Cecilia Valdes is the owner of Azucarrr Del Mar. Born in Los Angeles, California, New York city raised me. I began my creative journey 6 years ago during a trip to Cuba. While on my journey to Havana, Cuba, I dreamt with my grandmother, and she reminded me to start working with my hands. My grandmother also reminded me that I would use beads as a child to self soothe and I then began to revisit those memories. In 2018, I had a serious medical setback, where I realized, how replaceable I was in my career and how I no longer wanted to work in an environment where you are just a number. For 2 years, I sat on my couch and just started beading, wrapping crystals, all while healing. The grief, the pain, the rebirth, reminded me that I can reframe the setbacks and create beauty for myself, but most importantly for others. I also enjoyed making myself spiritual baths, incense blends and sugar scrubs. Any form of self-care, I found myself recreating it with my own flare. Art is definitely therapy and being able to turn my pain into healing has been one of my biggest flex. During 2023, another setback became my biggest flex, I foresaw an ending and knew I would need additional support from the Universe, so I turned to Reiki. I began Reiki 1 and began to self-heal myself by going to Reiki Shares, providing myself with self-treatments and then received my Reiki level 2 attunement. Reiki has become a major part of my life, my shift and my gift. I still have a full-time job; I am a NY State psychologist working with Individuals with Intellectual disabilities and have worked with the population for over 13 years.
