Meet Joy Jaramillo Hensel | Artist/Designer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Joy Jaramillo Hensel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Joy, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I actually worked in Corporate America for 20 years and created on the side for myself and loved ones. After having my daughters (Hope and Liberty) I began to question what it was I wanted to do with my time. I spent more time at work then with my family and when I did get home from work I was tired and mentally drained. With encouragement from my husband I quit my job and began working for myself and creating full-time. We fixed up our solarium into a workshop where both myself and our daughters could create. It is our happy place!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
It is important to me that my daughters understand the beauty and importance of reusing, recycling and reducing. I take preloved hats and give new life to them. I also take preloved leather and incorporate it into my work.

I love connecting with people and creating together. Once a month I am at 7Roots in Laguna Beach and take customers orders. I welcome people to bring something special if they want it incorporated into their piece.

Biggest lesson I learned is to listen to that inner voice (it is never wrong).

It’s about circular fashion. In a world of fast fashion ‘Hope and Liberty’ is about reusing, recycling and reducing. Taking preloved textiles and creating from the heart. Finding that vintage piece to simply give some love to and rock all over again.

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.
Laguna Beach is a little piece of Magic:and there are so many favorites! Here are just a few:

Visit/Must See
7Roots for a little shopping
Sound Spectrum for some vinyl and all your music needs
Beach (all our beaches are beautiful)
Rooftop for a beverage and epic Sunsets
Sawdust Festival
Festival of Arts/Pageant of the Masters
Walk around down town for more shopping and art scene
Jedidiah Coffee in the Canyon, they are often hosting local Pop Ups and crafting some delicious coffee/lattes

Food
-Active Culture, grab a velvet bowl
& head down to the beach.
-Ahba, legit the best burger in Laguna! But honestly everything is good there. Then head over to the speakeasy next door for a nightcap.
-Starfish for some happy hour
-Sapphire Pantry yummy breakfast and lattes. Also a great spot to grab quick bites and head to the beach
-Heidelberg Cafe for some stuffed French Toast and Mimosas.
-Moulin for breakfast and pastries
-South of Nicks (El Gringo Taco Salad and Tamarindo Drink my Fav)
-Carmelita’s everything is good, you can’t go wrong.
-Wine Gallary, their fire oven pizzas and small plates are delicious!

Live Music
Mozambique (good dinning too)
Marine Room
Seahorse
The Cliffs
Skyloft (good dinning too)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Big shout out to my Husband Casey and business partner Paulina Rothe. They both had a big part in helping me take a dream and move it into reality.

Without my husband’s support I would have never left Corporate America, he had been telling me to quit and just create for two years before I actually did. He also helps me source preloved pieces.

Paulina is the founder of 7Roots a hip boutique in Laguna Beach who began carrying my hats right from the start. Paulina also taught me the ins and outs of managing my small business.

Shout out to my Parents! My Mom and Dad are both big influences as to where the creative gene comes from. My Mom used to make our clothes growing up and my Dad could pretty much create anything from preloved discarded items.

Shoutout out to my family and supporters who constantly inspire me.

Website: https://www.hopeandlibertystore.com/

Instagram: https://instagram.com/hopeandliberty_?igshid=MmIzYWVlNDQ5Yg==

Image Credits
@silkyrontheroad @shop7roots