Does a polymer clay earring business really make you money?

Check in with this mom of four to see if polymer clay earrings are really worth it as a business.

Where are you located? What does your family look like? Humans and not.

I am located in Stuart, IA, a small, sweet town about 30 minutes west of Des Moines. We moved here 2 years ago from California. My family consists of me, Kara, my husband, Colby, and my 4 beautiful children: Emery, Elora, Delmar, and Willa. We also have a cat named Theodore Telemecus McWhiskers.

Iowa State Cyclones or Iowa Hawkeyes? (Or favorite team?

As mentioned previously, we have only lived in Iowa for 2 years, so I can’t say that I am a fan of either. Although, with Caitlin Clark in the mix, I have definitely been keeping tabs on the Hawkeyes. I love football. I am a pretty intense Packers fan.

How has your business evolved over time?

 I originally started out making wooden signs. I love working with wood and working with my hands. But I quickly realized that it wasn’t going to work as a business for me. I had gone to a local craft fair, saw a polymer clay earrings business, and immediately became intrigued by the process. I bought some supplies to try it out, and was hooked.

What made you decide to start this business? 

Having four young kids and living in a new place, I needed an outlet. We were also transitioning our kids into homeschool at the time, but thinking about private school. We needed extra income, but for me to still be at home.

Why has this been a good fit for you?

When thinking about a business opportunity, you have to think about costs going into it and how much you can sell your items for. When I was working with wood, the cost heavily cut into the profit margin. Thankfully, polymer clay and supplies are relatively inexpensive, thus giving you more profit to work with. That was a big reason I switched to polymer clay. However, it was exciting to realize I also really enjoy it. Working with my hands and creating feeds my soul. How lucky am I to be able to earn some extra income for my family while staying at home with my younger kids and also enjoy what I am doing?!

If you could choose one treat what would it be?

Probably cheesecake. The banana cheesecake at the Cheesecake Factory is my favorite. For something more suitable for the daily, Swedish Fish.

What have been some struggles with starting this business?

Having to learn as you go is always hard. This is the first time I have done anything like this, so getting over the fear and self-doubt is always hard. I haven’t fully gotten over it, either, so there is always that struggle in my mind. What if people don’t like my product? What if I don’t sell anything? What if I put in all this effort, and it doesn’t work?

It’s very scary. I also didn’t realize the amount of effort that would have to go into social media. It’s nuts! That’s a job in and of itself and so time consuming. I am nowhere near where I need to be with that, because it IS so time consuming, and I’d rather prioritize my family. Finding that balance is difficult.

What has been the most rewarding part of your business?

Not to sound cliche, but the extra income has been nice. We have been able to use it to pay for our kids’ private school costs without having to dig into our regular income. I cannot begin to tell you how much of a blessing that has been.  But it has also been incredibly rewarding to see my growth as an artist and to see that people do like my product. I have brick and mortar businesses making regular wholesale orders, which is something I never even thought I would be doing.

Beach or mountain? Why?

Both! I have lived by both, and they both have so much to offer. There’s nothing like warm sand on your feet or the peaceful sound of the waves. The stars in the night-sky in the mountains are really something to behold! 

How do you do what you do with your business? How does it work? 

With polymer clay, there is so much you can do. I try to do at least one new launch a month. That consists of coming up with a theme and/or style and a color palette. I mix my own colors, so I can match a color to a paint color I like, a shirt I have, a fruit, etc.

Once I have an idea of theme and colors, I look at the cutters I have to decide on shapes for my earrings. Do I want dangles, studs, etc? For example, I just did a Spring/Easter theme. I had bunnies, eggs, crosses, and all the pastel spring colors you think of when you think of Easter. After prototyping ideas and colors, I can decide on final products for my launch and take photos to post on my Etsy store and social media. There are a lot more little details that go into it, but that is the jist of it.

What hasn’t worked?

Honestly, my Etsy store makes little to no sales. Part of that is because I haven’t put as much effort into the social media side of things as it would take to boost that. With young kids at home, it is hard to find the time. Finding balance and knowing your priorities is so important and something I am still learning.

What else are you doing that is awesome? 

I mean, raising four crazy kids is pretty awesome! Being a mom is the hardest thing I have ever done and will probably ever do!

What have you learned now that you didn’t know before?

I can do hard things. I can do things that scare me. I am an artist and a business owner.

Favorite thing to do in your free time? 

I love to watch sports. All the sports! I am currently watching tennis as I answer these questions. It is an Olympic year, and I am very excited about that! I will probably be glued to the TV for 2 weeks this summer!

What piece of advice would you give to yourself when you started this business?

Be more confident and trust the learning process. Give yourself grace to learn and grow.

What is the next thing you are wanting to pursue?

Just growing my business, I guess. Getting into more markets and doing more on social media.

Favorite thing to make for dinner? 

Hands down, chicken enchiladas with green sauce and lots and lots of cheese!

How do we find out more about you? Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Etsy. Give me all of the ways to see your business/products!  

You can find me on

Instagram: @aster.and.pine and on

Etsy: asterandpinejewelry.etsy.com

Thoughts on starting your own business

I think you’ll find that throughout all of the interviews with my entrepreneur friends that these people are doing things that benefit them and their families. They are meeting a need they have for a creative outlet, while doing something that benefits their families. Having work that is fulfilling and meaningful is so much more powerful than just making all of the money that can be made. I don’t think you can buy happiness, but money can buy chickens, and healthy food, and freedom-so that is pretty much the same thing!

I am not saying you shouldn’t work, in fact the Bible talks about how good work is! In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth (Genesis 1:1). In Genesis 2:15 the Bible states, “The Lord God took man and put him in the garden of Eden to work and keep it.” From the very beginning of creation God has had a plan for all humans – you and me!

I think God has a divine purpose for all of us. We figure out the way God has crafted us is so unique when we give ourselves permission to explore things outside of a “J-O-B.” I encourage you to keep trying new things, until you find what ignites a fire inside of you that you can’t walk away from. Pray about it, and stay committed to God’s plan for you!

You’ve got this, I’m rooting for you!