Whether writing, playing a sport, dancing or creating something new, our hobbies are a labor of love and enjoyment. Every once in a while, we are lucky enough to turn our hobbies into something more. This is exactly what Veronica Cerda-Ayala did.
After 18 years of being a teacher, Ayala decided she was ready to pursue her true passion … home decor. She began several years ago in her very own home. She was looking for a dining room table and the lack of originality she was finding in stores was disappointing. Ayala wanted something bold and bright … a red dining table. It took her six months to find the perfect vintage table. She then used it to make her vision come to life.
“I fell in love with the whole process, with the idea of having something that nobody else has. I loved having something that took so much time and energy to put together. That’s just so much more valuable than having something everyone else has,” said Ayala.
For years, she created custom work from her home but she decided to do more. In mid April of this year, she opened her own store front, Very Artsy. With her loyal online following, she has been able to successfully venture from home hobbyist to successful female entrepreneur. Her store features a selection of her larger statement pieces as well as smaller home decor accents and custom door hangings.
Vintage Success
Whether working on vintage pieces she scoured the sale listings for or working on custom requests from customers, she continues to bring her bold, colorful style to furniture and decor.
Her passion has always lied in transforming old forgotten vintage pieces into something that is truly one of a kind. “I’m very selective about what I buy. I try and find something that is completely different and out of the box. I try and find pieces that I know there’s not going to be another one like,” said Ayala.
Ayala says she is drawn to things like old gumball machines or vintage carousel horses. These items have been left to deteriorate and have become forgotten. Bringing them back to life to become something more, and hopefully become a family heirloom, is what drives her passion.
“I’m hoping my customers get something that will stay in their family and be passed down. It’s going to be around a lot longer than I am, and that’s just so inspirational,” said Ayala.
Unique Future
Walking through Verya Atsy, you will see a unique style that is all her own. Although inspired by the familiar black and white check that we have come to recognize, she combines it with color pallets and patterns that make her pieces truly stand out. She also combines several techniques, including trendy ombre, to give her work its own feel.
Her passion lies in providing her customers with a truly unique look that is all their own. Ayala hopes to continue to expand her business by offering her style to home and business owners through her newly added interior decorating services.