This business didn't start when I started selling my jewelry online....
It didn't start when I bought all of my tools.....or when I picked up the torch for the first time.
This business started to grow its roots when I met Santi 5 years ago...
As much as a boast being an independent woman who runs the majority of this business, it wouldn't be here or what it is without Santi. He will often take care of Luna when I need to travel to markets, finish pieces when I'm feeling overwhelmed, and encourage me to keep going on the hard days. While he is an integral part of my success now, he is the reason I even had the confidence to pursue my dreams.
It all started when we met on a Tinder date in January 2019. We met at a cafe and ended up talking for hours. We knew immediately that this was more than a fling, and fell in love in less than two weeks. Prior to this, I hadn't met a person who loved and admired all aspects of my personality. I was intimidated by him because he was an Olympic athlete, pro-skier, and climber...and I wasn't, but he never faulted me for that, and in fact, relished in the fact I brought creativity and deep emotions to the table.
We dated long distance for about a year and moved into together in December 2019, and then, took another big leap in July 2020, and decided to tie the knot which is where the name Crooked Trails was born.
The name Crooked Trails comes from the Edward Abbey quote, “may your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view.”Santi read this quote in his vows when we eloped in the Uinta mountains.
Just like our love story, jewelry has led me on a wild path that has led to the most unexpected yet beautiful moments in my life from meeting friends, to selling in unexpected places, and to leaving my full-time teaching job to pursue my dreams. I take this essence of winding paths in each piece I create.
Without Santi's love, I'm not sure if I would have had the gumption and confidence to start this business. He brings out the best parts of me and cherishes me in all aspects of our lives.
I hope everyone can experience love like Santi shows me. I love being an independent woman, but I also love having a partner supporting me along this journey too.
Gisela Beatriz Castro Böttger
My dear Megan, my dear sister in law. O’ so happy when I see how much you love each other!
Living so far away is sometimes very hard. I can’t see both of you as a couple, and that is the reason of being so happy now that I can read your beautifull words describing your relationship, your marriage and seen how the love impact your work. I’m so happy you met my boy and my boy met you.😍😍😍😍😍😍
Thousand of Thanks😍🥰