Her name was Paola and she had moved here in 2003 from Aguascalientes looking for a new opportunity to help her brother expand his business. We became friends and so recently I went to visit her to see how she was surviving the loss of tourists since the pandemic began.
"Pao," as she is affectionately called, always loved to draw. When she was a teenager, she worked in her brother's factory making small painted picture frames from recycled cardboard. She brought these frames to Puerto Vallarta in 2003 hoping to start a small business for herself.

At first, she worked out of her home, selling her paintings and then her cardboard frames on the Malecón. At the time, only artists who were painters were allowed to sell there. Over time, however, she convinced the organizers to allow her to also sell her wooden boxes. Then came painted wooden puzzles and magnets, all with her heart theme.
The Malecón was her only sales outlet until 2015 when she finally opened her workshop and store... on Valentine's Day of course! After seeing so many other shops all selling the same crafts, she wanted to offer something different and handmade.
With her increase in business, she has hired people to work for her while she still does all the designs herself out of her small studio at the back of her shop. Her brother, with whom she originally worked, supplies many other crafted items that he either has made in his factory or sourced from other artisans throughout Mexico, including wooden toys and games from Michoacán, tiny carved wooden animals from Oaxaca and intricate wood Aztec wall calendars from Aguascalientes.
Interestingly enough, the popular wooden boxes are made from industrial waste from his factory. He crafts them into boxes with hinged lids then ships them to Pao for finishing using her designs, paint, and decorations. To see some of her work, visit the Corazón Vallarta Facebook page.
Her gift shop is located in downtown Vallarta at Calle Agustin Rodriguez #253. When you stop in, be sure to see the huge stone heart that one of the Malecón artisans found for her on the beach. If she is there, ask to see her studio. You will love her, our artisan who is Corazón Vallarta.
** Although she has had to let most of her employees go due to the pandemic, sCorazón Vallarta is still open. Come visit and support this talented woman.

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