For Soñadora designer Lisa Garcia, the path to launching a line of furniture and home goods wasn’t exactly direct. After studying interior design at Oregon’s Art Institute and starting a career largely focused on commercial and hospitality projects, Lisa found herself making a detour to jewelry design in the late aughts, when the market crashed and interiors work dried up. “At the time, there were a lot of us out there who were looking to work in a new way, trying to make a living in a new paradigm in the design world,” she says. Her jewelry line led to a well-timed foray into fiber crafts: “I started making my necklaces at a larger scale, and those turned into my fiber wall hangings — right when there was a huge upswing in the fiber crafts movement,” she says. The success she saw with her stripped-down geometric wall hangings — all simple black and brass hoops with natural, neutral fiber flourishes — gave her the confidence (and the customer base) to return to her first design love: furniture. These days, her shop includes minimalist metal plant hangers; frameless, curved-edge mirrors; and DIY and readymade versions of welded-steel hoop chairs with woven seats. Talk about coming full circle!
We caught up with Lisa about her artistic aspirations, inspiring studio mates, and how to break out of a creative rut.
Tell us about your design process — how do you take an idea from inspiration to finished product?
I keep a notepad in my purse everywhere I go, and I try to pull it out anytime that I have a few moments alone; a lot of my wall hanging designs come from just doodling and sketching and drawing shapes. But sometimes I go into my studio, make myself a pot of tea, see what materials I have on hand, and let that guide my process. The furniture designs are a little different; they start as thumbnail drawings, then I move on to loose drawings, then detailed drawings and finally prototypes. Each prototype is tested, sat in, and used for about a month before it is re-drawn and re-detailed until I reach the final version.
What do you love most about your workspace?
My good friend Rebekka Seale of Camellia Fiber Company and I opened a coop studio space called Earthen Studio last June here in Nashville, and we brought in Golden Apothecary as well — our intention was to build a small collective of creative women who own small businesses that we love and respect. We have a big kitchen in the back for the apothecary goods, and Rebekka and I share the rest of the space; it’s filled with fibers and plants and all the things that make us happy. And it’s pretty magical — she spins yarn from raw fiber, and because I get to see all of her stuff, it really influences my own projects; our studio is really just a huge overlapping of our work.
Can you tell us about another artist, designer, or Etsy seller whose work you admire?
Yes! A friend recently recommended that I check out Himo Art, who also does fiber wall hangings, and I have so much respect for her and what she’s done. And I really love looking at her Etsy shop — she’s always got new, awesome, exciting things. I think it’s really fun when someone else works in the same medium but does drastically different work.
If you could instantly master any other art form, what would it be?
Metalworking. I’ve only dabbled a little bit and I can do enough to make prototypes, but mastering is a whole other thing. I just started working with a welder named Nelson who has been amazing, and a central part of Soñadora’s shift toward furniture making, but I would love to be able to be more involved on that side of things.
You also sing in a band. What different creative or emotional needs do music and design fulfill in your life?
I’m in a band called Copper Fox with my fiancé and a few of our friends, and singing is actually, honestly, my true love. And what I love about Etsy is that it’s allowed me to make a living with Soñadora; Soñadora and Etsy are the things that made my dream of being in a band possible. But they also kind of work together — the way I think of making music, I think more in terms of designing a song than writing a song. Maybe you wouldn’t be able to see it on the outside, but for me, in my mind, there’s so much crossover there.
Do you ever get stuck, creatively? What do you do to get un-stuck?
I do get stuck, I definitely do. And when I need to get un-stuck, I travel. I travel as much as possible, which doesn’t happen too often during busy seasons, but it always reinvigorates me and re-inspires me. Seeing new places, eating new food, walking down new streets, and seeing new buildings — it always makes me feel like I have more to give and more to do.
What’s a trip you took recently that stands out for you?
