Cat Earrings Are All the Rage, Especially These Ones

WanderingCalicoClay, based in Las Vegas, USA, is owned by Evelyn Pardo Vinat-Chrest, and has been putting out amazing polymer clay designs inspired by nature and cute animals.

What led you to start your own business?

I started not too long ago, September 2022. I would say inspiration led me to start, I used to paint and draw but I stopped doing it a few years ago and I had been wanting to make art again. I saw a video of an artist making beautiful clay jewelry and explaining the process and it inspired me so much. I spent hours watching clay art videos. I did some research and I fell in love with the art form.

Where do you get the inspiration for your designs?

Some of my biggest sources of inspiration are animals and nature. I try to spend a good deal of time outdoors, traveling to national parks, camping etc., as I am easily stimulated by nature and I love caring for animals.

Some of my most popular designs are my cat studs, my hedgehog hoops, and my squirrel studs. I have other animal designs coming up soon and I am currently planning an outdoors collection.

Designs inspired by nature and animals

How would you describe the art you make?

Whimsical, colorful, playful. I like to use bright colors and make designs that are fun, even childlike, but other times I create earrings that are more boho or classic, so I would say that I am still searching for my signature style.

What is your most successful design?

The cat earrings without a doubt. The idea of making cat earrings came up as I decided to make the logo be a cat in honor of my adorable calico cat. One day I posted a picture of the earrings and right away I started getting requests to make other colors and to make dangles instead of studs.

To date, about half my orders have been cat earrings. Some people have even reached out with pictures of their cat that passed away and wanted a custom design. I believe that people love their pets and they want to have something to preserve memories of them.

Most successful design: cat studs inspired by Calico

What is your favorite design you’ve ever made?

I fell in love with my whole Christmas collection, it is hard to pick one design from it. It was my first time making Christmas earrings, the creation process was extremely fun and the feedback from buyers, family and friends was incredible, but definitely the Christmas designs have been my favorite so far.

Favorite designs: the Christmas collection

What is your favorite tool or material right now?

My husband's pasta maker, haha. The first couple of days of working with clay I used a roller to condition the clay until I remembered that my husband had bought a pasta maker that he never used, and it was hiding somewhere in the kitchen and it changed my life, it saves me so much time when conditioning clay and it's perfect to blend colors and make thinner sections.

Favorite tool: the pasta maker

Where do you sell your designs?

I'm only selling on Etsy right now but I do have plans of opening my own website towards the end of the year.

What are your main goals for the business?

I have a full-time job in addition to clay jewelry making and sometimes finding time to create new products is a challenge. I would like to manage my time better to be able to add more products to the shop in the coming months. I would also like to create an email list, increase traffic in my shop and learn more about my ideal clients.

Who are your favorite accounts that others should follow?

Some of my favorite accounts are @frankemcreations, @maude_jewelry and @zeldajuneclay.

@frankemcreations makes the most adorable colorful resin and clay jewelry, her painted heart dangles with faces have so much detail in them. The hand painted butterfly wings that @maude_jewelry makes are so beautiful. I love watching her reels of how she creates them and last but not least, @zeldajuneclay's jewelry is exquisite, so delicate, her use of colors is so aesthetically pleasing.

Ornament dangles by @frankemcreations

Butterfly wings by @maude_jewelry

Beach studs by @zeldajuneclay

You can see all the latest WanderingCalicoClay designs on the online store and Instagram profile.