Meet the Maker: Q + A with Of Clay Jewelry

For our readers that don’t know about you and Of Clay Jewelry, tell us a bit about yourself and your work.

I’m Lisa Nguyen. I was born and raised in Oregon. I grew up in the small town of Keizer, OR, before making the move to Portland about 7 years ago. I started Of Clay Jewelry in the Fall of 2019 with the hopes to create an accessible, slow-made jewelry line. I also dedicate my time to giving back to the creative community by creating accessible and educational, small-business resources.

How did the idea for Of Clay Jewelry get started? How did you bring it from dream to reality?

I absolutely love jewelry and supporting small businesses, but at the time I was a newly licensed Realtor and didn’t have the budget to buy small-batch, locally made items. It made me feel excluded from being able to support local business and I knew I wasn’t alone. I believe that when given the chance most people would rather shop small, but oftentimes the cost just isn’t feasible. Initially when I began to practice my polymer clay craft, I was simply looking for a creative outlet to help me through the upcoming gloomier months as well as a way to create jewelry I could afford to wear and wear comfortably. As I began to make pieces I was proud of, I’d share them on social media and wear them out and about. Immediately after, I had a huge positive reaction from others and I happily began creating earrings for friends, family, and coworkers. Eventually, people were asking to pay me so l began charging for my work! From that point, I decided to bring Of Clay Jewelry to life and bridge the gap between fast, affordable fashion and high-end, slow-made jewelry. I put together an Etsy shop, created my social media platforms, a business email, and got to work!

You also create free educational resources and do business coaching for fellow entrepreneurs, tell us about how that came to be.

I grew up in a household that championed hard work, excelling in school, going the extra mile, and getting a college degree. It was the only recipe for success that I knew. Unfortunately for me and many others, the path to higher education and a successful career can harbor a multitude of impractical barriers. Many if not all of the barriers I faced had absolutely nothing to do with my intelligence or capabilities. As a young adult it broke my heart to feel so stuck when I knew I could accomplish so much. It broke my heart even more to know that the problem didn’t end or begin with me. People--capable, creative, thoughtful, smart people are held back constantly due to unfairly inaccessible tools and resources. Since coming to that realization, it has been my mission to help others gain autonomy over their path to success. Right now, that means showing new creatives and business owners the ropes on how I got started so they don’t have to figure it out alone.

Your favorite thing about the work that you do?

Wow. There are so many things! As far as my jewelry business goes, I love that I get to be creative with every aspect of my business. I want everything to feel special. All. Of. The. Time. I’m not sure why I’m like this, but I do it all out of love and care. With educating and coaching, I love seeing my clients’ progress. It is incredible what we can do when we have the tools and resources we need!

Do you have any employees, co-workers or partners?

At the moment I am flying solo. I will be adding a couple of lovely ladies to my team very soon though! In the meantime, I have two honorary, furry assistants, Bambi and Beau that work with me in my office, my mom who is always eager to help with the logistics of lugging my displays to markets, and my fiance´ who helps me with final jewelry design decisions and my many runs to the post office!

What does your network look like and how did it come to be?

My network mostly consists of small business owners, creatives, and polymer clay artists. With Of Clay, I’ve always had a very clear idea of what I wanted to do and represent. What has helped shape and grow my amazing network is consistently providing value to my community and creating opportunities for genuine connection with me and the people within my network.

What advice do you have for new entrepreneurs who want to grow their network?

Always strive to provide value for others and create opportunities for genuine connection.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started this business?

Newbie or not, there is no good reason to have ‘imposter syndrome’.

Describe an “aha moment” that helped you grow as a business owner?

Imperfections, failing, set-backs and the like are all part of the learning process. Keep going. Keep trying. You’re only going to get better.

Your favorite “get sh*t done” song?

Cheesy, but I’m obsessed with Tiesto’s song, “Let’s get down to business”.

Your dream collaboration or partnership?

No specific person or business, but I would love to work with younger students in a workshop setting where they can learn about small business, creative work, and have fun!

How can people connect with you?

People can find me on social media with the handle, @ofclayjewelry, shop my jewels and book coaching sessions through my website, www.ofclayjewelry.com, and watch my videos at youtube.com/ofclayjewelry.

