Inspiring Conversations with Jia Lee of Craftyla Studio

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jia Lee.

Hi Jia, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’ve loved creating and drawing ever since I was a child. According to my mother, even at the age of three, I could often be found quietly making something in a corner of my room. As I grew up, my interest in drawing and crafts deepened, and I became known at school for my artistic skills, winning awards at national art competitions every year.

These early experiences naturally led me to pursue a degree in Fine Arts, focusing on crafts such as ceramics, textiles, metalwork, and woodworking, with metalwork and woodworking as my primary concentrations. Working with a variety of materials helped me develop the ability to turn imagination into tangible creations – a skill that would later become the foundation of Craftyla Studio.

Building on my background in Fine Arts and my professional experience in graphic design, I spent my career as a jewelry designer, in product design, and ultimately creating brand experiences. From store interiors and displays to signage and textiles, I learned how every detail of a space can tell a story and evoke emotion.

After more than fifteen years in my design career, I experienced burnout from frequent business travel and an intense workload. I decided to step back and travel the world, learning the value of slowing down and finding rest. During this time, I reflected on the pure joy of creating that I felt as a child and why I chose the path of making. I also realized I wanted to experience the hands-on joy of creating again, which led me back to my roots.

In this spirit, I founded Craftyla Studio – a space where people of all ages can enjoy creating at their own pace, experiment freely, and complete unique, personal works of art even in the midst of busy daily lives.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Craftyla Studio has only been open for six months, and every day brings new challenges. I focus on eco-friendly art and craft experiences using materials like Foamed Ceramic and Jesmonite, allowing everyone – from children to adults – to engage in hands-on creation.

Foamed Ceramic, in particular, is a mineral powder material that is rarely found in the U.S., so many first-time visitors feel a bit hesitant or unsure at first. These materials are mixed with water or liquid and poured into silicone molds to create trays, vases, and other home décor objects. It’s a process that allows anyone to complete their own unique piece while enjoying the creative journey.

As a solo small business owner, I manage everything – from scheduling and material preparation to teaching classes, communicating with customers, fulfilling orders, making products, and developing new workshops. On days when no classes are booked or orders come in, it can honestly feel discouraging. But these moments also give me time to reflect on how I can improve the experience for future visitors. Step by step, I refine both the classes and operations, and I can feel the studio gradually growing stronger.

I believe that everything special takes time, and I am committed to introducing Craftyla Studio to more people while sharing the joy of hands-on creation. To support this, I actively participate in local markets and events and run an online store, connecting offline and online experiences in creative ways.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Craftyla Studio?
I run Craftyla Studio, located in Highland Park, where I design and lead hands-on workshops that allow makers of all ages to experience the joy of creating with their own hands. I primarily use eco-friendly materials such as Foamed Ceramic and Jesmonite, guiding makers as they choose their preferred materials, colors, and techniques to create unique home décor objects — from trays and vases to decorative pieces — each reflecting their own personal style.

At the studio, I offer a variety of workshops, including Foamed Ceramic classes, Jesmonite classes, morning sessions, and date-night experiences, as well as seasonal special workshops such as holiday light making and Halloween object design. Through these experiences, makers are encouraged to freely express their creativity while enjoying the fulfillment of completing something truly one of a kind.

Under the slogan “Made by Hand, Inspired by Nature,” I also run Craftyla as a separate handmade brand alongside the studio. While Craftyla Studio is a space where makers gather to create together, Craftyla represents my personal body of work — a collection of pieces I design and craft by hand. Through an online store, those who cannot visit the studio in person can still experience and purchase these nature-inspired works, allowing me to share Craftyla’s creative spirit with a wider audience. I also participate in local markets, showcasing and selling my handmade products and sharing information about our studio workshops, further connecting with the community beyond the studio walls.

Beyond simply making home décor objects, I aim to create programs that encourage makers to move beyond fixed forms and explore more open, expressive approaches to making. Looking ahead, I hope to offer experiences that go beyond functional objects, supporting makers as they develop meaningful, personal works that reflect their own stories and artistic voices.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Since I haven’t been running Craftyla Studio for very long, I don’t yet have a clear framework for finding a mentor or networking in the traditional sense.

What I do instead is follow creators and small business owners in similar fields on social media, learning from their work, processes, and philosophies while drawing inspiration and ideas from their experiences. I also visit other studios to try new materials and creative approaches firsthand. Through these experiences, I look for ways to incorporate ideas from entirely different materials or methods into my own classes, discovering new possibilities and opportunities along the way.

Through this process of observation and learning, I’ve realized that mentorship isn’t just about receiving instructions or advice – it’s about gaining a deeper understanding of creativity and business in an immersive way, and growing in your own direction. Moving forward, I plan to continue learning through connections and experiences with a variety of people, enriching both the classes and operations at Craftyla Studio over time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://craftylastudio.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftyla.studio
• Other: https://www.etsy.com/shop/craftylastudio