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custom designed HOME DECOR with a
urquoise technique t Story by dalondo moultrie photos by Felicia Frazar & courtesy of Benito Loera
F
ollowing decades of working for himself in architecture and construction, a Guadalupe County resident wanted something more. After noticing his children aging and growing while he spent more and more time working, Benito M. “Benno” Loera made a decision that changed the course of his life and led to a lucrative new business he could mostly do at home. “We were on call 24/7 because it was a big commercial job. Our kids were getting ready to go into high school and some getting ready for college,” Loera said. “I was tired of being on 24-hour call. We decided to sell all our tools and equipment and get out of the building business.” The next move came to Loera by happenstance and led to his current venture creating high-end custom furniture operating as South Texas Mesquite and Cedar Treasures. Much of the company’s in-demand furniture is inlaid with turquoise and other gemstones for a signature look that further highlights the custom carvings. “I always loved woodworking so I decided ‘hey, why don’t we start this business?’ We built a shop, a small one, and started doing it here,” Loera said of his home woodworking studio. “I started going to these little art fairs. As we became more popular with people, I said maybe this could work.” Shortly after starting his new
26 SEGUIN ~ GUADALUPE COUNTY LIVING
