Check Out Amber Riedel’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Riedel.

Hi Amber, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I graduated with a business degree in Marketing (Webber International University) but in my heart, I knew I never wanted a corporate job. After college, I started working for my dad’s company in the office. It was nice being around family all day but again, I knew I wasn’t meant for 9-5 life. I’ve always been a creative. Right-brained. I love art. I grew up with an artist as a mother so I was always painting, crafting, and creating.

Every Christmas, I decorate my tree with a theme. Christmas 2019, I had the idea to hand make Clay ornaments. I loved the way they turned out and thought working with the Clay was fun and wondered what else I could create. At that time, I had been itching to make jewelry. I was YouTubing and came across polymer Clay earrings. Of course, I had to try. I loved the way they turned out! Never in a million years did I think jewelry could be made out of clay.

My best friend and owner of 417 Boutique in downtown winter Haven saw what I created and asked if I’d be interested in making a batch for her to sell in her store. Her customers fell in love with them and the demand for my earrings was actually unbelievable. That’s when I opened my Etsy shop and officially started Amber & Stone! Flash forward a year later and I’m blown away at the love and support Amber & Stone has received. I was just a girl who prayed and prayed to find her purpose and path in life and here I am, loving what I’m doing and I’m exactly where I am supposed to be.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I started my business about two months before covid hit. The main struggle was clay shortages. I didn’t even know that was a thing haha! I think there were so many people at home trying new things and new hobbies that there was an extremely high demand for clay!

Another struggle was (and is) time. As much as I’d love to fully focus on Amber & Stone, I do still work my full-time job. So creating happens after work, on the weekends, and basically in any other spare time I have. Time management is key and I’m still working on prioritizing!

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
My creative techniques have evolved since I first started Amber & Stone. I started off solely working with clay. I would make different patterns out of the Clay and stick mostly with hand-mixed solid colors. A bit later, I started making three-dimensional floral patterns on the clay and tried my hand at different patterns in the clay. I now believe I have found my niche when I started hand painting the clay. That’s why I love working with Polymer Clay, there are endless possibilities!

What are your plans for the future?
Future plans include integrating international shipping into my Etsy shop. A goal would be to hire a few gals and focus on producing a larger volume of earrings instead of the small batches I create on my own.

Contact Info:

• Email: Amber.ridel95@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.etsy.com/shop/shopamberandstone/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amberandstone_/
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/amberandstoneearrings/?ref=bookmarks

Image Credits
Photo of me in front of orange wall- Alissa Riedel Photos