Clay All Day

Since humans first learned to work with tools, using one’s hands to shape the surrounding world has been a key part of life. From toddlers squishing modeling clay into blobby animals to world-renowned ceramicists crafting exquisite pots, many people find that creating things out of clay is a transformative experience for both the artist and those who appreciate their work. Such is the case for polymer clay jewelry, which has become ubiquitous at boutiques, farmers markets and Instagram feeds. “With the pandemic, people tried out different avenues to make income at home while things were shut down,” says Kristine Vila, the owner of Aviella Creations, a business which specializes in adorable and inventive polymer clay earrings and accessories. She named the company after her two daughters, Avianna and Carmella. Vila began working with polymer clay in 2020, in search of a flexible way to earn extra income as a stay at home mom. After copious research, she crafted jewelry from polymer clay, testing it out on her friends and family. She discovered what type of clay best suits the pieces, gaining confidence in her skills and opening an online shop a year later.  Vila’s clay wonders range from dainty flower petal earrings to earrings themed after various shows like The Office—spoiler alert, Pam’s teapot might make a cameo along with beets grown by Schrute Farms. She finds the time spent working on the jewelry to be therapeutic, a sensation which has encouraged her to look for new methods of constructing pieces, such as using a 3D printer to create custom shapes, perfecting the skin-tone paint used on various characters and taking earring commissions. “Polymer clay jewelry is beautiful, lightweight and doesn’t tug at your ears,” she adds, attributing this factor to its rise in popularity. Vila recommends that anyone interested in pursuing their own polymer clay jewelry business remind themselves that practice is what’s most important and not to give up. “I love seeing the smile that the pieces bring to people’s faces,” she says. “You just have to find your niche.”