Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Ayana Benjamin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Ayana, thanks for joining us today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

It all started with a simple crochet practice piece—a circular pot holder I was experimenting with as a way to unwind and explore a new creative outlet. I posted it casually on social media, thinking nothing of it. Then someone commented, “Is that an earring?” I laughed at first—because it definitely wasn’t—but then something clicked. I dared myself to take that comment seriously, to redesign the piece as wearable art. I went back to the yarn, reworked the size and structure, and posted the finished earring. That person became my very first client.
From there, something shifted. That moment gave me permission to think outside the box, and the freedom to explore crochet as more than just a hobby. I started sketching, researching earring hardware, testing different yarns and fibers that were both lightweight and bold. Inspired by Caribbean Carnival and the vibrant textures of my culture, I began creating jewelry that celebrated movement, color, joy, and rhythm. I wanted every pair to feel like a mini celebration.
The next few months were all about trial and error. I set up a small workstation in my home, created an Instagram page, and started documenting the process—not just the final pieces, but the joy of making. I researched where to source materials affordably, learned how to write product descriptions, and studied other handmade brands for ideas on pricing and packaging. I said yes to small pop-ups, friends’ events, and even made custom pieces for people who wanted their favorite Carnival colors in various forms.
Eventually, this process grew into a rhythm—design, create, share, sell, repeat. I didn’t have everything figured out on day one, but I allowed myself to start small and keep moving forward. What began as a creative experiment turned into a collection, and that collection slowly grew into a business—one inspired by a comment, a dare, and a whole lot of love for culture and craft.

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

Hi! I’m Ayana Benjamin, the artist and maker behind Ayana B. Joy, a Caribbean-rooted creative studio where jewelry, journaling, fiber art, and storytelling come together to celebrate culture, coastal beauty, and handcrafted expression. Born and raised in Brooklyn, with deep ties to Grenada, I create work that’s both intentional and joyful—blending ancestral memory, island textures, and sacred craftsmanship into every piece.
My journey into this world wasn’t planned—it was felt. I started as a way to heal and explore, picking up crochet as a creative outlet. I made a simple circle as a pot holder, posted it online, and someone asked if it was an earring. I dared myself to redesign it as one. That person became my first client, and from that moment, I began designing crochet and fiber-based earrings inspired by Carnival and Caribbean culture—bold, colorful, and full of movement.
Over time, I expanded into glass jewelry, learning to flamework and sculpt molten glass into oceanic forms like cowrie shells and beads. I now create glass beads and shell pendants, earrings, and bracelets, often incorporating reclaimed glass from beverage bottles and giving them new life through flame-work. Each piece is a story—of sustainability, transformation, and the power of honoring where you come from. Many of my glass pieces are gilded with gold leaf or inscribed with meaning through sandblasting or etching, adding layers of depth and emotion.

In addition to jewelry, I also create glass mosaics, hand-lettering art, embroidery, fiber art, stationery and journaling designs.

What sets my work apart is the emotional intention and cultural grounding. I don’t just make pretty things—I make meaningful pieces that carry energy, history, and identity. My clients aren’t just buying jewelry—they’re collecting memory, reclaiming heritage, or finding a way to celebrate themselves in a tangible, wearable form.
I’m most proud of how my work makes people feel—grounded, seen, radiant, and reconnected. Whether it’s someone wearing my cowrie shell pendant to honor their lineage, or a customer using my affirmation cards to build a morning ritual, I’m deeply moved by the stories my clients bring to the work.
To anyone discovering my work for the first time: I want you to know that Ayana B. Joy is not just a brand—it’s a practice of joy, culture, storytelling, and sacred craftsmanship. Everything I make is with love and intention, and it’s an invitation to feel good in your body, your story, and your spirit.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One of the most defining moments of my journey—and a true testament to my resilience—happened in 2020, when I experienced sudden paralysis. It was one of the most frightening and humbling periods of my life. Thankfully, I was able to receive surgery that not only restored my ability to move but completely shifted my perspective on what it means to live with purpose and joy.

That experience gave me clarity: I wanted to rebuild my life around creativity, healing, and intention. I rebranded my business and leaned deeper into my passions. Shortly after, I was accepted into The Bead Project at Urban Glass in Brooklyn—a program that teaches artists the art of flame working with glass. That program changed everything. I learned how to sculpt molten glass through the art of flame-working and turn it into wearable art inspired by the ocean and my Caribbean roots. The fire gave me back a part of myself that I thought I had lost. It was both a physical and spiritual transformation—and proof that beauty can emerge from pain when we’re brave enough to keep going.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A big lesson I had to unlearn was fear—especially fear around showing up boldly and going after what I truly wanted. For a long time, I played it safe, held back ideas, or waited for the “right time” out of fear of failing or being too much. But after facing life-altering challenges, including a health scare that left me temporarily paralyzed, I realized fear couldn’t be the driver anymore. I had to choose boldness. That meant stepping into my creativity with confidence, applying for opportunities I once talked myself out of, and trusting that my voice, my art, and my story were enough. Letting go of fear gave me freedom—and that’s where everything started to shift.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ayanabjoy.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ayanabjoy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AyanBJoyStudio/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@AyanaBJoy

Image Credits

@Spiceklyn
@Shopcsfdg