We were lucky to catch up with Angelina Byrd recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Angelina, 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.
I had to think long and hard about this question. The topic initially called to me and then I found myself struggling to choose a single project that I felt was most meaningful. Every creation is intertwined with love and enthusiasm as all my work is done by hand. I don’t believe that any artist’s creation could be reduced to a single deliverable, let alone my own work. Each design I produce carries significance because my creative process is deeply tied to the emotions I am feeling and what excites me, creating inspiration. My work evolves from my mood, the textures and colors that surround me, and the stories people share with me. This genuinely allows a sense of immersion in each project, infusing each piece with intention and a piece of my heart.
What really is most meaningful is not only the creation itself, but the moment a design resonates with a client. When a piece reminds someone of a loved one, becomes a thoughtful gift, or simply sparks joy, it affirms my purpose behind the work. Each design travels forward holding a piece of my creative identity, while simultaneously igniting excitement and sentiment in its new owner. I particularly enjoy it when clients share the story behind why something has ignited their joy or purpose behind the interest in that specific item. That exchange of feeling and storytelling is what makes every project meaningful in an incredibly distinct way.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
Hi! I’m Angelina and I am the creator and owner of SeLuca Earrings. SeLuca began during the pandemic as a simple, creative experiment with a close friend who wanted to try making clay earrings. What started as a fun way to stay connected, pass time, and explore a new craft soon became a passion. Once the world opened back up, I decided to share my work publicly to see how it resonated. The response was heartfelt and encouraging, and that support helped transform a hobby into something much more meaningful.
I have always been a hands-on, crafty creator. You need it? I can make it out of something. Clay just happens to be my best medium! I can recall back in my childhood when my Mama and Godmother taught us how to make clay beads to create jewelry with Fimo clay on rainy days when we would be stuck inside. Working with clay now as an adult has become the perfect outlet to merge artistic play with intention and connection. Today, it brings such joy to see how excited people are to wear my earrings and proudly share my creations. While my focus is primarily on clay earrings, I have begun exploring other clay pieces as well. They are not quite ready for debut yet, so be sure to stay tuned!
Precision and detail are essential to my process. True to my Leo nature, I embrace a bit of perfectionism, ensuring each piece reflects quality and care. Client happiness means everything to me, and I love customizing pieces by personalizing findings, and finishes to create one-of-a-kind designs. It is that attention to detail and care that creates repeat clients and excites new ones to get a little creative with me too. When a custom earring request comes through and I know I can bring the vision to life, it is a privilege to create something special for that person.
The name SeLuca holds a piece of my heart. Well two in fact: it was created by combining the names of our two darling golden retrievers; Sequoia and Luca. As I create each item, they always come to check in on progress or share a piece of the floor near me as my biggest and sweetest supporters, making perfect sense to name this small business after them. They often send home some perfectly curated Golden Glitter in mailed out packages, hard as I may try to keep that at bay. At its core, this brand represents simple joy, connection, and creativity. I am incredibly proud of my ability to take a bit of plain clay and turn it into something beautiful, meaningful, and full of personality, just like me and the pups. My goal is always to share that joy, one handmade bauble at a time and I hope I get to continue doing so for years to come!
Have you ever had to pivot?
SeLuca arrived during an unexpected turning point in my life. As the world stopped in its tracks, I had lost my job as a wedding and event planner. After eighteen years in a fast paced, deeply fulfilling career that I loved, everything suddenly paused. The industry I loved was on hold, and for the first time in nearly two decades, I found myself without the daily rhythm and purpose I had always known.
Clay became my pivot and my restoration. What began as a fun creative project with a friend turned into a lifeline during a moment of uncertainty. It brought excitement into my heart and gave me a renewed sense of purpose when so much felt halted. Creating with my hands helped slow me down, invited me to breathe, and reminded me how powerful joy and artistry can be in moments of transition.
Today, I am grateful to have returned to the event world while also continuing to build SeLuca. Both careers now complement one another beautifully. Event planning feeds my love for logistics, celebration, and human connection. SeLuca nurtures my creative spirit and encourages me to savor the process. This business did more than give me something to do; it gave me balance, perspective, and a deeper appreciation for both sides of my craft.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
The beginning of my SeLuca journey is the perfect story to reflect resilience in its most genuine form. The experience of creating it serves as a powerful reminder that growth rarely follows a straight path of comfort and familiarity. Evolution often emerges from interruption rather than stability. When my situation shifted and the familiar structure of my career disappeared, I was encouraged to reassess my skills, and rediscover parts of myself that had been quieted and pushed aside by routine. SeLuca became proof that creativity thrives when you give yourself room to breathe, and that openness to change can reveal strengths and passions that might otherwise remain dormant.
Stepping back into event planning while continuing to nurture this new creative venture emphasized that professional identities are not fixed, and success can take multiple forms at once. The choice to move forward with both simultaneously did not mean abandoning what I had built previously. It meant expanding the narrative, acknowledging that success can be multifaceted, and allowing both sides of my work to coexist in harmony. The ability to adapt and embrace new expressions of purpose continues to guide my approach to business, creativity, and personal growth. Evolution is ongoing, and it remains a guiding principle in how I move forward with intention and resilience, especially in unfamiliar seasons.
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