Shea is a designer, creative, and community advocate who's currently living in Denver with her dog, Chloe. On top of working full-time as a brand designer, she volunteers and teaches pottery at Denver Parks and Rec.
As a creative unicorn, Shea started Shea The Maker to share with the world her creative side. As a pixel designer, she likes to take her work offline and make with her hands. She makes everything from polymer clay earrings, interactive art installations, pottery, photography, and much more. Everything on this website is handmade by Shea and made with love.
Learn more about Shea below!
How did your business come to exist?
I started Shea The Maker during COVID (April 1, 2020) while we were all facing a lockdown. Previously, I was teaching pottery at Denver Parks and Rec., and wanted to try and make pottery. But my small apartment in the city wasn't a great space to make a mess, so I turned to learn how to make Polymer Clay jewelry. At first, while learning, I donated 50% of the proceeds to non-profits that needed help (COVID relief, BLM, and Cancer Patients), and it allowed me to continue to grow and learn while making enough to cover my expenses. Now, 10 months later, I'm living in a house where I have an area to make jewelry and a pottery studio in my house, I've sold over 300 pairs of earrings all over the nation, and have raised over $3k for non-profits.
What are you working on right now?
Right now, I'm starting to shift my focus from making earrings/jewelry to making ceramics again. I was recently accepted as a new member at the Colorado Potters Guild, and I have a pottery wheel and studio at my home. Since I'm set up for making and finishing pottery, I'm shifting my focus to throwing on the wheel (again). I've been a potter for almost 10 years, and 2020 was hard not to get my hands dirty with some clay. But, now with learning how to make polymer clay earrings I'm able to bring my knowledge of handmaking items to the potter's wheel. And I have some really cool jewelry inspired mugs, planters, and large bowls I'm working on.
Where do you find inspiration?
This one's a hard one... because so many of us are inspired by social media and others who create. My goal is to inspire myself outside the screen and push my knowledge and boundaries as far as I can. Recently I've been getting my inspiration from nature, pop art and my old sketchbooks. Trying to reinvent some idea's I've had for a while.
Who/What are your biggest influences?
My biggest influences are my clients! So many of my clients have given me some of the best feedback to help grow my business. And I am lucky enough to make custom designs for them as well.
Get in Touch with Shea
Facebook: Shea the Maker
Instagram: @shea.the.maker
Email: hi@sheathemaker.com
If you are a local artist/crafter/maker/indie business owner and would like to be featured on our blog, please fill out this form or contact Ashley at ashley@westandmainhomes.com with questions...we can't wait to learn all about you!
