Meet Bina Blea | Jewelry Maker & Artist

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

Hi Bina, what do you attribute your success to?
My biggest thing I try to live on a daily basis & what I want my children to understand is that we weren’t made to fit it. We are all so different & beautiful in our own unique way. When you wear my pieces. I want you to wear it for you. Rock it how you to want to rock it. Feel fierce in your new earrings or whatever jewelry because they were made for you. I don’t want you to look & think “ugh I want to look like her.” Nope I want you to think “Bam she looks good, & I’m going to look just as good right beside her!”

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I don’t have set, organized, matching looks to my work. For a while I struggled with that, I always been the type to create what my soul was feeling. If I wanted neon, disco earrings; I made them. If I wanted a pretty pastel bracelet; I’ll make that too. I have all these ideas in my head that don’t match, some may think I’m all over the place. Nothing is wrong with a complete, organized, aesthetic; it’s just isn’t my vibe & that’s okay. I want my followers to know what I create is deep within my soul & not to make other happy or to ever copy. Walk & the perfect ones will follow & cheer you on.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Ugh geez, this is so bad for one because if I’m not being mama or wife, I’m on my work bench creating. I rarely go out. I know I know horrible. But hummmm let’s do a day. I would take my bestie to Logan Ave @ Por Vida cafe & grab a horchata latte & some pan dulce. Shop the beautiful shops on the block some of my favs include Santa Aroma, Luna Bloom Studio, & Casa Xovi. Then grab some paint and paper & go sit in the rose/cactus garden in Balboa Park & paint what inspires us. Maybe hit up City Farmers Nursery, I can always buy some more plants ha. Then grab some lunch at a Mom & Pop shop in Little Italy. Those three locations inspire me from my culture, to the landscape & architecture.

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?
My children are my biggest inspirations. One being my son who at age 2 was diagnosed with Autism. He didn’t fall into the normal ranges that kids his age were supposed to fall into. He opened my eyes to another world, a beautiful one. He inspires me in life that we shouldn’t fall into these cookie cutter templates & to bloom on your own time. I love him dearly. My daughter who is 3 years younger than him is stronger than a rock, don’t mess with her or her brother. She keeps me going when I want to give up. She also picks the beautiful colors & patterns in my work; she gives Bina’s Bonitas life.

Instagram: @binasbonitas

Image Credits
Myself