We were lucky to catch up with Sirena Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Sirena, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?
I keep my creativity alive by continuing to learn and by staying outdoors. Visiting local museums helps me learn about various artists and art styles that I may be unaware of. Social media is also a great way to become inspired in a short amount of time as well as books. A great deal of my work is inspired by nature and that is mainly because I love being outdoors. Flowers, plants, and butterflies are common views for me so it is natural that it sparks creativity.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I am Sirena Smith, a wife, mother, owner, and maker. I use clay to stay grounded, an outlet of expression that resets my mind. While my many roles provide great purpose creating fulfills me in a way nothing else has been able to.
I have been a creative for as long as I could remember, as a little girl I made beaded jewelry, and my love for warble art has been lifelong. Quarantining from COVID provided an opportunity to pursue art as a business and not just a hobby.
Before crafting my jewelry I would wear fake jewelry that caused major skin irritation, was heavy, and did not last long term. Polymer clay is a versatile medium that is lightweight. Because of this I and my customers can wear small pieces of art that are hypoallergenic lightweight and one-of-a-kind.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I’ve found great organization skills, understanding balance, and a sense of community are the most impactful skills yet. Having a system of organization allows my work to flow, I don’t waste time looking for tools and I can think clearly. Learning to balance my work and life is still a skill that I am still working to perfect but I now value stepping away and resting. This allows me to recharge and come back rejuvenated. My advice to someone early in their journey would be to find your people. A community provides support that we all need no matter where we are in our journey from sharing knowledge, feedback, and just a simple pat on the back.
What has been your biggest area of growth or improvement in the past 12 months?
I’ve grown so much in the area of understanding and implementing balance. Having to play so many roles in life such as being a mother, and wife, and the multiple positions that are taken on as a small business owner can be demanding and draining. The more time I poured into being a more present mother and wife equals less time being spent on one of my many business tasks that needed to be completed. Proper prioritizing and planning help me greatly with day-to-day tasks. I make a simple to-do list as well as keep track monthly of what needs to be completed but I also understand not to over-extend myself and that it is okay if I am unable to finish everything.
Contact Info:
- Website: luckylunaclay@gmail.com
- Instagram: @luckylunaclay
- Facebook: @luckylunaclay
Image Credits
Sirena Smith Sissi Klelers Photography
