Meet Cecilia Graves | Hermosa_LLC: Hermosa makes custom aprons from heritage designs and handmade one of a kind pottery.

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

Hi Cecilia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Hermosa began as a family project of me documenting traditions shared by the women in my family. We were four generations together my grandmothers, mother, my daughter and myself sharing life to the fullest in Houston Texas. My mother was Spanish and Italian….My father, Mexican and Native American. We were a Houston family. I believe life is beautiful and each season shapes us.
I was then lead to the word and our brand name “Hermosa” which means ” beautiful” in Spanish.

So, allow me to share Hermosa with you and how it came to be.
Hermosa handmade makes custom aprons from heritage designs and one of a kind pottery. Welcome to Hermosa where our aprons are more than just fabric, they are canvases waiting for your unique story to unfold. Add character to your apron by doing the things you love with the people that you love. Our goal is to encourage connection.

Growing up, my memories of us are of cooking together, supporting one another and celebrating life’s simple joys….generations connected. These moments of togetherness, heritage and legacy are forever an invisible thread that ties people together. I look forward to creating loving memories with my daughter, two granddaughters, family and friends. Today, we love making cookies, homemade Italian ragu, gardening herbs and citrus, making art and playing with clay to name a few.

My mom loved to sew and created aprons from her original patterned designs. As a child, I remember her cutting patterns and sewing on our dining room table. They were beautiful just as she was!
We wore her aprons as meals were prepared for family gatherings which were quite regular as we celebrated every holiday, birthday, anniversary and life’s special occasions together…siblings, uncles, aunts cousins, everyone!
So, when I wear my Mother’s handmade aprons, I immediately feel at home.

What is Hermosa’s goal?
Well, Hermosa was created to share our custom, joyful apron designs with you! Whether you are living traditions old or creating new ones of your own, it is important to celebrate the everyday moments, create the memories and connect with people around you. Cook in them, make art in them, garden in them and share them. Custom aprons and handmade pottery are perfect gifts for individuals, groups, teams and companies.

We look forward to sharing our Hermosa line as we continue to evolve with joyful textiles from around the world. Currently we are working with organic cotton canvas in many colors complimented with hand-blocked, colorful, joyful textiles from Molly Mahon in London, England. Our pottery is handmade from organic high quality clay, is high fired and food safe. We look forward to becoming friends and are excited for all that is to come.

Welcome to our Hermosa family and I wish you happy memories of your own.
Live in your apron and may it bring you joy!

beYOUtiful,

Cecilia Graves
Owner + Creator

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
The women in my family have always been strong and great mentors with an entrepreneurial spirit. I have so much to be grateful for. I am grateful for the love, support and the belief instilled in me that anything is possible. Reaching life’s goals would require perseverance, practice, patience and hard work. Of course, I followed in my mother’s footsteps and entered the banking industry after majoring in Accounting and graduating from the University of Houston. I was accepted into the J.P. Morgan Management Training Program and worked in and opened branch banks for almost 30 years. A career in sales and team management gave me the tools I needed to start a small business of my own, Hermosa_LLC., which launched Fall of 2023. I am also completing my third year in the Ceramic Department at the Glassell School of Art at The Museum of Fine Arts Houston. I am enjoying this creative season of life.

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?
Houston is my city and I love it! After growing up with the downtown skyline in view and opening branch banks in both inner city and suburban neighborhoods over a 30 year career, I can honestly say that Houston has so much to offer for work, home and play. Houston is known for its diversity in people, culture and food. Yes, the food! My family and I enjoy printing Houston’s top restaurant lists and trying them all checking them off one by one. Our family favorites are El Tiempo on Washington for fajitas and margaritas and homemade tortillas. My dad’s mom made homemade tortillas every morning and these along with Ninfa’s on Navigation are next best. Stop in and sit at the tables of Tito, Carlos and Victor as their team is most excellent. On the weekends their breakfast is served with a basket of mexican sweet breads that takes me home. For enchiladas, we love Tony’s on Ella. They welcome their guests as if they are home. These enchiladas are simple and true basics with a corn tortilla, cheese and red traditional sauce like grandma’s. A long time favorite and neighborhood dive has been Andy’s. The chicken caldo, bean and cheese tostadas, enchiladas and their breakfast along with the green salsa are all as close to family recipes as they come. They are in the process of relocating. Every Christmas, our family makes homemade tamales for all to enjoy. HEB’s Mi Tienda tamales are an excellent store bought option.

I love to garden and enjoy a healthy meal with a friend. Tiny Boxwood’s is an absolute favorite! I love everything about boxwoods, olives, flowers and walking through this lovely shop for inspiration for everything home. Vibrant is another fun spot for a coffee, tea and small bite.

We love Vietnamese food and the family owned and run Huynh Restaurant in downtown is a family favorite. We love the Bun with eggrolls and pork, Pho, pork fried rice and flan. Literally, we love their entire menu. Stop in and meet the family…. Cindy, James, Annie and Brian.

We reside inside the loop at Memorial Park. For a casual pop in dinner, Beck’s prime, is a sweet option. The golf range and golf course are beautiful spots for a sunset. The Memorial Park Conservancy and Arboretum are beautiful spots for a walk. Walk along the Glades lake and see the ducks, cross the Memorial Drive tunnels for downtown and galleria views. The boys love golf. I love tennis. And we all enjoy a game of croquet at the official course in the park.

Finally, the museums and creative community in Houston are top notch! The Museum of Fine Arts always has a must see exhibit and Cafe Leonelli at MFAH is the perfect pop in spot. The Menil is another venue for a great afternoon of art and cafe. Enjoy and I look forward to meeting you!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My shoutout is to my Mother, Mary Theresa and Grandmothers, Cecilia (whom I’m named after) and Carmen, …my heavenly angels.
My daughter, Jennifer Sullivan, for keeping our traditions alive as we share them with her daughters, Zoe 4 and Sloane 1 year old.
My husband, Greg, for his ongoing support and for being the best!

Instagram: Hermosa_LLC

Other: Our shopify website is being developed currently.

Hermosa currently engages with clients in Round Top, Texas Winter, Spring and Fall Antique Shows with friends @loveprettythings popup in @Bluehills, through instagram and in person.

Image Credits
Business Shoutouts to the following:

Lauren Herzik with @saintt_lo_ for brainstorming with me and turning my mothers aprons into patterns and offering her expertise in the initial design and sewing. She is currently studying at the House of Denim Foundation.

Merin Guthrie at Kitmade.com for her expertise and modern dressmaker skills. She brought our designs into reality and completion and is our primary kit maker today. Merin and her team offer attention to detail, a. graceful fit, and high-quality garments. Her contribution and skill continues to make Hermosa’s vision a reality.

Mariana Barran of Hibiscus Linens for her belief in Hermosa and for making popups a reality for businesses in RoundTop, Texas through her creation of @loveprettythings. She is the creator of making pretty things by hand and is the queen hostess of creatives. She shares her entrepreneurial spirit that allows an opportunity for people to sell their craft and succeed.