Outdoor

isiko

San Diego, CA

"Ceramics for homes that live adventurously!"

I grew up in Manila, Philippines and spent my entire childhood traveling from place to place. Doing so exposed me to a variety of cultures, environments, and most of all impactful experiences that have shaped me into who I am today. One of my most vivid memories took place when I was 8 years old at a market with my mom who offered a poverty-stricken mother, holding her new born child, a guava. Seeing this, a group of children swarmed us also wanting a guava to eat. The simple cry for help in their eyes was enough to leave me feeling untethered to the seemingly privileged life I knew before. I was stuck by this experience so much so that it became by mission to someday be able to give back to those less fortunate.
After studying Anthropology in college I yearned to immerse myself in the lives of others, specifically indigenous cultures. There's something profound about the way ingenious people live completely off the land and utilize their recourses in a sacred way––the way it ought to be. So, after college I joined the Peace Corps where I served for two years at an orphanage in a rural village in eSwatini, Africa.

Imbued with the experiences from my childhood and my time in the Peace Corps I decided to pursue my lifelong dream of creating a platform that celebrates traditional handicrafts and art forms of all cultures around the world. For the world. That's why when I moved back to California I combined all of my passions into one and created what is now, isiko. I am beyond grateful to have a platform that gives back to under-served communities. All that so say: it wouldn't be possible without the people that I serve. You. So thank YOU for your unconditional support, enthusiasm, and love.

Each piece is handmade and sourced with love from my heart to yours.