Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenyotta Boone.
Hi Kenyotta, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Absolutely! Iris Studio Jewelry really started with my mom, Iris Yvette Leasure. She was this incredible Southern woman who had such a beautiful perspective on jewelry and femininity. To her, jewelry was all about self-expression, beauty, and celebrating womanhood. I can still hear her telling me ‘Never leave the house without earrings!’ – it was her way of making sure we always honored that divine feminine energy and put our best selves forward.
She believed jewelry was how a woman could express herself and add that special touch of beauty to her day. Being from the South, she understood that accessories weren’t just extras – they were part of being a woman and embracing that femininity.
When we lost her to cancer in 2007, I found myself holding onto all the beautiful things she taught me about self-expression and celebrating the details that make us feel feminine and beautiful. For years, I carried that with me, but it wasn’t until much later that I realized I could honor her memory while also creating something meaningful for other women.
I started with clay earrings – there’s something so therapeutic about working with your hands and creating something from nothing. Each piece I sculpt is unique, just like the women who wear them. What began as a way to process my grief has grown into something so much bigger – a business focused on helping women feel beautiful and express their own unique femininity.
I’m currently in San Diego, and I’ve been amazed by how the business has grown. I do pop-up markets throughout Southern California – actually, this August alone I have nine confirmed events! I also curate other pieces like stainless steel jewelry that complements the handmade work.
What I love most is hearing from customers about how a pair of earrings made them feel more beautiful or helped them express themselves. That’s when I know I’m carrying on my mom’s belief that jewelry is such a beautiful way for women to celebrate themselves and their femininity.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Oh, definitely not a smooth road! Entrepreneurship is hard – period. There are days when showing up feels like a mountain to climb, especially when you’re pouring your heart into something so personal.
Being an artist comes with its own challenges too. There’s the vulnerability of putting your work out there, the uncertainty of whether people will connect with what you’ve created, and the constant balance between the creative side and the business side.
One of the more complex struggles has been navigating different forms of grief while also sharing my mom’s name and legacy publicly. Some days it feels healing and purposeful, other days it can be emotionally heavy. There’s this responsibility I feel to honor her memory in the right way, and that can be a lot of pressure.
But you know what? My mom didn’t raise a quitter. She was this incredibly strong Southern woman who taught me to keep going even when things get tough. So on those hard days when I want to throw in the towel, I remember her strength and determination. She believed in the power of showing up, of putting beauty into the world, and of celebrating womanhood – and that’s what keeps me going.
Every challenge has taught me something, and honestly, the struggles have made the victories that much sweeter. When a customer tells me how my jewelry made her feel beautiful, or when I see the joy on someone’s face at a market – those moments remind me why I’m doing this and why it’s worth pushing through the hard days.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Iris Studio Jewelry specializes in handcrafted clay earrings and carefully curated jewelry pieces. My signature work is really the clay earrings – each pair is hand-sculpted by me, so no two pieces are exactly alike. There’s something so special about working with clay; it’s organic, it’s therapeutic, and it allows me to create these unique, lightweight pieces that women can wear comfortably all day.
I also curate complementary pieces like stainless steel jewelry – waterproof, tarnish-resistant pieces that work beautifully with the handmade clay earrings. I love offering that range because it gives women options at different price points while maintaining the same focus on quality and beauty.
What I’m most proud of is the deep connections customers have shared with me about my jewelry. I’ve had people tell me my pieces remind them of their journey as a mom and how it’s helped them connect with their daughters in special ways. Others have shared how much they appreciate having handmade statement jewelry that actually has meaning behind it – not just something pretty, but something with intention and story.
I had one woman tell me she never wore earrings because she didn’t think they were ‘her,’ but my pieces made her feel so confident and beautiful. That’s everything to me – when jewelry becomes more than just an accessory and actually impacts how someone feels about themselves or connects them to something meaningful.
I think what sets me apart is the authentic story behind everything I create, combined with the fact that I’m actually hand-making each clay piece myself. It’s not mass-produced – there’s intention and care that goes into every single earring. Plus, I really focus on creating pieces that make women feel beautiful and help them express their femininity.
I’m also very active in the Southern California market scene – I love doing pop-ups and connecting with customers face-to-face. There’s something irreplaceable about seeing someone try on a pair of earrings and watching their face light up. That personal connection is huge for me.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely! I’ve been so blessed with incredible support along this journey.
My mom, obviously, deserves the biggest credit. She’s the one who encouraged my creativity and craftiness from the very beginning. Even though she’s not here physically, her influence and encouragement are woven into everything I do.
My sisters have been amazing – they understand the backstory because they were raised by the same incredible woman. They know exactly where this all comes from, and they show up for me in ways that mean everything. Having people who truly get it and are willing to help however they can is invaluable.
My fiancé Gia has been my rock through this entire journey. She’s been there every step of the way – helping at pop-ups, being my shoulder to cry on during the tough days, celebrating the victories with me. Having that kind of unwavering support and partnership makes all the difference. She believes in what I’m doing even when I doubt myself.
And honestly, my customers deserve so much credit too. They’re the ones who understand my art, love it, and appreciate it for what it is. They see the intention behind each piece and connect with the story. Without customers who truly value handmade work and meaningful jewelry, none of this would be possible. They’ve taught me so much about what resonates with people and have given me the confidence to keep creating.
It really does take a village, and I’m so grateful for mine – both the people who knew me before this journey and those who’ve joined me along the way.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.irisstudiojewelry.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/irisstudiojewelry
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/irisstudiojewelry