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DIY: Wire Heart Ring

How beautiful is a delicate wire ring? I love stacking them together and even pairing them against opposites, like our chunkier DIY Geode Ring. With Valentine's Day just around the corner, I wanted share this gorgeous wire ring in a delicate heart shape. So perfect for gifting to your loved ones! Make one or ten!

Materials:

- 24 or 26 gauge wire - wire cutter - flat nose pliers - round nose pliers - pen - paper - thin cylinder object like a sharpened color pencil

Steps: 1. Draw a small heart about the width of your finger or smaller. 2. Cut a piece of wire about 6" long. 3. Curve up one of the wire using the round nose pliers, and close it using the flat nose pliers. 4. Using a thin cylinder object (try a colored pencil... I ended using the angled portion of sharpened colored pencil, which created a smaller heart), curve the wire around to mimic the round part of the heart you drew. 5. Straighten out the the wire below the curve to look like the heart your drew. 6. Using your drawn heart as a guideline, angle the wire backwards, with your round nose pliers, where the point of the heart is. 7. Curve the wire around your finger, making sure the half heart is sideways (like photo). 8. Loop the wire through the curved loop you made in step 3. 9. Angle the wire using your round nose pliers to create the invert point at the top of the heart, then curve the other side of the heart to mirror the prior half. 10. Make a loop to create the bottom point of the heart and to connect the ring together. Close the loop using the flat nose pliers.

DIY: Rhinestone Chain Bracelet

I am a believer that a statement piece can really make an outfit. And with my current love of rhinestone embellishment, I wanted to create a piece of jewelry that could serve this purpose. Here, I show you how to use beautiful large rhinestones to create a chain bracelet that I have been wearing non-stop.  I especially love it paired against delicate pieces.

Materials:

- 1 large sew-on rhinestone (similar 

here

,

 here

, and 

here

)

- 4 large jump rings

- chunky chain

- large lobster claw

- wire cutter

Steps:

1. Cut two lengths of chain using the wire cutter about 2.5 to 3".

2.  Add a jump ring to one end of each cut chain.  Before closing the jump ring, also loop the jump ring through the holes in each each of the large rhinestone.

3. At the end of one of the chains, add one jump ring.  At the other end, add one jump ring and a lobster claw.

DIY: Chain Link Bracelet

I have been really inspired by chain bracelets lately.  Here is the first of 2 chain bracelet DIY's. When I saw this beautiful Marc Jacobs bracelet (here), I instantly knew what my next DIY would be. I love the gold chain against the elastic band. It feels chic, yet casual. Here's how to make your very own. Pretty easy peasy! Full tutorial after the break...

Materials: - elastic rope (here) - chain (similar here) - clamp (bought from Athenian Fashions) - pliers - sewing thread - e6000 adhesive

Steps: 1. Cut the 2 length of elastic rope (about 5 1/4" to 6" depending on your wrist size). Then, cut 1 piece of chain about 2" long. 2. Fold one cut elastic rope and fold in half. Loop through one end of the chain. 3. Take the two ends of the elastic and put through the loop. 4. Pull the two ends of the elastic tightly. Repeat steps 2 through 4 for the other elastic rope. 5. Hold all 4 ends of the elastic rope, add a dab of e6000, then wrap tightly with sewing thread. This will keep all the ends in place. 6. Add a small dab of e6000 onto the inside of clamp. 7. Place the clamp onto the wrapped ends. Tightly squeeze each side of the clamp using the pliers to secure the ends of the elastic rope.

Caroline Hurley is Rad

As soon as I saw Caroline Zucchero Hurley's jewelry I developed a big crush. Then I saw her hand-printed linens and I coveted each and every one. Then I discovered her colorful, modern, playful oil paintings and I thought, "Really? One girl with all this talent?!" Yep. Turns out the multi-talented artist has quite a cast of admirers including Lucky, Design*Sponge and Wax Magazine. The admiration is well-deserved – some of Caroline's achievements include an Anderson Ranch Residency, an Artist Grant from Brown University and a VCCA residency. So how does a girl who grew up in Memphis and did everything from being a personal assistant to working in PR and finance to working as a tutor become such a successful fine artist, who also has a chic product line? For starters it helps that her entire family is creative ("My mom teaches creativity, one of my sisters is an architect and the other is a graphic designer.") and that they traveled around the world while she was growing-up. One thing I found interesting after talking with her is that at a very young age she was a natural entrepreneur, making her own rules and hustling for herself — as a girl she would sell puffy-paint adorned clothing and lemonade to her neighbors That entrepreneurial spirit has done well for her! I hope you too will fall for Caroline's work… I asked her to share her experience, insight and advice as an artist and an entrepreneur. Enjoy!

