Angelina Mata, fashion designer
What two or three San Antonio-made items would you love to receive as holiday gifts this year and why?
Three items I would love to receive from San Antonio-based artist and artisans would be:
• A portrait from Cruz Ortiz. Burnt Nopal Creative Studio, burntnopal.com.
• Two dozen custom hand-blown glasses from Justin Parr. Justin Parr, instagram.com/in_hot_water.
• Another vermeil-dipped African bead necklace from Hazel Smyth. Hazel Smyth, (210) 573-6517, hazelsmyth.com.
What’s the best locally produced gift you’ve ever received?
A sketch local artist Jorge Villarreal made from coffee and red wine. Jorge Villarreal, jorge-villarreal.com.
Why is it important for people to shop local during the holidays?
I enjoy buying local. It gives the shopper a chance to have a studio visit with the seller,
designer or artist and to create a dialogue and an understanding of how the process
for development of the product is achieved.
