Conversations with Desiree Mariscal

Today we’d like to introduce you to Desiree Mariscal

Hi Desiree, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I have always been a creative person and loved helping others. If there was something that was brought to my attention and asked if I could do it, my response was always, I will do what I can to make it happen. I’ve never disappointed anyone so far. I would just have that as a side job, embroidering from my living room. I finally came across an opportunity to open a little workspace outside of my house in January of 2023 and so I took the chance and ran with it. At that time I was going by Designs by Dez. As I was transitioning into my new little spot, I had a heaviness in my heart and came to the conclusion that God gave me my talents and that my business should be giving Glory to Him. So I renamed my business Heavens Shining Light! My sole purpose is to get the Word of God out into the world. We soo need it. As I started with my little workspace I did start to get known by others. I had a friend of the family that came by and asked if I had been into the Christian bookstore in town. She thought that would be a great place for me to start to put some of the items I was making as consignment. Little did I know that that day would change my life. I met Billie who was the owner of Shades of Divine and as I walked into her shop…..I fell in love with it. I stood there with tears in my eyes and said, this is what I want! I was a blessing to her as well…she was looking to sell her shop and in July of 2023 I bought it. Everything fell into place soo perfectly, it definitely was a God thing! So here I am, trying to keep this little Christian gift shoppe and bookstore alive in our little downtown Brighton. There are very few of us left….so until I hear from God about moving on, I will be there!!! It truly has been such a blessing.

Also in Nov of 2023, my friend Jared and I launched our own Christian clothing brand. Dent Crown Clothing. We are ALL dented and imperfect, but God wants us just the way we are, so Come as you are! Everything is embroidered and screen printed in the bookstore! I love that I get to create with an amazing person God brought to my life and we get to share the gospel of Jesus Christ in soo many ways!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It is hard being a small shop owner. I have had the graciousness of our landlords to be able to work with me. My location is a little off the main street in Brighton, and I get missed a lot. So getting noticed is challenging. Not really having the funds to be able to get new signage is also a struggle. But I try to do what I can with what I got. I do get a little discouraged with some of the other shops from downtown that have closed just with the struggling economy and Amazon, it makes it very difficult for us.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I love to bring other peoples ideas to Life! Many people would come to me and say, Des can make anything. Only by the talents God has blessed me with am I able to make these gifts and ideas come alive.

So in my store I offer custom embroidery on clothing and hats. I also customize cups and tumblers. I have a lot of people who Love my custom In Loving Memory Slates.

There is just something about the way a person lights up when they see what they have visualized come to a finished product. That is pretty much how our clothing brand came into play. Jared had the idea and I gave it life!

I think what sets me apart is the fact that I try to have God lead me in whatever I do on a daily basis!

What were you like growing up?
As a child I was always working with my hands. Painting, coloring or making something. My mom is a very creative person and we would go be vendors at craft fairs together. This is where I got the love for making items. Whenever I would walk into a store my thoughts right away were I could make this!

I can honestly say that I have spiritually grown soo much since I have had the store. Walking in faith and trusting God with everything that I have! You walk in and you feel God’s presence in there.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavens_shining_light