Who are you and what do you do?
I am Lorena Gaitan, Founder of Elbeto Showroom, recently relocated in Minneapolis, we do hand-made jewelry from unique and sustainable materials along with semi-precious stones, pearls, sterling silver and gold vermeil creating beautiful pieces that are both aesthetically pleasing and environmentally conscious.
Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?
The name Elbeto comes from my childhood nickname. In the Spanish version of Sesame Street in Colombia, Bert was translated to 'Beto'—and that became my nickname in the family. My sister and I used to give ourselves masculine nicknames, complete with 'El' in front, to be taken as seriously as the men in our family. So I became Elbeto—and the name stuck.
What has been your favorite moment since creating your art/business?
One of our bracelets made from sustainably sourced bull’s horn and sterling silver was picked at one of our boutiques by Nina Garcia from Elle magazine New York to be posted as one of their fashion trends, then other publications and boutique’s orders came along with Limited-Time Online Events of curated jewelry.
Have you always been passionate about art and design?
I’ve always loved art and design. Even while working in marketing and business, that creative passion was always there—until one day, I decided to make it my life
What sets your designs apart from others?
What sets my designs apart is the heart behind them—a fusion of unique skills, sustainable materials, and cultural craftsmanship that’s hard to find in one place. I work closely with women artisans who bring their own stories and talents, and together we create pieces that reflect our shared values: beauty, responsibility, and innovation rooted in tradition.
What do your customers love most about your product(s) ?
What our customers love most is how often they receive compliments when wearing our jewelry—it makes them feel confident and unique. Our repeat customers know to expect that. For our independent retailers, they appreciate our reliability: timely deliveries, fair pricing, and products that truly sell.
What is the latest thing you have been working on?
I've been exploring unique materials and innovative techniques to design statement jewelry that blends elegance and style—while keeping it accessible and within reach.
What will you be bringing to the Gift & Art Expo for attendees to purchase?
A sustainable collection of handmade jewelry crafted with ethically sourced bull’s horn, recycled sterling silver, semi-precious stones, baroque pearls, Miyuki beads, Czech crystals, and natural materials like textiles, leather, and polymer clay
www.instagram.com/elbetoshowroom
lorenajewelry.myshopify.com