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

Hi Kayla, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Ha. Well, I think my entire life has been full of me impulsively jumping into things as many of those close to me would say. Although I welcome risk, I am also very strategic when it comes to them. Adopting a highly analytical approach, I am always thinking 5 steps ahead of where something has the potential of landing me. If I had to sum up my experience it would include, a lot of risk, met with a lot of reward and a lifetime full of experiences.

I reflect on this often in gratitude for all that I have had the opportunity to encompass and where it ultimately has led me. I was raised in an incredibly sheltered environment. This limited me immensely from my full potential. I felt overcome with so much shame as I attempted to settle into myself at such an impressionable age. I took a huge risk in moving to LA at 19 without knowing anybody and I developed a sense of self that later encouraged many more of those moves and experiences to come. My most recent being a spontaneous move to Santa Fe, NM to fully pursue my art. I never imagined that art could be a viable career and monetary source for myself to depend on. This entire endeavor of mine has felt completely surreal as I become so accepted by not only my own support system, but community. I have spent the last year purging things from my life that felt unreliable as I created a new meaning of what genuinity and showing up for not only myself, but others means to me. I truly feel as though I have been attracting things within my alignment and it is unbelievably validating.

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.
I want to thank you for this exciting opportunity and exposure! My name is Kayla Ortiz, I am a self-taught silversmith, and I’m thrilled to share my story with your readers. I attempt at times to reduce the grittiness of my struggle to stabilize a new business and skill in the added uncertainty of a pandemic at a fault of my own.

I came to recognize the importance of staying authentic to myself and the many others out there who are hustling daily and choosing to embrace it as we chase our dreams. This narrative may be somewhat familiar for new businesses within the last couple of years. For me, it all started with finally landing my dream job as a Kayak Guide in Alaska! AHH! Unfortunately, the many months I spent full of excitement and careful planning wasn’t enough to combat the virus, and a week before I was to fly out, my season got canceled.
Outside of this new opportunity, tourism and hospitality were my dominant fields of occupation and I quickly became acquainted with how much of my field was wiped out at that moment. Dealing with the unknown, I began to brainstorm options that would accommodate my strengths, interests, and hobbies. I landed on something completely fresh and invigorating; silversmithing! Being an expensive trade to get into, I took a huge leap of faith in those uncertain times and invested a portion of my savings to acquire a setup full of essentials.
I quickly fell head over heels in love with this challenging (and sometimes unforgiving) new passion of mine! As I proceeded forward in growing my business and skillset, I offered $75 pieces for two weeks to friends and family. This allowed me to invest in more tools and slowly grow my audience as well.
I am humbled to say that I attained 32 orders within two weeks, and those took me a total of 2 months to fill. I then began to sell at the Las Cruces local farmer’s market and apply to any and every show within my vicinity. I got accepted to my first big show which was in Austin, TX. This was a well-known traveling show called The Renegade Craft Fair. This show has a loyal following and it has seemed to have opened up some new doors for my art down the line.
I have most recently relocated to Santa Fe, NM and have been accepted to the Silversmithing program at SFCC on scholarship. I also received a scholarship for the Mastering Silver and Lapidary program at the beautiful, well known Ghost Ranch, in Abiquiu, NM and had the opportunity to learn so much from Jamie Halpern and Steve LaRance. I just got accepted to sell at the Railyards for the remainder of the year and am excited to see what this next year brings me next as I find myself further settled in my new home.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Santa Fe, NM

I would say Meow Wolf is an experience that everyone should have. It is a fully integrative art gallery that has a collective of different kinds of artists with hidden rooms. It has now expanded to both, Denver and Las Vegas with future plans for further growth.
My favorite restaurant is La Boca. I recommend going for dinner and catching their live music. It is a tapas establishment that focuses on savory flavors paired with an extensive gin and tonic or wine list.
Breakfast, I would suggest The Pantry Rio. It is delicious new mexican food and the chile is very flavorful. Dolina if you’re wanting some baked goods. Or Counter Culture if you want to try not only the largest, but one of the best cinnamon rolls you will ever have.
Lunch spots I would recommend The Shed for some red chile enchiladas and a margarita. Coyote Cantina has the best Pina Colada upgrade called the Coco Loco. Cowgirl is also a favorite spot of mine. They have a beautiful patio and there is usually live music playing.
The Georgia O’Keefe museum as well as so many other museums and galleries are in Santa Fe. It is definitely a mecca for all things art.
The Loretto Chapel was featured on Unsolved Mysteries due to it’s mysterious architectural staircase. People have come from all over the world to study it.
If you want to get out of Santa Fe for a quick drive and the best burger (at the Mineshaft) you will ever have, the small town called Madrid is worth checking out. Not only is it surrounded by a ton of inactive mines and rich history, but it is also where they filmed the movie Wild Hogs.
Look for the happy hours! They’re worth it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I think my support system really deserves the ultimate shout out.

When I first started this journey I was scared shitless and didn’t have the slightest clue of what I was doing. I purchased a book called The Complete Metalsmith (also worthy of a shoutout) that taught me everything that I needed to know when it comes to the fundamentals such as melting points and how to solder. (In addition to a YouTube video and a group on Facebook.)
My support system was crazy supportive despite my rookie approaches! All 32 of you that supported my first valiant efforts, thank you for believing in me. And especially for encouraging me the many times I doubted myself and my own capabilities. I 1000000×infitiny% would not be here without that initial support. I don’t even think I have the words to share how sincerely grateful I am but I can confidently say that I would not be here without you. Cheers to you.

Website: Www.mineralboundsilver.com

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