This time last year I accompanied my friend Beth, who writes a blog called Local Milk, on a photography and styling workshop in Venice, Italy; it wasn’t my first trip to Venice, but I saw the city with new eyes and definitely came back inspired. The workshop was hosted in one of the palazzos on the Grand Canal from the 1300s; I literally sat in Wagner’s sofa that he designed and made, and for me, having studied that chair in design school and thinking I would never actually see it in real life, that just blew my mind. And seeing all these architectural and decorative elements that have stood the test of time and are still innately beautiful, even though we’ve come so far in design, was really wonderful. And that’s kind of what I want for my work — I want people to hang onto it for a long time, so I try not to get too hasty about designs I come up with until I know for sure it’s something that’ll last.
What are you looking forward to most in 2016? What are your goals for the year?
I‘m really excited to expand my home goods line — I have a lot of designs that my welder and I are working on right now, and I’m looking forward to giving more of my love and attention to our larger items and doing fewer small ones. I’m also putting out an album this year with Copper Fox, and I get really excited about the idea of going on tour and sketching for Soñadora between shows.
Keep up with Lisa’s creative projects by following her on Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
Product photos by Soñadora; portrait and studio photos by Leah Gray.
Shop Soñadora
130 comments
Basak Celik from BeeMadeDesign said 5 years ago
Amazing shop! Congrats!!
Megan from MegansMenagerie said 5 years ago
Your work is beautiful! So unique! Congratulations on the feature!
Julia K Walton from FireHorseVintageHQ said 5 years ago
Very beautiful, sculptural pieces. Your creative lifestyle sounds wonderful :o)
Vadim Moroz from IconPainter said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature!
Vadim Moroz from VadimMorozArt said 5 years ago
Very nice designs! Congratulations! All the Best!
Sue from SuesAkornShop said 5 years ago
Gorgeous. Congrats on the feature!
Francine from HomespunHeartofMine said 5 years ago
LOVE the lamp shade and diy kit!!! :D Congratulations on the feature and blessings for your continued success in all that you do....especially your music!!!
Shulamit Raanan from ShuliDesigns said 5 years ago
Congrats, I admired your talent and skills!
DeUno from DeUno said 5 years ago
Beautiful design! Congratulations!
TropicalGarden from TropicalGarden said 5 years ago
So wonderful and inspiring ! Congratulations on the feature:)
thedelhistore from theDelhiStore said 5 years ago
Awesome shop! Congratulations on the feature!
Helen Mills from 1820BagCo said 5 years ago
Beautiful designs, congrats on the feature
Tim Condron from InOro said 5 years ago
A fantastic story!, Best of luck for a prosperous future and many great inspirational travel's, and the release of a killer new album!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 5 years ago
Fantastic shop!!
Greg and Mary from LightingAlchemy said 5 years ago
Congratulations!!
elle and belle Forster from elleandbellejewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful functional designs! Enjoyed your story! All the best to you.
Kathy Terrill from NYCFitnessFamilyFind said 5 years ago
Love your clean designs!
KP from oldspoolquiltery said 5 years ago
How lovely! Congratulations on the well deserved feature!
Renee from RandMhandmade said 5 years ago
Beautiful and modern..I love it all!!!
Jessica from CreativeDollCrafts said 5 years ago
Congratulations!! Beautiful work!
benna and hanna from bennaandhanna said 5 years ago
Love the simple geometric designs. Congrats and more blessings!
Zoui from XZOUIX said 5 years ago
Unbelievably cool designs! Your minimalist work is simply perfect, Lisa!
Carol Wagner from VintageBettyLuke said 5 years ago
Your studio pis are awsm
Carol Wagner from VintageBettyLuke said 5 years ago
Your studio pics are awesome!
Kashuen Collectibles from Kashuen said 5 years ago
Simple, elegant shop. Congratulations on the feature.
Connie Lea from LeaMade said 5 years ago
Great designs! Congratulations!
ACR from IntoTheBluePaintShop said 5 years ago
I LOVE your creations! Congrats!!
Donna Roberge from DonnaRobergePhoto said 5 years ago
Wow, you're story is si inspiring! I love how your creativity isn't confined to one area... Good luck to you!
Debra from snowydovevintage said 5 years ago
Love the serene feeling to your designs!
