Meet Erika Vega | Creative Designer, Jewelry Maker

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Vega and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
In early 2019, I encouraged my aunt to start creating beautiful handmade bracelets. My aunt has always been so creative, I just knew this would be a great opportunity for her. Sometime in late 2019, I joined my aunt on a trip to one of her suppliers. I never would have imagined that going with her on this trip would light a fire and make me join her. This pastime further developed in early 2020 after losing my dad unexpectedly. What started as something fun for me, quickly changed into my therapy. I would heavily rely on my creativity as I was grieving and creating helped me get through some of the hardest times in 2020. Aside from losing my dad, our world as we knew it was changed drastically with Covid-19. My (then fiancé) and I had to postpone our wedding in June 2020. Aside from leaning on my family for support, my beads helped me get through these difficult times. It has completely changed my life. I started by only making bracelets, and now I make bracelets, necklaces, rings, earrings, lanyards, you name it! I have loved every second of seeing my “hobby” evolve to what it is today.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
At Creativekindagirls, we strive to create unique handmade pieces of jewelry for children, women, and men. Each piece we create is intentionally made for our customers, families, and friends. It hasn’t always been an easy feat, as we’ve encountered hardships in the last few years. Our family lost a very significant pillar, my dad, my aunt’s only brother. Despite these difficult moments, we’ve overcome and grown our business to be what it is today. Each piece that is created is made to the customer’s satisfaction and liking, and we provide the utmost service to every one of them. We are proud to give our customers quality products and services, as we aspire to let every day be an inspiration through our jewelry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If a friend of mine was coming to town to visit, I would love to take them to different parts of Miami to show off our cultures and interests. I would start off with a delicious brunch in the midtown area at Morgan’s restaurant. From there, we can walk the streets of midtown and explore some of the breweries, coffee shops, and stores that are there. I would love to take them to Hollywood beach to walk along the boardwalk and enjoy the warm breezes Miami has to offer. After we’ve had some time to enjoy the ocean breeze, I would love to take them to my hometown of Miami Lakes. Here, I’d take them to a local area called Main Street, where we can enjoy some time to walk around some more, shop, and grab a bite to eat at El Novillo in the evening. After that, I’d take them to my parents house, because there’s no better way than to end your day with some cafecito (coffee) and family!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to give a shout out to a few special people in my life… For starters, I wouldn’t be “creativekindagirls” without the other half of my business, my aunt, Teri. It all started with her, and it has only gotten better since!

Next, I would love to give a shoutout to my husband, Ivan. Without his support, I wouldn’t be able to do all that I do in my business. He is constantly supporting me, guiding me, and helping me expand my business. He is definitely the yin to my yang and sees things more clearly as far as the business aspect goes. While I’m designing and creating, he’s helping the business further develop, and for that I’m so grateful. He is always with me in all the shows I’ve ever attended and provides words of encouragement and support in all the good and rough times!

Another special shoutout to my mom, who is constantly a support for me. She encourages me to always do my best and is my biggest cheerleader! She attends shows with us and will even step in and help me sell products! Without her support, it wouldn’t be possible to achieve all that I have!

Lastly, to my friends and family… I’m so grateful for their support in the last few years. They even buy jewelry to support me, and it means the world!! I vent to them, cry with them, laugh with them, created with them, and have continued to grow because of them!

I am forever grateful!!

Instagram: @creativekindagirls

Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/creativekindagirls

Other: Email: creativekindagirls@gmail.com