We recently connected with Paige Neuhauser and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Paige, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

That Clay Girl Co. is a handmade polymer clay accessory & lifestyle brand devoted to creating wearable art that is both aesthetically pleasing to the eye and ears. Modern, minimal jewelry that complements your lifestyle.

With that, TCGCo.’s mission is to create accessories that bring joy and confidence to the one wearing them or using them in their home. I’ve had so many customers tell me how much they love accessorizing with That Clay Girl Co. and how they want to continue adding to their collection. It’s amazing what one pair of earrings can do for a person. Whether they bring them joy, confidence, or just complement their style, that’s why I do it!

In addition to all of that, I love creating a unique experience for my customers. I am all about creating a memorable brand. I take pride in designing my market/pop up booth that stands out and creates a fun shopping experience for my customers.

Overall, branding is what brings my mission to life. Creating a product and vibe that brings joy to my customers and in turn brings me joy, is why I’ll continue doing what I do.

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

I’m Paige Neuhauser, owner & designer behind That Clay Girl Co. My handmade clay accessories brand is devoted to creating wearable art that is both aesthetically pleasing to the eye and ears. When I’m not in the studio making away, you can find me sippin’ on iced coffee at any local coffee shop or thrifting at KARM. I find inspiration everywhere around me and my inspiration comes from minimalism, texture, and warm and neutral color palettes. My style is not only showcased in my work, but in my downtown Knoxville loft and studio space. I’m super family-oriented and the little things in life are what bring me the most joy.

I started working with polymer clay in January 2019. While running my paper products/graphic design business, Kitschy Doodles, I came across a YouTube video about polymer clay. The next day I bought my first bar of clay and made my first pair of earrings. I kept trying new ideas and knew I wanted to create something bigger with this new medium I discovered.

Fast forward to October 2019 when I launched That Clay Girl Co. This brand is devoted to creating wearable art that is both aesthetically pleasing to the eye and ears. All accessories are handmade and one of a kind. From a wide variety of earring styles to clay wall hangings, TCGCo. has an array of accessories. Due to the nature of polymer clay, all earrings and accessories are lightweight and easy to wear, no matter the size.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

From the beginning, I’ve had my own website that links to my Etsy shop. I wanted to have my own website domain to be the base for my brand and in case I ever decide to move away from Etsy.

Having my own website domain allows me to have a home base for my brand. This is where you can learn about me and my brand, contact me about wholesale, and see all the FAQs, as well.

I chose Etsy because it is known for hosting handmade businesses/makers/artists. Customers know going in that they are shopping for one of a kind products made by individuals who make or design them in house.

A lot of my customers find me through Etsy because they are interested in polymer clay accessories and with that comes the knowledge that they are handmade. The way Etsy listings are set up ensure that you are targeting your ideal customer.

As of now, I plan to continue using Etsy; however, I would love to have my main shop hosted on my website thatclaygirlco.com!

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

Building an audience on social media is an ongoing learning experience. Things are always changing and having to adapt to that can prove to be a challenge.

From the beginning, I have always created content that stops people from scrolling and makes them want to double tap. I love creating content that makes someone want to “add to cart.”

What is great about selling wearable art, is that the customers are walking advertisements for future potential customers. They see someone’s earrings, ask where they are from, and then that turns into a follow/customer.

When customers share their purchases with their followers that brings in new followers as well.

With reels being at the forefront of the Instagram algorithm, I try to create eye catching and relatable content.

As for advice, I would say creating content that brings value to your followers will do much better than a “sell, sell, sell” mentality. I am just starting to realize this myself. I want to reach customers to not only buy, but realize the value my accessories and lifestyle products can bring to their lives.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thatclaygirlco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatclaygirlco/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thatclaygirlco
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC-el9u4YTwlAAbJ-P5Hiq4w
• Other: Etsy Shop https://www.etsy.com/shop/thatclaygirlco