Today we’d like to introduce you to Susan Cissoko.
Hi Susan, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I began to play with clay this summer after my second child was born. I was juggling motherhood and trying to figure out time for myself with two children. I had seen people played with clay online and I thought let me try it as a hobby. My friend bought me clay for my birthday and from there I started making things and enjoying the process. And I realized in my struggle of motherhood, getting dressed daily was a challenge trying to look nice was a challenge and when I made earrings that were pretty, they were the simplest things to put on. So I thought if I can’t look nice at least my earlobes can have cute dangling things. For mother’s especially trying to find yourself again. It can start with something so simple as a new pair of earrings or lipstick or a good pair of leggings. So that’s how I got into it and then I started creating art with clay and it’s evolved since then. I’ve been working on it since 2022 and it’s a passion of mine to create cute fun things with clay, whether that be home decor art or earrings.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has come with its challenges. Simple challenges such as where am I gonna do this? Do I have the space do I have the time. But with the medium itself learning the temperatures the time what works how long to bake. Those are challenges that end up going smoothly once you get it. I think the real challenge is finding your style. For example, there are so many polymer clay artists that do fantastic work. And then there’s some that go off of a certain template. And I find myself in the middle of those two and I love creating something chaotic and calming at the same time.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I make polymer clay, jewelry, and art. I work at farmers markets during the summer season. For my particular style, I tried to say in a non-bougie tone it’s literally one of a kind because I cannot make another one like it. I can make another one similar to it, but it’s not always the same color because I don’t always follow the same clay color or pattern. I mix my own colors. I love marbling. My earrings are big and loud much like myself in my culture. I am Puerto Rican and I’m proud of it. I have had lots of people refer to my clay creations as “different, unique, and extraordinary“. There are many clay artists and their work is fantastic. And I love to just say I wish I had the patience in the time to create something so uniformed, but that’s not who I am so what sets me apart is the chaos in my creation.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
Appreciation is such a strong quality that we miss nowadays. I’ve heard people make comments when they walk by like look another clay artist but then someone else well let’s see what they have and they appreciate what I made may not be there cup of tea, but they appreciate it. So I think vice versa, appreciating perspective from somebody else that may not like your art and people who may not always buy your art or look for that art appreciate the creations that you make.
It’s important that monetary and numbers don’t define success for me. Obviously, we all go in this small business to make money but growing in our skills and art add to that success.
Pricing:
- 5 stud earrings
- 12- 18 earrings
- 25-40 art work
Contact Info:
- Instagram: Coppercoqui
- Facebook: Coppercoqui