Monika Moroz from NickoArts said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature of your beautiful store and much success :)
Amy Gunderson from amysfunkyfibers said 5 years ago
Love the idea of using fiber as art- the best to you and your success!
DivineOrders from DivineOrders said 5 years ago
GLORIOUS! Congrats on the feature. Thank you Lisa for sharing your lovely musings, beautiful designs and gorgeous art with us. Peace.
Hajira Gibb from HajiraKG said 5 years ago
Simple but unique. Wish you much success :)
Debra Gilstrap from gilstrapdesigns said 5 years ago
Your designs are Simply Beautiful much continued success!
Nakkashe from Nakkashe said 5 years ago
Wow, such a unique idea.. congratulations
Laura Long from VintagePatina said 5 years ago
Inspiring. I pray blessings and success for you.
Diana from LeSeForYou said 5 years ago
Nice designs ☆CONGRATULATIONS☆
Betty Somelar from Kriips said 5 years ago
Very nice and "clean" design, really do like Your shop :)
Lisa Garcia from SonadoraInLove said 5 years ago
Thank you for all the kind words!
Sherri from ButterflyFeetDigital said 5 years ago
Love the hanging chairs! Great shop, congrats on the feature!
Sujata from TreasuredMemoryLane said 5 years ago
Your designs are unique and beautiful! Congratulations on the feature!
stacey from TessCloset said 5 years ago
Beautiful, clean, fresh designs! Love it! Congrats and best wishes on all your accomplishments and doing what you love.
Liene from SilkArtbyLiene said 5 years ago
Love your elegant designs. Wish you big success
AnitasPottery.com from potterybyAnita said 5 years ago
I'm so taken by your plant hangers! So simple, yet elegant! Would fit anywhere from minimalist decor to uptown fancy! Congrats on the Feature and I envy you that you can travel when you need to get "unstuck" from a dry spell of creating! ♥♥♥
Christina from TheWildPlum said 5 years ago
Truly magical, Lisa! I love how your path continues to unfold. Keep following your many blisses. The thing about bliss is, it is catchy.
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Beautiful treasury!
accentonvintage from accentonvintage said 5 years ago
Meant beautiful designs!
greenphilosophie from greenphilosophie said 5 years ago
Loved reading your story & following the development of your creative journey. The idea of a coop with other artists is something that resonates with me. Beautiful designs and shop! Congrats on this great feature… :)
Relly from RelsFindsNapaValley said 5 years ago
Awesome fiber craft and metal designs... I always love clean, modern look. Congratulations Lisa of Shop Sonadora!
Elena Krasnenkova from FrostbergDecor said 5 years ago
Beautiful and original shop!!! I wish You success!
Alicia Rohan from apdesignco said 5 years ago
Your designs are so beautiful! Wish you the best of luck and success with your future endeavors! :)
Priscilla from Gardenmis said 5 years ago
Your designs are gorgeous and your shared studio is inspiring, congrats on the feature! :)
Mike and Jess from JessiesOrientalRugs said 5 years ago
Beautiful work and congrats on the feature!
Cristy Ramos from ArtisanBathandBody said 5 years ago
Lisa, I have always admired your awesome work, your exceptional photography and now your story. Congratulations on a very well deserved feature ♥♥♥ Much love and success, Cristy
Chantelle from DaydreamingBoutique said 5 years ago
Great job! Love your collective studio space!
Dorothy from JewelrybyDorothy said 5 years ago
Beautiful! Congrats on the feature!
Monica from ThreeBarDGifts said 5 years ago
Congrats on the feature! Best wishes to you and your lovely shop!
Natalia Snemis from expressyourself said 5 years ago
Such a great work! Love it!
Liz and Phil Van D from lizystuff said 5 years ago
Such a beautiful work! Congrats on the feature!
Yarn shop from PetiteWool said 5 years ago
Congratulations on the feature!
Marilú from MVDesignInk said 5 years ago
Beautiful items, love your studio! Congratulations on the feature!
