Today we’d like to introduce you to Elsie Verónica Morales Irizarry.
Hi Elsie Verónica, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Verónica, a creative soul, lover of bright colors and all forms of art. Verónica, born and raised in Aguada, Puerto Rico, started experimenting with art at the early age of 3, if you ask her mom. She is the smallest of three, always late in the line of asking for money she figured out a way of always having new accessories or a “new” dress. At 11, she used to refashion her clothes with paint and bling. Making jewelry with her mom’s old jewelry, sea glass and seashells she could find on her trips to the beach. Flowing from nail art to making jewelry, clothes, digital artwork and watercolors, Verónica has always been creating.
It should be noted that producing art is something Verónica does for fun. She is an accomplished physicist and Engineer, with a B.S. in Physics and a M.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Puerto Rico. Her degrees took her to Northern Virginia where she lives with her husband Charles D. Perdue, Jr. and their son Leopold Enrique. While she is still working as an accomplishes image scientist for an intelligence company she saw the opportunity of opening her own boutique. Veronicraft is a cute petite shop off main street in Old Town Warrenton. In the shop you can find one-of-a-kind handcrafted everything. She makes jewelry, clothes, watercolor art, leather bags and accessories, stationery, and her latest accomplishment, a children’s book in her native language, Spanish. Every piece is made with love and with exclusivity, making only one of everything she makes, let’s say, she makes collectible pieces. In addition to that, she teaches workshops such as sewing, jewelry making and watercolor. One of Veronica’s most beautiful creations is her son, who is already showing signs of strong creativity inherited from his mom.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not being a smooth road at all. From trying to get people to visit my shop off main street to sell my unique creations has been a steep road for me. I have a unique style. I like to be creative and to be different, but I know everything I make is beautiful and deserves to be worn by the whole world. I started this journey with a dream and an idea, but not necessary a concrete plan. I know where I want to get to, but I do know that it is hard work. I have no capital, just a dream and a desire to leave a legacy for my son and future generations. Applying for loans is almost impossible for people like me. I’ve been using money out of my retirement to create a steady base for my business. Oh boy it is hard, but with God, my will and my family I know I will get there!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Let’s start with the last one; me, myself, my big heart, my creativity are what set me apart from others. I make unique accessories. I make my own flamework beads and with them I make my jewelry. Not one piece is similar to the other, they have my signature for sure, but I don’t like to make many of anything I make. For me it’s boring to make lots of the same. In cases when I can make more than one, I always add or take something to difference from the last. I also make watercolor cards and wall art. I started sewing all my clothes almost 15 years ago, so you will find some of my creations in my shop as well. After deciding to sew all my clothes, I learned to design my own fabrics, yet another thing that separates me from regular out of the box stores. I make leather accessories, and bags as well. I specialize in creating uniqueness. I have so many skills that I can’t choose, it’s like choosing a favorite child, thank God I have only one.
I am most proud of what I have become, a dreamer that is not afraid to chase her dreams. If I have to choose a product, I have to say that my fabric designs and my book make me feel very proud. In reality, every single thing I create makes me proud because most of them starts as a challenge, “can I make this?” And I do, I go from idea in my head to final product. I don’t sketch, who has time for that, haha.
What do you like and dislike about the city?
I love that Warrenton is such a cute town. The community is very kind and friendly. I don’t like the mentality of “only main street” is open for small cute businesses.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.veronicraft.com
- Instagram: https://Www.Instagram.com/veronicraftbyvm
- Facebook: https://Www.facebook.com/veronicraftbyvm
