Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyrstin Constantino.
Hi Kyrstin, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello everyone! My name is Kyrstin Constantino and I am the creator and curator of The Klay Shop! I started my small business journey in November of last year and have been working on The Klay Shop full-time since January. Prior to taking on The Klay Shop full-time I was working a desk job but I felt like I had more to give. Creativity has always been my biggest strength and something that I knew would play a huge role in whatever I decided to pursue in my career. I was very lucky to still have a job during the pandemic, but starting a business was something I always wanted to do so I went for it! After several batches of burnt clay pieces and learning the basics of the medium’s making, I finally got in my groove and launched my website theklayshop.com on November 27, 2020! I will never forget the feeling I felt launching my website, seeing people’s orders come in and how special it was seeing pictures of their orders when they arrived! I finally felt that “this is what I was made for” feeling and knew this was just something more than a clay earring business. For me the Klay Shop is my passion project and I am happy that people enjoy my work as much as I enjoy making it!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Starting a business is never easy, especially entering a community and industry you don’t have any experience in. I think the biggest struggle I have had so far has been trying to figure out ways to make pieces that are distinctly “The Klay Shop”, but I do also feel that being challenged in that way really brings out my best work. It’s so easy for earring designs to look similar to other makers or compare your work to theirs but I always try to remember that I have only been doing this for six months and finding your own style takes time.
As you know, we’re big fans of The Klay Shop. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
The Klay Shop specializes in handmade polymer clay earrings and we are now slowly introducing homeware! Whenever I am in the creating process, I try to keep in mind “would I wear this?” or “is this something I would purchase?”. I always try to stick to neutral tones with subtle pops of color here and there so that customers don’t feel like they can only wear those pieces with a certain outfit or occasion. I’ve been loving experimenting with more organic and abstract designs recently and so far, that’s been my jam!
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
A brick and mortar would be the ultimate goal for The Klay Shop! I also hope to expand The Klay Shop by creating a place for makers to learn new techniques and also shop clay tools that I made. I feel as an artist and business owner, it is important to step out of your comfort zone and try out different ways to express yourself creatively. While also helping others in your local community and the industry by designing tools that can be used to improve their art and make their best work.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: theklayshop.com
- Instagram: @theklayshop