Arley P from PSYouLoveIt said 5 years ago
Great story and love your work, Congrats on your feature!
Patricia Ramirez from patsdesign said 5 years ago
Very nice items!! Congrats!!
Jafeth Moiane from handicraftafrica said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop congrats!
viena bone from bonesreusablebags said 5 years ago
You have great pieces ; ) Good luck with picking up the metalworking! Sounds super exciting and interesting!
charlotte cannon from thevintagevoguestory said 5 years ago
Yay Lisa!!!!! I've been a superfan from Day One. So excited to see you here - congrats!!!
May from HIMOART said 5 years ago
Congrats on your feature Lisa!! You are an amazing artist and I admire you and your work very much. and thank you for the mention! I feel honored!xx
JOANNA from BUSTANI said 5 years ago
Great designs! Congratulations!
Mónica López from Moniquesthingsshop said 5 years ago
I love it. Beautiful work and congrats.
Snazzy Living from Snazzyliving said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop. Congrats on your feature.
Judy W from JudyHandmadeCreation said 5 years ago
Congrats on your feature!
BonTons from BonTons said 5 years ago
Very nice designs! Congratulations on the Feature!
kim rhodes-thomas from pinksnakejewelry said 5 years ago
Lovely Creations!! Great Post!!
Nancy from HerMajestysPug said 5 years ago
Bravo Lisa!!! J'adore your chic, unique designs!!! Congrats on being featured!! And, here's to beaucoup more success!!! Pugs & kisses
Cheryl Berry from PretticoateJunction said 5 years ago
Congratulations on your shop feature. Looks like alot of fun. All the best for a successful future!!!
birdhouseaccents from birdhouseaccents said 5 years ago
Congrats
Roseann and Alexandra Ettinger from thepopularjewelry said 5 years ago
Congrats..great shop!
Madeleine Keller from ThoseGoodVibrations said 5 years ago
Your products are very interesting and simple, yet they somehow look retro. I like it! Congrats on the feature :)
Jovita from alabatis said 5 years ago
Beautiful shop! Congrats!
Tiffany Deloach from WeddingFlowersByTiff said 5 years ago
Beautiful work. You are an inspiration. Congratulations!!
RockNPrint Ruano from RockNPrint said 5 years ago
Conratulations! Amazing shop! And as spanish i also love de ñ at you shop name!
Giselle from MyArtAndFashion said 5 years ago
Absolutely phenomenal work Lisa! Congratulations on the feature :)
Jytte Haslund from palepink said 5 years ago
Very beautiful.
Rhonda Stubbs from RhondaCorner said 5 years ago
WOW your work is very nice. I like the designs, they a very pleasing to the eye. Thank you for sharing your story and the best of luck on your future endeavors.
Tempy from UrbanGreyWhale said 5 years ago
Ooooh I've been following Local Milk on Instagram! It was you on that amazing looking Venice trip- lucky duck!! I love what you've done here. well done and I'll look out for you on Instagram ;-)
Sandra from AlexaSteve1 said 5 years ago
Beautiful work. Amazing studio space! Best wishes for continued success.
Annie Bathgate from AnniesLilCorner said 5 years ago
Amazing Studio! So inspiring!!!
Meagan Steinberg from wristflairglass said 5 years ago
I appreciate the modern look and feel to your designs--everything from your plant hangers to your wall hangings and everything in between. I also love the neutral colors. Simple, clean looks. Thank you for sharing your story!
Agata Kurek from KOKOworld said 5 years ago
Simple but with taste. I love it!
Cheridah Spaulding from CheridahSpaulding said 5 years ago
Love your studios. All the best to you.
Amber Hickey from BesosjewelrybyAmber said 5 years ago
Such nice work! I love how modern in design your pieces are! :)
Oksana Bilous from NeedForStitch said 5 years ago
Congrats! Love your shop!
Linda French from lindafrenchgallery said 5 years ago
You are COOL! xo, L
April Armistead from AprilNicoleArt said 5 years ago
Love the clean lines of your work ♥ Congrats on the feature!
