Today we’d like to introduce you to Grace Clauch
Hi Grace, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My business partner Iris, and I (Grace), first met while working remotely for Apple Inc. providing customer service for the Japanese market. Although our team was scattered across the country, we both happened to be based in Las Vegas and shared the same mentor. Little did we know that this small connection would blossom into an amazing friendship between us.
As we got to know each other, we discovered we had much in common. We are both mothers, musicians, and even come from the same region of Japan. But what truly bonded us was our shared appreciation for certain aesthetics—a passion not many others shared. We both adore antiques, Victorian-era designs, Gingham Checks, Liberty prints, and French toile. While these styles may sound common, our preferences are quite niche and not often seen in mainstream markets. This unique connection quickly expanded our professional relationship into a close friendship.
In addition to our shared interests, I was amazed by Iris’ incredible craftsmanship. She is highly skilled in various crafts such as knitting, sewing, wicker work, French embroidery, glass etching, and calligraphy. Although I’m not as dedicated to crafting as she is, I have a deep appreciation for the creative process.
A few years later, we decided to leave our jobs at Apple. We decided to try our hand at entrepreneurship and start by setting up a booth in an antique mall. We gave it a six-month trial but it didn’t go as well as we had hoped. Our booth eventually had to close down. Shortly after, the COVID-19 pandemic hit and we had to further put our goals on hold.
Despite that setback, our creative spirit remained strong. For fun, Iris decided to make a set of chocolate ornaments using a “12 Days of Christmas” fondant mold. They turned out beautifully and further inspired us to start experimenting with clay. We were ecstatic by the beautiful results and began experimenting with other molds.
This marked the beginning of our project, where we combine our love for design and craftsmanship to create unique hand-made products in a variety of styles.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Our first venture into the antique business was in a large antique mall. Many of the booths had been running successfully for years. We carefully curated a selection of unique antique items, and took pride in creating a beautiful and distinctive booth. We were confident that our business would thrive. However, sales were slow and some months, we couldn’t even cover the rent. Eventually, we had no choice but to close the booth and move on. In hindsight, it may have been a blessing in disguise as the COVID-19 pandemic soon hit the world.
Even with our current project, we’ve faced numerous challenges. One of the first obstacles was the fragility of the stone diffusers which we make with clay powder. Some of our designs were highly detailed which the powder wasn’t strong enough to hold up. To resolve this, we experimented with blending different materials to increase durability. With this new solution, we will soon be able to ship our products to customers everywhere.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
We create unscented stone diffusers in a variety of unique styles. Why are they unscented? We want our customers to be able to use their favorite scents without any conflict. This allows them to enjoy their chosen fragrances in any space, whether it’s a bedroom, living room, vehicle, purse, or even as jewelry. We also craft door wreaths with stone diffusers, enabling customers to use seasonal scents while adding a beautiful touch to their home decor.
We happily accept custom orders as well. We’ve created personalized wedding gifts, baby’s first Christmas wreaths, birthday gifts, and much more. Our handcrafted items are always a delightful surprise and will be cherished for years to come. We take great pride in our unique designs and impeccable craftsmanship—qualities you won’t find anywhere else in the world!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to us is to keep going. Whether its a short term or long term goal, life changing or for fun, what matters to keep striving.
Both of us have been playing musical instruments since childhood. As we’ve gotten older and started a buisness, this belief has only grown stronger. No matter how many setbacks or failures we face, the key is to never give up. By continuing on, new possibilities and opportunities will eventually open up.
Pricing:
- Small Stones $5
- Ornament $10~20
- Bouquet $10~20
- Door Wreath from $50
Contact Info:
