Hi Reader!
Thank you so much for stopping by today! My name is Candice Ayala, I’m not a fan of labels but I like to consider myself as a person who sews, who enjoys all forms of DIY and who is utterly obsessed with upcycling and refashion! I am also the Founder of UpcyclingChallenge.com.

Here’s a look at my Backstory:

Having had to take Painting and Pottery classes as electives in college, I soon realized that I loved the freedom and versatility of art.  As I got older I embraced photography and it became one of my most favorite past times; with no formal education, I feel like I had the natural ability to capture seemingly mundane everyday things in their simple and unnoticed beauty.

To escape the pressures of a humdrum  40 hours a week desk job, I became an extreme hobbyist – trying everything from jewellery making, to leather etching, to glass painting and just about anything that had to do with crafting. Finally, I decided to experiment with textiles and sewing. Scarves being my favourite accessory, I decided that making a scarf would be my first project. Priding myself on being a Renaissance woman, I taught myself how to assemble the sewing machine and strategized on exactly how I  would execute the project without the aid of a pattern. I stumbled upon a design technique, very much by mistake, and immediately fell in love with the artistic prospects of fabric.

Enthralled by the creative possibilities that textiles presented, I decided to take formal sewing classes. I expressed my desire to be an artist rather than a designer, and my instructor (at the time) shared with me the magical possibilities of silk painting – and again, I became obsessed with this new idea.

Being born and raised in Central American country of Belize – a country known for having many richly unique and diverse cultures – it is no wonder that bright colors, and textures of art (in any medium), have always been interlaced in the tapestry of my life. I give all credit to my rich cultural upbringing for always being drawn toward deep, vibrant colours and patterns that remind me of home.

With my second child on the way, I realized that my career would need to allow me to be at home with my children. With my husband’s support and encouragement I decided to turn my love of sewing from a hobby into a career by making affordable, custom scarves. My style is simple, functionable, and fashionable with just a hint of modest elegance – in one word, Regal. In 2011 the online store “Regal Appeal” was created to sell and showcase her one of a kind custom scarves. Soon after my daughter was born I became obsessed with sewing dresses for her, with the same modest, vintage appeal….and so, in 2014 the shop “Regal Appeal” slowly transformed into a Lifestyle DIY blog renamed “Candice Ayala”,  to document all my new sewing and crafty creations.

Affiliate Disclosure: 
 
CandiceAyala.com participates in affiliate programs to cover expenses incurred while blogging. When you click on link through this site that lead to third party sites, this can result in CandiceAyala.com receiving a small amount of compensation. CandiceAyala.com is only affiliated with or sponsored by companies or products that I personally use or has researched thoroughly and that I feel confident in sharing.