Today we’d like to introduce you to Cloey Ponce.
Cloey, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I spent my childhood moving around San Diego County and seeing my family struggle with money. I didn’t ever feel like we were poor but i knew things were different, we had to save where ever we could. Still no matter what happened, my parents always strove to give us a childhood we could look back on fondly, whether is was making costumes for me or my brother or just taking us to the parking lot to let us ride our bikes and roller skates, we always had fun. Saving was ingrained into me and I learned how to make things that i wanted instead of going out and buying them.
This became especially true when I got into middle school and really started to love the music my parents loved. Bands like Depeche mode, The Cure, Morrsiey, and Bauhaus were big influences growing up. Back in 2005 when I was a baby goth it was hard to find certain goth like jewelry that isn’t expensive besides at hot topic. I learned very quickly, thanks to my parents; that if I wanted something and couldn’t get it, I should make i. Give me torn up black shirts, broken jewelry, a sewing needle and glue and then poof i have a whole goth outfit that only cost pennies.
In 2018 while was working two jobs and going to college, I started experimenting with my jewelry making. I began expanding my skills with resin and using found objects to make new and unique pieces that I then sold on Depop or Instagram to fund more pieces. During this time my friend Elise, owner of Gypsy Soul Dreaming, asked me to work for her and sell my products at her shop. Since then I have been growing my small business by participating in art walks, craft shows and selling online at Etsy.
Has it been a smooth road?
There were a lot of struggles when I first started and even still today. I’ve been rejected from shows, had “very critical” customers and there was even events where I lost money on top of not making any sales. I’ve had multiple moments where I thought I should throw in the towel and quite. My advice to creators and artists alike is to have a support system, someone or thing that you can go to for help. I’m grateful that I had friends who, like me, are struggling but we give each other advice and all help each other by liking posts, commenting, and critiquing our new works. The other half of my support comes from my husband and family, just having them to spreading the word that their wife, daughter, or sister makes jewelry has given me confidence and helped me keep going.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Goth On A Budget story. Tell us more about the business.
I started goth on a budget on You Tube as a way to inspire young goths (baby goth) and later incorporated my art and handmade jewelry.I am an artist that works well with acrylics paints and creates jewelry. I love to paint human portraits and I also dabble with water color using paint pens. A lot of my work comes from my imagination or is inspired by movies, poems, or even dreams. I had to learn how to make silicone molds for a lot of my resin jewelry I even learn a few things about sculpting for when I couldn’t find an item I wanted to cast. I love that my business is different from everyone else, from the ‘666’ red splat painting to my coffin shaped earrings my works are pieces that you won’t find anywhere else. Recently I’ve been loving moments where customers come up to me and read aloud “Goth On A Budget” then paused and shout “ That’s fucking cool!” It makes me so proud of how far I’ve come.
Which women have inspired you in your life? Why?
I’ve always been inspired by strong leading women, like Kat Von D, Frida Kahlo, Sailor Moon, Harley Quinn, Hello Kitty (LOL)and even musicians from my favorites bands like Chibi from The Birthday Massacre and Ash Costello from New Years Day. I’ve actually gotten to meet both Ash and Chibi and they are wonderful people and made my inner 14-year-old goth soul smile.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Gothonabudget
- Phone: 7606876187
- Email: xcloeyxmayhemx@gmail.com
- Instagram: @gothonabudget
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Goth-On-A-Budget-394029137776148/
- Other: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCI2wpChv-L0DDGejkfYheaw?view_as=subscriber
Image Credit:
Cody Gomez and Mikha
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