We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Ana Mitrushevska. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Ana below.

Ana, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

Making a huge life changing risk, moving my whole life in just 2 suitcases (and couple of shipped boxes :) ) across the Atlantic. Just over a year and a half ago, I and my husband decided to take the opportunity bestowed to us, and move from Skopje N.Macedonia to the US. We had to start everything all over again, from owning an apartment to renting one, from having all home essentials and more to an empty home, from being a senior in your profession to being considered equal as a graduate, from having close friends and family to building your social network from zero.
I used to work in the mental health field before I moved to the US, but I learned that the requirement to become licensed and practice again in the field would take me a long time and it will be expensive. The thought of going through the same path again as I did 11 years ago got me into thinking of changing careers. So I decided to turn my hobby into a small business. Sat down and designed my own logo, brainstormed the name with friends and family and created my social media pages. That is how Simply Ana’s was started.
I’ve been making jewelry from polymer clay for couple of years now, mostly for myself and as gifts for friends and family, so why not take another big risk and start earning from my clay creations. So here I am almost a year ago since I started my small jewelry business and it has been a stressful but wonderful journey. Every day is different and I am still learning every aspect as I go, designing and creating jewelry, participating in events and markets, selling, meeting new people, marketing and social media, opening online shop, planning and managing all aspects of the business. What I have noticed about myself is that I am old school, even though in this day and era 99% of sales is done online, I mostly enjoy doing in person sales at markets and events.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

In short, a former psychologist with a passion for creativity. Started jewelry making as a hobby, but as well found a creative and therapeutic outlet for everyday stressors. Decided to turn my passion into a small business.

I am the face behind Simply Ana’s, literally, the motivation for my logo is my favorite blue glasses. I create handmade jewelry and accessories from polymer clay. Everything is slowly made, and I aspire to put in as many details in every piece of jewelry that I make, and make it in small batches, to make them unique pieces of art.

I seek inspiration from nature, art, and my husband, of course :), little secret, he gave me the idea for the hand painted stick figure designs. I enjoy creating flowers and animals, those are the designs I am most known for. The biggest challenge so far was creating a highland cattle necklace and earrings for a custom order, and I am really proud of myself for putting the effort to make it. The most sold items are my lavender collection pieces. My most loyal customers are teachers, they absolutely love my mismatch umbrella and rain cloud earrings.
I love experimenting with different styles and techniques and I am up for challenges from custom orders. To put it in short, I love putting smiles on people’s faces.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me is seeing my creations touch someone’s heart, and I will share story from a pop-up market I did recently, so you can picture what I am saying. One sweet little boy stopped by my booth with his mom and grandma and was picking out what they should buy for each other as a gift for Mother’s Day. After buying a pair of earrings for each other, the mom stepped outside my booth, but the boy and his grandma stayed for a little bit more because the boy wanted to buy something for his mom as well. Grandma, of course, let him do the picking. He picked one of my hand painted necklaces with stick figures, that had a little boy giving a flower to his mom and hearts flying around them. He couldn’t wait until home for the gift and ran straight to his mom to give her the present and even started opening the present on the way to her. His mom was over the moon happy and gave him the warmest hug.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

At first I wanted to say that I don’t have a particular goal or a missions that is my drive, but then it got me thinking, I do have one goal as psychologist that influences my creative journey as well. And that is guiding people in overcoming obstacles in their everyday lives, practice new skills, find their strengths and become the best versions of themselves. So when I am designing and creating new jewelry pieces I follow my instincts, what would put a smile on someone’s face, what would help them build their confidence and make them happy.     

Contact Info:

• Website: simplyanashandmade.etsy.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/simply.ana.s
• Facebook: facebook.com/simplyanas.handmade