We recently connected with Ameshia Stukes and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Ameshia, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear about a project that you’ve worked on that’s meant a lot to you.

My most meaningful project is “A Plus” a community based on going art project.
I started working with this idea at the Banneker Douglas Museum in Annapolis Maryland when I released my first collection called “Pillow Magic.” The collection was of hanging installation pieces. The main piece was a collaboration of solid colored pillows and yarn that form one floating rainbow. The piece represented freedom and promise. I then went on to start doing pillow magic workshops where guest would create their own pillows and stuff them with prayers, goals, and manifestations.I also use the same ritual during baby showers and blessing Ways,families fill pillows up with prayers for the new baby to come. A lot of mothers in my community use these pillows for their babies for comfort and protection. Pillows are synonymous with comfort and relaxation. When Pillows were first invented they were associated with affluence.

I planned for the evolution of pillow magic.
The name of this work is “A Plus”. A Plus represents ArtistAmeshia plus The community. I collaborated with students from my advance art class, as well as elderly neighbors. They contributed handmade Pillows and Crochet yarn shapes that were included into the overall work. Some fabrics represent cultural backgrounds while others may be rich in color to enhance a mood.

“A Plus” also represents excellence. Striving for the greatest goal in our community,in our education, And in our homes. I intended for this work to provide comfort and creativity while encouraging members of the community to show up as their greatest self. This work is so meaningful to me because my greatest accomplishment is influencing change in peoples lives and this project has done that in many ways.

Ameshia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My Brand developed naturally. I’ve been an artist since birth. I was in every art program in schools and even got a full scholarship to go to pre-college at Rhode Island School of design while still in high school. I got my degree in Fine Art, and basically I’ve always been who I am. I was always creating things for myself such as jewelry, clothing, and other crafts. I didn’t know at the time but I was a walking billboard. Something else I’ve always been is spiritual. At a particular point in my life my artist gene and my spiritual gene joined forces and I started making crystal healing jewelry and selling it. Every time I wore a piece I’d get compliments and request and let’s note, This is still relevant today. I have so many customers and they always tell me how people approach them about their Artist Ameshia jewelry.

Most people know me for my jewelry as it has made it way to Bravo and OWN TV network. However, I provide a variety of natural products on my website as well as Intuitive Healing Guiding sessions. I am also a licensed wedding officiant and I incorporate crowd favorites into ceremonies such as the prayer pillows. Guess fill a premade pillow with stuffing and prayers for newly wed couple. This is an example of how my brand is a representation of my lifestyle that I know a lot of other women relate to. I wanted my business to solve a problem, and my main problem always is finding unique accessories. As an artist I connect with the details of the bigger picture, for example, I would prefer to wear a basic grey sweat suite with really cool shoes and a statement necklace that you can’t find in stores, instead of a detailed pants and top. When it comes to the products on my website, I created those for my physical body needs and I was sure others would enjoy as well. My smokers blend is a top seller, it doubles as a tea and natural smokers blend. Smoking marijuana with tobacco funnel is how most ppl are consuming cannabis these days. The smokers blend consistent of a group of herbs that cleanse your lungs while smoking or drinking.

I’ve had plenty of successes through my work but Im post proud of inspiring change in people, Through my Intuitive healing readings I help guide others into taping into their inner magic. Having clients share what they manifested from a seed I planted in their minds is a feeling like no other. I plan to do this work as long as the universe allows in multiple ways. Look out for new projects dropping in the near future.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One lesson I had to unlearn was keeping all the goods to myself lol. I’m not stingy at all so holding information was not on purpose. I had so many experiences that made me hyper protective over my business and information. I grew out of that however, I learned that sharing information and resources is necessary for business growth. It is so hard to trust people especially when I have obsessed fans but I realized that what I give is also what I’ll receive. The more I share information the more it will be shared with me, I was always hesitant about teaching someone my craft and system because I did not want to create competition. The reality was there was no competition just opportunities for me to expand my brand using others to do it. Of course you get some sneaky swipers that fall through the cracks, however by putting yourself out there you gain more than what you lose from those random experiences that don’t work out as well. These days I am collaboration Queen lol. I was open when I first started to working with a team but they didn’t see the vision and I had to build alone. Since then all of those people have contacted me for advice and favors, which is also why I was so protective. People don’t want to do the work to plant the seed and water/nurture it to harvest season, most ppl want the fruit immediately. I figured out a way to protect my fruit while also sharing.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Pivoting, adjusting and learning new systems has to be apart of your relationship with your business. I had to learn this the hard way as well. I am an old lady at heart and I don’t like change much especially when money is involved and living of the income of your business can be tricky. If a process works for you and pays your bills you kind of don’t want to change it. I got stuck in my own way at times earlier on by not being respective to learning new systems in business. I finally got fed up with myself and I knew that my business just like my life represented a plant. Plants need to be repotted to grow and the more I stayed in my comfort zone the less room my roots had to grow, which means my “plant” would eventually die. I didn’t want to give up on my business or stay in the same cycle. in 2020 I relaunched my business and changed a lot of details with in my business and had to learn so much to do it. It was hard for me because I am a creative at heart I don’t have a degree in business or any instruction, technology and business language are my least favorite part about what I do. Having to really apply myself to create a change was hard but of course paid off.

Contact Info:

• Website: ArtistAmeshia.com
• Instagram: @ArtistAmeshia
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ameshia-stukes-693551250/
• Twitter: @ArtistAmeshia
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@artistameshia1256

Image Credits
1.Studio Muze 2.FotoFinesse Photography