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

Hi Cristina, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Desert Lovers and Company was created with the intention of providing an online platform for local artists and their craft to be featured, seen and sold to the world. Creating this website has increased our sense of community as we have a reason to get together more often. The artists involved continue to motivate and inspire each other. When one succeeds, we all succeed, and that feels really good.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is inspired by and created in the desert. The native plants, wildflowers and animals offer the visual inspiration for my graphic tees and tanks. The earthy and herbal smells of the landscape, drive my candle scent combinations. For lifetimes, we had lost our connection to nature. In the last few years, many, including myself, have realized this and returned to prioritizing it in various ways including learning more about plants, going on hikes, and exploring new areas.
This recognition of myself in this vast landscape drives me to create what I do. I hope to inspire others to explore new places, and in doing so, learning more about what they can create to help strengthen our connection to self and protect this land.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The go-to spot in this area is Fonts Point, a magnificent view of the desert badlands and the perfect place to watch the sunset. Afterwards, I’d take them to Carlee’s for the best burgers in town. The next day we’d get some retail therapy in at The Golden Corral, the area of The Mall featuring a collection of must-see shops, including MetaSkin Studio, Ellis & Samuels, and Lucky U Gifts. There are also a couple of cute thrift stores we’d visit that offer fun vintage finds like Desert Moon Resale and Frugal Coyote Boutique & Resale.
After resting by the pool, we’d go check out the State Park’s Visitor Center for recommendations on where to hike for current weather conditions.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My shoutout goes to Nicole Mandallaz, owner of MetaSkin Studio. She is the most talented and driven business owner that I’ve met and she has really motivated me to follow my dreams.

Website: https://www.desertloversandco.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desertloversandco/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086977533301

Image Credits
Tom Bertolotti, Dana Fehrenbach, Cristina Antonia

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.