Paola Loves to Shop: Vanessa Cotto Has the Raddest Handmade Jewelry and Vintage Around!

by craftacular

Paola Loves to Shop is a Los Angeles based business serving up the cutest handmade jewelry and accessories a girl could dream of. Run by Vanessa Cotto, the shop has attracted the attention of many, boasting well-earned features in Style Section L.A., Teen Vogue’s Fashion Click, Chictopia, and more.

To read more about Vanessa and Paola Loves to Shop, read on.

Tell us about yourself!

My name is Vanessa Cotto and I own and run Paola Loves To Shop… I love making fun, quirky, unconventional pieces like my furry animal necklaces and alien jewelry pieces. I recently started getting into crystals and stones learning about there properties and meanings and making fun layering pieces out of them.

How did you get started? 

I started Paola Loves To Shop originally as a hobby while in college. I was also dating a guy, then we broke up. I didn’t really know what to do with my time or cope with the breakup so I started making funky little friendship bracelets wearing them to class and work.  I’d have friends and coworkers asking where they could buy one so I started selling them. Then I opened a store on Etsy!

What’s inspiring you right now? 

The desert! I’m loving the beauty, peace and mystery of the desert. 

Any advice for those starting out in the handmade and vintage industry?

My advice would be to make sure you’re doing something you love, work hard, and be nice to people. It’s a lot of work but it’s worth every ounce of sweat, blood, tears and glued finger tips.

What are you most looking forward to at the BUST Craftacular in Los Angeles?

HEARTSREVOLUTION! I’ve always admired them but never seen them in the flesh… or in the ice cream truck, I should say.

If you like Paola Loves to Shop, you’re going to love the BUST Craftacular in LA! We’ll be setting up shop at Mack Sennett Studios in LA’s Silver Lake ‘hood from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM next Saturday, June 21, 2014. Stop by for 45+ makers, free DIY flower crowns and nail art, all-vinyl DJ sets, FREE custom-engraved charms from our friends at Brooklyn Charm, and more. We’re also giving away amaaaazing swag bags to the first 100 shoppers!  

Plus, clean your closet for a cause: we’ll also be collecting gently worn clothing donations for LA’s Downtown Women’s Center–plus sizes are especially needed, but all sizes are welcome!

For more info, visit our site and follow #BUSTcraftacular on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram.

 

Photos courtesy of Vanessa Cotto.

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Founded in 1993, BUST is the inclusive feminist lifestyle trailblazer offering a unique mix of humor, female-focused entertainment, uncensored personal stories, and candid reporting that tells the truth about women’s lives.

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