Meet Riley de Encio | Artist & Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Riley de Encio and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Riley, we’d love to hear more about your end-goal, professionally.
Curated Casita started as a passion project. Something to pass the time when the pandemic first hit. It started out with sourcing vintage glassware and clothing and has now evolved into creating my own handmade ceramic pieces while also dabbling in curating vintage pieces. My dream has always been to have my own store, but it wasn’t until recently that I figured out exactly what I want that store to be and represent. My goal is to open a brick and mortar store where I can be the home for other small businesses to showcase their passion. Every brand would be thoughtfully selected by myself and represented individually in one common space. Think a “one-stop shop” for all things vintage, sustainable, & handmade! Somewhere down the road, I would love to have my own clothing line inspired by vintage silhouettes, reborn with textiles and colors that change based on the season. I have so many dreams and aspirations for myself and my career, and cannot wait to see where the coming years will lead me.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As I said before, Curated Casita began as a curation of vintage pieces, but slowly evolved into me creating my own brand of handmade ceramics. It makes me so happy to see how much I’ve grown through this art form. Mentally, physically, and creatively. I’ve had the opportunity to sell my pieces locally at Prism Boutique in Long Beach. As well as across the US in boutiques such as Jo & June (Tulsa, OK) and All the Feels (Houston, TX). For my most recent project, I’ve had the opportunity to work with Newport Beach interior designer, Laura Brophy, on some ceramic pieces for the home which will be released March of 2022. I hope to continue to work with other small businesses and continue to grow in this art form.

Getting to where I’m at today has not been easy. When I decided I wanted to take up ceramics as a business endeavor, I had only taken a ceramics class in high school, and frankly I was not very good! But, I decided to jump in head first, and I was determined to make this something that I was good at. I purchased a used wheel and kiln and began this new journey! Most of my knowledge comes from the basics I learned in high school, as well as from watching countless instagram and youtube videos. Even with all of this knowledge, I really didn’t start getting good at ceramics until I was constantly practicing on the wheel. I’m so proud to see how far I’ve come, and to see the growth in my work then to now.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I live in Huntington Beach, CA, but spend most of my time in Costa Mesa. To start our trip, I’d take them to my favorite workout spot, which also happens to be my place of work, GritCycle. After class, right down the street there is this amazing local coffee shop with the sweetest owners called Original Barista. If you are looking for a great matcha, look no further! My go-to order is an iced vanilla matcha with oat milk, and trust me, they never disappoint. Another great coffee shop is WIP which is near the LAB in Costa Mesa. The aesthetic, the food, the staff… everything about this shop is so welcoming. Also in the LAB, is this great little Vietnamese restaurant called East Borough. You cannot go wrong with anything here, but my personal favorite is the rice bowl with beef. I’m a chill night out kind of gal, so my go to is to grab a glass of wine and pizza at 2145, or stop at natural wine bar, Semi Tropic Wines, for a pre-dinner glass and cheese board. If you couldn’t see a pattern in what I like to do, it’s clearly eating! Costa Mesa has some of the best, unique places in my opinion!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I have said this since day one of starting Curated Casita. My mom is, and always will be my biggest supporter. When she is not just being my mom, she doubles as my assistant in the studio, my partner in crime at pop-ups, and my best friend in life and in business. Without her constant love and support, Curated Casita would not be what it is today. She encouraged me to start this journey, constantly reassuring me that peoples’ opinions of me do not matter and to do what I love. Besides my mom, I’d love to thank the community of creatives and small business owners that I’ve had the pleasure of meeting and partnering with . We have helped each other grow, and I’ve learned so much from each one of you that have been a part of this journey with me. I have loved being able to work with such like-minded individuals that continue to inspire me every day.

Website: https://www.curatedcasita.com

Instagram: @curated.casita