Consuelo Okdie of ConsueloOkdie.com
July 27, 2009 | By desertmaidenbathworks
Consuelo makes these magnificent polymer clay sculptures. Their detail is so intricate that art truly imitates life. I love how she refers to her art as her drug of choice. I think all of us feel that way about our chosen craft and mediums. It would be hard to work on items with materials that we didn't find so darn addicting!
Name - Consuelo Okdie
Business Name - ConsueloOkdie.com
Where you live - Spring Hill, Florida
Personal factoids our readers might like to know?
My two favorite quotes are, “Art is the only way you can run away from home without leaving” and “If you can’t be a good role model at least be a horrible example”. I come from a family of 5 kids and I’m the baby - old for a baby but I’ll take it! I have 2 sons, 2 stepsons and between my husband and I we have 7 grandchildren. We also have 4 fur children, 2 rescues and 2 planned.
What is your earliest or fondest crafting memory?
When I was little my dad would cut the leather from old shoes and use it to make saddles for the horses I made out of tin cans.
What does the “handmade movement” mean to you?
The "handmade movement’” means that when an artisan creates a piece whoever buys it is not only investing in that person’s time and talent but also now owns a piece of that persons soul.
Tell us a bit about your craft/medium and why you chose it?
My drug of choice is polymer clay. The versatility of this medium is endless – the surface hasn’t even been scratched as far as what it is possible to create. It’s also a medium that is finally coming into its own as a true fine art/craft medium.
How has your product line evolved since you began selling your work online?
My product line has evolved from mainly decorative pieces to functional pieces and I’ve always enjoyed making things that actually do something.
Is there an accomplishment you have made as a business owner that you are particularly proud of?
Being able to donate pieces to raise money for art education and animal rescue gives me a real sense of satisfaction and accomplishment.
What’s your crafty guilty pleasure?
Sitting in the middle of my studio and just looking at all the ‘stuff’ I have!
Do you work from your home, or do you have a separate work space?
I work from home in a bedroom converted into a studio. In the near future I would like to build a studio separate from my home so that I can walk to work…lol.
Do you have a “Day-Job”, or is this your sole employment?
I had a ‘day-job’ for many years but now my art is my sole employment.
How many hours a day do you work at your business? What are your most productive times?
When I’m working I get totally absorbed in what I’m doing and usually end up working anywhere from 6-12 hours or more at a time. My most productive time is in the middle of the night when there are no distractions.
Do you find that there are ebbs and flows of income with your business? How do you handle the unsteadiness, if there is any?
There are ebbs and flows of income in my business but I find I can work as much or as little as I want. I’ve actually had to make a conscious effort to slow down over the past couple of years due to a Lupus flare. It’s very easy for me to allow myself to get swamped with work and that’s not a healthy thing for me!
What has been your most successful marketing activity? Least successful?
I was fortunate enough to be chosen as a featured artist on HGTV, the DIY Network and PBS. Those appearances caused a flood of interest in my work and resulted in a nice profit for my business.
If you could have lunch with and pick the brain of any artist living or dead, who would you choose and
why?
That’s a hard question – there’s so many! I can’t pick just one, we’ll have to do a buffet and invite a whole lot of them!
How did you learn your craft? Did someone teach you?
Although I attended art school many moons ago as far as polymer clay is concerned I’m self taught. There’s a bit of a learning curve but there are so many excellent books and videos out there that it’s not too hard to catch up.
What do you like most about being your own boss?
The best part about being my own boss is being able to do what I want when I want. So much freedom to create the things I see in my head!
What is the hardest part of being your own boss?
The hardest part of being my own boss is being able to do what I want when I want. You have to be so disciplined; it’s very easy to quit working for a few minutes to run out for something (chocolate for instance).
Where can your products be found, both online and offline?
You can find my work online on my website, www.consuelookdie.com, and I’m in the process of setting up an Etsy shop that will be under the same name. Offline I show my work every year in the members Christmas show at the Florida Craftsman gallery in St. Petersburg, FL.
How did you finance your business?
My business is financed both through sales and by my teaching.
Who is the person most supportive of your craft business? How do they support you?
My husband Joe is the person who is most supportive of my craft business. He’s my biggest fan and source of inspiration.
What do you do when you get a creative block?
Creative blocks can be hard for me to deal with but I’m think I’m lucky in that many times I’ll actually dream the solution to problems I may be having.
What do you do outside of your craft?
I enjoy my animals immensely – you can always count on them for comic relief! Reading, watching movies, listening to music and especially the beach are things I love to do.
What advice would you give to a crafter wanting to turn their hobby into a business?
The best advice I could give a crafter wanting to turn their hobby into a business is to be careful what they wish for. My experience has been that when I was first starting out I had to live, breathe, eat and sleep my art. It was definitely worth it but it was difficult to find a balance between my art and my ‘other’ life.
What’s your supply addiction; is there a specific color or type of supply you just can’t pass up?
My supply addiction is not a specific color but color in general! I have paint I bought years ago that hasn’t even been opened yet – I just love to line up all the colors and look at it. That’s one of the reasons I was drawn to polymer clay – all those beautiful colors!
What is your favorite tool and why?
My favorite tool is clay shaper – it’s like a paintbrush but instead of bristles it has a little rubber cone on the end. I could live without most of my other tools but not that.
Tell us a bit about the space you create in? How has it evolved since you started your craft?
In reality I tend to create all over the house. Mostly I work in the family room with the TV on, but if I have a deadline then I’m in the studio with the music super loud. My studio has evolved from a neat, organized workspace into a room bombarded with supplies! One of these days (fotfl!) I’m going to whip it into shape.
What is your favorite type of handmade item to buy for yourself?
My favorite type of handmade item to buy for myself is jewelry.
Photos are courtesy of Consuelo Okdie
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