Some find that they have the need to create from childhood on, spending their lives making the world a more beautiful place with their own hands, while others, like La’Riesha, took a bit longer to find their creative passion…and the world is a better place for it!
La’Riesha currently lives in the Antelope Valley in California and spends her days as a wife, mother of two boys and a step daughter as well as working at a bank as a trainer. While her days are full, she seems to find time to work with others on building their resumes, blogging, and even playing Halo with her darling husband…she loves the game so much she even named her dog Halo!
As a child, La’Riesha was more of a tomboy that was happier playing sports than exploring art but as a busy working mother, she wanted a way to relax at the end of her day so she tried a number of crafty endevors. She began with scrapbooking and soon discovered that this was not for her. She moved onto crocheting, sewing and a slew of others but none held her interest for long…until she stumbled upon wire! While La’Riesha went into jewelry making with caution as she did not want to find that it was just another passing interest, the pull forced her to try; and she has not looked back.
Spending some time online, reading blogs and tutorials, as well as YouTube, La’Riesha soon found that bending and manipulating wire is her addiction and Calypso Candy was born. She creates pieces that are beautiful and interesting that include all natural materials such as Opal, pearl, quartz, mother of pearl and any other natural materials that she can find. She loves the connection that she makes with people that love her work. La’Riesha thinks of her experiences as she creates and channels them into her amazing jewelry designs and makes nature as she sees it come alive.
Once La’Riesha started selling her work she learned a few hard lessons…no matter how much love and care she put into her pieces, there were still some that questioned her pricing. She explained that she only uses natural materials which can be much higher priced than glass and plastic and refuses to sell herself or her work short (what a refreshing thing to hear from an artist!) She has also found the upside to selling your handmade work; that being that there is no better feeling than to have a customer find that perfect piece that speaks to them and buys it and wears it proudly!
Why Calypso Candy? La’Riesha sees it as a mix of rhythmical island music and the happiness of sweet, vibrant candy colors and shapes. This ideal certainly comes out in her work which is a combination of natural beauty of the materials and new, fun ways of putting them together.
La’Riesha cautiously entered the world of selling her handmade work and understands the obstacles that hold back artists but still encourages them to follow their own dreams and go with how they feel inside. Take time to educate yourself on your craft and on making it a business…expect to lose for a bit while you learn the ropes but know that with knowledge and passion there is nothing that can stop you. If you have the drive, the ability to stay innovative and self-motivated, be patient while the wheels are turning.
Are you ready to see what a creative, determined mother can do when she stumbles upon her true passion? Well, La’Riesha can be found on her website and you can keep up on her growing business through her blog. When you look at these amazing designs you will definitely be able to feel the beauty of nature that she brings to her work.
what beautiful items…a very talented lady.
Debbi
–yankeeburrowcreations
Very lovely jewelry! Great article as usual.