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

Hi Sheba , thanks for joining us today. Can you tell us about a time that your work has been misunderstood? Why do you think it happened and did any interesting insights emerge from the experience?

Here’s the thing, I’m a Jamaican girl that teaches Turkish/Mosaic Lamp making. Oftentimes people are intrigued by this but those in my Caribbean community are not always receptive to learning about such a foreign thing. The silver lining is that I get to not only be a creative— but a trailblazer. Paving a new path for the two cultures to meet.

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 am the founder of Studio Sheba, a Multicultural design studio that offers creative workshops. We specialize in Mosaic lamps. Our workshops immerse attendees in culture and creativity!

I was 26 years old when preparation had met opportunity. As a University student, I knew only one thing about my future— that I would traveI. In my Junior year, I switched majors and I began studying Applied Linguistics and ESOL Studies. Two years after graduating I was offered teaching positions in Casablanca, Morocco and Cairo, Egypt.

Drawn to the history, food and aesthetics of North Africa, I was sold on Morocco. I downsized my life to two suitcases, sold my car and cut my curly hair short. I was ready for the world. I had a night flight out of Miami to Casablanca. I sat at the gate waiting to board, tears washed my face and my vision became blurry. I held a picture of my deceased mother in one hand and my father (who was against the move) in another hand. Entering the dimly lit Iberia Airways plane was the most terrifying yet courageous step I had ever taken. In retrospect, crying at the gate was the final purge. It was the shedding of my old self as I entered a new era of self discovery and resilience.

During my time in Morocco as a teacher, I discovered the art of Mosaic. I continued my education on Mosaic lamps in Istanbul, Turkey where the lamps originate. When Studio Sheba began we started by selling Mosaic Lamps. Now we offer workshops teaching people how to create their own masterpieces.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

The Mountain is You by Briana Wiest! This self-development book has helped me overcome self sabotage. Self sabotage shows its ugly face when beautiful things happen to us. In Business, if you are dedicated, great things will happen. I believe that reading self development books such as The Mountain is You has helped me expand my container to receive great things without sabotaging myself to remain small or comfortable.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

Legacy! I want to share something sad but I promise there’s a great ending. My mother passed away when I was almost two. I don’t have any recollection of her but I have a strong sense of who she was because of what she left behind. My mother owned the first natural hair salon in Harlem, New York. She also owned the shop next door, which was a place to buy vitamins, natural oils and fragrances. Her business was her legacy in a sense. I want my children to know who I am/was because of what I have built as entrepreneur.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Www.StudioSheba.com
• Instagram: Studio.Sheba
• Youtube: studio sheba

Image Credits

Shawn Riddle