We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Donesha Brown a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Donesha, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about how you learned to do what you do?

I am a self-taught polymer clay artist, and a lot of what I learned is from trial and error. I had no idea that polymer clay was a thing until I stumbled across it while scrolling on Pinterest. I started researching and learning about polymer clay and how to work with it. After doing a little research I purchased the basic tools I would need to get started working with polymer clay I watched hours of tutorials on YouTube to learn how to make slabs, simple designs, and how to cut my earring pieces. After getting the basics down I started experimenting with more difficult techniques that I saw in tutorials and a lot of trial and error.
The one thing that I wish I would have spent more time learning about when I first started was the importance of properly conditioning polymer clay. When polymer clay is not conditioned properly it can ruin your earrings and become very costly. Had I spent more time focusing on proper conditioning it would have saved me hours of designing and cutting earring pieces that were unusable because they were too brittle, or full of air pockets.

When it comes to being a polymer clay jewelry designer the most essential skills to have are a willingness to learn and grow. When it comes to being creative there is no such thing as knowing it all. New techniques are being created constantly. Even if an artist may have perfected their technique in their niche can benefit from a willingness to learn. A new technique may have been developed to make the way they have been working more efficient. Being willing to learn can result in a more efficient and effective creative process which can lead to growth as an artist.

I started my business as a mom to three kids under four, and while I don’t consider my children an obstacle, the lack of time to dedicate was an obstacle to learning more about my craft. I did and still do most of my work after the kids go to bed, which leads to a lot of late nights. I had to break up a lot of my learning process over several nights which isn’t always ideal for polymer clay because you don’t want to risk the clay becoming less pliable before getting back to it. While more time would have been ideal. I wouldn’t change my learning process because it made me the designer I am today.

Donesha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My love of sewing lead me to open my shop in 2020. I started off making making face masks and small leather goods with the intent of having a shop that sold items I sewed. Then, one day while scrolling through Pinterest I discovered polymer clay earrings. I immediately fell in love with everything about them, from the styles to the process of making them. I purchased all the supplies I needed and taught myself how to work with polymer clay to make beautiful handcrafted earrings.

When you visit my shop know that you will find something that speaks to you personally whether it be a pair of earrings, a clutch, key chain, etc. The love, time and effort I put into making my products is meant to enhance the beauty my customers already have within themselves. I want that beauty to make my pieces beautiful not the other way around.

I really love being a maker and trying new things, and as I grow and learn more I want that to be reflective in my shop. So check back regularly to see what’s new.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I am a forever learner, and the endless possibilities of learning new things and seeing the finished product are the most rewarding aspects of being a maker. My “What I Want to Learn to Create” list is never-ending. This list includes a variety of clay techniques and everything from learning to working with cement to macrame. Pinterest and YouTube are full of “how-to manuals” that take up much of my free time. I learned how to finger-crochet an entire shoulder bag in less than 20 minutes!

Whether or not I will add everything that I learn to create to my shop is yet to be decided, but my love of learning and being a former teacher is what led me to start offering DIY parties as a part of my small business. So, while everything I learn to create may not be added to my shop, I a lot of what I learn will be offered as DIY events so that others can experience the joy of seeing something they created with their own hands.

Being a forever learner is what led me to start my small business and is what will continue to grow my small business.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Most of the time when you think of support the expectation is financial. While yes, financial support is important I feel that when it comes to creatives and artists the best support you can give them is engagement. Most artists and creatives produce something to be seen, heard, or read and they want to know how their creations make you feel.

Share your favorite local small business on social media with your community. Word of mouth a personal and meaningful way to show support for a small business and is likely to have more of an impact with friends and family than mass advertisers. Also, engage with your favorite small businesses. Comments or likes are simple reminders that they have your support. If your favorite small business has a blog visit their site to boost traffic.

Whenever possible shop small and engage with your favorite small business to let them know you are there.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ddesireedesigns.etsy.com
• Instagram: @d.ddesireedesigns