We recently connected with Brandi Soto and have shared our conversation below.
Brandi, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea
To get to the “how” we must get to the “why” first. The reason why I started is very important. I started a cake decorating business in 2016 and it was going well. Then in September of 2017I became very sick and ended up in the hospital. I had to stop all together baking and cake decorating because after a week in the hospital my eyesight was better but all together, I wasn’t. I was sent home with a pic-line in my arm and medicine while they were still running all kinds of tests to try and find out what was wrong with me. I was also in nursing school during this time and was literally walking my mom through my classes to try and complete what work I could online since I couldn’t see. Medical Professors are amazing at understanding when you can’t show up to class because you’re in the hospital. When I made it home, I still couldn’t drive, so on my behalf they reached out to the Dean so I could finish the semester online. In October 2017 was able to get into UTSW and by November, my 9th MRI, we finally had an answer. I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I am having background in the medical field that helped me be my biggest advocate for treatment. I wanted the best medicine out there; I didn’t want to get worse. So, I started IV Infusions every 4 weeks, and so forth on to a new normal life with a chronic illness. It was a few years and adjusting to a new body that worked sometimes, but as the treatments got better and we tried different medicines sometimes it happened more often. I was still in a lot of pain most days but needed to find a way to forget about it. I was finally at peace with my new life and in 2021 was ready to find a way to create again. So, I started with a name, BeautyBee House. I knew I wanted to do something, what it was, I had no idea. The more I looked at what was happening online, I found clay. I started my research and started investing in tools, clay, and watching videos on how other artists got started. Figuring out their tips and tricks, mastering techniques, doing markets to get my name out there. Next, I added Clay Caviar to my name to help my clay earring business grow more on a social media platform. I created my brand, website, market set, while mastering polymer clay earrings. Any money I made I put right back into my business buying better material, better clay cutters, better earring cards, better table set up for markets. Sitting here and realizing how far I’ve come in two short years. I still work full time at a school, I’m a mom to two amazing teenagers, and a wife to a very supportive husband.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Let’s talk Polymer Clay and Earrings. As of today, this industry has grown so much from when I first started. I think it is so amazing that more and more people are taking a chance to explore their creative side. It’s Earrings, its clay, how do you stand out from the next maker. First this is art, it is created by hand and if done correctly, it is stunning jewelry. This medium art can bring out so many different styles of earrings. From simple natural delicate designs to large unique one-of-a-kind designs. The designs are endless and truly depends on the artist style. I work my craft as a blank canvas. I start with no plan, no designs, it’s all just how it comes to me as I work the clay. I’ll sit there and look on Instagram to see what my favorite artist are creating, what’s in season, but in the end my mind is blank with I start with a color. I start with a color somewhat of an idea, but I just let it flow each step of the way. From a solid color, to marble, to shape, even stop halfway and walk away because I’m not feeling it anymore. Ninety percent of my earrings are never recreated. I don’t write down color recipes or take notes on what I did because I’m so in the moment when I’m creating. Plus, I don’t like recreating, I love that I can offer one-of-a-kind pieces that no one else will have. I take my time; I want to make sure that everything I create is something I would wear and be proud to say I created. I stand by my motto, well made with integrity by hand. I would say the fun part about selling at markets is seeing the person buy the earrings. When they are art pieces, and one of kind, they are so special to the artist, so being able to see who is going to wear them, who fell in love with your art, it feels so good. I only create when I’m feeling my best, happy, relaxed, because I feel if my energy isn’t in a good place then it comes out in my work. One thing I had to learn was how to handle different situations when selling at markets. Because we are a table at a boho market, sometimes it is looked at as not good quality. But that is far from true, the components I use are the same quality you will fine on high end name brand designers. Potential customers will try for a discount or make side comments with their friends about it being clay. Or the best is, my granddaughter makes stuff just like this with play dough. All I could do was smile; I couldn’t even think of a response to that one that would keep my mom proud of me. What amazing about Polymer Clay Earrings is how lightweight they are. Your earlobe skin stretches very easily. So, with this type of earrings, you can wear large earrings and feel at ease that your earlobes are not being pulled as well as normally you forget you have them on. Now I’m not saying there isn’t some large over the top size art pieces out there that are earrings and might be more on the heavy side but if they are made correctly, they still will not be uncomfortable to wear all day long. I picked the name Clay Caviar because I create my earrings for everyone, but they are still very special, unique, some pricey, they’re to style your soul, for you to be able to wear art. I love having fun with my earring, earrings should be fun, bold, interesting, and eye catching. There are days I’m in leggings and my favorite hoodie with my boldest earrings running to Target. I could look a mess but it’s the earrings that say I don’t, that I have my life together. Try them out, fall in love with an artist, why just hang art, wear art on your ears.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Starting any kind of business is scary. Starting small with it all being on you, the brand, the maker, web designer, social media content creator, assembly, photographer, shipping, I mean you are solo, and it’s all on you. I’ve never taken out a business loan, I started with a little savings I had and then only purchased what I needed when I had sales. Instagram is a buzz kill, and not having online sales makes you want to cry. Then you go to markets, and it is like my goodness people love my earrings, I’m selling so much, I might be able to keep going. It’s such a high and low roller coaster ride. It’s my passion for me, I absolutely love creating, to know someone is wearing a design I made is such a magnificent feeling. I wish I could do this full time and give it my all. I know it would make a big difference on my exposure. The fact I work full time still, dealing with a chronic illness that will take over my body can feel like I’m letting my business go. Or when I try to fully focus on the business side of my life, then I feel my family is not getting all they need from me. Both my kids are in High School, and I never miss an event. Football games, I’m evolved in the Booster Club, and family events. It all can be so overwhelming to try and juggle but my determination for it all to work is still strong. So, I keep pushing through the lows and figure out the next step I need to take to keep growing. It’s all on me, so if I fail, it’s on me, and I’m not ready fail.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
When there are so many artists out there doing the same concept as you, it can feel like you will never be seen. But art didn’t just stop with Pisco. Every artist is different and to be able to find your way is challenging. First you try to fit in this box because you want to sell right away. There is no wrong way to create but for me I had to figure out what felt good to me when I was creating my earrings. I had to stop trying to force myself to be like others. Once I did, it was amazing. It started to flow, and I was starting to stand out as an artist. I love all the different styles out there and I think that’s what makes polymer clay earrings so magical because it allows every artist to create on so many different levels. I’m still exploring different styles and growing as an earring maker.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://claycaviar.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/claycaviar/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BeautyBHouse
- Other: TikTok @claycaviar
Image Credits
Rebecca Sunshine Photography