Makers & Shakers: Intentionally Crafted

Intentionally Crafted

Woman-Owned Business

Minority-Owned Business

LGBTQIA+-Owned Business

Instagram: @intentionallycrafted

Facebook: www.facebook.com/Intentionallycrafted/

Website: www.etsy.com/shop/naomitorres

Tik Tok: www.tiktok.com/@intentionallycrafted?lang=en

Current Gum Pop Presents Events: Saturday Night BAZAAR, People + Produce, Platte Street Fall BAZAAR, Sloan’s Lake Fall BAZAAR, Holiday BAZAAR

Location: Denver

“I create jewelry for the home, with intention. Manifestation Charms are my current specialty but I’m always coming up with new ideas to attract wonderful things to the lives and surroundings of my customers.”

Tell us about yourself! What’s your background and what do you do?

Hello, my name is Naomi Torres and I create jewelry for the home, with intention. Manifestation Charms are my current specialty but I’m always coming up with new ideas to attract wonderful things to the lives and surroundings of my customers. Manifestation Charms are meant to utilize the energies of rocks and minerals; bringing growth, change, and all-around good vibes. Prior to providing this unique service, I spent twenty years in retail, working for a wonderful, neighborhood grocery store. While I absolutely adored working with this company, I decided at long last to pursue a career as a maker full-time. I love people and have a passion for creating art that is aesthetically pleasing, but also helps with healing and growth in their lives.

How did you learn your craft? Tell us about your first finished product.

I was making jewelry one day, and I decided there were just too many incredible jewelry makers out there to compete with; I wanted to come up with something no one had ever done. I played around with a few ideas, and by combining jewelry and home decor—keeping my passion for using the natural attributes of rocks and minerals in mind, the result was Manifestation Charms.

Where does the name of your business come from?

Before I started my business, my wife and I sat in our backyard on a beautiful spring day, made a list of important words to me, and also aided in explaining my creations. The word “intention” was high on my list. The word “crafted” Seemed like a natural addition to my overall methods. We searched on Google and found out that the name had not been taken yet and so, bada bing!

How long does it take to make your product and what’s involved in the process?

Each one-of-a-kind charm takes quite a bit of time. I’ve never measured start to finish because there are so many steps, and I use a sort of assembly line situation when making my Manifestation Charms. I can tell you that it’s a loving process composed of piecing together hand-wrapped stones with various elements of wood and metal. I purposefully put on an audiobook or movie I’ve seen many times— like the super long version of Pride and Prejudice, starring Colin Firth. I know this sounds funny, but I genuinely try not to overthink the creation of each one. If I did, my ideas and intentions might get in the way of the process. You might say I let my intuition take over, and it works many times over. Oftentimes, someone who comes into my tent reads a few of the descriptions and truly connects with a Charm. It’s kind of magical!

Where does your inspiration come from?

My inspiration comes from my passion for helping people through art as well as aspects of nature. I’ve always loved rocks and minerals and tend to geek out about them. They can’t have been put here just to admire. We have plants and other various alternative methods of healing, so why not rocks? Which have been around since the world was created. There’s got to be some power to that concept.

What three words would you use to describe your product/service?

Healing, Art, Life

What’s your favorite product that you’ve created?

Truly, my favorite product has been Manifestation Charms. Creating them is associated with my want to work with stones and make jewelry. Even if you don’t believe in the concept, they make a fantastic piece of art to look at, adding color, flow, and beauty to any room.

What question do you get asked the most at pop-up markets?

What are these?

What is your favorite Gum Pop Presents event?

Definitely the fall markets. The weather cools down, granting us all a bit of respite from the heat. The leaves are changing, changing our surroundings and satiating my Gypsy heart. And sweaters and scarves are in full swing!

What other Gum Pop Presents vendor are you dying to collaborate with?

Monique Elise Designs. She handcrafts all of her earrings and is super creative. I think we can come up with something amazing together.

“The community I’ve built through these markets has been an experience to remember. Everyone is so willing to help the next person out.”

What’s something unique about you that most people don’t know (or wouldn’t guess)?

I and am author and wrote a book. It's a young adult, fiction about a witch and her budding powers as well as her journey and trials of youth. It's still in editing and I'm currently manifesting its publication. Wish me luck! If you'd like to follow the books progress, visit www.naomitorres.com.

What is your favorite thing about being a creator in Colorado?

The fact that I can work on my creations outside for a good portion of the year. Also, the community I’ve built through these markets has been an experience to remember. Everyone is so willing to help the next person out.

What's your go-to hang out spot in Denver?

One of my favorite things to do when I have nothing else to do—which is rare, is to take a long drive on the back roads up to Nederland. My soul calls to nature; whenever I can get out into it and see as much of it as possible, it makes my heart happy.

If you had one extra hour of free time every day, how would you use it?

I would find a shady spot under a nice big tree and read a book.

My hope is to expand my online sales and custom orders. Although I’d love for my company to be featured on the Drew Barrymore show, a girl can dream! Perhaps get a website and learn how to take some really great photos of my products.