Name: Caroline Zucchero Hurley

Age: 30

Occupation: Artist/Designer

Home: New York

Website: www.carolinezhurley.com

Best part of your job:

I love that I get to play every day and do what I love.  I really do try to bring that sense of fun in to studio and everything I make.

Most challenging aspect of your job:

The most challenging part for me is the organization part; I am realizing more and more that to run and operate your own business you have to be super organized (which does not come naturally to me!!). I've really had to work on filling orders/invoices, collecting receipts, keeping a catalogue of what has sold, etc. Like many entrepreneurs, aside from actually making my art and products I do everything myself: website design and maintenance, logo design, photography, etc. so it's a lot of work. My dream is that someday I will be able to have a team of people working with me so that I can focus all my energy on the creative part, but for now this works. I think its good to know how to do everything yourself, it builds confidence.

Did you go to school or get formal training for what you do now?

Yes, I went to RISD as a Painting major.

What advice would you give someone just graduating from art school?

Be open minded! Don't take yourself too seriously, travel a lot and stay in close contact with your artist/designer pals. It's really nice to have a network of people in the same field.

You're a fine artist who has also started making your own product line on the side. Most artists don't like the actual 'selling' aspect and leave it to their gallery reps or agents to do that part, but with your line you sell direct to the public or trade yourself. What prompted you to do that?

For me, both my fine art and products are part of the same thing. I grew up in a really creative household and my siblings and I would make art projects constantly. We created neighborhood productions where we would write a play, make all the sets and costumes and charge admission (my old neighbors still remember the events). I remember setting up a stand on my street and selling puff-painted and stenciled t-shirts, lemonade, and repurposed toys that I would paint all pink and sell as sculptures.   In high school I was making bags and I carried it through to RISD. I actually had a little business going, I was selling in a bunch of cities and was featured in Lucky mag and Shop mag and a couple other places. What I am doing now is an extension of that, only now I feel more confident about my designs, who I am, and what kinds of things I want to make.

Do you work in your own studio or a shared space? 

I work in my studio in Dumbo however recently my work has spread to my apartment in Manhattan too. It's great because it means my business is really expanding but I am feeling the need for more space and am sort of dreaming of a beach house where I can make things by the ocean… Maybe someday! There is rarely a time these days where I am not working either on an order to be shipped out or a new idea for a product or painting.

Have you been able to "make a living" as a fine artist in our current economy?

For me a part-time teaching job balances things out and actually helps my process (it's nice to know you have a paycheck coming every two weeks). That's the scariest part about being an artist, you really don't know if you'll sell a painting or get a big order that month or if you'll be able to pay your rent - but in a way I think that's also what makes the process so cool. You have to figure out a way to make it viable and to make it your own and for each artist that is different, you have to try out a couple different combinations; sometimes it's a part-time job, sometimes it's selling online, sometimes it's applying for grants and residencies. It's all a process and you have to just be open to it and also willing to let it change.

What does a typical work day look like?

Before I head to studio at 1pm, I teach preschool art part-time which I have realized has helped my art making process immensely. I basically go into work and act like a clown, throw glitter everywhere and make cool projects with kids from 9am - 1pm. Then I head straight to studio. It's cool because I get to design the curriculum and do what ever I want, so lots of times I will bring projects that I play with in studio to the school and vise versa. The necklaces I make are an inspiration from my class: we made pasta necklaces and the kids were SO cool - supper drippy and painty with these rad colors - so I tried them out in my studio. I really didn't expect for much to come of the jewelry to be honest, I started wearing them and making them for friends and walked in to JF and Son (a cool store in NYC) and the owner saw my necklace and asked to sell it! So from there I got press and people asked for orders, and then more stores approached me, etc.

What inspires you?

