About

When the pandemic stopped the world; I was working in hospitality with a two week break from work, they called this furlough. Presuming I would be back to work in no time, I made a trip to my local hobby store in search of time consuming crafts when music, reading, and puzzles failed me. Eventually my corporate job would end in dissolution.

Goodbye five years of my life, hard work and sacrifice… Hello, NEW ME!

I first became interested in resin a few years back after purchasing my first pair of resin earrings from a local artist in New Orleans, LA.

Before our vacation, my fianće and I were discussing our plans (aside from grubbing crawfish, eating fried chicken at Willie Mae’s; before it burned down :( r.i.p. WM, & sucking down daiquiris) I shared with him, my goal of finding a loud pair of earrings that scream New Orleans. I remember him asking, “What does that look like?” I told him “I don’t know, but I’d know them when I saw em’.” 

For me and so many others; fashion is a form of self-expression, autonomy, it represents a particular time & place.

After many outings, I found my earrings on the last day of our trip while shopping in the French Market. I own those earrings to this day: they’re loud, so very bright and they bring such warmhearted joyful memories. 

During the pandemic: I checked in with family, spent much-needed quality time with my immediate family (i.e., my fiance and our two fur-babies), I hosted virtual happy hours, virtual family game nights, attended zoom workshops, completed home projects,  participated in virtual craft circles, listened to podcasts, tried new recipes, revamped our home, organized, then re-organized, donated at any place accepting donations. As time progressed; I continued checking in with friends & family. Learned a lot, lost some people along the way. While my circle was pretty much forced to isolate and look within, some emotional breakthroughs had come to surface for me. I was met with my peers struggling with loneliness, battling depression, riddled with anxiety, and emotional depletion.

Mental health is not new to me, I grew up in a dysfunctional family writing letters to my biological father while he was in prison. R.I.P.

While learning and listening; I just had to find a way to inspire and share my joy, if only through the phone. I started by posting more on social media. Attempting to catch the beauty of the sunshine on a beautiful San Diego day, trees blowing in the wind, flowers in bloom, birds singing, or Charlotte and Jellybean (fur babies) being silly sisters; chasing each other around the condo. Hoping to inspire a nice walk or at least provide a little chuckle. When you’re down, I wanna lift you up; I think that’s just human nature.

NINI NEWNU is avant-garde, dedicated to sharing our joyous spirit, and a bit of color theory. 

We hope to spread some joy your way soon!

Lina <3