Today we’d like to introduce you to Zayuri Kocijancic.
Hi Zayuri, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began with a simple passion for creating beauty from clay. I started making handmade earrings four years ago and during the COVID pandemic, while teaching third grade in Virginia, I found solace in exploring clay and crafting different designs. As schools closed, this creative outlet brought me immense joy. What began as a hobby soon turned into something more meaningful.
After making various designs as a hobby in my home, I began gifting my pieces to friends, colleagues, family members and to other spouses in our community. The positive feedback and support I received, inspired me to transform my passion into a small business.
Two years later, with the encouragement of loved ones, I worked hard to make my small business dreams a reality. We moved back home to Florida, where I decided to become a stay- at-home mom, allowing me to spend quality time with my daughter while fully focusing on my business.
I chose to make earrings because I’ve always loved how something so small can instantly lift your mood and make you feel more put together. Earrings have a way of transforming an entire look and even shifting how you feel about yourself. I wanted to create pieces that do just that, handmade earrings that tell a story and help you feel confident and beautiful, no matter the day. Whether your hair’s a mess, you’re running around as a stay-at-home mom, or heading into a busy workday, I want my earrings to be that little boost that reminds you of your beauty!
After starting my business, I opened an Etsy shop where I still sell many of my designs today. Not long after selling online, I realized I wanted to connect more with people in my own community and meet other small business owners. That led me to look into local pop-up events and markets and fell in love with the experience. Now, I regularly attend local events and even have a curated selection of my handmade jewelry in two shops in Brevard County.
A lot of my inspiration comes from personal experiences, the books I love, nature, and the changing seasons. This journey has been filled with so many exciting milestones including officially licensing my Sarah J. Mass inspired pieces, seeing my jewelry in stores, and bringing happiness to others through my jewelry.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
My journey hasn’t always been easy. As a stay-at-home mom, juggling motherhood and running a business can come with its fair share of challenges. There have been moments filled with doubt, wondering if I’m doing enough, questioning if people are seeing my work, or feeling discouraged when sales were low. Trying to stay relevant in such a fast-paced space can feel overwhelming, and there were times, I wondered if I should keep going.
Last year, my family and I experienced an incredibly devastating loss, my brother passed away, and it deeply impacted me both personally and creatively. It was one of the hardest times of my life, and for a while, I wasn’t sure if I could keep moving forward with my business.
But I found strength in my family and healing as much as I could through creating, especially in a time where everything felt quiet and heavy. I know he wouldn’t want me to give up on something I love, and that’s what kept me moving forward, one step at a time.
But through it all, I’ve always come back to my why- the love I have for creating, the happiness I feel when someone connects with a piece I made, and the hope that even something so small like a pair of earrings can make someone’s day a little brighter. A huge part of why I do this is for my daughter. To show her that it’s okay to dream big, to try, to fail, and to keep going. I want her to see what it looks like to build something with love and hard work, even when it’s hard! I want to show her to chase her dreams no matter how big or small!
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I create and specialize in handmade polymer clay earrings that are designed to make people feel beautiful, confident and seen. I aim to make all my earrings lightweight and hypoallergenic so that they are comfortable for everyday wear. I specialize in small batch, thoughtfully crafted jewelry that I gather inspiration from the world around me. Many of my collections are inspired by personal experiences, nature, emotions, moments in everyday life or even my favorite fictional worlds.
I think what sets me apart is the heart behind each design. I’m creating pieces that carry meaning and I am also very particular about the details in my earrings because I want every piece to feel thoughtfully made and as close to perfect as possible. I’m proud of how far I’ve come while doing this as a stay-at-home mom. I have set goals for myself and my business and I’m so proud when I slowly accomplish these goals. This journey has taken a lot of late nights, learning curves, and pushing through self-doubt. I’ve built this business from the ground up while being present with my family, and raising my daughter. I’m especially proud to be doing it with my daughter by my side and showing her what it looks like to chase a dream. I’m proud of how far it’s come. I’m proud of officially licensing one of my collections, the connections I’ve made, the stories behind each piece, and the confidence my jewelry may bring to others.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My advice would be to not be afraid to start even if you start small! I know when I started, I wanted to have everything perfect and everything in place to even begin to think about launching myself into my business. That fear, and that wanting everything to be perfect, can prevent us from starting or growing. So my biggest advice is to start and never look back, make your decision and run with it and everything will fall into place. I think giving ourselves a lot of grace and patience is really important, especially starting a small business which can come with a lot of trial and error and learning as we go. Keep chasing happiness as you go and let your why guide you. Keep creating and showing up, and trust that growth takes time!
Pricing:
- $10-$14 for stud earrings
- $16-$25 for dangle earrings
- $35-$45 for custom pieces and intricate designs
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simplyzay.etsy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyzayco/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1Zu8dpW1fs/?mibextid=JRoKGi
