Roda Colo - RC Clay Designs
"Clay is first conditioned and mixed into whimsical colors. Most of the pigmentations have a unique recipe," says Roda Colo, owner of RC Clay Designs. Colo's inspiration comes from minimal and statement style shapes and textures, fit for any occasion and mood. Each piece of her jewelry is handmade with polymer clay, making one-of-a-kind, delicately crafted items
Originally from the Philippines, Colo has found memories surrounding jewelry from her childhood. . "Growing up, my mom liked to buy me and my sisters' pieces of jewelry. It was her way of rewarding us when we did well at school and ever since, I have [developed] a love for jewelry," says Colo.
Nowadays, Colo works as an ESL teacher, teaching English online to students in China, is a wife and mother with three beautiful girls, and is working on her Master's Degree in Special Education at TAMU-CC. On top of all that, she enjoys making her earrings in the spare time she has, using people and places around her as inspiration. "The creative process and inspiration come from different people and ages," shares Colo. "Stay-at-home moms, working moms, teens, and kids encourage me to create beautiful earrings."
Roda Colo started creating polymer clay earrings in November 2020 during quarantine. At the beginning of 2021, she made the leap to launch her small business. RC Clay Designs quickly grew into more than what, Colo says, she could have ever imagined. Her passion for creating one-of-a-kind, unique pieces for everyone led her to debut at her first pop-up art market shortly after. Colo shares how much she enjoyed talking to people about her creations and plans to continue participating in art markets. "My future goal is to teach aspiring young kids or stay-at-home moms how to create polymer clay earrings. That way, I can give back to my community."
RC Clay Design earrings are styled with acrylic paint and coated with a clear wax to achieve a matte look. Once the color process has been completed, the different earring forms are made using cutters, canes, or hand-cut shapes and formed into slabs. The pieces are then baked, sanded, buffed, drilled, and assembled to achieve a clean and beautiful finish.
"What I like most about my jewelry is that it's lightweight and comfortable; it's a reflection of you and a reminder of your beauty within," Colo says kindly. "My goal is to remind each of you to embrace the season you are in and give you fun, beautiful, and unique earrings, just like you."
By: Jessie Chrobocinski