Introducing Nicolle from Miry Clay Designs. Where every item is handmade!! From her home in South West Sydney, Nicolle creates beautiful light-weight polymer clay earrings.
Find out why Nicolle started creating and why she is so passionate about the value of handmade.
Tell us about your creations and your handmade process.
I hand make earrings mostly out of polymer clay with the occasional acrylic design when inspiration strikes. I predominantly create with Australian flowers, books and faith in mind, focusing on intricate details using a wide spectrum of colours. I love creating earrings which will add elegance and fun to your wardrobe.
I truly think that accessories can express both your personal style and your interests, telling the world a little bit more about who you are. I love to use colours that are in everyone's wardrobes, colours which will both compliment and contrast with the things you already own.
Tell us a bit about your journey to becoming a handmade artist.
I attended a polymer clay workshop that a friend of mine ran in 2019. I learned some of the basics of polymer clay and it awoke in me a long forgotten creative passion. As a new mum it felt exciting to have something that was just mine, a way to express myself and engage with the world that I could do in my down time.
I am a social worker by training, creative at heart and mum by day. I make earrings as a way to express my creativity and passion for social justice. As I thought through my brand the phrase Miry Clay came to mind and with it a vision for how earrings could have an impact for social justice. "Miry clay" is a poetic phrase used in the Bible to describe being trapped in a pit of despair. Out of this poetry flows the heart of Miry Clay Designs: To see people who are trapped in the miry clay of poverty, injustice and slavery find freedom, restoration and love.
In order to do this, Miry Clay Designs donates 20% of all sales to organisations which fight modern day slavery. Changing the world, one pair of earrings at a time.
What is your inspiration or where do you find inspiration?
My inspiration comes mostly from three places. Firstly the natural Australian environment, flowers, trees, colours and landscapes. The interaction between colours and textures of the landscapes around us inspires most of my Australian native work. I love Australian native flowers most of all, something about their raw beauty and opposing colours makes them exquisite and unique. Secondly, my faith encourages me to articulate meaningful reflections at important times of the year like Christmas and Easter, helping others express their faith too.
Finally, I love reading, being in a story and going on an adventure all while enjoying a hot cup of tea. Books are where we can imagine and escape. They inspire images of dragons, mountains, tea parties and adventures!
Where did you learn your craft?
I learned my craft from a friend to start with, then like many makers I have done the YouTube deep dive, followed many social media accounts and received generous help from other makers. I have especially found some other small Australian business like Myclay Co, Blackbird and Violet, Coral and Cockatoo and Lazer Universe a great resource as they not only sell the supplies I need but are also quick to give an encouraging word and help over email whenever I make an enquiry.
Why is handmade artistry so important to you?
Handmade is a glimpse of someones soul, the chance to connect with others over truly unique items. To know that something you own, has been crafted and perfected by passionate hands, offers the special opportunity to experience shared joy and delight.
Nicolle is a much loved member of the MadeIt Collective, posting regularly in our Facebook Group ~ The Handmade Marketplace of Australia ~ and sharing their new creations as they are released. If you haven't connected with Miry Clay Designs, make sure you join our FB Group and say hi !
