New Vendor Feature: Pamela Ruiz of Mazapán Paper Co.

“I have always loved art and crafting, but as a first-generation child of immigrants, I was often more encouraged to pursue a more traditional and ‘secure’ career, so in college I went the STEM route and as a result had very little time for creativity,” explains Pamela Ruiz of Mazapán Paper Co. “Then, after graduating college and as a burnt-out adult, I slowly started picking art back up as a creative outlet. Getting an iPad changed the game in terms of accessibility and convenience, so once I went digital, I haven’t looked back.”

Ruiz’s work set-up. Photo courtesy of @mazapanpaperco on Instagram.

Ruiz, a full-time civil engineer, did not expect for her digital art and illustrations to blossom into a business, but once she started sharing her art and connecting with other artists online, she began to toss around the idea of creating physical versions of her work. Since then, her work has steadily gained popularity. For Ruiz though, it is all about the connection to both other creatives and her heritage.

“I take a lot of inspiration from my own social media feed that is full of creators that I love and aesthetics that I identify with,” Ruiz explains. “Often an illustration starts as a memory of my childhood or a silly joke with friends… My personal favorite Mazapán Paper Co. product is my ‘Te Quiero Mamá’ card that features an illustration of sopa de fideo. It’s special to me because it was an illustration of a core memory for me that I had wanted to make for a long time, and I loved it but wasn’t sure if it would resonate with anyone else.”

Mazapán Paper Co.’s “Te Quiero Mamá” card. Photo courtesy of https://mazapanpaperco.com/.

As it would turn out, Ruiz’s “Te Quiero Mamá” card has become one of her top sellers.

“I love it even more now because customers have shared their stories of their love for their moms,” Ruiz says, “and seeing how a lot of us have similar experiences and knowing that I could be a tiny part of that makes my heart full.”

Ruiz at her first market last May. Photo courtesy of @mazapanpaperco on Instagram.

This connection via culture is a key part of Mazapán Paper Co.’s mission. Ruiz explains that she would often wish for more things that authentically represented her experience as a latina, and that is why the majority of her art depicts aspects of Latine culture.

“I try to think about the art and cards that I would like to have in my life and I go from there,” Ruiz says. “I really believe that drawing what you know makes for the most authentic and original art.”

Mazapán Paper Co. is a “labor of love” done when Ruiz is able to find spare moments here and there.

Ruiz with her dog, Pepper. Photo courtesy of @mazapanpaperco on Instagram.

“My day to day job can sometimes be quite stressful and draining,” she says, “but coming home and getting to make art and connect with my community has been very refreshing and fulfilling. I have a big deal of respect for both people who run their own business full-time and also for people who balance a job and a small business concurrently for years.”

For the time being, Mazapán Paper Co. may be a side endeavor, but Ruiz does not wish to stop anytime soon. 

“I definitely want to keep making art and sharing it with my community,” Ruiz says. “I hope to expand my line to more stationery products and keep illustrating things that speak to the Tejana and Mexicana in me.”

We are honored to have your products on our shelves, Pam! Welcome to ArtUs Co!

Written by Kaiti Neuman.

Mazapán Paper Co.’s display at ArtUs Co. Photo by Kaiti Neuman.