How a mother's endearing nickname for her daughter inspired the name of a new jewelry boutique in Breckenridge

Alicia Clark-Fulcher had the idea in her head for ten years that she was supposed to have her own brick-in-mortar jewelry store, but the mother of two young boys never found the perfect time to press the button. trigger. That changed when his grandfather died last October.

On the day she was supposed to return home to Peru for her funeral, she was scheduled to speak at a TedxBreckenridge event, themed “Instinct,” as a featured artist and share her experience as a Peruvian immigrant and jewelry designer.

Upon learning of her grandfather’s death, she was ready to abandon the event because she was in a situation where she would have to immediately leave the stage, get in a car, and board a plane to arrive in time for funerals.

She ended up speaking at the event and was on stage when she decided to follow her instincts and open her own brick-and-mortar store.

Alicia Clark-Fulcher’s boutique offers more than jewelry, which she started with. She has hats, ceramics, crystals and homemade palo santo with wood from Peru.

Eight months later, on June 7, she opened Spicyheart in downtown Breckenridge.

The store’s name is derived from a nickname Clark-Fulcher’s mother gave her while also nodding to her heritage.

“My mother always calls me “heart” or “corazon” in Spanish. … It’s something she’s called me my whole life,” Clark-Fulcher said.

“The other part of the name comes from the fact that I’m Latina, so I’m spicy,” she added.

Before having a physical location, Clark-Fulcher worked at a farmers market and sold some of her work at local stores, like Wandering Daisy in Breckenridge. For years, she juggled her role as a mother, her career at Breckenridge court, and her side hustle, Spicyheart.

Clark-Fulcher said it was the community of women she built around her that ultimately allowed her to pursue a storefront. She said Jodie Schmidt – owner of Arabella Adventures, formerly known as Arabella Boutique – not only helped her broaden her skills by introducing her to the world of custom hat making, but the had also pushed her to become a business owner and helped her make connections.

She said another key player in Spicyheart’s journey to a brick-and-mortar store was LaRissa Marie Chapa, owner of the recently opened ilikeprettyhair salon and spa MTN Empress in Breckenridge, whose owner was also Clark-Fulcher’s hairstylist.

She said Chapa initially planned to expand her salon on South Ridge Street in Breckenridge and take over the new storefront available next to her salon. Instead, she chose to give it to Clark-Fulcher and even passed along a good reference to the owner.

She and Chapa are now neighbors, and they work together to support each other whenever they can.

Clark-Fulcher likes to showcase her Peruvian roots in what she calls the “friends corner” of the store.

Clark-Fulcher’s brother, Juanvictor Sanchez Diaz, sends him honey from his company in Peru to sell.

In the Friends Corner, Clark-Fulcher has a display of works from her family and friends that are for sale. He features items like ceramics from his friend Regina Cigna, based in New York, and honey from his brother’s farm in Peru.

“My brother makes great natural products,” she said. “One of my favorites is a honey with molasses in it, which is great for putting in a fruit salad.”

She also carries handmade artwork shipped to her by her Peruvian artist and friend, Teresa Vela Aeztre Joyas Escultoricas.

Clark-Fulcher said Spicyheart will host jewelry and hat-making workshops and also rent out its space for private events.

On Mondays and Fridays, Spicyheart is open from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, it is open from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Spicyheart is located at 100 South Ridge Street, Suite 202 in Breckenridge. More information can be found on the website at SpicyHeartshop.com and on Instagram at Instagram.com/spicyheart.