One warm evening in August of 2012, Shirley, our friend, a Fine Arts professor and a master jeweler, informed us that a space next to her gallery in San Diego was available and ready for us to move in! Without a second thought we jumped on it. We worked very hard for a couple of months, creating art pieces, and many other handmade items, preparing our storefront for opening. After endless days of hard work and long nights (along with our day jobs), Artful Ruins had its grand opening on October 4th of the same year and ever since we couldn’t be happier.
Shortly after our grand opening, a customer and friend told us to try ETSY so our beautiful products could be reached by people that are not in San Diego. We created an ETSY account on 2013, but we actually started our Etsy store on 2015, with our amazing hand painted wallets and purses which had become well-loved and quite popular in our shop as well as other hand painted and handmade items. Shortly we will be opening our second store on ETSY, with our own handmade natural soaps and other skincare products from our line called MORTAR AND PESTLE SKINCARE, which features our awesome handmade natural soaps, facial masks, lotions, shower gels, etc. all handmade with natural and organic ingredients, Cruelty Free, NON GMO, Paraben and Sulfates Free.

Meanwhile, we take custom orders for hand-painted or penned calligraphy, hand-painted signs, furniture, reprints and other specialty jobs, and of course purses and wallets!

Our shop gallery was in the Antique Row area where University Heights, Normal Heights and North Park meet. The neighborhood is unique and special for so many reasons, and well worth the visit. For those who can't make it into the shop we have provided some of our awesome handmade products here on Etsy!

Emmanuel and Sky

Emmanuel is the Artist. He has been painting since he was a little boy, even though at that time was on the tiled floor of his house or on the walls of the grandmother’s house. He graduated to other materials such as canvas, wood, paper, glass, leather, etc. etc. etc. through the years. He studied decorative arts and interior design, Fine Arts and Art History during his years in Europe and has experimented and used all kinds (if not all available) of different mediums, surfaces, and materials.

Skyler, best known for his work on stage, film & television, has the eye for presentation. His ability to communicate makes the shop a wonderful place to visit and shop. His studies are: music, voice, performing arts, creative publishing & design. His big patience and huge imagination plays an important role in the creation and execution of Artful Ruins’ handmade items!