Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalia Marchese.
Hi Natalia, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
My background is in graphic design, and I worked as a production artist in various environments for over a decade.
I’ve done everything from pre-press at a printing company to creating hand-made embellishments for ballroom gowns. But throughout my career I was always happiest when I did something with my hands, made art that’s tangible, not just digital. There is something so satisfying about creating objects that can be touched. I’m afraid that as AI generated art becomes more popular, people who know how to create with their hands will become more and more rare.
I made my first foam macaron at the beginning of 2022 just for fun, to explore a material that was completely new to me. Before I knew it, I was quitting my day job to make this my full-time pursuit.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
The administrative, financial, and legal tasks of running a business have definitely been a challenge.
Sometimes artists are not great business people, because so much energy and focus go into creating, Thankfully, my husband takes many of these things off my plate so that I can focus on creating the props.
Another thing that has been a consistent challenge is pricing my work appropriately. Art can be very subjective and everyone has their own opinion and their own budget. Of course you take into account materials and labor, but since many of my creations are one of a kind, I have to plan for the unforseen, like something breaking, or a type of glue not sticking, or trying to estimate the amount of paint I’ll need, or how long the epoxy will take to cure. It’s been a learning curve trying to be competitive while not underpricing my work.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create large-scale props using mostly foam, but sometimes also plywood, PVC, acrylic, 3D-printed parts, and paper mache. I can make almost anything, but my most popular items are definitely oversized desserts, such as 3-foot donuts, giant ice cream cones, cupcakes, macarons, and candy. I have also made 5 foot tall syringes, 7 foot tall cigars, and tons of other fun stuff.
I love the idea of making something that you can’t get on Amazon. I don’t see many other people doing what I do, and I am always happy to create custom projects. I think that’s why I have customers all over the country.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mixtupdesigns.com
- Instagram: @mixtupdesigns
- Facebook: facebook.com/mixtupdesigns