I LOVE the beach and I love to play! (I sound like a kid, ha!)  I guess I am most inspired by color which is why I try to take one big trip a year to gather inspiration. It's amazing how traveling can open you up. Sometimes my eye gets so used to the colors of NYC that I forget to really look at things, so traveling jolts me out of that. Last year I traveled to Bali with some pals from RISD and it was the main reason for my exploration into textiles. The Balinese have the best sense of pattern and I was really blown away by the colors there, it was unlike anything I had ever seen, I swear the air had a golden blue tint to it. This year I am planning to go to India to explore more textiles. I am venturing into home products now too so I am really looking forward to seeing that part of the world.

Any advice to future entrepreneurs?

Believe in yourself and keep at it. It's hard sometimes but doubt can really get in the way of productivity.

What is the most important thing you've learned about starting and maintaining your own business?

Pace yourself and try to keep organized. And travel often!

To see more pictures of Caroline Hurley's studio and other design spaces, visit our Studio Snapshots board on Pinterest!

DIY: Geode Ring

I stumbled upon this lovely inspiration photo of geode rings on Pinterest. You can make you very own with a few simple steps.  Make one... or ten!! :)  Have fun!!

Materials:

- Use Geode or Pyrite, easily found on eBay, Amazon or at flea markets and gem stores (*Make sure they have a flat bottom)

- Ring Blank (you can buy here)

- e6000 Glue (buy here)

Steps:

1. Add a small amount of e6000 glue to the flat area of the ring blank.

2. Place the geode or pyrite onto the glue.  Press in place, and let fully dry.

Jessica Barensfeld Adornment

Back in grade school, before Jessica Barensfeld had her own adornment line, before she had been trained as a goldsmith, and before jewelry design was "her thing", she made some pretty wild neon jewelry. Her medium of choice: puffy paint. Her vehicle: Keds, laces, socks, the whole bit. Oh, and of course their were woven friendship bracelets sure to grab the attention of passersby, and her constant best seller her glow in the dark snake earrings.

Based in NYC, Jessica has since left her days of school pop up shops for more stable gigs, yet her crafty roots remain. Today, Jessica's commute to work is several rungs down a ladder to a work space full of plants, books, music and two black cats. The space is large, airy, well-lit, and comes up in my Pinterest feed often. She is a self-proclaimed lover of old Cartier, Elsa Peretti, and pretty much all adornment from the beginning of time. Her most precious piece of jewelry is a jade ring, from her grandmother. A gift so dear she once jumped onto subway tracks to retrieve it after it had fallen off her finger; proclaiming that her favorite trait about jewelry is that it often holds value that is way beyond it's worth.

Her jewelry has a delicate nature about it, an inherit femininity that doesn't need to be defined with such obvious things as flowers. It is vibrant and detailed. It is bright, with plenty of brass and gold. The angel hair wrap bracelets, the garland rings, the topaz necklaces, the clove bangles, are all more reminiscent of lost treasure than an online find

If you are interested in perusing her fine wares you can visit her online boutique. The jewelry will also be available at a few select stores this fall, and will be posted on the site in coming months.

Photos via jessicabarensfeld.com

Thread & Stone Jewelry

In 2008, Alana Mock and Nicole Cabebe met through their boyfriends. They both made and sold their own jewelry for years, but as of last summer, they finally decided to join forces and collaborate ideas to pursue what they really love. Based out of Costa Mesa in sunny Orange County, California, they introduce to us Thread & Stone, a beautiful handmade jewelry collection that is more than just pretty, it's extremely hip. Check out the rest of the collection, along with their inspiring video introduction on their website.

Tough Cuffs

I always have difficulty finding jewelry for men. I wouldn't say that I'm a conservative dresser or anything, but I'm sure most men would agree that the majority of accessories for men are either extremely trashy looking, or simply feminine. If I were to put a criteria for a good bracelet/necklace/ring, I'd say the only things that matter is that its simple, good quality, and small. Simply put, the accessory should match a modern man's wardrobe. If my rant makes any sense then you'll be surprised to hear that I actually found something I like. Austin based designers Christine Fail of Fail Jewelry and Natalie Davis of Canoe teamed up for a collection simply named Fail+Canoe. I love how natural and rustic these bracelets look. They sure meet my criteria, what about yours?

 1. Waylon Cuff / 2. Willie Cuff / 3. Merle Cuff