We miss Gloria. Blessings to Larry and all who loved our artistic friend. Jan. 8, 1940 – March 7, 2020
Glorious Gloria sharing, caring and creating; from her home to yours!
She’s back! After sharing her beautiful clothing designs, art pieces and handmade jewelry with Bucerias, Gloria is returning “home” to La Cruz. She told me “My store will have a different focus. I’m only selling clothes that I’ve created; my own line of “hand painted” one-of-a-kind pieces. In addition I will display my latest floral paintings. I’ll display a new collection of earrings along with my classic styles. I’m excited to share my expanded collection of exotic pearl pieces that includes necklaces, earrings and ankle bracelets; I’m using magnetic clasps on all of them. My very latest collection of hand painted “fun and funky” purses and accessories are colorful, unique and one-of- a-kind!
Not only does Gloria paint dresses, she teaches others as well! These were the results from our painting day!
I enjoyed two afternoons with Gloria painting and she is absolutely correct, I’m addicted!! Gloria explains “My painting workshops will create “addicted painters”! There is a movement in the art world that is an exciting phenomenon called “fluid painting” and will addict in the most wonderful way. The workshops will provide everything including wine where participants will take home two great paintings or one painting and four tile coasters.”
Gloria teaches us the technique.
Gloria’s art pieces I loved and was going to emulate… did not happen but I loved what I created!
My creations!
Nancys creations!
Bobbies creations.
Gloria defines herself as a Mid-Westerner gone tropical. “Back in Wisconsin, I designed my home in a tropical theme with white wicker and hibiscus plants in my living room… ‘here in paradise’ I surround myself with it year round.”
Gloria and her hubby, Larry, arrived in the area about 10 years ago. Gloria was working in a hospital in Madison, Wisconsis when she heard about a “little hotel” that was for sale in Boca de Tomatlan. She says, “We decided to check it out. We arrived around midnight and after having to wake up the local grocer for keys, he accompanied us to the river where we jumped on the rocks to get across it. It was crazy… carrying suitcases and a flashlight from rock to rock in the dark. One look at the place told me I had to get out of there. We stayed the night wrapped in bug-infested mosquito netting, no screens. My husband, however, really liked the place; proving there’s no accounting for men’s tastes! It was a good excuse to find a nice place to stay so we stayed at a lovely hotel in Mismaloya. While there we looked at condos next door and bought a small condo and that is how we came to reside in PV area.
While staying in Mismaloya I invented what I called a SWIM SAK. We were at the beach and wanted to swim in the ocean but where could we put our money and camera? I took the next two years designing a type of purse that would let you “swim with your valuables”. It is unisex. You put any valuables that you want to stay dry in it, put it around your waist and go swimming! It is certified to keep dry to depths of 200 feet. Then I added some rhinestones for us “girly types” and now you have an evening bag too. Norwegian Cruise Lines sold them on all their ships for many years.
During this time I was also working in the United States as a Clinical Social Worker in a major hospital in Madison Wisconsin. I worked in the emergency room for many years, dealing with all life’s crisis from birth to death and suicide to homicide; a very challenging position. I have a Masters Degree in Social Work and a BS in Fine Arts. Both degrees have served me well in life and with others.
Going back in my life starting with high school, I worked as a model and later taught modeling. I’ve had many careers in my earlier years. I worked at a skincare and cosmetic company, taught color analysis, in private practice as a psychotherapist, real estate, jewelry designer, owned two boutiques and worked twenty-five years in hospitals. I get bored quite easily and once I’ve accomplished my goals, I like to move on to other things. As you can tell, I’ve never let myself get bored!
I think my finest accomplishment was in the area of mental health. Back in the 70’s, our mental institutions were discharging folks into the community. Mostly, these were people who had lived in these institutions for many years. They lacked both social skills and activities of daily loving skills. They couldn’t cook, clean, or anything that had to do with independent living. In addition, they were suffering from a major mental illness such as schizophrenia or other serious diagnoses. I was hired by our mental health board to study their needs and develop programs that could benefit them. After doing an assessment of the needs of many of these folks, I developed what we called an “Apartment Living Project”. Apartments were rented in the community, staff was hired, compatible roommates were chosen… 2-3 people to an apartment and we were ready! Our staff taught folks how to cook, clean, grocery shop and intervene in roommate issues. We monitored their medications, moods and dramas. Soon we had 40 mentally ill folks Iiving in the community and doing fairly well. We had picnics at our house in the country and even gave them plane rides in our small airplane. The program continues and it has grown immensely since the beginning.
I’ve always felt the need for balance in my life. Art creates that balance. I always had some creation in the works… sometimes a large sculpture or a painting. Color is my emotional expression. In addition, I have been designing jewelry for 40 years! Working with wire and beads inspires me. Some of my favorite pieces are knitted wire and beads. I was also designing one of a kind items of clothing and accessories. Beautiful velvet muffs and berets, beaded vests, silk painted scarfs, etc.
What got me started in the clothing business? Well, I really wanted to open a shoe store! You see… I have size 12 feet! I wanted to flood the market with beautiful shoes in ALL SIZES! Talked out of it by someone who was in the business had me change my thinking. I looked at my jewelry creations and at my collection of clothing and accessories and realized I could open a small shop with my stuff. I opened my first shop and decided to add ready to wear clothes; the rest is history!
I believe that ” beautiful women come in all sizes”. When I opened my first women’s boutique in Wisconsin. I filled it with beautiful clothes in all sizes! I brought in clothes I loved and didn’t try to please all tastes. It was a boutique filled with lots of unique clothing and accessories. It quickly became a destination for women (even a Supreme Court Judge… beneath her robes was a very colorful woman). Since I believed in great customer service, I pampered my customers… giving away free new umbrellas to customers caught in a storm… always remembering my best customers with gifts during the holidays.
My goal in the clothing business is to help women LOVE their bodies. Getting women beyond their “comfort zone” can be challenging! It’s all about Attitude! So many of us see our bodies in a negative way… I wanted to help change those feelings.
What do I like to cook? Not much… since my husband, Larry, does most of it! I do poke my nose into the kitchen when I want to create a beautiful spaghetti sauce. Speaking of Larry… my HERO… on a day years ago, a small airplane crashed near us. It was quickly catching fire. Larry ran to the plane, (other bystanders refused to help) and pulled the unconscious pilot out as the plane burnt. After the ambulance arrived, we left the scene and to this day, no one knows who saved his life… that was MY guy!
I adore La Cruz! We discovered it a few years ago. The Mexicans here are warm, friendly and kind! The expats here are equally friendly and kind. I recently had a very tragic accident. The entire community flooded me with love, prayers, sympathy and concern. It makes me realize that the support and caring is very real and that I’m not alone if the unexpected happens. The community is like an extended family.
The village of La Cruz is filled with wonderful restaurants and live music everywhere! It charms you and draws you in. I’m not too steady on my feet but when the music starts, the endorphins hit my brain and I want to dance (and I do)!
My little boutique “Gloria’s art Place” has been welcomed into the community and I have many customers and friends. I feature cotton gauze clothing made in Guadalajara. I work with the factory owner and design clothing that I know my customers will love. I want my customers to find something different every time they visit. I have added a 2nd line to my collection and it originates from Guadalajara too. I also feature my own designer jewelry. My latest is my “Nautical collection” of unisex neckpieces and earrings of geckos, dolphins, whales, etc. Many periods of my life are reflected in different styles of jewelry.
We are so happy living here! It’s a joy and even on those other days, it’s paradise.
My shop hours are limited… because I need time to create these beautiful pieces. For the slow season, by appointment; call 322-229-5243
