Welcome to Muggles Market Monday! Each week we are spotlighting one of the artisans scheduled to appear at our brand new Muggles’ Market at this year’s Geek Gala. This week’s featured artisan is Trinity’s Trinkets. Cristina “Trinity” Vélez-Justo took a few minutes to answer some questions about her business and general geekery.
- What kind of items will you be selling at this year’s Muggles Market?
I will be selling customizable glassware (mainly shot glasses and pint glasses for this event), including items that are pre-etched with Geek-inspired artwork. We may be able to provide the option for customers to take home customized and personalized glasswork by the end of Muggle’s Market hours. Customers will also be able to order glassware (such a wine, bourbon, wheat glasses, etc) that is not available for purchase at the convention to be sent to their door in 1 – 2 weeks time.
- How did you first get started making these things?
I wanted to make a special gift that was permanent and included artwork. I searched the Internet for hand-made gifts and found a way to etch glass. After showing a few people and receiving requests, the business started.
- What has been one of your favorite projects to work on?
I customized a 28oz beer mug for a fire fighter. His sister ordered the mug for his birthday and wished for me to customize it by incorporating something special to him. She showed me his firefighter’s cap and it had a mini batman figure tucked under the band. Not only could I put some geekiness on it, but I could also help remind him with every drink he takes how amazing of a person he is for helping people. It is only a small reminder but I am very glad to have been given the opportunity to put together something special for someone.
- What else can you tell us about yourself?
Currently, I am attending UNC School of the Arts for an MFA in Film Music Composition and exploring Video Game Music Composition. I have been growing the business as a means to pay for graduate school and eventually provide for my family so that my husband can expand his education in video game development.
I am also the owner of ReelScoring and CreatiVein, in which I work as a film composer and a commissioned artist and painter. If you would like to view some of my work, ReelScoring and Trinity’s Trinkets are both on Facebook. - So this year’s Geek Gala is about space travel – if you could join any TV/Movie space crew – who would it be and why?
If it were just a duo, I would love to join the 10th Doctor from Doctor Who. David Tennant has always been my favorite Doctor because of his personality. To be a Doctor’s companion would be one heck of an adventure – to go anywhere in the space-time continuum, to explore cultures and time periods and everything on, and out of, this world.
But to be honest, I am absolutely afraid of space. I enjoy looking through the telescope with my husband, but the idea of being out there and getting lost terrifies me. So if I were to join a team of folks who were cool and collected about venturing in space, such as Han Solo and Chewbacca, I would be more enthused to explore its depths. Plus, they’re just hilarious together – could always use the comic relief during moments of high-intensity.
- Check out their website at: www.facebook.com/TrinitysGlassyGifts/
And make plans to come visit them on Saturday, October 22nd at this year’s Geek Gala!