Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelzie Duarte.
Hi Nelzie, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For 20+ years, I’ve been creating and selling art and offering creative services. From 2003 to 2008, I owned and operated my own full-service party store, Sweet Reflections Inc. We constructed handmade centerpieces, party favors, personalized printed ribbons, event-specific jewelry, etc. We also provided party decor services, from setting up balloon arches and towers to placing down tablecloths and chair covers. Unfortunately, other factors in my life led me to move away from my creative passions for a few years. After struggling with mental health due to certain life events, I began making and selling jewelry again in 2013 to help me cope (this time from home). In 2019, I opened my online shop. My jewelry faced yet another setback as the pandemic emerged. And like many others, my business took a hit. Many factors in my life then pushed my family out of our home in Boston and opened the door to new opportunities elsewhere. I uprooted my whole life and established myself halfway across the country in a new state. Here in Kansas City, I found yet another new creative passion after enduring more emotional turmoil. Pour painting became a major part of my life, helping me deal with almost losing a child. My main focuses now for my business have been my jewelry and pour paintings, both inspired by yet another work of art I created, my first-born child, Iris.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. Working an office job to help support my family financially took me away from my art for a few years. Then experiencing both the loss of my father to pancreatic cancer and a 20-year relationship with my best friend and husband also caused my focus to shift. Years later, in 2020, as the pandemic hit, I struggled to keep my business going as everything closed. Another hardship I faced came after the move to KC when my son experienced complications with covid leading to my sole focus being on him for a couple of months as he fought for his life in the hospital and needed lots of assistance recovering afterward.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I make handmade jewelry of all types and create Afro-Latina pour paintings. My art is meant to honor and celebrate Afro-Latinas as we often face erasure and discrimination within our communities. My art reflects the fact that Afro-Latinas come in all shapes and sizes. I enjoy adding glitter and false lashes to make my paintings pop. With my jewelry, I love to make pieces I would wear. Most of the jewelry is colorful, bold, and unique in shape and size, reflecting my Iris (my first born) and me.
What would you say has been one of your most important lessons?
I’ve learned to disregard what others think. I initially didn’t push myself forward hard enough due to being afraid of criticism. Be you, do you? Do what makes you happy. Don’t water yourself down for anybody. The community here in KC has been so welcoming to what I’d been afraid was “too much.” You can also learn from constructive feedback and grow from it rather than trying to avoid it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://inspirebyiris.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nelzie.inspirebi/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NelcypDuarte/ and https://www.facebook.com/InspiredIB/
- Other: tiktok.com/@inspirebyiris
10 Comments
Leave a Reply
Cancel reply
Popular
-
Kansas City’s Most Inspiring Stories
-
Hidden Gems: Local Businesses & Creatives You Should Know
-
Portraits of KC
-
Gift Guide: Services Spotlight with Morgan Kuchynka of Pinnacle Gymnastics, Dance, and Ninja
-
Small Business of the Day: Conversations with Jamelle Zablow-Moloney of Bare Roots Energy
-
Small Business of the Day: Conversations with Morgan Kuchynka of Pinnacle Gymnastics
Peter
July 30, 2022 at 12:05 am
Congrats to my bestie even with all the struggles bursts through like a rainbow cause she has the grind and ambition to overcome obstacles and show up in the most unexpected times and make you sit and wonder after all that how can someone still shine through the gray clouds and unexpected terrain that’s life this is living proof love you girl
Britteny
July 30, 2022 at 12:29 am
Love love love Nelzie’s work ! So intricate and beautiful. Definitely the most unique piece I’ve ever owned !
Natalie
July 30, 2022 at 12:56 am
Nelzie has been a life long friend of mine for over 18 years! She is authentic, compassionate and full of love. I am so proud to see all of her beautiful qualities emerged into her pieces of art work. I have had the pleasure of owning pieces of her jewelry and most recently her creative pieces of art work. All are made with pure love and joy. They come from heart and make your heart a little warmer just by owning pieces of her collection. Keep shining Nelzie! We love you!
Sukari Brown
July 30, 2022 at 1:55 am
Amazing. Love your work
Lo Guzman
July 30, 2022 at 2:53 am
So proud of you. Continue to strive
Mike
July 30, 2022 at 4:56 am
If you haven’t yet, do yourself a favor and look through Nelzie’s page! I needed a gift for my mother for Mother’s Day… now her whole neighborhood wants to know where she got her painting from! Nelzie is professional and attentive to detail, and best of all and despite it all, she’s an absolute gem of a person!
Ramon Fonseca
July 30, 2022 at 5:46 am
This art is beautiful and the artist is a kindhearted and loving soul ❤️
Mo
July 30, 2022 at 1:23 pm
The earings are flawless. I’m glad Nelzie is pursuing her passion and dreams. Never settle and never stop to dare to dream.
Roberto
August 2, 2022 at 2:07 am
Hey all! I’ve been a friend of Nelzie for several years now, and visited regularly while her family lived in Boston. I just have to comment on the grit, anti-fragility, and spirit of this woman! I know she’s been through things most people couldn’t dare to imagine… and my knowledge is limited to a small slice of the perils of her life! Yet through it all, I met a wonderfully caring woman who found ways to turn her pain into passion. Whenever I would visit, it was rare to not see her invested in art, whether that be jewelry, decorations, or even cooking. There is one noticeable thing that remains constant throughout these mediums: the desire to be unique, to stand out, to punch conformity in the face. To help you understand, if Nelzie ever invites you over for dinner, you will never eat a “traditional” dish. Everything is done her own way; tradition is in conjunction with touches from other dishes that the chef masterfully selects. Her jewelry and decorations are much the same! She takes elements from various styles of art that “pop” when used together. Take a deeper look and see for yourself at her web-store!
Nelzie, if you are reading this NEVER stop creating… NEVER stop inspiring!
AB
August 3, 2022 at 7:24 pm
Your Life testimony made me sad, but joyful to see the bold, and strong queen you have become. Your story will touch a lot of people and motivate them to not give up on their dreams!