Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Bennett.
Hi Amy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I have always loved art. I’ve cycled through so many mediums. As a kid, I got into painting, charcoals, and crafting out of anything I could get my hands on.
The last few years have been filled with a lot of betrayal, heartache, and loss of my sense of self. I left a 4-year marriage that made me question my worth and who I was. I stifled myself to fit into so many boxes. Feeling like I had to push down all emotions and thoughts to avoid conflict and shame. I felt that I had no voice or worth. It slowly became unbearable and I needed freedom to rediscover myself.
That was 2020. Ahh, a wonderful year for many people right? A year or so alter, I finally started to find myself again slowly but surely – and that is also thanks to my incredible boyfriend. He is an amazing artist himself and has always supported and encouraged my creativity. My boyfriend’s kids have given me so much love and kindness. They readily accepted me into the family. I am not legally a stepmom, but they consider me as such. They celebrated me with my holiday which we call “Mamy’s Day” – a combination of an “Amy’s Day” and a “Mother’s Day”. It has helped my heart to heal with the unconditional and beautiful love that these two kids so freely give me. For my Mamy’s Day, I was gifted with my first sets of clay materials from the kids and their mom. They remembered me saying I always wanted to try making earrings from polymer clay.
In my brain, I thought this was going to be another one of my “hyper-fixations”. As someone with ADHD, I pick up hobbies, work on them for however long my brain will allow, and then move on to the next hyper-fixation. I cycle through many different art forms but have never really stuck with one for very long. They were all just that – hobbies, not passions.
However, when I started making clay earrings – everything felt different. It gave me a feeling of hope, relaxation, peace, and contentment. It finally felt like I needed to process everything that I had been through. It has become my passion. When it comes to clay, rolling the clay, mixing the colors is so therapeutic. Working with my hands helps me free my mind and release emotions.
After that Mamy’s day in June of 2022, Sundust Studios was born! By September, it was in full swing selling at markets each week
Looking at the slab of clay ready to be designed gives me so much freedom. It’s finally my time to get to choose. I get to design it how I feel is best. I am the artist. I spent so much of my life giving away my chance to choose from other people all while l sacrificing who I was. Now, I get to give my choices, my artwork, which are pieces of me, to my incredible customers. The overwhelmingly positive responses I get from them help me heal and know that my choices and my voice matter.
It’s been a year now and I have spent almost every single day making clay earrings without exhaustion. Well, maybe some exhaustion – those 3 am market prep days can be quite exhausting! But everything is worth it – I feel so fulfilled by each market and pop-up I do.
I have spent so much of my life believing I was an introvert and that people exhausted me. Markets have made me believe otherwise. Each week, seeing everyone’s smiling faces, getting to talk with them, and learning who they are and why they choose the pieces that they choose, leaves me with so much knowledge and enlightenment on who people are. Markets have taught me so much about people and how good the world can be. I absolutely adore my customers who have become such a comfort and happy source in my life.
I also love how inclusive this business can be. I love collaborating with other clay artists and jewelers. I buy some of my clay cutters from other clay artists because I love supporting other small business. But a fun fact about my business is that my dad and I work on designing our own clay cutters together to incorporate more unique designs and to continue more avenues of creativity. My sister has also even created some silk screens that I have had the opportunity to use on my clay. It is so fun to see those final pieces that involve all 3 of us because it feels like a family team effort.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Running a small business while working full-time and raising a family takes a lot of time and energy.
It is also hard to overcome imposter syndrome. Sometimes I feel like I am in the wrong place or that I may not be talented and that I should be refocusing my time and efforts elsewhere where I am more comfortable. It is an awful cycle for creatives to get stuck in!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am known for making unique pieces. When I sit down to create, I just make whatever comes to mind or if I am making a style I’ve made before, something always ends up slightly different to make it unique! I try to make singles of every pair so people walk away with a one-of-a-kind.
I love the idea of people getting something special or having something that makes them stand out from the rest of the crowd. I have a few pairs that are just standard styles because they are the most popular! Every time I make them, they are gone within a few hours!
I am also well known for having every color and style available! I always have something on hand that can be used in a bridal party or daily work wear across the board to something that speaks to someone’s witchy style or a more Minimalistic style.
What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
If you want something, you make the time. Between raising kids, working full time, cleaning a house, caring for myself, my health, caring for two dogs, and being a considerate friend and family member, there isn’t a whole ton of time left in a day!
I am often up late working on pieces or up early in the morning. There have even been times that I am piecing together a pair of earrings in the middle of a conversation with someone – just because you have to make the time here and there!
Pricing:
- Earrings – $10 to $20
- Custom Orders – $20 to $30
- Incense Burners – $50 to $70
- Sphere Holders $15 to $25
- Rings/Necklaces $6 to $16
Contact Info:
- Website: sunduststudios.com
- Instagram: @sunduststudios
Image Credits
RHC.Media
