Who We Are?
Leila Shabani is the founder and head designer of ELTAwood.
Leila immigrated from Iran to Los Angeles five years ago. She puts her Iranian culture and love of God, family, and friends into everything she does. Pursuing her dreams, taking chances, and enjoying life’s adventures are some of Leila’s core values.
She began her pyrography journey during the Covid-19 pandemic. Leila lost her job during quarantine and was dismayed by uncertainty and fear.
One day, Leila’s son Aryan taught her the art of pyrography that he had learned in school. She fell in love with it and started burning and designing creative gifts for family and friends. Her focus then shifted to extensively experimenting with different pyrography techniques, such as calligraphy and miniature pyrography.
When she isn’t doing pyrography, Leila enjoys photography, graphic design, and doing anything that encourages self-growth. Leila holds a photography certificate from the House of Photographers in Tehran, and a Master of Arts degree in TESL from California State University Northridge. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and son.
Leila’s dream is to make a difference by spreading the power of optimism and resiliency through creating art pieces that integrate different cultures peace messages.
Aryan
Aryan, Leila’s son is a college freshman who continues to influence design at ELTA. Aryan began woodworking in middle school when he was only 11 years old by making marquetry and pyrography. In high school, he learned how to work with different saws, and woodturners. He has made wall clocks, a mini bar, cutting boards, pens and key holders. Aryan’s ability to work with tools and assemble different items in each wood project have paved the way to custom and design with no burden.
His dream is to have his own wood workshop with different types of wood working tools, and wood pieces. And, of course, be surrounded by wood lover clients and students at his workshop.