Meet Danielle Herrera of paperDENIMart

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danielle Herrera.

Danielle, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My father died in a boating accident when I was 7 and naturally, a person saves items such as clothing and things to remember them by.

About 10 years ago I was at my mother’s house helping her clean out her storage and we came across his army uniform. I asked her if I could have it. She said yes. Not knowing my intentions of creating something out of it …

I cut it up (because the moths had already gotten to it) and created a picture of him out of it and his obituary for my sister for her birthday. This started my journey of creating artwork out of mixed media. I love finding things people don’t want anymore, that challenge of creating beauty from the unwanted. Most of my work is custom. Using clothing from loved ones who passed away and studying their lives and creating a memory for the family to remember them

Has it been a smooth road?
Not at all… In 2014, as I was working all of the sudden I has the worse pain ever hit me ..I fell to the floor and screamed. My husband came and helped me to the bathroom. I got sick from the pain. We went to the ER and they found a brain tumor. I had it removed…

But it came back last year. I went through radiation .. it did not work , so I had to have surgery again .. with many complications I am recovering now and Thankful to God that throughout this journey because it has shown me to remain humble, hopeful, human, to have sympathy, to be thankful for everything and most importantly have faith. My Busia would always say .. it’s not the problem it’s how you handle it

So, as you know, we’re impressed with paperDENIMart – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I work with the unwanted things, junk anything people will throw away. Dryer lint, old clothes, gum wrappers, old books ..I even challenged myself to use a hotdog and dentures because someone gave them to me. I love putting life into unwanted junk. I mainly work in custom pieces, when someone passes away I can take their clothes, jewelry or books and create their portrait or whatever may remind you of them out of these materials.

I love connecting with people and giving peace and love when they may be grieving. I also donate when I can do a lot of non-profit organizations that I believe in. What sets me apart is that I’m affordable, easily approachable and to work with .. My work is weirdly unique and sometimes funny and I encourage people to touch it

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I would love to visit .. I’ve always wanted to see it.. heard great things about the flea markets and antique stores. ❤

Pricing:

• My prices are 8×10 size $100
• 11×14 size $165
• 16×20 $195

Contact Info:

• Email: danimarieherrera@yahoo.com
• Instagram: paper_denim_art
• Facebook: paperDENIMart

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