Today we’d like to introduce you to Trina Teixeira.
Hi Trina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My love for creating with concrete came in a way most people don’t expect-in a Pet Mortuary. After working as an Embalmer and Crematory Operator in New Orleans, I eventually felt pulled back “home” to California. I began working in a pet crematory, guiding families through the cremation process, assisting on in‑home euthanasia calls, taking ink paw and nose prints, and finally making concrete memorial pavers with each pet’s name and paw print pressed into the surface.
Opening a bag of concrete and turning it into something so meaningful, then handing that finished piece to a grieving family-there are truly no words for that feeling. Knowing that all my hard work and sweat (and yes, there was an insane amount of sweat in a warehouse with machines running at 1,800 degrees!) was going toward something that mattered… that stayed with me. Death Care is what I’m wired to do.
I found myself pouring concrete before work, after work…honestly, any spare moment I had. I wanted to understand the material and see what else I could create with it. It never felt like a job; it felt rewarding and therapeutic.
I lived in a pretty remote area near Yosemite National Park, and my commute to the mortuary was an hour each way. The drive started wearing me down, and the gas prices were wearing my wallet down. Eventually, I decided to create something of my own — Little Shop of Concretes. It came from following my little black heart, trusting my instincts, and building a space where creativity, grief, and craftsmanship could all coexist.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’d say my concrete work is pretty smooth, but the road definitely wasn’t. One of my biggest challenges has been social media. I wouldn’t even have it if I didn’t have a business. I’m someone who genuinely enjoys keeping to myself -pouring concrete, staying behind the lens, doing the quiet work. But the hard part has been getting myself in front of it.
I know people love seeing the maker, the behind‑the‑scenes moments, the process, the personality. And I love that when other artists do it… but pushing myself out of my comfort zone to do the same has been a challenge. I’m working on it, though! Little by little, I keep showing up and letting the interwebs see the human behind the concrete.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I create a variety of concrete pieces, but I’m best known for my pet memorial work; pavers, grave markers, and headstones that honor the pets families have loved and lost. It’s meaningful work, and it’s where my journey with concrete truly began.
I also make hand‑poured, hand‑painted statues, and I love experimenting with new designs. One of my favorite creations is my concrete pet bowls with stainless steel inserts-made for the dogs who love to flip, tip, and carry their bowls from room to room. I designed and built the mold myself, and they’ve become a customer favorite because they’re durable, functional, and each one has its own personality with different colors and patterns.
My newest project is my flock of concrete Silly Gooses. Right now I have a fun‑sized 5″ goose, and soon I’ll be adding a 10″ desk goose and a 27″ porch goose. I can’t wait!
What I’m most proud of is the intention behind everything I make. Whether it’s a memorial piece, a pet bowl, or a silly goose meant to make you giggle, each item is crafted with care. What sets me apart is that blend of death care, artistry, and humor-a combination you don’t see every day.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
YouTube is my go‑to resource. When I want to learn something, I fixate on it and immediately fall down the rabbit hole of tutorials, reviews, behind‑the‑scenes videos, comment sections, all of it. I’ll watch any and every video out there until I feel like I’ve absorbed the whole topic. It’s a blessing and a curse. I’m just one of those people who loves gathering information and teaching myself new things.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.LittleShopOfConcretes.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/littleshopofconcretes/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LittleShopOfConcretes2025/
