Southern Clay by Ejide
I have always been into crafting as long as I can remember. One day, I saw these interesting earrings online. I was never able to able to purchase them because they were always selling out. So I said, I can make those myself. I went to Hobby lobby and bought all the material to make them, and I made like 200 pairs of earrings for fun. Then I realized that something that I wanted turned out to be something that I needed. Making these earrings became so therapeutic for me. I started making earrings in 2021, and it has helped me to cope with the loss of my grandmother. When I’m having a bad day, I just bring out the pasta machine and create something beautiful.
All my earrings are handmade by me. I use a pasta machine to condition the clay; next I use small cutter to cut the shapes in them. Then, I bake them in the oven, sand them down to make the edges smooth, and lastly 70% of the time I use a resin to coat the top.
As a local maker, what does it mean to you to be part of a flourishing community in Huntsville?
I really wanted to create a product that was simple, beautiful, and attainable for everyone.