Josiah Kopp
Photos By Kayleigh Omang
Meghan Stinar creates colorful, bold and fun clay earrings to liven up any ensemble. Through her brand, Meghan Stinar Crafts, she is always coming out with new designs and shapes to stay on-trend and delight her customers.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you create?
I create polymer clay earrings, I like to create patterns for the earrings and choose interesting color palettes for my color-blocked earrings. For my full-time job, I teach 6th grade English in Fargo and love it. I have an addiction to crafting and lead the Ladyboss Book Club. I don’t know how to relax, but I am working on it in my non-existent free time.
How did you get into this type of jewelry making?
Last November I took a class with Catie Miller at Unglued making polymer clay earrings. I’ve taken quite a few classes there because I enjoy them as a creative outlet, but this was a class I left feeling like it was something I wanted to pursue.
What is one of your favorite pieces you’ve created? Why?
It is hard to pick a favorite, but I would say the ones I’m most proud of are the earrings I’ve created that have been floating around in my brain for a bit and then successfully transferred to a physical product. There is something magical about the creative process when all the pieces fit together smoothly.
What is your most popular product/pattern/style you’ve made?
Recently, the most popular style I’ve had are sprinkle-inspired. Molly Yeh gave me an Instagram shout out and they kind of blew up. They take a long time to make, but are so joyous that they are worth it!
What is a word that best describes you?
Determined
How do you stay inspired to create?
My husband always reminds me that this is something I do for fun. As soon as it becomes a chore or too stressful, it isn’t serving the purpose it is supposed to. I find inspiration in the most random places, manicures, outfits, ad campaigns…I am always looking for new and interesting color combinations. I have a hard time sitting still, so creating is a good outlet for me to try to relax and find some peace. We also have an amazing creative community in the F-M area, so I am constantly inspired by my peers and other local makers.
What has been the most challenging and most rewarding things about doing your business?
I feel like there’s a new challenge all the time! Most recently, I’ve started making simpler, color-blocked earrings. At first, I thought they were boring and basic, but now I love the sleekness and playfulness of them. I’ve been able to come up with color palettes that I think are so beautiful and interesting, so that has been exciting.
There is nothing more rewarding than seeing people wearing my product. At Unglued Craft Fest there were a couple of people wearing my earrings, and that will never fail to put a smile on my face.
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a handmade business?
The best thing you can do is just jump in. When I started, I decided to apply for the Unglued Craft Fest just to see if I would get in, then I did. After that, I had to learn on the fly how to get my business up and running. I think without that I would have sat around for a long time, wishing that I could make something happen. Not all hobbies need to become hustles, but if you think your product is something the world, or parts of the world, needs, then get out there and go for it.
Where can people find your work?
I’m on Etsy at etsy.com/shop/MeghanStinarCrafts and at Unglued in Fargo. I always post to Instagram first, @Meghan.Stinar.Crafts. I also will be at “i like you” in Minneapolis starting this spring!
How can our community help your business grow?
I am the first to understand that giant, colorful earrings aren’t for everyone, but the best way to help a business grow is by supporting it by buying the product. Buy my earrings! Gift my earrings! Commission a group of earrings! The easiest thing to do is show support online, follow me on Instagram, favorite my Etsy shop, tag me in photos when you wear my earrings. I feel like I am on the cusp of exciting things and having community support is incredible.
If you aren’t a person to wear big earrings or aren’t on social media, nothing makes me happier when people shop locally. If you are buying something, if you are able to buy local, do it! I have so many maker friends that all work incredibly hard and make the most amazing products. Our community is so supportive that buying local couldn’t be easier!
What’s next for you?
Lately, I’ve been doing some custom orders which is fun. One for a bridal party, one for an individual looking for something specific that I hadn’t made yet. If you know you want cute earrings for gifts or an event (bachelorette party, girls’ trip, wedding party, graduation…), message me on Etsy or Instagram! I love the challenge of putting my spin on something specific for someone. I would love to have my earrings in more stores as well, so that is something I’ve been looking into.
