Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Pettis.
Hi Toni, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started what is now Earth + Clay Collective in a small extended stay hotel in Palm Springs, CA in 2019. After ten years of working as a pastry chef/recipe developer, I quit my job, packed up my car and drove to San Diego to find inspiration and a new beginning. When I arrived here, it was almost impossible to find work in the pastry industry. In an effort to regroup and pull myself out of a mental funk, I settled into a quaint hotel which just so happened to have a small oven and all the architectural inspiration I could have dreamed of.
There, in that tiny oven, hundreds of earrings were made. The whole room was covered in clay and dust from sanding. The housekeepers and guests were lined up outside of her room to see what was happening since they could smell the clay from down the hall. That day, I gave 100 pairs of earrings away to every woman who walked by. I felt empowered. Seen. Invigorated. Watching everyone trying the earrings on and expressing how beautiful they made them feel was just the burst of confidence she needed to turn my hobby into a thriving business.
Shortly after, the pandemic hit. Jobs were scarce, and the food industry and its workers suffered. Earth + Clay because of my escape and source of joy during the hardest time of my life. I threw myself into creating 8 hours a day on top of my full-time job. The following and response to my art was mind-blowing. People expressed how much they needed this during isolation and how beautiful it made them feel.
I donate a percentage of my income to NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). Initially, I used my income from Earth + Clay to pay for therapy. I, myself, have suffered from Bipolar Disorder and debilitating anxiety since childhood. It’s a cause that is truly near and dear to my heart, and I am proud to be able to help raise awareness and end the stigma on mental health disorders.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road has been anything but smooth. The emotional roller coaster of launching a business during a pandemic while being laid off from your full-time job, rehired, laid off again then rehired is anything but easy. I struggled with juggling work, personal life and being my own social media manager, photographer, marketing director, accountant, and cheerleader. You have to be strong enough to know what you are doing means something to someone out there and not quit even in the rough times.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create one-of-a-kind handmade clay and brass jewelry. I’m known for the big, bold shapes and designs that I create. I’m most proud of how far the business has come and how much it has grown in two short years. I’m proud to empower women and make them feel beautiful while also raising awareness for mental health disorders. I love doing in-person markets, shows and connecting personally with my customers. I share my personal background and story with them and encourage engagement. I think that sets me apart from your average jewelry company.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned is to water your own garden and rest, not quit. What I mean by that is you have to truly believe in yourself, your mission and your product above all else. You have to be your own cheerleader and shoulder to lean on and continue pushing yourself and your product forward no matter how difficult it seems. Getting discouraged is normal, but picking yourself back up and trying again the next day is where real progress lies.
Pricing:
- $20-35 per earring
Contact Info:
- Email: toni@earthandclaycollective.com
- Website: www.earthandclayco.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/earthandclayco
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthandclayco
Image Credits:
@dalspictures
