We had the good fortune of connecting with Isabel Espriu and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Isabel, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite affirmation is do good and good will come. It’s a law in my life.
I am also a firm believer that everything happens for a reason, even when things don’t go in my favor I trust that it is for the best.
Both these sentiments come hand in hand with my journey. When I started doing macrame, I started because I felt a calling to it. I don’t know what it was but for some reason I needed to get my hands on some rope. I did small projects and just played for a while until my friend needed help fundraising money for her dad. As a stay at home mom the only way I could give was through my art so I made macrame keychains with personalized beads on them and raised money for the cause.
After that I got the confidence to put my work out there and then the commissions started rolling in. I founded MiLu Handcrafted on the idea of giving back. Do good and good will come. To this day I give back to local organizations and gofundme’s through my macrame sales. So I’d like to think everything happens for a reason and I started macrame to be able to make a difference, no matter how small, in someone’s life.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
Macrame is essentially rope art. I knot rope and cord to create different art pieces such as wall hangings, plant hangers, coasters, and keychains. I think what sets me apart from other artists is that I am me, and they are them. There is no comparison. We each have our own special talents to put out into the world.
I am the most proud that each and every one of my pieces are one of a kind. I intuitively hand knot each piece with different colors and the best intentions set into them. You can feel the love I pour into them when you take them home to adorn your spaces (or so I’ve been told).
Like everything in life there is good times and bad times. There have been challenges and lots of days where I wanted to give up. Putting your art out for everyone to see, criticize or love, is a different kind of vulnerability. In those times my support system has come in clutch. It’s easy to give up but through consistency I have gotten here.
I’m learning lessons everyday, there’s a lot I could be doing better but at the end of the day what I want the world to know about my brand or my story as an artist is that I try my best. Whether that be in my efforts to make a difference, in macrame, or even at being a mom. I try my best.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
How fun!
I would take them right down the street from where I live. I take everyone to downtown Coachella. It’s super cute, full of color and culture. It has the best little local coffee shop, Sixth St, and a delicious authentic mexican restaurant, Jalisco Restaurant.
Another day I would take them to the Palm Desert Civic Center to feed the ducks and the Shops at Palm Desert to have some City Wok.
A day out in Palm Springs to see all the things and when the sun is going down, dinner! It is the most beautiful sunset up against the mountains.
A day trip to Joshua Tree is a must when near, even just to stroll by. The unique trees can be seen lining the roads.
In general I am a homebody so I really do like to just hang out but these are some of my favorites.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My support system.
My fiance has been a motivating factor in my success since the beginning because he has never questioned it, never doubted that I would have success with my macrame. He has supported all my ideas and helped me immensely in so many ways, from prepping my branches to setting up for pop ups. He is always there.
My family has helped me with all the love and encouragement not just for macrame but for life. I owe my parents everything and then some for always encouraging me to dream unapologetically.
Apart from them I have met so many people through my art that I am so thankful for. The friendships that macrame has brought into my life have really filled my heart. It’s crazy, I have access to endless friends and uplifting words at any given moment because of macrame. That’s definitely worth recognizing and such a big part of my success.
Instagram: @miluhandcrafted