Today we’d like to introduce you to Skylarr-Nicole Marsh.
Skylarr-Nicole, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Hi, thank you for taking time to interview me today. I started making earrings in 2020. I remember telling my mom and grandma that I wanted to start making them, and they pushed me to get started. The beginning was rough. I had no idea how to paint, what supplies to get, where to get any materials from, or what I was doing at all. I had the idea and just wanted to do it. I remember going to Walmart one Sunday after church and buying bottles of paint, different types of glue, wire, wood circles, and paintbrushes. I was up until 3 am, just practicing and painting. I don’t know why I automatically expected them to be masterpieces overnight, but I kept going. My beginning pieces were a mess…and I can humbly say that lol!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Making earrings and running a business has not been easy at all, but it has been rewarding. When I first started, the hardest part was being able to come up with my own designs/prints. It took a while for me to be able to “freestyle” a pair, or just freely create what I feel. I am able to do that now, but it took years of work, practice, and studying. Another thing that was challenging was not knowing who my target audience was. When I first started, my mindset was, “I make earrings for everyone…” which is true, but it wasn’t until I truly focused on what people liked, as far as style and design, keeping up with new trends and patterns, that I was really able to be “seen” and people actually supported and loved what they purchased. I still get an “artist block” sometimes, but I’ve found that me working through that stuck feeling helps me to be able to stay focused on the task at hand, which is to just create good art that people enjoy, makes them feel connected to culture and embrace their confidence.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I would say I specialize in making lightweight, hand-painted wooden earrings. I believe I am known for my earrings representing Black culture. I truly believe that representation of who you are is very important, so I try to create pieces that always have a piece of that connection in it. I am most proud of my family, friends and those who continuously support me during this journey. They have helped my brand so much, and I truly couldn’t have made it this far without them.
What are your plans for the future?
For right now, my future plans are to just keep going— honestly! Sometimes you can get so distracted with things going on around you that you lose focus of the path you are on. I want to push She’s Cultured by Design to a higher level this year. I would like to expand into doing other things than just earrings, but I know that will come at the right time. I can see myself moving to painting on canvases next. The way I express myself on a pair of earrings is so much more than just staying at that level. I am excited to see what’s ahead for me.
Pricing:
- Custom earrings $30
- Regular hand painted earrings $12-$25
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @shesculturedbydesign
- Facebook: She’s Cultured by Design
