Brand Story

Born from the brain of a technically trained rescuer with a doodle addiction.

MELGARITA is where technical rescue meets artistic exploration, where ropes, critters, and clever systems come to life through illustration, storytelling, and handcrafted design. This is more than a portfolio—it’s a portal into a creative multiverse for gear nerds, rope techs, and rigging dreamers alike.

Before I began drawing critter riggers and force vectors with faces, I spent years as a teacher, firefighter, commercial sewer, and rope manufacturer sales rep. I've made cave packs and leather clutches, painted wildlife, reupholstered chairs, and field-tested gear in dark muddy places. These experiences are wildly different on the surface, but they all taught me how to observe closely, make things that last, and celebrate the quirks in every craft.

I use that lens to document Gearlandia—an alternate world where knots are sacred, anchors are everywhere, and critter riggers pass on their knowledge to any curious soul willing to follow the load path.

MELGARITA offers:

  • Original artwork and illustrations blending technical accuracy and humor

  • Commission work for those looking to bring their creative rigging ideas to life

  • A shop full of stickers, prints, apparel, and field gear

  • A newsletter for fellow Gearheads, packed with knotty jokes, lessons, and lore

Mission

Make rigging accessible, inclusive, and downright hilarious. In a field that can sometimes feel rigid or elite, MELGARITA brings a fresh twist—reminding us that everyone starts somewhere, and learning should feel more like discovery than gatekeeping.

For those of us bitten by the rigging bug, ropework becomes more than just a job—it’s a language, an art, and sometimes a little bit of magic. If you’ve ever looked at a pulley system and thought, “That’s awesome,” or cracked a knot joke no one else got—congrats, you’ve found your people. Welcome to the crew Gearheads! Let's learn something new, tie some knots, and enjoy the journey together.

Behind the Name: Why MELGARITA?

Mel on top of a climbing pitch giving a goofy face. She's wearing a helmet and has animated critter surround her including a hummingbird, inch worm on the shoulder and a dinosaur handing a carabiner.

MELGARITA started as a nickname gifted by friends just after college—long before my imagination took me to a place where dragons hoard carabiners or snakes tie themselves into knots.

Back then, beer wasn’t my thing (I came around eventually), and my go-to drink was a frozen margarita. At any house gathering, you could count on two things: the blender on the counter and my secret recipe being passed around like good gossip. Someone gifted me a set of margarita glasses with a tag that read, “To Melgarita”—and it stuck!

Over time, the name became more than just a drink reference—it’s become a symbol of creativity, hospitality, and a little unexpected flavor. Just like the brand.

Meet the Team

  • Mel

    Founder/Designer/Manufacturer and your guide through the imaginative and knot-filled realm of Gearlandia.

  • Rich

    Proofreader / Idea Coach / My True Love

  • Catahoula

    Nugget

    Chief of Security and Snuggles

  • Jack "the dog"- Rest in Peace

    The Commander of Naps has crossed the rainbow bridge. RIP sweet boy.

  • Consew 206RB

    aka “the BIG BOY”

  • Juki DDL-555

    aka “the JUKE”

  • Juki MO 6 Serger

    aka “the SERGE”

  • Singer Model 66-6 Red Eye

    aka “the DEVIL”