Jeanne S from EclecticSageVintage said 5 years ago
I think that's so great that you and a friend work together and inspire each other. It seems like it keeps the creativity flowing. It must, your shop is amazing!
Elizabeth Lagasse from LillyThings said 5 years ago
Lovely Designs ! ❤️
Proton ThreeD from Proton3D said 5 years ago
beautiful shop, congrats!
Armanda from Thriftionary said 5 years ago
You and you friend have beautiful space together! And metalworking sounds like a great choice for the shop in moving toward furniture making! Those will be beautiful pieces. :)
Brenda Bordas from brendabordas said 5 years ago
Great ideas to come to fruition wish you continued success!!
Fishcouple from fishcouple said 5 years ago
I like your simple and clean designs. congrats on the feature!
Stef Bauer from oneeyedgirls said 5 years ago
Fantastic interview, studio and creations!! Congrats to you, Lisa on a well deserved feature :.))
Megan C from AlaskaBagCompany said 5 years ago
Amazing shop! Congrats
HydrangeaJewelry from HydrangeaJewelry said 5 years ago
I love your studio! Simple beauty! Congrats!
Two Guys From Brooklyn from AhsenGifts said 5 years ago
Beautiful and original shop!!! I wish You success! Two Guys From Brooklyn
Michael from tallbaldmike said 5 years ago
Such beautiful, clean designs. I love it.
UmmNiyatiJewelry from UmmNiyatiJewelry said 5 years ago
Beautiful work and nice shop. Congratulations on the feature. Best wishes,
Georgia from JewelMeShop said 5 years ago
I love your modern designs. Congrats!
Mireia Solsona from mimetik said 5 years ago
Wow, it's a lovely shop! Great designs <3
Agnieszka Niechcial from WRECZ said 5 years ago
Fascinating is the way changes in the create works!
Elena Kasimova from Moorlandlove said 5 years ago
i like yours work!)Nice!
Mónica López from Moniquesthingsshop said 5 years ago
Amazing Shop!!!! Congrats????
Lucie Carpentier from WhiteHartDesignCo said 5 years ago
This is a very inspiring story and definitely a beautiful shop!
Pamela Brummett Holliday from AnimalArtIncognito said 5 years ago
Love your story and designs, best wishes Pam
Avianti Jewelry from AviantiJewelry said 5 years ago
These are lovely designs! Congrats on the feature!
Kelly box from Bubblebox said 5 years ago
Amazing creations and such a beautiful shop! Congrats! :)
Kelly from LucyRoseDesigns said 5 years ago
Your products are beautiful. Congratulations on the feature!!
Cheryl Mendenhall from EECustomHorseShoes said 5 years ago
What beautiful Etsy shop! Congratulations on your feature!
wanida kunchiang from wanidacotton said 5 years ago
Great designs!
Rasa Rabaciene from PRINTDECOstudio said 5 years ago
Really modern and beautiful!
Little Katrin from EngravedWoodenGifts said 5 years ago
I admire Lisa and her shop!!!!
Rachel Peavy from PeavyPieces said 5 years ago
Simply beautiful and very talented - love your shop
Elizabeth Anne Norris from eanjewellery said 5 years ago
What a gorgeous work space and such beautiful products. Lovely interview. Thanks for sharing.
Katrina Dzerkale from Dominna said 5 years ago
Amazing ideas :)
Cathy from CathyfDesigns said 5 years ago
Love your designs!
Mala from MalasExpressions said 5 years ago
Congratulations ! Attractive designs.
UNEMPLOYED Custom Orders Wanted USA Made Superhero Cufflinks Wedding Jewelry from boloties said 5 years ago
Congratulations on your store feature and business success!
Daniela Maldarizzi Casalino from dadavinylsanddesigns said 5 years ago
Nice job and great pictures!
Herminia Fonseca from GenesisVintageShop said 4 years ago
Awesome! love the designs!
Hajira Gibb from HajiraKG said 4 years ago
Very modern and unique. Congratulations on the feature!
Flair Nouri from FlairPaintings said 4 years ago
beautiful designs and very useful!!!