Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela.
Hi Angela, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I officially launched Aylsbury Street in 2020 to pursue my jewelry making passion and achieve my dream of owning a business.
I have loved making jewelry since I was a little girl. My childhood home, where I honed my craft, is located on Aylsbury Street in San Antonio, Texas. When I decided to start my business, naming it after the place where my love of jewelry making began felt like the perfect fit.
I have spent so many years of my life making jewelry, always experimenting with different techniques and mediums. When I found polymer clay, something clicked. Polymer clay gives you the ability to essentially start from nothing, just a block of clay, and transform it into anything you want. I have found so much joy in being able to create this way, using my own two hands. In a lot of ways, it’s also incredibly therapeutic. As someone who is incredibly creative-minded but never felt like I fit the standard of being “artsy” growing up – essentially being good at drawing or painting – I finally was able to create things that lived inside of my mind.
Even more recently, in about the last year or so, I’ve found even more passion and love for making jewelry as I’ve started really diving into making miniature food earrings. There’s something about creating a miniature version of something real and tangible that I find so satisfying.
What I’ve come to love most is how these pieces often spark memories or remind people of someone they care about. Olive earrings for the friend who’s martini-obsessed. Pancake earrings for the friend you always meet for brunch. Charcuterie board earrings for the ultimate party host. Food has a way of bringing people together, and I’ve found that these tiny versions of it do the same — they carry meaning, spark joy, and start conversations. Seeing someone connect with a pair of earrings I made in that way is more rewarding than I ever expected.
I truly love what I do — not just the creative process, but the chance it gives me to connect with so many thoughtful, inspiring people along the way.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I can’t imagine any small business has a smooth road. There will always be challenges. There is of course a huge learning curve when the small business sells handmade items. The number of supplies you have to get just keeps on growing! And then learning how to use them of course.
I think everyone has experienced this, but you launch a new collection you’re SO excited about and it doesn’t go as expected. It’s hard not to feel discouraged. You’ve put in so much time and energy and it was underwhelming.
The market you prepped months for ended up being the same day as a thunderstorm.
The design you were so excited about in your head didn’t exactly work as planned.
There will always be bumps in the road, but you have to keep moving forward! If you never fail, you’ll never grow.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I specialize in handmade polymer clay jewelry. There are truthfully a lot of polymer clay artists out in the world. but I have found ways to differentiate myself, especially with my miniature foods. Those have been very successful for me and truthfully, I’m very proud of them. I get so much joy creating them and seeing people love them just as much as I do. As I said before, food is something that very much brings people together and I’ve found my earrings kind of go along for the ride (if that makes sense).
I am also a very meticulous and detail-oriented person. My earrings are always made with so much attention. I also use only quality materials, including 14k gold-plated components to ensure a long earring life.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Being authentic and true to myself has been the most important part as I’ve built my brand. My brand is my handmade earrings, but it’s also *me*
I run a business but I am a person first. And that’s what you’ll see when you look me up on Instagram – a person doing what they love. And probably openly complaining when something goes wrong too LOL
Pricing:
- Pricing averages around $28-32 a pair
- I’ve recently started selling earring charms that slide on and off my Versa Hoops (or thin hoops they already own). This allows people to really customize their look (i.e. one pancake earring, one waffle earring). I do also sell hem as “pairs of earrings” too though. Everything is explained on my website 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: https://aylsburystreet.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/aylsburystreet
