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

Sophia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

I was covered in sand and laying in the sun on the beach in Cape May, NJ during my family’s annual summer vacation in August of 2021 when I decided, after years of working in the service industry, I was going to quit my side hustle of slinging tacos with too much aioli and go full time artist when I returned. It was days before my 34th birthday and a month before I was committed to showing at a wholesale tradeshow in NYC, an expensive investment I was only able to attend because my Grandmother passed the winter prior and left me a small chunk of change. In my half dreamy, too hot but too lethargic to get up and cool off in the ocean, suddenly envisioning a life of not having to report anywhere at 4pm to start a dinner shift state of mind, I slowly summoned the courage to draft a 2 week notice email to send to my boss. After clicking send with my greasy, sandy thumb, a wave with tides of of relief, fear and excitement rushed over my body. It wasn’t like I made a ton of money as a waitress but it was a safety net I had known for the entirety of my life after school and throughout owning a business.

Taking the risk of going full time was equal parts terrifying and liberating, the same feelings I have about swimming in the Atlantic. It’s been almost 2 years and although there are (numerous) days where I’m questioning my career path and subtly crying on my couch, I’ve never been more motivated to continue to make my life as an artist work. I’ve been afforded more time and energy into my practice which has resulted in the growth of my business. Being an artist is inherently risky but knowing we are all in the boat together helps me to stay afloat. Recently I attended an artist talk by glass artist Cedric Mitchell and one of my favorite pieces of advice I took away was when he said “take the leap and a parachute will appear.” The journey is a little like being tumbled underwater, being stung by a jellyfish, getting sunscreen in your eyes and swallowing gulps of salt water but coming back to shore and surviving- it’s worth it.

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

I still think about the pair of overalls that were covered in neon dancing shapes that made me feel the most like myself, an indescribable sensation as a 5 year old: I have always been obsessed with color. One morning as a young adult, I awoke moved to tears from a dream where I painted a bathroom the most beautiful shade of yellow I’d ever seen, ever felt. Freshly cut citrus fruits reveal to me the glimmering shades of their outermost skin and I’m overwhelmed by the color of nature’s gifts.

I’ve always adorned myself in exuberance. My mom reminds me that when I was little she used to fight the urge to tell people “she dressed herself!” as if she was embarrassed by my loud self-expression. But it’s important to embrace that loudness because there’s something satisfying about the ability to instantly recognize your people. I make jewelry to continue to find myself and others who couldn’t be quiet if they tried. Earrings fit every type of body. They graze the tops of shoulders, small windchimes that sometimes catch in your hair, the main reason why I keep my sides shaved. The sheer presence of them is simultaneously ethereal and tactile, comforting.

My creative and supportive upbringing lead me to artschool at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. After the first introduction to my quirky, double braid wearing jewelry professor in a studio full of tools I knew nothing about, I had an overwhelming desire to learn the craft, primarily and selfishly to make jewelry to add to my own collection.

Since graduating undergrad in 2009, there’s been a narrow and winding but relatively direct and smooth path to where I am today: a stint working in the mainstream fashion jewelry industry in midtown Manhattan, a move to Providence RI to spend two years making life size, fabric, self portrait, doll-like necklaces that no one warned would throw me into an existential crisis after receiving an MFA from Rhode Island School of Design, a move back to my hometown in Upstate, NY, an 8 week TA position at Penland School of Craft that birthed an idea of beginning a jewelry line, a marriage to another artist and a move to a big studio for both of us, the launch of my brand StudioSophiaSophia in 2014 and many years of triumphs and failures- in my work and business.

It’s been 9 years since being in business and the one thing I’m most proud of is having created a recognizable brand that has stayed true to myself and consistent with the colorful little girl obsessed with mixing patterns in her clothing. My work really is an exploration of how to tangibly make unique, beautifully crafted, interesting jewelry from the combinations of shape and color I see in my head and am inspired by in the world.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

Being an artist can sometimes feel selfish and isolating until you remember you are part of a bigger conversation. One of the most rewarding aspects of being an artist is the people I’ve met along the way. There is no better feeling than meeting someone interesting that inspires you or connects to a similar lifestyle that may sometimes seem insane. Whether it be other visual artists, makers in the craft community or musicians, creative people feel like family.

Can you share your view on NFTs? (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)

I want nothing to do with them!! I’m already so consumed by screens and all things digital, being an artist for me is a way to ground myself in the tangible, real world by reveling in the handmade. I’m personally very anti computer aided design in my process of creating.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.studiosophiasophia.com
• Instagram: @studiosophiasophia
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/studiosophiasophia

Image Credits
images by @kttakespix