Art from the heart: Cynthia Infante Sandoval sharing her art through custom cups
Published 7:00 pm Friday, December 15, 2023
Cynthia Infante Sandoval has taken the next big leap with her art in the form of Cynthia’s Custom Creations. Examples of her work are pictured on the table behind her. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Examples of Cynthia Infante Sandoval’s work, ranging from smaller pieces all the way up to larger tumblers. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Cynthia Infante Sandoval's work, because it is custom-made, can range from simple designs to more complex designs. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Cynthia Infante Sandoval holds up one of her more complicated cups. Her cups can range from taking minutes to create to needing days. Photos by Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
Cynthia Infante Sandoval's creations can include personalize designs that speak directly to specific people. Eric Johnson/photodesk@austindailyherald.com
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There are cups and then there are cups created by Cynthia Infante Sandoval.
The owner of the recently established Cynthia’s Custom Creations in Austin, Sandoval creates works of art out of cups and tumblers that can range from the simple to the eloquent.
And all of them are custom made.
“I never do anything for myself anymore,” Sandoval said at her home, while in the background, adorning a table were a plethora of the uniquely crafted creations. “I’m an artist, always have been an artist and I just kind of put it on the back burner and then I decided, let’s do something different.”
After looking into things she could do with her art, Sandoval hit upon the idea of decorating cups and glasses. Putting nerves aside, that she admits does sometimes still stick with her, Sandoval made the investment earlier this year.
“Let’s get it out there and see how it goes,” she said.
Themes and styles are extremely varied on her creations simply because all of her work is customized to her customer’s wishes.
On one of the cups stares the face of the Grinch. Another example features cookies being dunked in milk. There are holiday themes, cartoon themes and some that defy logic that can take minutes or days to create.
“I’m not just doing it for money,” Sandoval said. “I love art. I wanted to show people what I can do and how it makes me feel as well.”
For Sandoval, the creation of her product is just as pleasant as meeting the needs of her customers, because it serves as a stress reliever.
“I’m in it now. I can’t stop now,” Sandoval said with a smile. “When I’m stressed out it’s nice to just sit down while everybody’s sleeping and do this.”
That work helps alleviate the nerves that accompany creating a new business. For Sandoval, there were questions as to how well this project would work.
There were start up costs and concerns over people’s interest in buying her creations, but she had one strong supporter in her corner that helped push her.
Her son, Julio, currently a soldier in the United States Army.
“It was my oldest son,” Sandoval said. “He also helped inspire me. ‘Mom, you should just do it’ He wasn’t skeptical at all. ‘Mom, you’re so good, a good artist. You just need to do it.’”
Julio is home now after seven months away and Sandoval was excited to show off the works she’s put into Cynthia’s Custom Creations.
“Life is short and I can’t wait until he comes home and sees what I’ve done,” she said prior to his return.
Sandoval admits she’s learning as she goes with hopes of possibly opening a small store some day. But for the time being she’s just concentrating on creating unique products for her customers that can pluck that sentimental chord.
“I have some orders now that are sentimental,” Sandoval said. “That really feels good that I really hit the heart and soul of somebody. It’s not just a glass or mug or anything like that. For some people it’s more than that.”
People can contact Sandoval through Facebook messenger at www.facebook.com/groups/2104244626305477/user/100001044079272/
