We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Diandria Wright a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Diandria, 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.

I am a full-time RN. My job can sometimes be very stressful. Creating has always been a method of relaxation for me.

I loved making items but I never thought anyone would be interested in anything I created. A friend challenged me to take the risk and try to share the items I created with people. She encouraged me to take a risk and put myself out there. The original intent was to do in person markets and then the pandemic happened and that required a pivot. That resulted in me having to not only put myself out there in a different way, but also venture into the areas that I have not previously had to to.

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?

I always wanted to work in healthcare, that’s what I went to school for. However, I have always had a creative side and always needed to have that outlet. I became a RN because I liked helping people and healthcare always fascinated me. That role takes a toll on me sometimes. That’s how The Chic Upcyclery came about. I started by writing a blog under the same name while I was in nursing school. I needed something to do that was fun for me, that allowed me to be creative. I started with upcycling furniture for my new apartment, but as I completed my space, I started working on more pieces. Furniture pieces are hard to store and require space I didn’t have. So I started creating small hand-painted home decor items. These still gave me the opportunity to create but I didn’t need a large space to store my items.

At the moment I create hand painted coaster sets, plant pots, jewellery dishes, and trays. I use acrylic paints and inks, alcohol inks, pigments, and resin to create unique designs. I love having an idea and watching that idea come to fruition. My coasters are made from simple tiles. I love that I can use something so simple to create a beautiful piece with a practical use. Now that things have opened up I am incorporating more thrifted plant pots and trays to give new life to items that may have been overlooked.

I enjoy making things that bring beauty to people’s spaces.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I was born and raised in Jamaica. I had good opportunities afforded to me but I always knew I wanted to do more. I applied, and got accepted to boarding school in New York. I went their studied hard, but going to university there was not an option for me due to cost. That required reconsidering my plans. I decided to try going to school in Canada based on some recommendations I received from family members. I applied and got into school. It was a struggle but I completed my B.Sc. I did not end up working in that field though. After years of working in university administration I decided that I wanted to put my degree to use and pivoted to a new career path, I decided to become a RN. That decision came with lots of challenges. I switched cities, and became a full-time student again. It was not easy but I am proud of myself for making that change.

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

The lesson that I had to unlearn is that the path to your goals is linear.

I grew up thinking that there is a linear sequence to achieving goals. I had to learn that there are twists and turns and bumps along the way. I had to also learn that it is never too late to try something that you have put your mind to. Everyone does not always go through the same things on their path so I need to keep on my path and face whatever hurdle pops up, even i have to make a turn along the way, it’s ok.     

Contact Info:

• Website: thechicupcyclery.com
• Instagram: chicupcyclery
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicUpcyclery
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/diandriaswright/