular with Gen Z.
What three words would you use to describe your product/service?
Vibrant, Whimsical, and Unique!
What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?
We love our Peruvian Wool sweaters. You can see why!
What question do you get asked the most at pop-up markets?
If our products are handmade!
What is your favorite Gum Pop Presents event?
People + Produce at Belleview Station farmers market.
What other Gum Pop Presents vendor are you dying to collaborate with?
Not sure yet!
“The culture in Colorado is very open to new cultures and styles.”
What’s something unique about you that most people don’t know (or wouldn’t guess)?
That we are in our 30s already!
What is your favorite thing about being a creator in Colorado?
The culture in Colorado is very open to new cultures and styles.
What's your go-to hang out spot in Denver?
We both love happy hour at Angelos Taverna.
If you had one extra hour of free time every day, how would you use it?
To sleep!
What’s next? We are trying to get our e-commerce to gain some traction
