Meet Arika Jimenez | Creations By Ari.J

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

Hi Arika, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve always had a creative streak and enjoyed making things. This passion to create is ultimately the driving force behind my decision to start my own business. However, there were a few other factors as well. Before starting my business I noticed people in my life showing interest in my art and creations. This validation from the ones around me served as encouragement to start this business and showed the demand for the art I was creating. I would always have a surplus of creations sitting around gather dust so I let the individuals who showed interest find them a new home. While creating art is rewarding and fulfilling on its own I recognized (with the help of those closest to me) the potential to turn my passion into a source of income. In summary, the thought process behind starting my own business is driven by a combination of passion, recognition of demand, and the desire for independence.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As an artist working with stained glass, macramé, and jewelry, my creative journey is deeply intertwined with the natural beauty of Michigan’s landscapes and the beach glass found along its shores. Nature serves as my ultimate muse, inspiring me to capture its intricate patterns, vibrant colors, and organic forms in my artistic creations. Each piece I craft is a reflection of the awe I hold for the natural world that surrounds us.
Stained glass allows me to translate the beauty of nature into tangible works of art. Through careful selection of colors and textures, I aim to evoke the ever-changing moods of nature, from the gentle hues of a sunrise over the lakes to the vibrant palette of an autumn.
Incorporating macramé into my artistic practice adds a tactile dimension to my work, infusing each piece with a sense of warmth and intricacy. The rhythmic knots and intricate patterns mirror the organic flow of nature, inviting viewers to connect with the inherent harmony of the natural world.
My jewelry designs, crafted from beach glass collected along Michigan’s shores and wild flowers that grow throughout Michigan, embody the spirit of this great state. Each piece of beach glass bears the imprint of its journey through time and tide, transformed by the forces of nature into a radiant gem of unexpected beauty. By incorporating these treasures into my jewelry, I seek to celebrate the inherent beauty of imperfection and the transformative power of nature’s alchemy.
Through my art, I strive to create a sense of connection and reverence for the natural world, inviting viewers to pause, reflect, and find solace in the timeless beauty that surrounds us. In a world filled with constant noise and distraction, I hope to offer a moment of stillness and wonder, reminding us of the profound beauty and resilience of nature that sustains us all.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
My best friend and I actually grew up in the same town in Michigan, Kalamazoo, so setting up a small itinerary of things we’d do in our hometown comes naturally. Our favorite spots to hang out are our local nature preserves (Al Sabo, Asylum Lake, Lillian Arboretum) and state parks. We love to walk as far as we can to find a spot where we are alone and hang our hammocks and enjoy the sounds of nature around us without the distraction of the city. We also enjoy our annual camping trips to south haven, we always stay at the Kal-Haven Outpost, where we enjoy our traditional camp fire meals and always ending our trip with a nice homemade breakfast from Six Chicks Scratch Kitchen. We love exploring our local small businesses for shopping and food. During the summer visiting the Kalamazoo Farmers Market is the top of our list, from local artist and producers to food trucks, you can find everything you want. We enjoy picking up lunch from Teresa’s kitchen and getting a delicious carrot cake from Love Muffins. Visiting downtown Kalamazoo’s walking mall is also a great stop for shopping, grabbing a few drinks and hanging with friends at the outside patios. Some of our favorite stops are always Green Top Tavern and Shakespeare’s. Lastly, every week I play co-ed volleyball through Best Damn Sports Kzoo, and inviting friends to play when we are short people or to come hang out and watch is always fun. we get to enjoy being active with a little sand between our toes and of course the team always goes to Revel & Roll after for food, drinks and games. There is so much to enjoy here that the list could go on forever but these things are what make it our home.

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’d like to give a shoutout my significant other, Terance, for the out pour of support and encouragement to start this endeavor when we first met. He pushed me in the best way possible to take the first steps of starting this business and has continued to give me validation throughout this journey.

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