Meet Rosie | Artistan (Handmade Floral Bookmarks)

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

Hi Rosie, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
When the idea of making bookmarks sparked in my mind, I did not envision this would lead me to start my own business. I actually wanted to preserve a memory. My small business was inspired by a trip I took to Puebla, Mexico. Ever since I was young I’ve always dreamt of meeting my grandma. It wasn’t until after I turned twenty-four that I would be going to Mexico for the first time. I asked my grandma if she could teach me how to weave flowers. She used to do this with my mom when she was a little girl. It was such a special moment for me because I felt like I could imagine my mom doing this and it also felt bittersweet because my mom had not seen her mother, my grandma in thirty-plus years. I placed the flower inside my book and brought it back to South Central, Los Angeles. Being the bookworm I am I decided to preserve this memory and turn it into a bookmark. At the time, I was in grad school at USC completing my Master’s in Educational Counseling and I made a post on my Instagram asking folks if they wanted to buy a handmade bookmark to help me fund my grad studies. When the demand increased, I thought I needed to start doing some research and see what materials would work better, and that’s when it began to feel like a small business!

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.
I am most proud of my educational journey and how I turned into a lifelong learner. Growing up a first-generation Mexican-American I would always hear my parents say that we had to study and work hard so that we could have a better life. This was easier said than done. I did not have any role models growing up and was unaware of what careers were out there. With no guidance or clear directions, it led me to make decisions that weren’t good for me or others. Thankfully my middle school teacher Mr. Vanhorn saw me in a different light, motivated me to learn, and sparked my joy of reading. Even though, I did not know how to navigate higher education, my best friend and I decided that we would go to Santa Monica College (SMC). This was the best decision I feel I have made in academia. I loved my time at SMC. This is where I met people like my co-workers, counselors, and professors who taught me how to navigate higher education and who believed in me. I transferred to UCLA, volunteered for City Year, worked part-time jobs at different elementary and middle schools in my community and I am the first one in my family to earn a Master’s in Educational Counseling from USC. Along the way, I learned to ask for help and that it takes a village to help you achieve your goals. When you’ve been in academia for so long sometimes taking a gap year can feel like a setback however, I learned that it is okay to take time and reflect on what your next steps are. A major lesson for me is the importance of building connections and relying on your community as well as having f/mentors who want to see you and help you succeed. Having people who support you and guide you whether that be personal or educational is the reason why I became an advisor. I hope to be that person to others. I have also created a resource guide on my Instagram if you would like to learn more about scholarships, mental health, and more! As a life-long learner, I am excited to maybe go back to school one day. For now, I love being an academic advisor and running my small business. I hope to turn you into a bookworm with my handmade floral bookmarks!

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?
If someone were to come to my side of town I would take them to Cafe Calle (@cafecalle) for some delicious coffee and chile relleno burritos. We would then check out what books we’d like to read or purchase from @ourwattsbookshop. After that, we would go to the Alameda Swapmeet to shop, buy some esquites, nieve de maracuya, or get some piercings. We would end the day at @tacos_el_foquito with some tacos, vampiros, burritos, quesadillas, tostadas or mulitas de asada, al pastor, cabeza, tripa or pollo estilo Tijuana. If we were looking for some dessert spots we could stop by la Cascada on 43rd and Central and grab a smoothie, diablito, cascacho, or popsicles or get a crepe and/or funnel cake from Kimmy’s Crepes (@kimmys_crepes) on 43rd and Central.

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?
First and foremost, my grandma and mom have the first shoutout! I was inspired to preserve the memory of weaving flowers like how they used to. I gotta give a shoutout to my family! My mom has given me plenty of ideas. For example, she suggested that I press baby’s breath flowers. Now the baby’s breath floral bookmark is a customer favorite! My siblings have supported me in different ways (i.e. vending) so shoutout to them. Big shoutout to my USC grad cohort, when they heard I was starting a fundraiser for grad school they were quick to support me. I want to give a big shoutout to @barriodrive for letting me be a part of their DACA fundraiser it allowed me to see how my small business can help support great causes. Shoutout to my sister Shell for shamelessly plugging me with Diana who is the owner of our local coffee shop Cafe Calle. Big thank you to Diana for granting small businesses like mine an opportunity to sell and showcase our craft on your local small business shelf! Not only is having a platform important but there’s also mutual respect and support that Diana provides to local vendors which is what keeps our community going. I never would have thought that I would be sharing my craft outside of my Etsy shop and with my own community in South Central LA. Big shoutout to all of the markets (i.e. @southcentralflea) that have granted me the opportunity to showcase my craft and all the vendors that have inspired me to keep my craft alive. Shoutout to all my day ones, y’all know who you are. Lastly, shoutout to all my customers and especially my fellow bookworms! I love it when y’all stop by my table and tell me what your favorite books, flowers, authors, and genres are. Thank you to everyone who has supported me and for all of your love and encouragement!

Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/RosieFlowerBookmarks

Instagram: @rosie_floralmarks