This is my dad 

Cruz Gonzalez Jr.

My dad taught me that, in many ways, failure was a mindset. I came to learn that no matter the obstacle or the critics in my way, If I set my mind to it, I could do it. Being a woman or being of a certain social class or being any classification at all was never deemed as a valid reason to back down from my goals. My dad taught me to ignore ceilings and strive for my personal version of accomplishment as he did. 

My dad told me one day he said no one has true friends; you are your only friend.

Now, though, I can appreciate how his words shaped me throughout my life. He taught me early in life to depend on myself for my own happiness and not to look to anyone to tell me what I could or couldn’t be. It is because of him I became a confident, sometimes stubborn woman who doesn’t back down from her version of happiness. It is because of him I simply don’t see limitation

In addition, I, in all honesty, have had a pretty smooth path growing up.

Nonetheless, I am thankful my dad is the dad he was.

Mayan Mosaic Art 

• MAYAN MOSAIC ART 

Mayan is one of the few civilizations that is symbolized by its artists, artworks and unique designs. It has been called the richest of the New World due to the great complexity of its patterns and various art mediums. The Mayans are influenced by conscience and spirituality and have their own special worship for colors.  Many of their designs and figures were made into mosaic artworks.

Here’s my version 

For Sale

Holidays finally over

Holidays finally over

That’s the time at the end of the holidays when the gifts are put away and the grandkids have gone home and I flop on the sofa with a satisfying, “Whew!”

We all know that the past couple of  weeks have exacted an emotional, financial toll. The tree was bursting with lights and sentimental ornaments. Gifts were purchased, then wrapped in a hurry, if y’all know me I’m a last minute shopper. Parties were celebrated with friends.

Things really kicked into gear when the family and friends arrived. 

Don’t think I’m ungrateful. I adore having everyone around. 

My grown sons and daughter-in-laws are wonderful company. I appreciate each of them more than they can ever know. 

And my grandchildren are the center of my life. Their charm and energy give all of us what we need. 

I intentionally don’t decorate so my hubby can do it , Christmas is his favorite holiday.

Even so, the holidays are stressful. My normal routine is disrupted. 

When the holidays are over. I’m ready to pack up everything and put it away till next year. 

and say, “Whew!” So I then can ready for my next adventure in my business.  

Kids mosaic class

I had the pleasure of teaching 3 children the art of mosaic. Ava, Diego and Alexa are my cousin Mary Garcia grandchildren who came to visit for the holiday.
They were very  responsive, had a  inquisitive attitude. I provide plenty of time to create and  explore the joy of learning the art. We had great  conversation about what they wanted to be when they grow up. Alexa states she wanted to be a veterinarian and a mosaic artist!. I gave them all the material and showed them how to start and they took off with it. They had their own ideas and construct their own mosaic.
I’m happy that I expanded their thinking of this art and they now have knowledge of how a mosaic is created.
Melissa Garcia
#mosaic #class

The Textiles of Mexico have a long history.

The making of fibers, cloth and other textile goods has existed in the country since at least 1400 BCE. 

I have a passion for Mexican color, textures and patterns -as seen in my clothes, home and my art.

I wanted to make my dress to represent the Mexican culture I love.

I made my dress from raw silk fabric and I added a beautiful emerald embroidered belt from Oaxaca,Mexico to the top part of the 

dress and I wore a emerald silk rebozo to our Sembradores de Amistad de Corpus Christi Holiday Gala. 

All items from Mexico that I’m wearing are handcrafts and produced by indigenous people, whose communities are concentrated in the center and south of the country in states such as Mexico State, Oaxaca and Chiapas. The textile industry remains important to the economy of Mexico although it has suffered setback due to items made in China and Vietnam. 

Please check TAGS when buying items that look similar to items made in Mexico? 

New year 2018

The ending of a year brings joy and sadness the past several  years have been a struggle, stressful, depressed trying to get out of the depression is difficult…we can’t help but reflect on past journeys, adventures we’ve walked.
A new year means so much to me, new friends, adventures, new ideas for myself to accomplish this year.
A new art-jewelry journey has come up totally  different from what I’m been doing. A restaurant in Dallas-has request several big art pieces for their restaurant that will resemble mayahuel goddess theme, a children’s clothing store in San Antonio will be selling my new children’s jewelry and art collection, another store in San Antonio has picked up my western theme art pieces and hopefully I’m going to start detail painting small furniture pieces. 

Both my past and future are critical for my creative

The reality is you will grieve forever. You will not get over the loss of a loved one; you will learn to live with it.  You will heal and you will rebuild yourself around the loss you have suffered. You will be whole again but you will never be the same again. Nor should you be the same, nor should you want to. .
-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross

November... this time of the year Depression starts to come visit me.

I write this open letter with so much ?? Of what ? Don’t know I’m sad, frustrated, teary eye, mad..
This times of the year is very depressing for me
Nov 22, 2004— my brother’s Dennis death,
Nov 24, 2008- my first grandson Miguel death
    It seems like I’m on  roller coaster of emotions this time of the year. 
Grief is a different and unique journey for everyone. We all deal with it the best way we know how in the moment. 
And now that 17 yrs  has passed since My brother Dennis died, and 13 yrs for my grandson , I still don’t know the answer to any of  questions I have of those  days . And more importantly, it doesn’t feel like it’s been that many years.  It still feels so raw and heart-wrenching, like it was only last week.
I can still remember every part of those days it happened. It comes back to me every single day, in points when I least expect it. I might be cooking, painting,  My breath turns short and sharp, and the  shock hits me all over again. That’s the thing about  sudden death; you never get over the shock. I know they are gone. I tell myself over and over, I think that sense of disbelief and shock is what allows me to function, to survive. My insides hurt all over.. And I’m still here having to learn how to live with that empty feeling 
But losing a sibling- grandchild brings more than just grief. It changes you entirely.
I am a completely different person now.  Every day I am trying my absolute hardest to face the day, smile and carry on being the bubbly and energetic person I was before. Each day, each hour, will be different. But I’m still here, and have to continue trying to be and eventually focusing on what I love and doing more of that everyday.