Meet Carolina Camacho | Jewelry Maker

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

Hi Carolina, why did you pursue a creative career?
When I moved to the United States in 2008 from my country Venezuela, I got very depressed. I missed my home, my family, my friends, and everything I knew. Coming to a new country was hard, especially since I left my career in Venezuela. I have a PhD in Education and I was a university professor at the University of Zulia in Maracaibo, Venezuela. Teaching my students over Molecular Biology and being around my coworkers filled me with happiness. All of that went away when I moved to the states, and I eventually began coping with my depression through jewelry. I realized while I was making bracelets and other pieces of jewelry, my sadness would be in the back corner and my creativity would flow. This hobby that I used as a coping mechanism gave me so much passion, and a sense of purpose, that I began doing it full-time with my sister Lorena, who had a jewelry business in Venezuela called Wayunaiki. That was that, and I suddenly found myself inspired by different things in my life that I would pour onto my jewelry.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Caro Jewelry is different from other jewelry companies in the sense that I run it all by myself while closely working with various artists and creatives from Venezuela. My country is currently going through a lot of turmoil, so it is important for me to create an outlet in which these creatives back home can still unplug, unwind, and let their art flow through various pieces of jewelry. I am most proud of the fact that I have cared for this company, however small it is, like my child, and I have always used it as a way to showcase Latina excellence while empowering the women around me, and anyone who wears it. It was definitely tough getting here, and it still currently is. Before the website, I only did Instagram, and before Instagram, I would take my jewelry to friends’ places or I would have people over in my home to show them jewelry and the word would spread around about what I had to offer. I struggled a lot, and still do, with financing materials that I use in my jewelries, and with keeping the website up. However, through the help of my two daughters who are more tech savvy than me, and through my loyal customers, I have been able to stay afloat and do what I love. I have learned I can do anything I want to, as long as I set my heart and mind to it. I want the world to know that Caro Jewelry is for anyone. I want people to put my pieces on and feel sexy, beautiful, empowered — not matter who you are or where you come from.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Houston, our first stop would would be Primo’s Venezuelan Street Food in Spring, Texas. They serve delicious Venezuelan dishes, while being surrounded by other food trucks that sell Mexican and Puerto Rican food to name a few. I would also make plans to take them to the Woodlands, where the greenery is beautiful and refreshing for a nice walk outside. Our next stop would be the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, which is located downtown in the museum district. One can easily spend 2-3 hours absorbed in the beautiful and creative artwork from various artists all over the world. My friend cannot leave Houston without a good cup of strong coffee. I would take them to Cavo, located in West University Place, and a cappuccino would be my strong recommendation. I would also take my friend to Bigote’s Tacos, for the best and most authentic tacos in the world. They are a chain typically located next to gas stations, and the best decision of your life if you decide to eat there. Right before my friend leaves, I’ll take them to Galveston and make sure them go back home with a nice tan. Midtown and Uptown bars will be visited for some goodbye drinks!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The person I want to dedicate this to is my sister Lorena. She is the one that motivated me to find my passion in jewelry, and to let my artistic and creative side flow. Lorena is the one that pushed me to visualize a life in which I thought about my jewelry as a company, and one in which I would not be afraid to take that risk and show a vulnerable side of myself to others. Without her, Caro Jewelry would not be here today, and I would have not found a motivating force to push me outside of my depression. Lorena passed away in 2018 from Kidney Cancer, but her legacy lives on through every piece of jewelry I make. Te amo hermana.

Website: https://carojewelryx.wixsite.com/carojewelry

Instagram: carojewelry_