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

Hi Roque, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I decided to choose a creative career because I literally cannot stop the creative process in my brain. It is running 24/7, I even wake up in the middle of the night with an idea and it just flows. Our brand has no end to creativity only a limitation on time and hands.

Also I like pushing the boundaries of what can be done. I just had to learn the skill to make it come to life. My whole life I’ve only ever wanted to be an artist, and this career has been able to make the goal a reality.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What really sets No.1927 apart from other jeweler’s is that we offer a completely interactive experience. Our customers give us an idea that they have and we come up with the concept drawing, and bring their idea into a work of art. We don’t use a computer rendering of the design but it is all done the old fashion way with pencil watercolors and paper. Once the design has been accepted we go into the building process, by pouring an ingot and milling out the base metal needed for the design. The process is 100% hand crafted. Most of our stones are cut by us or we have met the mine owner of the gems we use. We only use the quality stones. Each piece is then soldered together for the final piece.

Our company all got started one day when I wanted to create a ring for my wife for our anniversary. I knew nothing about silversmithing and had to learn simply by watching videos on YouTube.
It was definitely a trial by error process.

Sometimes things just don’t work out and I’ve had to be willing to scrap a piece that I’ve spent days making only to start all over again. Even though it can be frustrating, I have to tell myself, “it’s all part of the game, if it was easy everyone would be doing it.”

One day while visiting a store, a sales person complemented my wife’s rings. When she found out that I had made them she said something I will never forget, “You need to put a bee in that bonnet!”

And that’s what we did! We started the company No.1927 named after my Grandfather and Grandmothers cattle brand. Which bore the rafters of a house over the number 27. You see they were both born in the year 1927. And as a child I spent pivotal years of my life walking and talking with them on the mesas and in the arroyos in New Mexico learning lessons from them, that I will never forget. I wanted to dedicate my company to them. So we are No.1927.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The first thing I would do is take them to Los Olivios and enjoy a nice day of wine tasting. Our first stop would be Sunstone winery with a side game of cornhole followed by Solminer wine company. Their Blaufränkisch red wine is insane. Then Coquelicot Estates Winery just because it reminds me of siting in my mom’s back yard. Next we would enjoy live music and food at Cold Spring Tavern.

The next day we would go hiking up at Rattlesnake canyon in Montecito and pack in lunch by the river from Ikes Love Sandwiches. We would wait until the bread just becomes just soggy enough to soak up all the flavor. Then we would go to San Ysidro Speak easy if we don’t get kicked out for looking like a bunch of dirty bums.

The next day we would have to visit Ojai and go to my favorite river spot (sorry it’s a secret) and bring lunch from MJ Deli. I like their pastrami. Sorry I’m just realizing I think I have a sandwich addiction. Next we would drive up to Rose Valley and hike up to the waterfall to bathe in its glory. After that we would have dinner at the Deer Lodge and pretend we are miners coming home from gold prospecting. Then a night cap from the Ojai Vally Inn and enjoy my favorite drink Smokey and the Bandit, don’t worry it’s on the secret menu.

The next day we would go kayaking on Santa Cruz Island. We would start our day having breakfast at La Petit Cafe. in the Ventura Harbor. Once we are on the island we would explore the caves while singing, “A Pirates Life For Me”. Life just is way more fun singing, “yo ho yo ho.” On the way back home have dinner at Barrelhouse 101 where everyone knows your name!

The next day they would probably go home, because after those four days they’d be exhausted.

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 would like to give a shoutout to my friend and mentor Kenneth Johnson from Santa Fe NM. He really took me under his wing and saw potential in me. I literally just showed up at his studio and he opened the door and said, “Would you like a history lesson,” my wife and I replied, “yes we do.” We walked in to a photo shoot with Jessica Matten and they just so happened to need a hair stylist. My wife, who is a hair stylist for the last 20 years raised her hand and said “please can I help!” It felt serendipitous!

The rest is history, he is the best jeweler I know. And he helped me to have to confidence I needed in order to take not only my business to the next level but also my craft. So for that I say thank you.

Website: https://no1927.com

Instagram: @no_1927

Image Credits
Zach Wetzel

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