We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shasa Thomas. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shasa below.

Shasa, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?

I started my journey with handmade jewelry and ceramics about 9 years ago and each year the urge to create continues to grow. Over the past year, my love for making art with clay has taken on a life of its own. Almost 2 years ago my family moved from Oklahoma to Fort Worth, Texas and I experienced even more growth in my creative abilities with ceramics. Due to a desire to make ceramics using a range of techniques through the low firing process, I decided to move on from the ceramic studio where I was creating. It is with that decision that I have found a lack of resources in my city of Southwest Fort Worth. I do not own my own firing kiln so I have to rely on someone else to fire my ceramic pieces. I have not been successful in locating studios close by that are willing to do that for low firings. My current solution will be to obtain a jewelry kiln so that I can fire pieces myself. In the future, I would like to have a place in Southwest Fort Worth, where ceramic artists and people looking to build skill, could go to get pieces fired and also learn glazing techniques while building community through fellowship.

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

My name is Shasa Thomas. I grew up in Compton, California. I am an artist/business owner that creates through handmade jewelry, handmade beads, and ceramic art. I am a Christian that sees the beauty of God’s creation and I find it exciting to create through my hands. The focus of my art is to show people who they are through the beauty created from a formerly shapeless lump of clay and by highlighting their individual beauty. I have been doing the business of art as Designs By Shasa since 2013 but my love for art started at the age of 12 years old. I chose to do a write up on Picasso in middle school which sparked a desire to see if I could also create abstract art. I found that not only could I create abstract art, but I had an ability to draw almost anything I saw. I had no clue that I could do that. I started drawing every since day. I knew upon entering college that I wanted to go to school for art which I did. I graduated from UC Santa Barbara with a B.A. in Fine Arts. I thought my drawing was leading me to a career in animation but quickly found that animation was not what I wanted to do with my art. I actually stopped drawing/creating for about 10 years after graduating. I figured it was time to “get a real job” so I put my art “dream” on the shelf. When my husband, daughter, and I moved from California to Oklahoma City my love for drawing was reawakened and grew into a love for making handmade jewelry and beads, slip casting, hand-building, and glazing. Every year I have dug deeper into the world of clay and now I cannot imagine my world without it.

What sets my art apart from others is that every piece purchased from me is handmade with my hands. I also love to create custom pieces of jewelry for clients with handmade beads. I love the process of taking what the client wants (colors, style, lengths) and creating one-of-a-kind unique pieces that can’t be found anywhere. It is always fulfilling to see and hear from a satisfied customer.

I don’t often mention my accomplishments to anyone, but I do want potential clients/followers/fans to know that I have won many competition ribbons for several years from the Oklahoma State Fair. I would also like you to know that I work with a standard of excellence. I don’t just want to sell as many pieces as I can in a month. I am more interested in providing quality service, communication, and art that you and I can be proud of for years to come.

Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

I wish I knew about the Created to Thrive Mentoring Program lead by Matt Tommey earlier on. It is a Christian based mentorship program that shows various kinds of artists who they are and why they create. It has helped me accept myself fully as a creative unashamedly and know that the works of my hands have purpose. I would recommend this particular mentoring program to artists that want to be in fellowship with other artists while growing together.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

At first I did not see a mission for my creative journey, I just wanted to create something beautiful. In the past year, I have come to realize that there is purpose in the beauty I create and it can actually point someone to the beauty inside of them. Through my creative journey I have accepted that I am chosen and special. I desire for others to settle in those truths through my art.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.designsbyshasa.com
• Instagram: @ShasaThomas
• Facebook: @DesignsByShasa
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shasa-thomas
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/c/ShasaThomas
• Other: Linktree: https://linktr.ee/Designsbyshasa

Image Credits
Jaleccia Ates Photography